13

The voice had made both, Ethan and Amity freeze in the spot. As though they were in sync, they turned to the voice, together.

Arthur and Ethan had finally come face to face after a long time. And one thing that was sure to both Arthur and Ethan was that Arthur had a woman beside him. But Ethan didn’t.

“Papa, Mommy,” Amity broke the silence, making both and Arthur and Ethan look at her.

She blinked her eyes at her father, “Papa. This is Ethan. I was helping him find his room.” She pointed at Ethan who was on full silent mode.

“Uh... Yeah. She was helping me,” Ethan said.

Ethan was still in shock to know that Amity was Arthur’s daughter. Arthur was a married man now and had a family of his own. Ethan neither did want to imagine Arthur with anyone else that is not him nor did he wanted Arthur to be single all this time. He had always wished the best for Arthur even after their break-up. But he was not ready to accept the reality that was in front of him now.

Arthur was blown out too, to see Ethan. He was no less than shocked from Ethan. He knew he was gambling with his feelings when he said yes to his daughter to attend the wedding. He was aware that Ethan could be at the wedding. In fact, the last bit of his heart wanted to see Ethan. It had been a long time since he had seen him. He craved to see him. But now that Ethan was in front of him, he didn’t know what to do.

He had Emily by his side and Amity stood next to Ethan holding his hand. He could barely look at Ethan.

“Oh. That’s nice of you Amity,” Emily turned to Ethan, “I hope she didn’t trouble you in any way.”

Ethan chuckled, remembering Amity’s princess syndrome, “Not at all. She’s a sweetheart.”

“Right, Ethan. But my mommy always tells me that I am a little Devil,” Amity said pouting.

Arthur cleared his throat, catching the attention of all the three people in front of him, “He is Ethan. A very close… friend of mine,” he said, turning to Emily.

She smiled at Ethan and placed her hand for a greeting.

“Emily, my wife and Amity, my daughter,” he bluntly said when Ethan shook Emily’s hand. Ethan simply nodded his head.

“Papa, Can I stay back with Ethan for some snacks? Please….” Amity pleaded.

If there was anyone who wasn’t feeling the awkwardness between Arthur and Ethan, that would be Amity at this moment. The introduction came in between her way to get free snacks.

“Maybe some other time, Amy. Ethan will be tired from the flight,” Emily tried to make her daughter understand.

Ethan interrupted when he saw Amity’s sad face at her mom’s words, “Don’t worry. I am not that tired. And I would love to spend some time with Amity. She has stolen my heart.”

Amity looked up at him, “When did I do that?”

“When you said to me I am Handsome,” he winked at her.

Amity closed her mouth and giggled.

“So I hope I can have Amity for some more time. Why don’t you both have some time for yourselves? I am sure you won’t find time for just the two of you, since your husband is super hardworking.”

“Too much!” Amity said making Arthur look at her raising his brows. She laughed and hid behind Ethan.

Ethan laughed at her action. He was well aware of how hardworking could Arthur get. When they were together, Ethan had to drag Arthur out of the library to have some fun.

Arthur nodded his head to Ethan’s words and walked away with Emily.

“Do you think she’ll…” Emily’s words were cut off by Arthur, “Don’t worry. She’ll be safe with him.” She simply nodded her head.

While Arthur and Emily walked away, Ethan and Amity went inside his suite.

The suite was similar to the one that of Arthur and his family were staying in. So Amity showed around the suite to Ethan and explained everything as if he was new to all the luxurious things.

As much shocked as Ethan was, he couldn’t get his heart to dislike Amity or Emily. He was sure these two meant a lot to Arthur just by his behavior and the way he was looking at them.

“Amity, come we’ll check out the refrigerator,” Ethan called for her. She made way inside the small kitchen very quickly.

“That was quick,”

“For snacks.”

He opened the refrigerator and they ended up picking cookies and a tub of chocolate ice cream.

They both spent the entire afternoon eating and talk stuff like some long lost friends.

Amity complained to Ethan about Arthur and how much busy he is always and about Emily and her grandparents, her school, her friends, and her plans for the summer vacations. She didn’t miss out on any topic from telling to Ethan.

By the time it was evening, Ethan had a fair idea about how Arthur lived after he married Emily and then Amity’s birth. But he still didn’t know why Arthur broke up with him! Why is he living like this! Why did he marry a woman, when he loves men and especially Ethan!! He didn’t even know if he would ever find an answer to all these questions.

“Amy, I think we should go out now,” Ethan said, getting up from the bed.

“Yes, Ethan. Go get changed soon,”

He looked at her and thought how much Arthur has spoiled her. She is literally the boss around everywhere she goes.

“Yes, Boss,” he said, and went to the bathroom to get fresh.

Amity waited for him for a while but got bored and walked into the bathroom.

“Do you want to use the washroom?” Ethan asked her when he turned to get a towel to wipe his face.

She shook her head as a no.

“Then why are you here?” he asked, walking to her.

“You are just like me,” she said folding her arms.

“How just like you I am?” he asked repeating her action.

“I also take a lot of time to get fresh and get ready. And my dad whines a lot to wait up.”

Ethan burst out laughing. He knew that Arthur who can literally get ready within 5 minutes.

“Trust me, Amy. Your father was the same when we were in college.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Ethan, can you tell me more about how my dad was in college?” she asked curiously.

“Sure. But not now. We can’t be late. We should go down to the garden for the party and greet my friends.”

“Okay. But promise me you will tell me everything about my dad,”

“Promise,” he pinky promised her to tell everything about the Arthur he knew.