Chapter 5
I honestly had no idea why I suddenly said yes to Ryan.
My head was spinning at that moment, and I didn't even think about it.
It wasn't until his driver pulled up and dropped me off downstairs that I finally snapped out of it.
What did I just say?
Ryan's hand reached out, about to touch my cheek.
But at the last second, he stopped.
Instead, he playfully squeezed the little bunny charm on my bag.
"Sweetie, you said yes, so no backing out now, alright?" Ryan teased, his voice lazy and amused.
Yet there was gentleness to it.
I turned to look at him.
The car window was half-open, letting golden sunlight pour in.
It lit up his softly curled lashes and the tiny mole just at the edge of his eye.
My head was a total mess. I bolted out of the car and dashed straight home.
Ryan's light chuckle echoed behind me.
He called out, "I'll give you the most extravagant wedding, probably in about a month.
"But starting today, you're my fiancée. So from now on, your heart belongs to me. Don't think about anyone else."
Fiancée?
I gave my thigh a hard pinch.
It hurt, so I knew I wasn't dreaming.
How did I suddenly become his fiancée, just like that?
But... I really did say yes myself.
Dad always said, "If you promise someone something, you have to keep your word."
Otherwise, I'd be going back on my word.
I flopped onto my bed and let out a sigh.
Ethan was going to marry Melissa.
He broke his promise to me first.
He chose someone else.
Maybe it was the right move for me to choose Ryan.
After all, I'd spent years by Ethan's side, always looking out for him.
I never really trusted strangers.
But Ryan? He wasn't like the other strangers.
That subtle mint scent he had put me at ease.
His smile wasn't fake or forced at all.
Honestly, it felt even warmer than Ethan's ever did.
Marrying him might not be such a bad idea after all.
*****
The city rained for three whole days.
The whole city felt soggy and sluggish, like it just couldn't pull itself together.
I didn't want to step outside at all, so I just curled up on the couch and watched the old TV dramas I'd watched since I was a kid.
My phone lit up with a call from an unknown number, and when I answered, I heard Ryan's voice, soft, with a hint of a smile.
"Sweetie, I've just been really busy these past few days, so I couldn't come see you. I'm really sorry, please don't be mad at me, okay?"
My heart skipped a beat.
I caught the gentle tone in his voice.
It kind of reminded me of how the male lead talked to the female lead.
Ryan's voice was gentle and doting, like he couldn't help but spoil me.
"I..." I hesitated, not sure what to say.
"Alright, sweetie, you get some rest. See you tomorrow," Ryan said, his voice warm.
I stared at my phone, lost in thought for a moment.
Then my phone buzzed with a message from Ethan, snapping me out of it.
[Not busy today. Want me to pick you up for a fancy dinner?] Ethan texted.
If this had been before, I would've been over the moon.
I would've been so excited, I'd probably do a backflip right then and there.
But now... I just didn't really want to see him anymore.
I was still trying to figure out what to say when Ethan showed up at my door.
"You didn't pick up my calls or reply to my texts, Kaylee. That's so not like you," Ethan said.
He was dressed in a plain white shirt, the sleeves casually rolled up.
His wrists looked sharp and defined, every bone standing out.
This was exactly the kind of look I used to totally adore.
So simple, so clean. It was so easy on the eyes.
But I just looked down, avoiding his gaze.
"No... I just caught a little cold," I mumbled.
Dad always said lying was a bad habit.
But somehow, I found myself lying without even realizing it.
My heart sped up without me even noticing.
Ethan immediately crouched down in front of me, looking me over with concern.
His eyes filled with worry.
"Did you kick off your covers again last night?" he asked softly. "Come on, let me take you to the hospital."
I quickly shook my head.
"No... I don't want to... I just want to stay home and sleep..." I mumbled.
He went silent for a moment.
Then his fingers softly stroked my hair.
"Alright, just get some rest," Ethan said gently. "I'll come check on you in a few days."
He headed for the door.
Suddenly, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I blurted out, "Are you and Melissa...?"
"Melissa's heading back to Auralia in a month. Her family's moving there for good. They're not coming back," Ethan replied.