Tick Tock.

Tick Tock.

Ethan kept glancing at the huge round clock hanging on the wall in front of him. He was waiting. Waiting for this meeting to be over. He felt bored and couldn't stand it anymore. He took a peek at his father, sitting on the CEO chair, speaking about one of his new plans about their upcoming project. It wasn't that he did not feel interested, he was actually listening to everything intently but his mind was off to what his father had talked to him before this meeting. Giving him all kinds of instructions and little to no reaction at the project he had recently helped with. He always had trouble figuring out what his father wanted thanks to his expressionless face that never changed. In the meeting he was in, he had many ideas he could give which he felt were better and effective than what his father was saying but he dare to say anything especially after his father strictly instructed him to stay quiet during the meeting. This irritated him a lot. Why should he then bother attending it if he isn't allowed to say anything? It was always like this with his father. He had his own rules and choices he thought were good for Ethan and Ethan had to obey him.

"Does everyone agree with what I just said?"

Ethan, filled with his thoughts fails to hear what his father just said. Making his father repeat his question, this time intended for Ethan to hear while glaring at him.

"Everyone agrees, right?"

The person next to Ethan, who happened to be his father's personal assistant, nudges Ethan on the elbow making him come back from his thoughts. Ethan startled, looks at the assistant and then at his father. Seeing the look on his father's face, he clears his throat and adds,

"Yes."

His father averts his gaze quickly without waiting for Ethan to finish speaking.

After the meeting ends, Ethan is about to leave the conference room but gets pulled back by his father, who hisses,

"What is wrong with you? Why weren't you paying attention?"

"I'm fine and I was listening."

Ethan replies after pushing his father's hand away gently.

"Do not lie. I know you. Your mind was somewhere else. What do you think the others would have felt and thought by your attitude when they were giving their ideas and you were off in your own world? How many times have I told you to show respect to other members. Your lack of discipline is something which you should work on."

"I didn't show any sort of disrespect. I listened to every one carefully. It's just that I was the only one who wasn't allowed to speak. Instead of thinking about others, shouldn't you think about how I felt with you always keeping me behind? I am your son."

Ethan couldn't hold it in any longer. He wanted to do more things, get more responsibility, after all he is the one who is going to take over the company one day. But his father always kept him behind the scenes. Didn't give him anything with much authority to take care of.

"Are you trying to emotionally blackmail me?"

"No. All I am saying is that I'm ready for more, dad. I can do a lot more than you can think, just give me a chance."

Ethan softly pleaded, hoping his dad would agree.

"It's Mr. Jenkins for you during the office hours."

His father replied coldly. He walks by Ethan, pauses and without looking back adds,

"You do remember tonight we have an important dinner meeting with our clients? You need to be on your best behaviour, do not be like how you were today a while ago. Be attentive. It's crucial to impress them."

"I know...."

Ethan mumbles with disappointment. It has always been like that. His father giving orders and him working hard without any appreciation.

"What? I couldn't hear you."

"Got it, Mr. Jenkins."

Ethan responds with annoyance. Today he felt was not a good day.

"Good. And remember, one more thing. If you manage to impress them, you might get a chance to lead this project."

Ethan's eyes lit up with excitement as soon as his father's comments ended. This was the first time his father said anything like that to him.

"Oh my god, you serious?"

He blurted out. Despite trying to keep his cool, his joyful expressions betrayed him. His father raised his brow at his behaviour.

"I mean, thank you so much Mr. Jenkins. I won't let you down. You'll see."

"Hmm."

His father gave no response and then walked away, leaving behind a grinning Ethan. He was finally getting an opportunity to make his father proud and he was not gonna let anything destroy that.

That night, they go for a famous restaurant as per their reservation. They had booked a private meeting room. But to get to there you had to pass by the normal seating area. As soon as Ethan entered the restaurant, following his father, his eyes fell on a girl. Recognition dawn upon his face as he knew the girl very well but had not seen her for a long time now. Ezra. One word he spoke out loud to himself. His father managed to hear it and questions,

"What's wrong?"

Ethan shakes his head and retorts,

"Nothing."

