Jack sat quietly at his usual booth in Jack¡¯s Grill, savoring the smoky aroma of his ribs. His mom and dad were in the kitchen, busy with orders, but Jack was used to the noise of the restaurant¡ªthe clink of silverware, the murmur of customers, and the sound of his parents working tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly. It was peaceful here, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of school, where he was constantly running after his goal of making the varsity football team. But right now, he didn¡¯t want to think about football.
His stomach was full, and his mind was elsewhere¡ªhis thoughts drifting between his workout, the conversation with Lily in gym class, and the strange feeling that had started to settle in his chest. Why had she been so distant today?
As he chewed on a tender rib, his eyes wandered around the room. That¡¯s when he spotted her¡ªLily¡ªsitting alone at a table near the back. She was with a little boy, no older than five or six. The kid looked a lot like her, with dark, messy hair and a mischievous grin that made Jack¡¯s heart tighten in his chest. Her little brother, Jack realized, observing them from across the room.
Lily looked tired. Her usual guarded expression was softened as she leaned in to listen to her brother, who was enthusiastically pointing at the menu, his eyes wide with excitement.
Jack¡¯s attention stayed fixed on them as his mom moved to their table with a polite smile. She greeted Lily warmly, as she did with all her customers, but there was a slight hesitation when she saw what the little boy was pointing to on the menu.
¡°Can I help you, dear?¡± Jack¡¯s mom asked, her voice gentle.
Lily hesitated for a moment before replying. ¡°I¡¯ll have one order of ribs, please,¡± she said, her voice a bit quieter than usual. She looked down at her brother and asked softly, ¡°Is that what you want, sweetie?¡±
The little boy nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Ribs!¡± he declared, as if it was the greatest thing in the world. His excitement was contagious, and for a second, Jack couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of guilt. Ribs weren¡¯t cheap at Jack''s Grill, and even with the discount his mom sometimes gave to regulars, it wasn¡¯t something that families with limited income often ordered.
Lily looked at her brother and smiled, but it was a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. She was trying so hard to give him something he wanted, something that made him happy, but Jack could see the strain on her face. It was like she was silently weighing whether or not she could afford the meal. She seemed uncomfortable with the decision, but in the end, she couldn¡¯t say no.
Jack watched, his heart tugging painfully at the sight of her trying to balance the needs of her brother with the reality of what they could afford. He knew what it was like¡ªhe¡¯d grown up in a working-class family, always scraping by, but at least his parents had Jack¡¯s Grill to keep them afloat. It wasn¡¯t easy, but it was a steady income. Lily didn¡¯t have that luxury. And the way she looked at the menu, calculating how she could manage to pay for both of them, made him realize that.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
As his mom headed back to the kitchen, Jack leaned back in his seat, still watching Lily from across the room. The little boy happily started to make small talk with his sister, completely unaware of the stress she was carrying.
Jack suddenly had an idea¡ªa simple one, but one that he knew would help. Without thinking twice, he stood up and made his way into the kitchen.
¡°Mom,¡± Jack said quietly as he slipped through the door. His mom looked up from a sizzling skillet, wiping her hands on her apron.
¡°Jack? What¡¯s up?¡±
He glanced back at the dining area, then back at her. ¡°Can you give Lily another order of ribs? On the house.¡±
His mom raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. ¡°Lily? You mean the girl who comes in here sometimes? Why on earth would we give her free food?¡±
Jack hesitated for a second before speaking. ¡°She¡¯s a classmate of mine,¡± he said, his voice slightly more serious than usual. ¡°I just¡ªshe¡¯s going through some stuff, and she¡¯s always taking care of others, especially her brother. I think¡ I think she could use a little kindness.¡±
His mom stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, finally, she gave a soft sigh. ¡°You know we don¡¯t usually do things like this, Jack.¡±
Jack nodded. ¡°I know. But please, just this once. ¡±
His mom didn¡¯t answer immediately, but after a long pause, she gave in with a resigned nod. ¡°Alright. But only because you asked, and only because you know her. Just don¡¯t make a habit of this, okay?¡±
Jack smiled in relief. ¡°Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it.¡±
Without saying anything more, he stepped back out of the kitchen, taking a seat at his booth again. He didn¡¯t want to draw attention to himself, so he kept his head low, trying to act casual.
After a few minutes, Jack saw his mom walk over to Lily¡¯s table with another plate of ribs. She handed it to her with a polite smile, saying it was on the house. Lily¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the extra ribs. Her face, usually so guarded, softened for the briefest moment, and Jack noticed that the smile she gave wasn¡¯t the strained, forced one she¡¯d worn earlier. It was a real smile¡ªa genuine, heartwarming smile that lit up her face in a way he¡¯d never seen before.
It was small, but it was enough to make Jack¡¯s heart skip a beat.
Lily glanced up from the plate, her eyes meeting Jack¡¯s for a fraction of a second. There was something in her gaze¡ªsomething fleeting, something he couldn¡¯t quite place. But before he could think about it too much, she quickly turned her attention back to her little brother, who was already excitedly digging into the plate of ribs.
