Although Rachel told Ethan about the plan to stop the future, she needed to ensure that the part undertaken by her was performed to perfection. This wasn't a play, where a little miss or an oversight of an event would only do as much bad as a rotten review. This was her life. A life hanging in balance, of one which she wasn't even aware of till yesterday.

One things which Rachel knew for certainty was even a minute miss of detail and it would all repeat itself. Everything needed to change. It stopped being a 'let's see what happens in future' to the survival of the fittest now. Rachel clearly didn't wanted death upon her not anything bad to happen to Marc either. He hoped for a version of the future where everything happened well.

Walking into the office she saw Marc's empty chair. He was running late. Although he wasn't present early, there was Anna who was typing hard all her frustrations onto the white keyboard. Her determined face conveyed she was focused, graring at the screen. Although a working Anna was a rare sight and shouldn't be disturbed unless absolutely necessary, Rachel's knowledge of the future was a good enough reason.

Walking into the bay, she greeted Anna who simply nodded without any verbal interaction. Trying to start a conversation, Rachel said, "Working on something urgent?"

Another nod.

Rachel's plan required Anna to concentrate completely. Letting her continue, she took her seat and waited for my screen to light up. The rhythmic tap of Anna's keyboard stopped after a final speed typing. Assuming she completed her work, Rachel turned but before words came out, Anna continued, "There is something you want to talk about? I can tell.."

Rachel's smile confirmed Anna's proficiency at reading people. Her guess itself was a sign of her ability. It was futile to beat around the bush. Picking up the topic, Rachel conveyed her concern. As Ethan isn't close to her compared to Anna, her involvement was crucial. Sighing, Rachel said, "You thing Ethan is doing fine?"

Anna's face fell with a concerned look and her brows bridge at the question. "I don't know Rachel. I didn't ask."

Nodding, she thought of her next statement. Not wanting to sound desperate, she looked around, thinking, "How are things with Finn?"

The last she spoke to Finn, he was madly crushing on Anna. Before Ethan's birthday they both went home together too. Although nothing was made official by them, their behavior towards each other spoke millions. Anna's face turned crimson at his name. Her teeth dug into her lower lip trying to hide the smile that would reveal it all. She was happy with him and didn't need words to say so.

Trying to change the topic, it was Anna who bought up Ethan again. "Do you think we need to intervene?" Shaking her head at Anna's proposal, she assented.

Ensuring Ethan doesn't have a trail of bimbos before meeting her was crucial. The one thing that kept pinging inside her head was how to execute her plan. Before she could say anything, Anna stood from her chair and extended her hand. She pulled her up and marched them towards Ethan's cabin. It was quarter to nine, yet, the office was empty. The upcoming holiday season was to be blamed.

Marc still hadn't made it to office and Rachel was glad about it. Although she missed his presence, she didn't want him to employee his 'we shouldn't interfere in Ethan's life' rant.

Outside Ethan's office, Anna knocked before she barged in, holding Rachel's arm in the other. She didn't even wait for him to answer. Ethan was on a call, smiling away when they entered. Upon seeing Anna's face, he immediately ended the call.

His smile disappeared into concern. "Everything all right?"

Anna didn't reply. Instead, she crossed her hands and stool next to his table. Assuming they had some previous unresolved conversations, Rachel stood next to her, silent. "You tell me."

Ethan didn't reply either at which point the silence in the room almost killed Rachel. Unable to bare it further, she talked, "We wanted to check on you."

Ethan's shark gaze turned soft when he looked at her. A smile appeared on his face and his tone matched his expressions. "Thank Rach. But I am fine now."

His nod after the statements made her feel as if he was asking them to leave. Helpless, she turned to Anna who stood immovable. After a nudge, Anna continued, "Who was it Ethan?" Her face was frightening to look at, Rachel had never seen Anna angry and hoped she would never have t again. She was starring daggers at Ethan who didn't mind staring back.

