The Nerdy Guy

Camila's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Ethan's face, her mind racing to make sense of the situation. "You weren't the Ethan Whitlock I saw then," she asked, her voice laced with confusion.

Ethan, shocked by her statement, couldn't help but inquire, "You saw me?"

" No, not you the real Ethan Whitlock," Camila said with a serious expression on her face.

Ethan, taken aback by her reaction, questioned, "You weren't referring to me just now?"

Shaking her head, Camila replied, her gaze fixed on Ethan's face, "No, the Ethan Whitlock I saw before wasn't anything like you. He didn't have your physique or presence."

Curiosity piqued, Ethan inquired, "Where did you meet him?"

"It was in my town Mexico City," Camila responded, her voice filled with intrigue.

Ethan's memory jogged as he recollected, "Ah, I remember attending the opening of our branch restaurant company there about four years ago. But back then, I was quite different, more of a nerdy type."

Camila nodded, her eyes locked on Ethan's, as she continued, "Yeah, It was at the Whitlock's Restaurant Company opening event that I saw him. Everyone said he was Ethan Whitlock, the son of Whitlock. But he was nothing like you."

Ethan chuckled mischievously and playfully nudged Camila's arm. " Camila, why don't you look me up online? You might find something interesting," he suggested a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. Camila, intrigued by Ethan's challenge, pulled out her phone and swiftly began typing his name into the search bar. As the search results loaded, she scrolled through various images, her eyes darting between the screen and Ethan, who watched her with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

With each image Camila examined, she couldn't help but compare them to the person sitting right beside her. Her fingers danced across the screen as she delved deeper into her investigation, even going as far as reading Ethan's biography. Suddenly, her gaze fixed upon a particular picture, accompanied by a captivating caption: "The heir and soon-to-be president of the Biggest Food Industry, Ethan Whitlock."

Excitement bubbled up within Camila as she turned to Ethan, holding up her phone to display the image. "Ethan, is this really you?" she questioned, her voice filled with a blend of surprise and awe. Ethan's face lit up with a nostalgic smile as he glanced at the picture, memories flooding back. "Yep, that's me," he confirmed, his voice tinged with a hint of pride.

Camila's astonishment lingered as she gazed at Ethan, her eyes wide with curiosity. "So, you went from being this nerdy guy to who you are now?" she inquired, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Ethan nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, it's been quite a journey ….I had to go through that because of my….," he replied, his tone carrying a mix of vulnerability.

However, before Ethan could delve into the details, his voice trailed off, his expression clouding over. He abruptly dismissed Camila's question with a " Never mind", the mention of his past stirring painful memories within him. Sensing his discomfort, Camila decided to change the subject, not wanting to pry any further.

She shifted gears, acknowledging the popularity of the Whitlock Restaurant branches in Mexico City. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she admitted, "Well, I do eat there sometimes, I have to admit." Camila's words tumbled out hesitantly, revealing her secret admiration for the culinary delights of Whitlock's. She couldn't help but notice the spark in Ethan's eyes, a flicker of satisfaction at her confession.

Ethan's lips curled into a playful grin as he leaned in closer. "Since you've already checked me out online and confirmed I'm not a serial killer," he teased, his voice filled with a subtle charm, "Can I finally have your contact information in peace?" Camila, now finding Ethan even more attractive, felt a bashful smile curve her lips. She willingly obliged, taking Ethan's phone into her hands and dialing her number on his device.

As the digits were entered, there was a palpable sense of connection between them. Camila's heart fluttered with a mix of anticipation and excitement, not knowing where this newfound connection would lead. With the final tap of the call button, the phone emitted a soft dial tone.

Camila handed the phone back to Ethan, a playful glimmer in her eyes. "There you go, that's my contact," she said, her voice laced with a hint of mischief.

Ethan's smile widened as he glanced at the screen, relieved to see a legitimate number displayed. "Thankfully, it's a real number," he remarked, his voice brimming with amusement.

Camila couldn't help but giggle at his response, her laughter echoing in the air. "So, you thought I would give you a fake contact?" she teased, her eyebrows raised in mock surprise.

Ethan chuckled, his gaze meeting hers. "Well, you never know," he playfully retorted, his words laced with a touch of skepticism. Their banter continued, each exchange deepening the connection between them.

Engrossed in their conversation, Camila found herself sipping on her cocktail, the liquid swirling gently in the glass. The vibrant atmosphere of the bar embraced them, as soft music played in the background, creating an ambiance of warmth and comfort. With each passing moment, Camila's inhibitions began to fade, replaced by a newfound sense of liberation and joy.

Ethan's words flowed effortlessly, captivating Camila's attention as she hung on to his every word. The weight of her past heartbreak seemed to gradually melt away, replaced by a lightness in her spirit. As the laughter and stories intertwined, Camila felt the warmth of genuine connection, a healing balm for her wounded heart.

Feeling invigorated by the lively conversation, Camila found herself ordering another round of cocktails. The vibrant hues of the drinks matched the steps of emotions swirling within her. With each shot, she savored the flavors, relishing the moment of respite from her past pain.

Within moments, Camila swiftly downed four shots lined up on the bar counter. Her gaze shifted towards Ethan, who was seated beside her. The effects of the alcohol began to take hold, and Camila found herself becoming increasingly tipsy, her inhibitions fading away. With a dazed expression on her face, she started rotating her head in a complete 360-degree motion, as if caught in a whirlwind of intoxication.