Jack sat still, a strange feeling settling in his chest. He wasn¡¯t sure what he was feeling, but he couldn¡¯t shake the image of Lily¡¯s smile, that unguarded, beautiful smile that had briefly crossed her face. It was a smile that was more than just gratitude. There was something else there¡ªsomething real.
Jack didn¡¯t fully understand why, but in that moment, he felt a deep, almost overwhelming sense of admiration for her. And as he glanced one more time through the window at her, watching her take care of her brother, he knew one thing for sure: Lily wasn¡¯t who he thought she was. There was a lot more to her than he had realized.
Without another word, Jack stood up and quietly left the restaurant, his mind buzzing with confusion and feelings he couldn¡¯t quite label. He didn¡¯t understand why he was so moved by the simple act of giving her an extra meal, or why his heart had skipped a beat when she smiled. But as he walked home, the image of her face stayed with him, lingering like a secret he couldn¡¯t bring himself to tell anyone.
As he made his way back to his house, Jack realized one thing¡ªLily had become someone he couldn¡¯t ignore. And that, for some reason, scared him.
Chapter 6: Game Day
The school bell rang, signaling the start of chemistry class period. Ethan and Jack walked into chemistry together, still talking about Jack''s plans for the big game that night. Jack was always the type to be full of energy before a big event, and today was no exception. His mind was already on the field.
¡°I¡¯m not going to stress my body before the game,¡± Jack said with a grin. ¡°I think I¡¯ll hit up the gaming cafe instead. You in?¡±
Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. ¡°A gaming cafe? You¡¯re not going to, like, tire yourself out before the game?¡±
Jack shrugged. ¡°Nah, it¡¯s just to relax.¡±
Ethan glanced over at Lily, who had just walked into the room. her gaze downcast as always. Jack, ever the optimist, immediately greet her.
¡°Hey, Lily! You should come with us to the cafe later,¡± Jack said, offering her an encouraging smile.
Lily hesitated for a moment, clearly not in the best of spirits. ¡°I don¡¯t know... I¡¯m kind of tired.¡±
Ethan, sensing an opportunity to break the tension, spoke up. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯ll be fun. Plus, it might take your mind off things.¡± He gave her a small, reassuring smile.
Lily looked at him for a moment, then sighed, her posture softening a little. ¡°Okay, fine. I¡¯ll come. But don¡¯t expect me to play too hard.¡±
The trio agreed to meet at the gaming cafe after school. Ethan went home first, greeted by his ever-polite butler, Gregory.
¡°Good afternoon, Master Ethan. How was your day?¡± Gregory asked as Ethan walked into the foyer.
Ethan sighed, feeling the familiar weight of his day settling in. ¡°Nothing¡¯s changed, Gregory. Same as always,¡± he replied, trying to brush off the conversation as he made his way upstairs.
The house was quiet, and the cool, calming luxury of his room enveloped him as he collapsed onto his bed. As he lay there, he found his mind drifting back to Lily. Ethan couldn''t deny that there was something about her that had begun to intrigue him more than he had expected. He closed his eyes, trying to shake off the thoughts, and before he knew it, he had drifted off into a nap.
Beep, beep, beep.
Ethan jolted awake, the loud sound of his alarm snapping him out of his daze. He groaned, reaching for his phone. ¡°Gregory!¡± he called out. ¡°Prepare the car. We¡¯re heading to the cafe.¡±
Within minutes, Ethan was dressed in a comfortable outfit and Gregory was already driving him to the gaming cafe. On the way, Gregory, ever the playful companion, couldn¡¯t resist a little teasing. ¡°Ah, I see someone¡¯s excited to see their friends,¡± he joked.
Ethan chuckled but didn¡¯t comment. His thoughts were elsewhere, mostly on the cafe and the fact that Lily would be there. A part of him couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there was more to her than just the quiet, distant persona she usually wore. Maybe tonight he¡¯d get a chance to find out.
When they arrived, Ethan told Gregory to park a few blocks away, just to avoid anyone recognizing him. He didn¡¯t want to attract attention. He was here to have fun, not be surrounded by crowds of people.
Inside the gaming cafe, it didn¡¯t take long for Ethan to spot Jack and Lily in a corner, deep in a battle royale game. Ethan couldn¡¯t help but notice how different Lily seemed in this environment. Normally quiet and reserved, she was now animated and focused, laughing and chatting with Jack as they strategized their next move.
Ethan walked over, and Jack waved him over excitedly. ¡°Yo, Ethan! Join us! We¡¯re running a trio.¡±
Ethan sat down next to Isabella, who was also part of the team and was surprisingly there. He noticed the empty spot next to Lily, and, for a second, felt a little awkward. Jack, already logged in and ready to go, didn¡¯t notice his hesitation.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
As the game started, the atmosphere shifted. Everyone was in sync, focused, and competitive. The group worked together like a well-oiled machine, calling out strategies and cracking jokes as they went. It was clear they were all in their element. But just as the game was reaching its peak, an unexpected interruption came from across the room.