Nodding his head, he replied in a harsher tone, "Isn't it too personal to ask your boss, Anna?"

"No. It's a friend asking another. Inquiring.." he raised his hand, stopping her from continuing.

"Encroaching."

Rachel observed the ego clash and knew that if she didn't intervene, this will all be a day's work at waste. Being aware of Ethan and Anna's characters, they might even clam up for a long time. "Ethan, what Anna means to say is that how are you dealing with it .. we are here if you want to talk.."

Rachel wasn't close with him as she was with the future Ethan. She was also aware that her touch and hold wouldn't do anything to her boss. It would only make things awkward

"I am fine. Thanks Rach. And thank you Anna." He looked at Anna and nodded. There was no doubt, he made it clear about wanting his colleagues to leave. Even Rachel couldn't cross the line but Anna stood firm. The mama bear was in action. "Show me your phone" she demanded.

Ethan protested with a hand swish. His 'No' was louder than before.

Yet Anna persevered, "I said do it."

"Stop acting like my mother, Anna"

"Guys.." Rachel's voice was lost among the loud voices. They both were yelling at each other and she was the monkey stuck in between, running across ends, pacifying.

"Don't worry I am not her. Show your phone" Anna continued.

"Dammit Anna.. What do you want?"

"You are on some dating apps. Wait! you are on hookup apps isn't it.."

Just like that, the room fell silent again. Anna pulled her big gun experience in reading people and Ethan's couldn't lie any further.

"So what? I am a grown up.."

Anna rolled her eyes. Knowing Rachel wasn't helping the conversation steer clear of the fight, she pulled Anna out of the room.

"You need to calm down and I need to talk to him. If you talk to him more, all he would do is fight back.."

Nodding she agreed. "Ya you knock some sense into him Rachel. Else I will have ​​to punch him." Assuring her, she walked back, alone.

Ethan was pacing around the room. His hands intertwined on the back of his neck and his pearly whites dug into his lower lip. She cleared her throat, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Staring back, he said, "You tell her Rach that her demands are abhorrent. How can she ask for my phone.."

She smiled, "Agreed. Her method was wrong. But not her intention."

He looks at me, scorned. "You too Rachel?"

"Yes me too. We all do. We are concerned about you. And if you think a string of one night stands can change the fact that you really loved someone and getting over her hurt, then please go ahead. But you and me both know that this heartbreak has to heal with better company. Not a strong of night stands.."

Rachel had moved further, closer to him for Ethan to lower his gaze onto her. She stayed her ground. "Don't get me wrong. None of us are judging you for what you did. We are here to help you face the situation. You need us now, more than ever." Scared, she slowly moved her hand over his clenched fist. "Let us help you."

His voice fell soft again while he looked back at me. At some level, he realized his lapse in judgment. "Okay what do you propose? "

Rachel was determined. She was fighting for her existence. "First off, delete that app. You don't need sleepover buddies. You need a better company."

Ethan scoffed, "The one who will betray me again."

"The one who will heel you again." He looked at her as if she said something wrong. Something terrible. His expressions were unreadable and so were his words.

"Why are you doing this?" Rachel's immediate thoughts were of the memorial card that she held a few days back. Sadness stormed her mind, she felt determined to convince him.

"Because you are my friend." He moved closer. She scrambled back. His eyes stayed on her, his feet placed aligned toe to toe with hers.

"Tell me the truth."

She wondered if he knew. Had he known what happens in the future? Ethan was able to read underneath the mask she donned.

"I told you." words were difficult to come out as she managed to tug herself onto the wall with the moonwalking.

"The truth.." his voice was hoarse and his eyes didn't blink. Ethan's features suggested he was angry. Unable to read those kind eyes anymore, she felt suffocated.

Forced to think outside the usual clichéd lined, she blurted the worst. "Because I have a crush on you.." 

~~

Hope you liked the chapter

What do you think will happen next?