First Meet

Honey

Placing my purse on the table, I took my seat and turned on my PC. True to his words, Ethan really took care of everything. Dr. Phil didn't ask for any down payment and even apologized to me for his behavior. Mom’s operation was successful. She is out of danger but needs to be kept on medication. That cop who seized my vehicle also apologized to me, and I heard he was suspended. I know Ethan is behind everything. He punished everyone who hurt me. I might sound like a bitch but they deserve it because even when I tell them everything, they ignored me and treated me as if I am trash.

Smiling to myself, I grabbed the mouse and started checking the mail.

My life turned upside down when my Dad left me and my mom all alone in this cruel world. Still, she made sure to take care of my every need. Together, we were both trying to survive, but our fate couldn't escape the vicious claws of society, which couldn't digest our happiness. The stress and frustration took a toll on her health, and her condition slowly started deteriorating. To keep the wolf out of the door, I dropped my studies and applied for a job. Luckily, I got selected. Juggling between a job and family, I could hardly give time to myself. Even trying my best, I couldn't keep the troubles at bay. One day, my uncle arrived at our house unannounced, not to ask about our well-being but to demand his share in the property. Like, literally, these people are vultures.

I was going crazy dealing with these family issues, and I failed to see that my mother's health was only worsening. And the cherry on the cake was when my boss fired me because I made a huge blunder. I used to be so tense that I made a wrong payment, leading to a severe loss for the company. I lost my job, my uncle filed a case against us, and my mother fell ill.

Finding all the doors closed, I was about to give up on life when God sent an angel to save me.

Ethan Brooks, my childhood friend.

Ethan and I were best friends, but we lost contact when he went to Germany for studies. I tried contacting him multiple times, but he never replied. Slowly, his memories faded like a ship drowned in the ocean. Ethan turned into a forgotten chapter in my life until one day...

Six months before

"Why are you increasing my suffering, God? You already took away my Dad. My Mom, who used to be the cornerstone of my house, is in bed, and I, who used to be the Princess of my parents, am today dawdling on the roads looking for a job to keep me and my mother alive. When this is the life you had decided for me, then why did you make me dream of castles? Why did you gift me the life of a pampered child when you had to snatch everything from me in the end? Sleep on the bed of roses only to be kicked on thorns the next morning? Why did you ruin my happy life, God? Why??"

I shouted in front of the holy deity, asking for the answers that I knew I would never get. I don't know where to go, whom to ask, or what to say. Why is this happening to me? For which crime am I being punished?

Burying my face in my palms, I emptied my heart to the sanctity that had also turned a deaf ear to my pleas. Just like everyone else.

Disheartened and exhausted to the bone, I wiped my face with a napkin and exited the church. It's pointless coming here, but deep down I feel contented after screaming my lungs out. I have no one to talk to. At least God listens to my complaints with sealed lips. I can make peace with that.

I was about to cross the road when an opulent black Mercedes stopped near my feet with a screeching sound. Horrified, I looked up only to see a silhouette of a man staring back at me through tinted glasses.

I curled my fingers into a ball.

'Does this road belong to you?'

The words were at the tip of my tongue, but I kept mum. There's no point in creating a scene. Moreover, demanding an apology from rich brats will only make me look like a fool.

Averting my gaze, I pulled the strap of my bag and stepped aside to walk past his car.

Suddenly, the door of the car opened with a thud. The hair on my nape stood up as I felt myself getting pulled back. The air has thickened under the intensity of his powerful and dominating aura. I resumed walking but my knees turned weak. Why the hell am I getting so intimidated? It's not like I know him.

I increased my pace but my eyes widened when I saw his reflection through the shining metallic body of his car. He was approaching me.

'Oh my God. Why is he coming near me? I didn't do anything. He is the one who nearly murdered me.'

I almost staggered, but quickly balanced myself. I could see his shadow on the tarmac as he hastily covered the distance between us.

Sweating hard, I deliberately flagged down a cab and was about to hop in when someone grabbed my left wrist from behind.

"What the"

I immediately tried to yank my hand away, but instead, I was harshly wheeled around.

"What the hell are you doing?" I shouted angrily and slapped his hand away. The audacity. He dared to touch me.

Repulsed to the core, I decided to give him a piece of my mind when he said something that left me speechless.

"Honeybun"

That endearment.

Stunned, I raised my head to look at him. He was the same rich brat who was following me.

"Excuse me?"

How does he know me? It's impossible.

Blinking in disbelief, I moved back and eyed him from head to toe. Amused, he chortled and removed his shades, leaving me gasping for air.

The man was devilishly handsome.

Dressed in a crisp red shirt with sleeves neatly folded to elbows, sleek black pants, and ankle-length boots, he looked as if he had come out straight from a movie. His black hair was perfectly coiffed, revealing his broad forehead. Thick eyebrows curtained an exquisite pair of hazel eyes that were deeply staring into my soul. His aristocratic nose, pink lips, and chiseled jawline can make one's heart race a mile.

A shiver ran down my spine when he all of sudden breached my personal space and towered over my small frame. His rich cologne turned me heady. 

"Excused, Honey." He husked. My gaze narrowed as I could hear the taunt in his baritone.

I immediately moved back, maintaining a good space between us, and crossed my arms on my chest in a defensive manner, "Listen, mister. I don't know who you are, so kindly stop bothering me." I tried to be as polite as possible.

"You do know me, Honey," he immediately retorted. His expression turned austere as if I had made a grave mistake by not recognizing this tycoon. Lost in thoughts, I didn't realize when he came closer and grabbed my hands, taking me off guard.

"I am Ethan. You're best friend."

End of Honey's P.O.V.

Honey turned stiff as a rock. His revelation rocked her world around the axis.

Ethan, on the other hand, was calm as the sea. He had expected her reaction, but the moment he witnessed tears circling in her eyes, a sharp pang of guilt stabbed his heart. He immediately stepped forward to pull her in a comforting hug, but Honey quickly moved away, avoiding his touch.

Ethan was staggered, "Honey, I-"

He opened his mouth to explain to her, but was cut off when she raised her palm in front of his face.

"Don't." She replied, her voice coming off steady and stern, which even surprised her. Honey blinked her eyes to clear off her tears before taking a deep breath.

"Don't make a scene here, Mr. Brooks. You parted ways with me long ago and didn't bother to look back. You never cared to pick up my phone, nor bothered to reply to my emails and letters, so why this drama now?" Rage crossed through her eyes as she accused him of cutting ties with her.

Ethan looked at her helplessly. She wasn't lying. It was true that he forgot about her while he was staying in Germany.

"I know. I know you're angry, but I was too busy, Hon.. You know how difficult studies are, and I was having difficulty adjusting to the new environment-"

Honey cut him off with a scoff, "Don't give me this bullshit, Ethan. You forgot about me because you were busy, and now that you have free time, you thought to meet me? So, is this my worth in your life? Fine, then I don't have time for you now. You can leave, and please don't trouble yourself, especially for me. I am not someone whom you can use at your convenience."

Growling, Honey slipped inside the cab and left, while Ethan watched her leave with a broken heart.