A man entered the cafe, loudly complaining to the staff. ¡°You guys can¡¯t even get a simple order right!¡± he shouted. His angry voice cut through the air as he knocked over a drink, causing a bit of chaos.
Jack immediately stood up, his large frame towering over the others. He moved toward the man, his voice calm but firm. ¡°Hey, take it easy. There¡¯s no need to cause a scene.¡±
The man, clearly agitated, pointed a finger at Jack. ¡°Mind your business!¡± he snapped.
Jack remained unflinching, stepping in between the man and the cafe staff. Ethan, noticing the situation escalating, immediately pulled out his phone and dialed the police. Jack frame was huge being 6'' 4" and 220 pounds he looked like a giant next to the man. The man irritated grabbed the broken glass and threw it towards Jacks. Jack being a football player caught it with ease, however, his hand was bleeding. But before the situation could spiral further, the man, now realizing he was outmatched, backed down and stormed out of the cafe.
The staff quickly got back to normal, and everything settled down. However, Jack¡¯s hand had a small cut on his palm.
¡°Jeez, Jack, be more careful next time,¡±Ethan said, concern in his voice as the group walked over to check on him.
Jack, trying to play it off, grinned. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really. I¡¯m fine.¡±
Lily, however, didn¡¯t seem convinced. She went to the nearby convenience store and returned with a first aid kit. As she gently bandaged his hand, Jack couldn¡¯t help but feel a flutter in his chest. She was so calm, so focused. It was clear she cared, even if she didn¡¯t always show it.
¡°You¡¯re lucky it wasn¡¯t worse,¡± she said, her voice soft. ¡°now we are even.¡±
Jack looked at her, confused. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
Lily smiled slightly, teasing. ¡°Remember the free food you gave me the other day? We¡¯re even now.¡±
Jack chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re impossible, you know that?¡±
Meanwhile, Ethan watched from the sidelines with Isabella. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a knot form in his chest. The way Lily was helping Jack, the way she cared for him¡ªit made Ethan wonder. What if he had done something? What if he had been there to stop the man instead of just standing by? The thought lingered in his mind as the rest of the evening passed.
Later that night, the football game was about to start. Despite everything that had happened, Ethan found himself trying to focus on the game. He joined the crowd, trying his best to fit in with the school spirit, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Lily.
She hadn¡¯t shown up, as expected. But he still tried to immerse himself in the energy of the game. Isabella found him in the crowd and dragged him to the sidelines.
The game was close, and Jack played with everything he had, even though his hand was still bothering him. With only seconds left on the clock, the team decided to go for a final, big play. They passed the ball to Jack, and he caught it¡ªbut his injury caused him to lose his balance, and he slipped before he could make the final touchdown.
The crowd went silent, and Ethan felt a pang of disappointment, though he knew Jack had given it his all. After the game ended, he made his way through the crowd to find Jack and give him a word of encouragement.
¡°You did great, man,¡± Ethan said, clapping Jack on the back before heading home.
On the way back, however, Ethan saw Lily walking alone in her work uniform. Without thinking, he asked Gregory to turn the car around. He didn¡¯t know why he felt compelled to do it.
"Master Ethan if we take this turn it going to be a 30 min delay back home", said Gregory. Ethan didn''t responded, with his eyes only focused on Lily, Gregory took notice. "Oh, so she the fair lady who gotten Master Ethan heart" he chuckled. Ethan embarrassed "Just hurry up". Gregory proceeds to do park the car in the alley.
As Ethan got out of the car and walked down an alley, he ended up meeting her at an intersection. She looked up, surprised to see him. ¡°Ethan?¡±
He smiled awkwardly. ¡°Hey. What a surprised meeting you here¡±
Lily smiled but didn¡¯t say much at first. ¡°Yeah, it is.¡±
Ethan hesitated but finally spoke up. ¡°You¡¯re really good with kids, you know. I noticed that when we were together during Club Fair.¡±
Lily blinked, clearly surprised. ¡°That was a while ago. How do you even remember that?¡±
Ethan shrugged. ¡°It just stuck with me. You seem really good at it.¡±
Lily smiled softly. ¡°It¡¯s from taking care of my little brother. He¡¯s a handful.¡±
The conversation flowed easily after that, and before long, they found themselves walking down a quieter street in the city. Lily seemed to notice how comfortable Ethan was with her, despite the rundown surroundings. She raised an eyebrow, teasing. ¡°You¡¯re not freaked out by this place?¡±
Ethan glanced at the surroundings, but his attention was still on her. ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡±
Lily chuckled, shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯re a weird fellow, Ethan,¡± she said, smiling up at him before turning to go up the stairs to her building.
Ethan watched her go, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Even with his genius brain, he couldn¡¯t figure out Lily statement about him being weird.
