Chapter 8 : Poker Face

Mia's POV

“Don’t come any closer.” Ethan’s driver said to Jake in a firm tone as he approached us.

I noticed the driver reaching for something on his belt and I realized he was carrying a gun. My heart pounded in my chest as I feared the worst. It was clear that this man served as more than a driver to Ethan.

“That’s alright, Hector.” Ethan said, putting a hand up to him. “I think Mia knows this man.”

Hector gave Ethan a short nod and took on an eased posture.

“Sorry.” Jake apologized as he approached us on the sidewalk. “I didn’t mean to startle anyone.”

“That’s alright.” Ethan behaved like a gentleman, extending a hand toward Jake. “I’m Ethan Black.”

“Jake Carter.” Jake said, as they shook hands.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, feeling vulnerable. “How did you even know I was here?”

“I tried to call you but you didn’t answer, so I called your house. Your mom told me you were here.”

“Oh.” I said, still not understanding why he would come looking for me. “Well, what’s up?”

“I figured you were having your second meeting with the famous Ethan Black.” Jake started, beaming at Ethan. “I just had to meet you. I’m a huge fan of your work.”

“I’m flattered.” Ethan chuckled and I rolled my eyes.

“I would love to pick your brain sometime.” Jake said with desperation in his eyes.

“Sure.” Ethan shrugged. “Perhaps we can set up a lunch meeting in the future.”

“That would be amazing!” Jake was totally fangirling.

I shook my head, wondering how I was going to explain all of this to Jake. Ethan would likely urge me to lie to him as well to keep up appearances but I’d never kept anything from Jake. What would that even look like? Ethan caught my eye as Jake rambled on and I could tell that he could sense something beneath the surface. Thankfully, Jake got a phone call right before I lost my cool.

“I’m so sorry.” Jake seemed frustrated. “I need to take this call.” I was already guessing from whom.

“Not a problem.” Ethan was clearly thankful for an out. “I’ve got to get running, anyway.”

“It was such a pleasure to meet you.” Jake said, reaching to shake Ethan’s hand again.

Jake excused himself, and Ethan and I let out a big sigh. “This is going to be harder than I thought.” I said, still a little shaken up.

“What do you mean?” Ethan asked with concern.

“I don’t know.” I sighed. “I’m just not used to lying to people I care about.”

“Me neither.” Ethan agreed. “I guess we’ll figure it out together. But I need to ask you something,” Ethan said in a more serious tone.

“What is it?” I asked, a little concerned by the shift in his energy.

“Do you think you can really do this?” Ethan asked.

“I think so.” I nodded. “Why?”

“Well, it’s just… I saw the way you looked at Jake. Is there something between you two?”

“What?” I felt embarrassed. “No, of course not! Jake’s my best friend. Besides, he has a girlfriend.”

“I believe you.” Ethan immediately backed off. “It’s just that I need this to go well. So, if there is something, I need you to really consider if you can actually go through with this.”

“I’m fine.” I said, shortly. “Honestly, I am.” I needed to be fine. I couldn’t mess this up.

“Okay.” Ethan choose to believe me, and I was grateful for that. “Just remember that it’s the little details that could ruin everything, so just make sure your affairs are in order.”

“I will.” I answered, considering his words. “I’m not backing out of this. I need to do this.”

Ethan nodded with respect, and I felt powerful.

“Let me take you home.” Ethan gestured to his car. “I want to go over the plan.”

I agreed, and Ethan nodded at Hector who promptly opened the door for us. I climbed in first and then Ethan behind me. Hector closed the door tightly behind us and within minutes we were headed toward my place.

“Should I give him my address?” I asked as we turned a corner.

“No need.” Ethan answered. “He knows where to go.”

“How could he?” I was confused. “You’ve never been there before.”

“I looked into your background.” Ethan admitted with a guilty expression. “I’m sorry, I only did it for Lily’s safety. I had to make sure you were genuine.”

“I get it.” I nodded. “It’s fine.”

Ethan thanked me for understanding before moving onto telling me the plan. “I’ll begin with phone calls. I’ll call your home phone once or twice to start. We’ll want to make sure that your family really believes that you’ve caught my interest.”

My stomach churned a bit as he said this. I prayed they wouldn’t sniff out my lie. Anyone with a brain could tell I was into Jake. I had men take an interest in me in the past but I always turned them down with hopes that I’d one day be with Jake. I hoped my family would believe that I was truly interested in someone new.

“Then, I’ll begin to send you a series of gifts.” Ethan continued.

“Gifts?” I asked. “What kinds of gifts?”

“Flowers, diamonds, fancy clothing.” Ethan shrugged. “The usual.”

“That’s your usual?” I asked, completely shocked.

“Why, is that too much?” Ethan asked concerned.

“No, no.” I laughed, waving my hand. “That’ll do.”

“I’m leaving Greenbrooke for a few days.” Ethan went on. “But after my return is when we’ll officially go public with our relationship. Got it?”

“Got it.” I suddenly started feeling a rush of adrenaline.

