Chapter 9:

Carla Rodriguez Hall.

Location: Dark Alley, next to the vet clinic.

I leaned against the cold brick wall, tears streaming down my face. I couldn't believe how low I had sunk just for the sake of shelter in my own home, a home I had helped Richard buy with our hard-earned money... Love surely had a way of making someone look stupid in the end.

How did I let my ex-husband humiliate me like that, in front of a stranger? I felt like a failure like I would never be able to regain my dignity.

My body shuddered while I sniffed and sobbed carelessly.

Suddenly my ears gave attention to footsteps looming in the secluded alley. I looked up, my heart racing, and saw a tall, dark figure walking towards me.

"Stay away from me, I know kung fu and I'm not afraid to use it for defense," I yelled in a shaky voice while I instinctively stepped back, and the figure stopped and chuckled briefly.

"Carla? It's Ethan Black," he answered back in a deep sexy voice as though I was supposed to be delighted by his voluntary pursuit.

What the fuck does he want from me? I sighed heavily while trying to wipe away the tears, but they kept coming. "Yeah, it's me," I said, my voice still shaking.

Ethan took a step closer, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head, unable to speak and then he did the most shocking thing ever. Ethan Black, New York's most eligible billionaire, reached out and gently placed his hand on my shoulder. "Come on with me, there is no reason for a beautiful woman like you to be down here sobbing for no good reason," he said and clasped my hand, "let's get out of this alley and talk about it over coffee."

OMG, did Ethan Black just ask me for coffee and called me beautiful? I looked at my beige frumpy cleaner's uniform and white Crocs. No Carla Rodriguez, you heard wrong, the guy just asked you for coffee because he probably feels bad that his puppy bit you and he witnessed that awful awkward moment with Richard.

"Yes, that's it," I murmured while frowning.

"I will take that as a yes." He asked.

I hesitated for a moment, but the offer was too tempting because I needed someone to vent to, and Ethan seemed like a kind and compassionate person. I believed. "Okay," I said and followed him out of the alley.

Why was he persistent about begin around me?

I had nothing to my name to offer such a wealthy man. I bit my bottom lip wondering what he wanted from me because I found his strange fascination with me uncommon.

We walked in silence for a few minutes, until we reached a cozy coffee shop. Ethan held the door open for me, and we found a table in a quiet corner.

"Do you really know kung fu, or you were just saying it to scare me off?" he furrowed his perfect brows while he darted at me with an emotionless face. His face had to be the hardest to read and if he decided to play poker, he would win by a landslide.

"Maybe," I replied with an uncertain answer. My toes, fidgeted in my crocs.

" I see." he scoffed, his posture still cool and collected. A little bit intimidating but not like Sandra's case.

As we waited for our drinks, Ethan spoke gently, "I know it's not my place to say anything about your situation, but why do you let him treat you like that when you can simply walk away and start your life new."

"You can't understand my situation," I murmured while evading his serious stare.

"And I don't want to know it, I simply ask why you can't walk away from such a toxic relationship." He asked again and I just stared at his gorgeous face, unable to give him a proper response

Don't blame me, the man was so good looking up close and his aura commanded admiration, I'm sure any woman in my shoes would get tongue-tied too.

Suddenly, the waiter, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers walked over to our table and placed the two cups of coffee Ethan ordered.

"Is there anything else you would want to order?" The waiter asked with a warm smile.

"No, that will be all," Ethan answered back without breaking off his gaze at me.

"Okay, enjoy yourselves." The waiter swiftly walked away.

I took a deep breath and then sipped on my hot coffee, which made me feel merry inside even though my life was a living nightmare in reality.

"I'm waiting for your response, Miss Carla." He said with a serious composed face.

"Okay, I will answer your question, but I will need to share my story from the beginning for you to understand me." I sighed heavily and began to tell him everything.

And to my surprise, Ethan listened attentively, his eyes never leaving mine as I spoke… at times, his stare intimidated me but his calm presence encouraged me to continue sharing my misfortunes. When I finished, he said, "I'm so sorry that happened to you. You don't deserve to be treated like that."

And my jaw dropped. Someone must be playing tricks on me. I looked around the coffee shop for cameras, but there were non I could spot.

Suddenly, I felt a warmth spread through my chest. I had never felt so understood and supported by anyone. "Thank you, for listening Mr. Black," I said, feeling tears prick at my eyes again.

"Please, call me Ethan." He said firmly and reached across the table and took my hand. "You're a strong person, Carla. Don't let your past bring you down. You're better than that."