Chapter 7: Confession
Ethan finally managed to break through the walls Lily had put up. In chemistry class, instead of her usual habit of putting her head down, they had a full-blown conversation, laughing and joking about chemistry.
"Wait, you actually understood that last question?" Ethan teased, leaning back in his chair.
Lily smirked. "Don¡¯t underestimate me. I¡¯m not just good at keeping quiet, you know."
"Could¡¯ve fooled me," Ethan shot back with a grin. "I thought you were sleeping half the time."
For once, Lily didn¡¯t shy away. She laughed softly, her voice light. "Maybe I¡¯m just bored."
"Ouch," Ethan feigned offense. "And here I thought my jokes were keeping you entertained."
"They¡¯re... okay," Lily admitted with a playful shrug, making Ethan chuckle.
Jack, however, didn¡¯t come to school that day, which struck Ethan as odd. Normally, Jack¡¯s absence would have been a big deal, but Ethan was so engrossed in his conversation with Lily that Jack¡¯s absence barely registered.
At the start of the semester, Ethan needed to begin volunteering to fulfill a school requirement. He decided to volunteer at a daycare. On his first day, he met the counselor, Max, who greeted him warmly.
"Ethan, right?" Max asked, extending a hand. "Welcome aboard. Your job is pretty straightforward¡ªkeep an eye on the kids, step in if there¡¯s any trouble, and make sure everyone¡¯s safe. Think you¡¯re up for it?"
Ethan nodded confidently. "Sounds simple enough."
For most of the day, things went smoothly. Ethan watched over the kids as they played, occasionally stepping in to settle minor disputes. But then a fight broke out between two boys, Lirio and Arthur, who were tussling over a toy truck.
"It¡¯s mine!" Lirio shouted, pulling the truck.
"No, I had it first!" Arthur shot back, refusing to let go.
Ethan stepped in quickly, kneeling between them. "Hey, hey! What¡¯s going on here?"
"He stole it from me!" Lirio exclaimed, pointing at Arthur.
Arthur frowned. "I didn¡¯t steal it! He just wants everything!"
"Alright, that¡¯s enough," Ethan said firmly. "Both of you, corners. Now."
The boys groaned but obeyed, trudging to opposite sides of the room. Ethan turned to Lirio. "You can¡¯t just start fights because you don¡¯t get your way. Got it?"Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
Lirio crossed his arms, pouting. "Fine."
When the day ended, guardians arrived to pick up the children. Ethan was surprised to see Lily walk in, waving at Lirio. She spotted Ethan and blinked in surprise.
"Ethan?" she asked, walking over. "What are you doing here?"
Ethan grinned sheepishly. "Volunteering. Didn¡¯t expect to see you here."
Lirio snickered, pointing at Ethan. "He yelled at me today. Put me in the corner."
Lily raised an eyebrow, looking between them. "Oh, really? What did you do?"
"Started a fight," Ethan explained. "He¡¯s got quite the temper."
Lily shook her head, sighing. "That sounds about right. Thanks for handling him. He can be a handful."
As they left the daycare, Ethan offered to walk them home.
During the walk, Lirio¡¯s stomach growled loudly. He tugged at Lily¡¯s hand, pouting. "I want ribs. Can we get ribs?"
Lily hesitated, her face uneasy. "We¡¯ve got food at home, Lirio."
Ethan noticed her discomfort, the way her tone wavered. It struck him¡ªhe had never experienced poverty, never had to think twice about something as simple as dinner. He fell silent, the weight of that realization settling over him.
Lirio huffed but eventually dropped the subject. "Fine," he muttered.
Ethan walked them the rest of the way home, trying to shake the unease he felt. Lirio, still miffed about not getting ribs, threw the occasional glare at Ethan, who couldn¡¯t help but tease him back.
"You¡¯re mean," Lirio said.
"You started it," Ethan replied, smirking. "Maybe next time, think before you act."
Lirio huffed, making Lily laugh. "You two sound like your at war with each other," she said, amused.
Ethan chuckled. "Don¡¯t remind me." Ethan felt his heart flutter during their walk. Lily¡¯s laugh¡ªsoft and genuine¡ªlingered in his mind. The way her eyes lit up when Lirio made a cheeky remark or how she teased Ethan about his attempts to "manage" Lirio¡¯s attitude stayed with him. The small moments, like when her hand brushed his arm as she gestured or the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while smiling, left him reeling in ways he hadn¡¯t expected.
After dropping them off, Ethan called Gregory for a ride home. As he climbed into the car, he found himself lost in thought. Gregory, ever perceptive, glanced at him in the rearview mirror.
"Everything alright, Master Ethan?"
Ethan hesitated before asking, "What do you do if you like a girl?"
Gregory chuckled, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Ah, so it¡¯s that girl, is it? The one I had to turn the car around for?"
Ethan flushed, looking away. "Just answer the question."
Gregory¡¯s eyes twinkled with amusement. "You have to take initiative, sir. Make the first move before it¡¯s too late. Don¡¯t wait for things to fall into place¡ªyou make them happen."