“When I return, I’ll also bring the contract with me for you to sign. That way you’ll have proof of our agreement to protect yourself.”

“Thank you.” I didn't know why, but I looked at him with absolute trust.

“It’s only fair.” Ethan replied.

“What do you think your parents will think of me?” I asked.

“They’re going to be over the moon.” Ethan smiled.

“Really?” I lit up. “Why’s that?”

“Well, truthfully, I haven’t brought a girl home since I was in college.” Ethan admitted. “As much as my being happy is Lily’s wish, I think it’s become their wish too.”

“I see.” I nodded. “Do you think you’ll ever fall in love?”

“I’m not sure.” Ethan answered with honesty. “I haven’t even thought about it. If I’m honest with myself, I don’t know if I even know what love is.”

“Of course you do.” I said, nudging him. “If you didn’t know what love was, you wouldn’t be going through all this trouble for your sister.”

“I suppose you're right.” Ethan nodded with a smile. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” I answered.

I could see my house in the distance and a tiny panic set in. I was terrified of my parents seeing me get out of Ethan’s car. I knew we had to go public eventually, but I wasn’t ready yet.

“Could you do me a favor and drop me off at the corner?” I bashfully asked Ethan.

“Are you sure?” Ethan asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes.” I replied. “I’m not quite ready for my family to see me with you.”

“Of course.” Ethan said before telling Hector to pull over.

The brakes on the car whined as Hector veered the car right next to the curb. Ethan waited for the car to come to a full stop before opening the door and stepping out. I got out behind him and awkwardly extended my hand toward his, not knowing what else to do.

“I think we’d better get used to hugging.” Ethan said, embracing me. “Things are about to get a whole lot more intimate.”

“You’re right.” I stared at him nervously. “Sorry, I’m still getting used to all of this.”

“Don’t apologize.” Ethan said with a cocky grin. “The girls I date never apologize. They’re strong.”

I held my head up high as I heeded Ethan’s words.

“This might work out after all.” Ethan chuckled. “I already like the way you smell.”

He winked at me and I rolled my eyes. I waited as he climbed back inside the backseat of his car and shut the door. Ethan rolled the window down just before the car pulled out onto the street.

“Enjoy your last few days of normalcy.” He said from his car. “After today, your life is going to drastically change.”

With those last few words his car drove away. I watched it for a bit until I could no longer make it out in the distance. I realized I had been holding my breath and took a deep gasp of air.

I walked the rest of the way home in silence, watching the people around me go on about their days. Everyone seemed to be in their own little worlds. It was amazing that we could all live in such close proximity to one another and still never know the depths of each other's existence.

I opened the latch to the gate enclosing my front yard and stepped in. My parents were sitting on the porch swing huddled underneath a blanket when I walked up. They were giggling to themselves about something under their breath and I wondered if they were talking about me or just flirting with each other.

“Hey pumpkin.” My dad said as I made my way up the porch steps. “Where have you been?”

“I had to go to the library, remember?” I walked over to them.

“You were gone for quite a while.” My mother said. “Everything alright?”

“Of course!” I suddenly felt sweaty. “It was just a library emergency. No big deal.”

“Okay.” My mother said, still a little suspicious. “Well you missed dinner, but I made you a plate. It’s in the microwave.”

“Thanks mom.” I said, making my way inside.

They went back to giggling and chatting to themselves just as soon as I walked away. I went straight to the kitchen to look for my plate. I opened the microwave and removed the tinfoil from around the plate. It was my favorite. Pot roast. I ran the microwave for two minutes but removed the plate after a minute and a half out of sheer starvation. I tore into the meal at the table and finished it in record time. I suppose I didn’t realize how hungry I was.

Just as I was finishing, Amber came walking into the kitchen. She had headphones on and was purposefully ignoring me. She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a tub of vanilla ice cream. She grabbed a spoon from the drawer and dug into it, scooping a whole spoonful into her mouth.

“Hey!” I felt annoyed. “Get a bowl, that’s disgusting.”

“Shut up.” Amber said, rolling her eyes at me.

“You shut up!” I walked over to put my plate in the sink.

“What’s going on in here?” My mother asked with a stern look on her face as she entered the kitchen.

“Your daughter’s a control freak.” Amber said, putting the tub of ice cream back in the freezer and storming out.

My mother folded her arms and looked at me.

“What?” I said, annoyed.

“What’s going on with you?” She asked in a motherly tone. “You’ve been so on edge today. Is there something you want to get off your chest?”

“N-no.” I suddenly started feeling sweaty again. “She’s just such a brat.”

“She’s not a brat, she’s a teenager.” My mother scolded. “You’re not usually this bothered by her.”

“I’ve just got a lot on my mind.” I shook my head. “It’s nothing.”

“Okay.” My mother nodded. “Maybe you should turn in early tonight. Get some rest.”

“You’re probably right.” I said, feeling suddenly exhausted. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

I kissed my mother on the cheek and headed upstairs toward my room. My nerves were completely betraying me. If I couldn’t fool my own mother, I was doomed to fail this entire deal