Holy cow, this must be a dream… I swallowed hard while I felt paralyzed with a strange unfamiliar need to be kissed by his perfect mouth.

Oh, Ethan Black if only you knew what I was thinking about you? I peeked discreetly at him while sipping on my coffee. his presence alone was enough to enthrall my righteous thoughts about him.

My mind was blown by the humanity he exhibited because, in my mind, I always thought people with money are so stuck up because of the way Sandra ill-treated me.

I pinched myself discreetly to make sure I did not oversleep in Richard's house and make up everything in my mind…

I exhaled sharply as we sat in silence for a few minutes, sipping our coffee. I felt a sense of peace wash over me like I had finally found a sense of fulfillment after venting to a person I had barely comprehended what his motives were towards me...

As we finished our drinks, Ethan said, "Can I ask you something, Miss Carla?"

"Just Carla," I murmured with a shaky faint voice.

"Okay, Carla." He said firmly with an emotionless face.

And I nodded, feeling a flicker of excitement.

"If someone offered you a better-paying job than working for the vet clinic, would you take the job?" He asked and I immediately nodded in agreement.

"Yes, why not." My heart leaped in my chest.

"Good, come to Black Industries at Black Eiffel Tower tomorrow morning, and then we can see how best to help you," he said while reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a business card and got up. He then placed it on the table next to my empty coffee cup.

"Hope to see you tomorrow in high spirits. Miss Carla." He bobbed his head once and then placed a hundred-dollar bill on the table without waiting for my response, he simply walked away with a leopard's grace in his stroll and I breathed out.

"Ma'am, may I take the cups away?" the waiter suddenly appeared before me. My body twitched in surprise.

"Yes please," I answered back with a tight-lipped smile.

"Okay, ma'am, please give me a moment and I will be back with your change," he said while picking up the money.

"Oh no, keep the change as your tip," I replied.

"Ma'am, this is a hundred dollars, I simply can't get ninety-seven dollars as my tip." he insisted.

"keep it, the man you just saw leaving is the one who tipped you, so I too won't accept the change," I said and the waiter beamed.

"thank you so much ma'am." he hurriedly cleared the table, pocketed the money, and left in a rather Felix (jolly) mood as we called it in Latina.

Wow, what a morning I picked up the card and smiled for the first time in hours. I glanced at the all-black business card with wide eyes. To my surprise, the card only had his name and number.

No email or address. I froze while flipping the card back and forth to check if I perhaps missed something.

Oh well, that's not my problem. I shrugged and hurriedly walked back to the vet clinic to grab my stuff.

Maybe this was the new blissful chapter in life I needed to look forward to…I cringed my eyes shut while I relieved the short happy moment I had shared with Mr. Ethan Black.

My new knight in shining armor…

*****

Location: At the clinic.

"Carla, in my office now." Richard snapped at me with a scowl dressed in his white lab coat.

"Okay, Sir." I rolled my eyes while dragging myself into his office.

"Carla, what the fuck was that about?" He murmured with clenched jaws and veins almost popping out of his neck.

"What?" I pretended to forget how Ethan Black manhandled a full-grown man who was once a highly praised quarterback back in his days.

"The Ethan Black situation. Why was he here again?" Richard snapped angrily.

"He brought his dog for your services."I sneered silently.

"Lies, woman tell me the truth," he stepped closer to me, and I could take notice of his breathing. He snatched my bicep and squeezed. " Are you having an affair with Ethan Black?" He asked and I chuckled at his absurd thinking.

How could a man like Ethan Black fancy me?

"Richard, sweetheart, I'm not a person like you. I have pride and dignity. I stuck to my word when I said for better or worse but you didn't. So please let me go because I quit."

"What?" His jaw dropped while letting me go.

"B-but where will you go? You have no one to take you in." He gasped while stepping back.

"Where I go is non of your business. I'm sure you and your new bride are going to be happy after I leave." I smirked triumphantly.

"Lies, you can't survive without me." He said with a sour expression on his face.

"Sorry Mr Hall, I'm done. Call me when the divorce paperwork is ready." I peeled off my apron and placed it on his desk.

"Vale praetorium Mr. (Goodbye Mr. Hall)" I spoke to him in Latina and immediately left the room feeling like a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

I exhaled sharply at the new beginning I needed to look forward to.

"Good morning Mrs. Hall," sister Margaret smiled at me.

"Good morning sister, and from today onwards, just call me Carla Rodriguez." I embraced and kissed her cheek and her warm smile was replaced with a frown.