[Emily's POV]

A few minutes into dinner, the doorbell rang.

I gasped nervously. What was wrong with me? This wasn't the first time I was talking with Ethan so I didn't know what was wrong with me.
I drank a bottle of water to calm down.
Bennett got the door.

"Hey bro! I missed you"
Bennett said loud enough for all of us to hear.

"Me too Ben"
Ethan said as they did a fist bump.

The butler reached for his suitcase as Ethan offered him a polite smile and an approving nod.

He walked over to the dining area.

"Hey mom. I missed you"

"Me too Ethan. How was it?"

"Great, mom"

He slightly bent down and gave his mom a peck.

"Hi Emily"

"Hi Elsie"

He greeted us.

"Oh hi..how was everything?" I asked nervously as Elsie gently stomped on my feet underneath the table for me to compose myself.

"Everything was great". He replied.

"We've still got issues"
Elsie said playfully as she and Ethan laughed.

"Alright guys, I'll go upstairs to freshen up. You can continue with dinner".

******************************

" Come in"

I heard him say after I knocked.
I entered.
He wore a sweatpants and a T-shirt. A few strands of his wet hair was plastered on his forehead.

"Hey"

He smiled at me.

"I actually want to tell you something"
I said nervously.

"I also have something to tell you but you go first"
He said.

I gulped nervously. I hope he wouldn't take this the wrong way.

"It's kind of complicated. I just....
You know what, just tell me what you want to first"

I was too nervous.

"Alright. Emily.."

He said and reached for my hand gently. My heart raced abnormally. It paced faster as he held up my chin.

"There's something special about you. Anytime I'm around you, I feel great and I want to be with you forever. I want us to give a chance to whatever is blossoming between us"

I gulped more. I knew he would say something along this lines and he finally did.

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I don't know how to say this exactly and I don't want to hurt your feelings but I'm not ready for a relationship. And I'm not sure my feelings. It could be an infatuation or even just a silly crush"

I saw a glint of pain shoot through his eyes as I explained myself. I knew he was hurt but I had to do this. I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I had rather led him on and then tell him later that I was unsure of my feelings. He would have been more hurt.

"So are you rejecting me?"

He asked,disappointment and hurt evident in his eyes. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. But this wasn't only about him. I was also involved here and I had to do what was right and convenient for me too.

"I'm not rejecting you"

"Then what are you doing?"

"I'm just doing what's best for both of us".

" It's about him. Isn't it?" He asked and glared at me.

I shuddered at his glare. Something about his eyes changed. Anger!

"Him?"
I asked.

"Yes, him! "

"Who are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me Em"

I started getting angry at the way he began to raise his voice at me.

"That dude you kissed at the hotel"

I winced as I remembered. Why did he have to bring that up now?

"Don't drag Ornaldo into this"

He scoffed and shrugged.
Disappointed and annoyed,he sat on his bed and looked at me as I remained standing.

"He's just a friend"
I blurted out.

"Yeah right"
He said and let out a short, humorless chuckle void of any  emotion.

"He's nothing more and he's definitely not the reason for this"

"Then how would you explain kissing your friend? "

I lowered my gaze a bit.

"It was sudden and he kissed me. And it wasn't my fault"

He stared at me silently and took a deep breath.

"How then do you explain our texts. You kept flirting with me and so I thought you liked me"

"I wasn't flirting. And besides,you started texting me. How's that my fault?"

He didn't say anything. He wouldn't budge.

"I'm sorry if I led you on. That's exactly what I would like to prevent before it escalates any further. Let's just be friends and move on with our lives"

I held out my hand for a handshake. As a truce.
But he didn't budge. After a few seconds of silence, he moved over to the other side of the bed and turned his back towards me.

"Goodnight"
I said softly. I did not get a reply so I exited the room and closed the door gently. I didn't want to upset him more.
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How was this chapter? I'd love to hear from you. Personally, I felt bad for Ethan. What about you? This is actually like the longest chapter I've written. So don't you guys think I deserve a little love and appreciation?
That's right :)
Just click that little star down here and keep your comments coming in.
The love's always deep.
-StellaAmexo