Chapter 2
Tagalong? Fool? Were they talking about me?
Ethan raised his chin, looking calm as he spoke. "Zach's right. It was just child's play. It doesn't mean anything now."
I curled my trembling fingers.
My heart felt like it had been stabbed by a thousand needles, numb and aching all at once.
He was just saying that to make me feel better... He was lying to me...
Melissa suddenly shifted back, putting some distance between herself and Ethan.
Ethan's lips curved into a smile, soft and sweet like cotton candy warmed by the sun.
Then he reached out, his hand landing gently on Melissa's waist.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her close.
Ethan lowered his head and caught the edge of the paper with his teeth.
I saw it all.
His lips glided softly across Melissa's.
The paper tore, but their lips remained pressed together.
The room erupted in applause and screams.
My eyes suddenly stung, and my throat felt tight.
I couldn't figure out why they'd play a game like that.
But I knew one thing.
That was the kind of thing only super close people would do.
Way more intimate than anything I'd ever had with Ethan.
Suddenly, I felt that the question I'd wanted to ask Ethan didn't even matter anymore.
There was no point in asking him now.
I turned to leave, but a group of tall men suddenly blocked my way.
The one in front seized my arm.
"Where'd this sneaky girl come from? You really think you can just barge in here and peek at Mr. Grant's private room? Got a death wish or what?"
At that moment, I just felt empty inside.
"What's going on?" People inside the private room heard the noise and came out.
I spotted Ethan right away.
He was tall and handsome, always standing out in a crowd.
Melissa stood beside him, her arm linked with his.
They looked so cozy and perfect together.
Meanwhile, I was being shoved down by several guys, my shoulders pinned as I was forced to bend over in a humiliating posture.
My hair was a mess, with a few strands stuck to my sweaty forehead.
My collar was all crooked and messed up.
Was Ethan going to make fun of me if he saw me like this?
My face was burning, and I was sure I looked even more pathetic now.
I couldn't help but drop my gaze again. I couldn't bring myself to look at Ethan again.
The captain of security leaned in apologetically.
"Sorry, Mr. Grant. This girl attacked our men and barged right in. She was creeping around outside your private room, trying to sneak a look inside.
"Don't worry, we won't let her mess up your good time with your friends. We'll throw her out right now."
They spun me around, my head dropping even lower, feeling completely numb.
But Melissa suddenly let out a flirty little giggle. "Wait! Isn't this the clueless tagalong you guys were just talking about? Ethan's dumb sidekick?"
It was only then that Ethan finally noticed me, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "Kaylee, are you messing around again? Why'd you go and hit the security?"
I looked up, disbelief written all over my face.
Ethan's eyes were cold, his gaze frosty and distant.
That icy look cut right through me, hitting both my face and my heart.
Sharp pain stabbed at me, leaving my heart aching.
I wanted to explain, to tell him I hadn't really hit anyone. It was just a bluff. I was only pretending.
I wanted to say I wasn't messing around. I just wanted to see him.
But when I tried to speak, not a single word came out.
Ethan sighed and motioned for the security guards to back off.
His expression softened a bit. "Alright, Kaylee, you can't just go around hurting people. Try not to be so reckless next time.
"Guys, let me introduce her. This is Kaylee Lane, the only daughter of Mr. Lane, who's an old friend of my dad's."
As Ethan said my name, his eyes flicked over to Melissa. His expression was a little tense.
Ethan clearly wasn't thrilled about Melissa calling me a dumb tagalong.
Melissa's face fell.
But the second everyone heard "Mr. Lane," their whole vibe changed.
Their scornful looks vanished, replaced by friendly smiles.