Ethan mulled over his words during the ride home, his mind swirling with thoughts of Lily and the day¡¯s events.
The next morning on the bus ride to school, Ethan¡¯s usual routine of greeting Jack with carefree banter felt different¡ªoff, even. When Jack finally boarded, he seemed hesitant but sat beside Ethan with a sigh.
"Everything alright?" Ethan asked, studying his friend.
Jack hesitated before blurting out, "I think I have a crush on Lily."
Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped, but he masked it with a laugh. "Bruh, really? Lily?"
Jack shrugged, a small smile on his face. "Yeah. She¡¯s¡ different. I don¡¯t know. I like that."
Ethan forced a grin. "Well, good luck with that, man."
Jack nudged him. "What about you? Anyone you¡¯ve got your eye on?"
Ethan avoided the question, staring out the window. "Nah, not really."
Jack didn¡¯t press, but as the bus rolled on, Ethan¡¯s heart felt heavier. He wasn¡¯t sure what bothered him more¡ªJack¡¯s confession or his own conflicted feelings about Lily.
Chapter 8: Field Trip Rivalry
The day started in chemistry class, with a palpable buzz of excitement about the upcoming field trip. Students chattered about what to expect, and Jack was no exception.
"Yo, Ethan!" Jack called, sliding into the seat beside him. He slung an arm over Ethan''s shoulder with his usual flair. "You pumped for today? It¡¯s your first field trip, right?"
Ethan smirked, leaning back. "Not exactly. I¡¯ve been on a few before."
"Yeah?" Jack tilted his head. "Well, I¡¯m betting this one¡¯s gonna be memorable. I¡¯ve got a plan, bro." His grin widened mischievously.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What plan?"
Jack leaned in, his voice lowering. "I¡¯m gonna sit next to Lily. This is my shot to make a move. You know, talk to her, get her to see me as more than the class clown."
The words hit Ethan harder than expected, but he forced a laugh. "Bold strategy, man. Good luck."
"Don¡¯t need luck," Jack replied confidently.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. The students spilled into the hall, heading toward the bus stop. Ethan lingered behind, his mind unsettled.
At the bus, Lily found a window seat and sat down quietly. Jack was quick to seize the moment, sliding into the seat beside her with a grin. Ethan watched from a distance, his heart sinking as Jack¡¯s plan unfolded effortlessly. Before he could process it further, Isabella appeared at his side.
"You¡¯re sitting with me," Isabella declared, grabbing his arm without waiting for a reply.
Ethan blinked in surprise. "Uh, sure."
She pulled him to a seat near the middle of the bus. From her peripheral view, Lily glanced at the two of them, her expression briefly faltering before she returned her attention to Jack.
Jack, oblivious to anything else, leaned toward Lily. "So, what¡¯s your favorite sea animal? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s something boring like dolphins."
Lily smiled faintly. "Actually, I like sharks. They¡¯re misunderstood."
Jack nodded, feigning deep thought. "Sharks, huh? Knew you were cool."
Ethan, seated further back, leaned his head against the window, trying to tune them out. His thoughts swirled as the bus ride stretched on. He felt a nudge.
"Don¡¯t ignore me," Isabella said, crossing her arms. "You¡¯ve been zoning out since we left school."
"Sorry," Ethan muttered.
"Don¡¯t apologize. Just talk to me," she said with a small huff.
Before he could respond, sleep overtook him. His head lolled to the side.
When Ethan woke, the bus was eerily quiet. He blinked, disoriented, realizing his head was resting on something soft.
"Finally awake?" Isabella¡¯s voice murmured.
Ethan blinked groggily, realizing he¡¯d been asleep for quite some time. Ethan sat up abruptly, heat rising to his face as he realized he¡¯d been leaning on her shoulder. "Uh¡ªsorry. How long was I out?" embarrassment flooding his face. "Wait¡ªwhy didn¡¯t you wake me up earlier?!"This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
Isabella shrugged, a faint smirk on her lips. "Long enough," she said, her tone unreadable. "Everyone else is already inside. I didn¡¯t wake you because¡" She hesitated, then shrugged. "You looked like you needed it."
Ethan scrambled to his feet, glancing out the window. The rest of the students had already disembarked. "Why didn¡¯t you leave with them?"
"Maybe I was waiting for you," Isabella said, her tone teasing but her expression unreadable.
"Thanks, I guess," Ethan said, still flustered. He grabbed his bag and started toward the aisle.
Ethan didn¡¯t have time to dwell on her words. "Thanks, but I¡¯ve gotta catch up!" He bolted down the aisle, leaving Isabella behind. She sighed, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"You¡¯re welcome," Isabella called after him, her voice edged with mock annoyance.
Ethan paused, glancing back. Her expression was almost playful, but there was something softer in her eyes that he couldn¡¯t quite place.
Outside, Ethan spotted Jack and Lily near the shark exhibit, already chatting animatedly. Jack gestured toward the tank, clearly in his element.