Ethan again glances at the girl to confirm if it was Ezra or not and it sure was. He and Ezra had went to the same university different from the rest of his friends, so he was especially close to her. Or at least used to be. He had not talked to her for a while now. The last time he saw her was a coincidence and it was three to four days ago. He was at a supermarket with his father talking to the board members of the supermarket brand while walking and seeing the place. That's when Ezra came out the staff's room, wearing the staff's clothing. Their eyes met for a split second. Both of them surprised to see each other especially after Ezra had told everyone how she was at a training program to become an anchor, he was all the more shocked to see her there. Nevertheless, Ezra smiled and gave him a small wave. She didn't approach him and did it from afar. Ethan didn't respond and instead quickly averted his gaze and attention back to what his father was talking about. He knew his father would hate it if he were to talk to Ezra when they were on an official business. His father had always been very strict about keeping private and official business separate. On the other hand, Ezra got scolded by who seemed like her manager for standing there and wasting time. Ethan felt guilty for reacting the way he did and ever since then he wanted to message and apologise and meet with her but due to his work, he could not find the time to do so.

Coming back from his memories, Ezra had yet to notice Ethan. Ethan, meanwhile observed how Ezra was sitting with three guys and one other girl. The guy next to her was making her feel uncomfortable again and again by coming closer and closer. Ethan wanted to go over there but since he did not know the situation, he had no right to jump into conclusions. Besides, that guy could be the guy Ezra likes. Although Ezra never mentioned someone like that. Realisation hit upon Ethan who suddenly thinks about how he doesn't know much about Ezra despite them being close friends.

His father who was heading into the VIP room, turns around and calls his son to ask if he's coming or not. Ethan takes out his phone after deciding to at least message Ezra to find out if everything's okay or not, without glancing at his father replies, "I'll be there. You go ahead."

His father comes near him and then noticing Ezra, he adds,

"Isn't that girl one of your friends?"

His father who liked to keep the knowledge about his son and who he hangs out with, did know Ezra and the rest of the friends. He had even met them personally but only briefly.

"Oh..yeah..."

Ethan pretended to be oblivious.

"Ethan, you better remember what I said. There should be separate timings for work life and private life."

"Yeah yeah I know."

Ethan was typing his message to Ezra making his father annoyed at how he wasn't paying attention to him. Which is why he suddenly takes his phone away from him.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"The guests will be arriving shortly. You should keep in mind what I told you."

"I said, I know. Now, give me my phone back. I have already promised that I am not going to mess this up for you."

"You will get your phone back after the meeting ends successfully."

His father starts walking away, into the room.

"Are you freaking kidding me? I am not a kid anymore. You can't just take my phone."

Ethan complains but his father is long gone.

"Hey! I am talking to you!"

He takes one last glance at Ezra and then follows his father inside.

During the meeting, Ethan was really annoyed. First, he did not like how much fabrication his father was doing just to impress the people in front of them. Second, it was because his father had confiscated his phone which he was really angry about because he was a grown up now yet his father still treated him like a small kid. And lastly, he was still worried about Ezra. As far as he knew Ezra, she was a really energetic, positive person who would always speak up whats on her mind. Seeing her so quiet like that made him feel weird. He wanted to know what was going on which is why he couldn't take it anymore, so he got up suddenly. Using bathroom as an excuse, he exits the room, making his father glare at him for leaving.

Coming out, he notices how loud and rowdy the table sounded where Ezra sat. Despite all the noise, Ezra sat quietly. The guy next to her kept on pressuring her to drink even more despite her constant refusals. This really bothered Ethan because the Ezra he knew would never act like the way she was doing now. She would have gotten up and left seeing how the guy next to her was acting. Suddenly, Ezra looks away and her eyes lock with Ethan. She quickly averts her gaze and looks down without reacting. She was possibly trying to hide her expression but Ethan noticed it and before he knew it, his feet were leading him to the table without thinking of the consequences. Everyone at the table gets startled by his sudden appearance. Pretending as if he just noticed Ezra, he looks at her and speaks,

"Ezra? Is that you? It's been so long."

Ezra's eyes lit up with happiness and gratitude for Ethan to approach her. The corner of her lips curl up into a smile. She reflexively gets up and replies,

"Ethan! It's so good to see you. How are you?"

Ethan smiles while glaring at the people at the table especially at the guy who was next to her and replies,

"I'm fine....I hope I am not interrupting something."

Ezra seeing this as her chance, picks up her bag and responds,

"Oh no. I was just about to go home. We are finished anyways."

"Is that so? Let's go together then."

Ezra nods happily at his offer and they both turn around to leave when a voice calls out to stop them.

"Wait! Where do you think you are going? We are not done here, remember? You know what will happen if you leave."

Ezra gulps. Threat could be felt behind those words. Ethan looked at Ezra who was tightening her knuckles. He was about to speak up when Ezra spoke before he could,

"I know. That is why I said we are finished. Come on, Ethan. Lets go."

She confidently strides out leaving the others stunned. Ethan shrugs smirking and follows after her.