"...and that¡¯s why hammerheads are the coolest," Jack said.
Lily laughed softly. "They¡¯re definitely interesting. Did you know they have 360-degree vision?"
"Mind-blowing, right?" Jack replied.
Ethan approached them, trying to shake off the unease gnawing at him. "Hey, where¡¯s the teacher? I, uh, fell asleep on the bus."
Jack barely glanced at him, too engrossed in his conversation with Lily. "You¡¯re fine, man."
"Wow, bruh," a voice said behind him. Ethan turned to find Isabella smirking at him. "You just left me back there like I didn¡¯t wake you up or something."
"Sorry," Ethan said, scratching the back of his neck. "Didn¡¯t mean to."
"Uh-huh," she replied, clearly unimpressed.
Jack and Lily, noticing the exchange, invited them to join the group. The rest of the trip passed in a series of awe-inspiring exhibits and lighthearted moments. Ethan found himself stealing glances at Lily, even as Jack monopolized her attention.
The aquarium was stunning, but Ethan barely registered the exhibits. His gaze kept drifting to Jack and Lily, who walked ahead, their heads close together as they talked. Ethan tried to ignore the uneasy churn in his stomach as Jack pointed out a shark swimming overhead, making Lily laugh.
By the end of the day, exhaustion claimed most of the students on the bus ride home. Jack dozed off, his head lolling against the window, while Isabella leaned against the seat beside Ethan, her breathing steady as she slept.
Ethan stayed awake, his thoughts tangled. He noticed Lily shifting in her seat, then standing to make her way to the back of the bus. She moved quietly, her phone clutched tightly in her hand.
Curiosity piqued, Ethan turned slightly, his gaze following her. Her hushed voice carried faintly through the bus.
"Is he okay? He¡¯s not sick, is he? What do you mean he¡¯s been crying all day?"
The worry in her tone tightened something in Ethan¡¯s chest. He pieced it together¡ªthis had to be about her brother.
When the bus arrived back at the school, Lily was the first off, moving with hurried steps. Ethan quickly grabbed his bag and followed.
"Lily!" he called.
She turned, her face pale, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "What?" she asked, her voice clipped.
"I called a taxi," Ethan said.
She blinked, too distracted to question him. The taxi pulled up, and she climbed in. Ethan hesitated only briefly before following her.
"SunnySide Daycare," Lily told the driver, her voice trembling.
As the car sped off, she began to shake. Her breaths grew shallow, her hands clutching the fabric of her jeans.
Ethan acted on instinct. He reached for her hands, covering them with his own. "Lily," he said softly.
She didn¡¯t respond, her breathing growing more erratic.
"Lily," he repeated, this time more firmly. He leaned closer, tilting his head to meet her eyes. "Look at me."
Her tear-filled gaze lifted to his, and he saw the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
"Just breathe," Ethan said, his voice steady and low. "In and out. I¡¯m here. He¡¯s going to be okay. You¡¯ve got this."
Lily¡¯s chest rose and fell unevenly as she tried to follow his instructions. Ethan didn¡¯t let go of her hands, his thumbs brushing soothing circles over her knuckles.
"Focus on me," he murmured. "That¡¯s it. Deep breaths."
Slowly, her breathing steadied. Her hands relaxed beneath his, though she didn¡¯t pull away.
"Better?" Ethan asked softly.
She nodded, her voice barely audible. "Thank you."
The taxi fell into silence, but the air between them felt charged. Lily¡¯s gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, her expression unreadable.
Ethan¡¯s heart pounded, but he held her gaze, the unspoken connection between them growing stronger with each passing second.
As the taxi neared its destination, Lily finally looked away, her fingers slipping from his. But the warmth of her touch lingered, a silent reminder of the moment they had shared.
Chapter 9: Power Of Wealth
Lily stepped into the daycare, her bag slung over one shoulder and a look of determination on her face. She scanned the room for her brother. Sitting in the corner, Lilro had his legs crossed, a tissue draped dramatically over his forehead, and an exaggerated pout on his face.
¡°Lilro¡¡± she said in a suspicious tone, kneeling to his level. ¡°What are you doing?¡±
Lilro groaned dramatically, flopping his head to one side. ¡°I¡¯m sick. I can¡¯t stay here anymore, Lily. My head hurts, my throat hurts, everything hurts.¡± He coughed for effect, glancing at her to see if she was buying it.
Her brow furrowed, and she pressed her palm lightly against his forehead. "You don¡¯t even feel warm."
¡°I¡¯m burning up! You don¡¯t get it¡ªthis place is awful!¡± he said, dropping the act as soon as they left the daycare. As they walked toward the gate, Lilro was back to his usual self, rambling nonstop. ¡°The food here is trash. Do you know what they gave us for lunch today? Mystery mush. And don¡¯t even get me started on the so-called toys. The blocks are all broken, and there¡¯s a kid who just stares at me the whole time¡ª"
¡°Enough!¡± Lily snapped, stopping mid-step and turning to face him. Her voice cracked, frustration clearly bubbling over. "This isn¡¯t something to joke about, Lilro! Do you know how worried I was when I heard you were ¡®sick¡¯? Do you think this is funny?¡±
Lilro froze, startled by her tone. For once, he didn¡¯t have a clever retort. His shoulders slumped. ¡°I¡ I¡¯m sorry, Lily. I didn¡¯t mean to make you upset.¡±
Lily sighed, her anger cooling as she looked at her little brother¡¯s remorseful expression. ¡°Just¡ don¡¯t do it again, okay?¡±
As the tension ebbed, Lilro turned his attention to someone standing a little ways away. His eyes narrowed. ¡°What¡¯s he doing here?¡±
Lily turned to see Ethan, looking awkward as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"Why is this weirdo here?" Lilro asked bluntly, crossing his arms and glaring at Ethan.
Ethan scratched the back of his head, avoiding Lilro¡¯s accusing gaze. ¡°Uh¡ I just wanted to check if everything was okay. You know, make sure you were alright.¡±
Lily sighed, reaching into her bag. She pulled out her wallet and handed Ethan some cash. ¡°Here. For the taxi.¡±
Ethan¡¯s eyes widened, and he immediately shook his head. ¡°No, no, I don¡¯t need it. The daycare¡¯s near my house anyway.¡±
Lilro shot him a skeptical look. ¡°Liar. It¡¯s not even close to here.¡±
Lily looked at Ethan, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You live near here? I didn¡¯t know that.¡±
Ethan cleared his throat, visibly uncomfortable. ¡°Uh¡ yeah. Totally. Anyway, it¡¯s getting late. You two should head home.¡±
As they walked back, Ethan tried to strike up a conversation with Lily, but Lilro kept inserting himself, glaring daggers at Ethan the whole time. By the time they reached Lily¡¯s apartment, Ethan bid them a quick goodbye and hurried off.
Once out of sight, he pulled out his phone. "Gregory," he called.
"Again, sir?" Gregory¡¯s amused voice answered. "You¡¯ve been spending a lot of time around her."
Ethan groaned. "Just pick me up, okay?"
The weekend rolled around, and Ethan was lounging in bed when his phone buzzed.
Jack: "Yo! Wanna grab food? Let¡¯s hit up the place where Lily works. Food¡¯s great, and, uh... you know. Company¡¯s not bad either. ??"
Ethan stared at the text for a moment, debating. Finally, he replied:
Ethan: "Fine. See you there."
They met up at the fast-food joint, Jack practically bouncing with excitement as they stepped inside.
A waitress approached to seat them, but it wasn¡¯t Lily. As they followed her to their table, Jack kept glancing around.
¡°You sure she¡¯s working today?¡± Ethan asked, skeptical.
Jack grinned. ¡°Nope. Took a guess. Call it instinct.¡±
Ethan shot him a look. ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous.¡±
Jack shrugged, unbothered.
As they settled in, Lily appeared from the kitchen, balancing multiple plates effortlessly. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, a few loose strands framing her face. Ethan noticed the way she moved¡ªquick and efficient, in stark contrast to the other waitresses who were chatting idly by the counter.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Lily approached the table next to theirs, placing down the orders with a polite smile. She turned slightly, her gaze landing on Ethan and Jack. Her expression shifted to one of mild annoyance.
¡°You two,¡± she said with a sigh, walking over. ¡°What do you want?¡±
Jack grinned, practically starry-eyed. ¡°Hi, Lily! Uh, we¡¯ll have¡ª¡±
Ethan interrupted, handing Lily the menu. ¡°Just the usual for me.¡±
¡°Same here,¡± Jack added, his eyes never leaving her face.
Lily scribbled on her notepad and turned on her heel without another word.
Jack leaned back in his chair, a dreamy look on his face. ¡°Man, she¡¯s even prettier today.¡±
Ethan rolled his eyes. ¡°Get a grip.¡±
As they waited for their food, Ethan¡¯s attention was drawn to the table next to them. A group of teenagers was whispering and glancing toward the door.
"Three¡ two¡ one!"
The group bolted, leaving behind empty plates and no money.
The manager at the front desk exploded. ¡°What?! A dine-and-dash?! Again?!¡± He stormed into the dining area, his face red with anger.
Lily came out of the kitchen, oblivious to the commotion, carrying more plates. The idle waitresses were quick to deflect blame.
"It¡¯s Lily¡¯s fault," one of them said. "She wasn¡¯t watching the floor."
Lily froze, her eyes wide. ¡°What? I was in the kitchen!¡±
The manager marched over, pointing a finger at her. ¡°You¡¯re responsible for this mess! This is coming out of your paycheck, and you¡¯re covering their bill!¡±
Lily¡¯s hands trembled as she stared at him, speechless.
Jack shot to his feet. ¡°That¡¯s not fair! Those other waitresses weren¡¯t doing anything! How is this her fault?¡±
The manager ignored him, continuing to berate Lily.
Ethan, silent until now, reached into his wallet. Pulling out a crisp $100 bill, he walked over to the manager.
"Here," he said loudly. "Found this on their table. Guess they didn¡¯t run after all."
The manager snatched the bill without so much as a thank you, turning back to Lily. ¡°Next time, be more competent.¡±
Jack rushed to Lily¡¯s side. ¡°Are you okay?¡±
She didn¡¯t respond, her mind reeling from the confrontation.
Ethan, meanwhile, was seething. "He must not know who he¡¯s messing with," he muttered under his breath.
Later that evening, as the restaurant sat quiet and empty, the manager lingered behind, counting cash at the front desk. The hum of the fluorescent lights filled the silence, and he muttered to himself, a self-satisfied grin on his face.
"Lazy staff, useless girl. If I didn¡¯t keep this place running, it¡¯d be in the ground," he scoffed, stacking the money into neat piles.
The door chimed unexpectedly. He looked up, frowning, as Ethan entered flanked by two towering bodyguards.
¡°We¡¯re closed,¡± the manager said dismissively, waving them off without even lifting his head fully. ¡°Come back during business hours, like normal people.¡±
Ethan took slow, deliberate steps toward him, his polished shoes clicking against the tiled floor. The sound made the manager glance up again, his irritation growing.
¡°I said¡ª¡± The manager stood, squaring his shoulders. "Leave. I don¡¯t care who you are. The kitchen¡¯s closed, and I¡¯m not wasting my time.¡±
Ethan¡¯s calm expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°No. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s leaving.¡±
The manager scoffed, stepping out from behind the counter. He jabbed a finger into Ethan¡¯s chest, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Oh, is that right? And who the hell do you think you are, coming in here and giving me orders? This is my restaurant. I run the show here.¡±
Ethan¡¯s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. ¡°You really think that?¡± He glanced at his bodyguards and raised a hand. ¡°Stay out of this.¡±
The guards stood motionless, hands clasped in front of them, their intimidating presence unshaken.
Ethan pulled his phone from his pocket, dialed a number, and brought it to his ear. ¡°It¡¯s me. Do it now.¡±
As soon as he ended the call, the manager¡¯s phone rang on the desk.
¡°What now?¡± the manager grumbled, snatching up the device.
¡°Hello?¡± he barked into the phone.
A voice on the other end exploded with fury, loud enough that Ethan could faintly hear it. ¡°You idiot! Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done? You¡¯re fired! Get out of there NOW, or I¡¯ll have security drag you out myself!¡±
The manager blinked, his bravado crumbling into confusion. ¡°What¡ªwhy? I don¡¯t understand!¡±
¡°You moron! The man you just ticked off bought not just the restaurant but the entire plaza! Do you want me to spell it out for you? Leave before you embarrass yourself further!¡±
The manager¡¯s face turned pale, and he slowly lowered the phone, his hand trembling. His eyes darted back to Ethan, whose calm but piercing gaze seemed to tower over him.
¡°I¡ I didn¡¯t¡¡± The manager stammered, backing away.
Ethan adjusted the cuff of his sleeve with deliberate slowness. ¡°I hope, in your next life, you treat people better. Especially my girl.¡±
The manager¡¯s jaw dropped, but no words came out. Ethan gave him a final glance, turned on his heel, and strode toward the exit. His bodyguards followed silently, leaving the manager standing there in stunned silence, his entire world turned upside down.
Ethan returned home, fatigue finally catching up with him. The mansion was unusually quiet, and Gregory, his ever-reliable butler, was nowhere to be found.
He remembered offhandedly that there was a trial for a new maid taking place that evening. Gregory had mentioned it earlier, saying the process would be competitive, as the position came with an enviable salary and benefits.
Ethan shrugged off his jacket, setting it on the arm of a nearby chair. The stress of the day ebbed slightly as he made his way to the bathroom for a shower.
The hot water cascaded over him, washing away the tension. Afterward, he dressed in a fresh suit¡ªcasual by his standards but still tailored to perfection. As he exited his room, he turned a corner and collided with someone.
¡°Ah¡ª!¡±
He steadied himself, looking down. His breath caught in his throat as he locked eyes with Lily.
She froze, her face a mix of shock and confusion.
¡°Lily?¡± he said, his voice incredulous.
Her brows knitted together as she pointed at him. ¡°Ethan?! What¡ what are you doing here?¡±
Ethan¡¯s heart raced. Why is she here? How much does she know?
Lily¡¯s gaze flickered to his freshly dressed appearance, her confusion deepening.
It clicked in Ethan¡¯s mind¡ªShe doesn¡¯t know this is my house.
¡°Wait,¡± she said slowly, stepping back slightly. ¡°Isn''t this were the job trial is at? And¡ why are you here?!¡±
Ethan struggled for words, his carefully crafted composure slipping. ¡°Uh¡ I could ask you the same thing!¡±
Caught up in the moment, Ethan just realize what he said and how ridiculous it sounded, it was a maid trial, and he was a dude...