Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Linda sat up in her office thinking of her and Ethan. It isn’t that she doesn’t love him. But she was afraid of something, her husband's spirit. She wished her husband hadn't died. Truly she knows that Ethan is handsome and also rich but she can’t forget the man after his own heart and who had made her who she was. RICHARD MORGAN.

She hasn’t resumed at his office because she hasn’t admitted that he had gone. She had signed the will of the properties to her. but she allowed the manager to run it with a promise to be updating her every weekend. She increased his salary.

She is gradually falling apart when she admits that she is having a feeling for Ethan, yet whenever he proposes, an event with her and her ex-husband will replay in her head.

Walking to the window of her office. She stared at the landscape around her workplace. The place cost a lot of money which hers was the least while she owned the majority of shares.

“Richard!” she mumbled without knowing that she had spoken it out.

“Who bears Richard?” She heard a female voice and she turned back to find Sophia standing behind her with her hands fold on her chest.

“HI! Sophia!” she called.

“Don’t dare call my name. What is it with you? Why can’t you admit that he is gone? Why?” she said as she watched her standing at the window with a sober face.

“Sophia, you should understand. It is really hard to admit it. I love him.” She said as tears gushed from her eyes.

“I don’t understand it, and I won't, you just need to forget about it. The past is gone. And he is gone. You have your life to live, you are alive. Let the dead go and the living stay.” Sophia consoled.

“HMM!” Linda breathed and she took the next seat beside her. She was so fumbling that she couldn't stand it anymore.

“Linda, I know you more than this. You have been a counselor to many people. Why are you so weak at your own trial? You need to admit that there is no Richard anymore. You are even lucky to find another man to take over from him. But no, my dear friend is breaking her heart dreading over the past and making it cumbersome for her and the guy. Do you know what Ethan is facing right now? You turned him down again.” She said in such a way that shows that she will never support her in the dreadful position she decides to be in.

“What happened to Ethan?”

“Ask me? Better call him and admit that you love him.”

“Sophia, I can’t do that,”

“I don’t say you can do that. But if you don’t, you are going to lost one of your friends,”

“Is that up to that?” Linda asked as she stared at mean Sophia.

“Dear friend, start acting!” Sophia said, looking for another place except to her.

Linda picked up her phone and dialed Ethan’s number. He picked up immediately as if he was expecting a call. Sophia smiled.

“Hello, Ethan!” Linda said.

“Put it on the speaker,” Sophia said and she obeyed.

“Hi Linda, how are you?” Ethan’s voice echoes from the phone speaker.

“I am fine. I called you to apologize for turning you down…” she said but was cut off by Ethan,

“That isn’t necessary. It is one of the disappointments men must face. So don’t bother to apologize,” he said.

“Okay,” Linda said.

“Tell him that you have accepted him,” Sophia said softly to Linda's other ear. But Linda waved her away.

“Who is there with you?” Ethan asked.

“Sophia,” Linda said.

“Okay, can you give her the phone?” Ethan said and Linda handed over the phone to Sophia.

“Hello, Prince!” Sophia said.

“Hello, Sophia!” Ethan said.

“Prince, I apologize on behalf of our friend,” she said.

“Don’t bother. What I am just trying to do is to invite her to my sister’s birthday which is tomorrow,” he said.

“Prince, to be honest, it isn’t good enough. You are just inviting her to your sister’s birthday all this while. “Sophia said bluntly.

“I know I am at fault here. But I have a plan but my plan was cut short because your friend refused my proposal. I wanted you to do everything to make her come. I have a surprise package for her.” he said and Sophia was happy.

“Wow!” Sophia said.

“Okay, you can return the phone to her,” Ethan said and Sophia obeyed.

“Linda, I will apologize for any emotion I cause you. I can’t allow any harm to happen to you and I will forever love you whether you accept it or not. Feel free to tell me what you think. If you decide to accept my proposal it is still very open,” Ethan said and tear gushed out from her eyes,

“I love you, Ethan.” She breaks the ice. Ethan was shocked and so was Sophia.

“What do you just say?” he asked as if he didn't hear her.

“I love you.” She repeated again.

“Wow!” Ethan screamed in joy.

“Where are you? You need to repeat it when we see.” He said joyfully.

“I am at the office.” She replied.

“Just give me some minutes.” He said and rang off before she could reply.

“Can you see? This guy loves you, you want to carelessly push him away, if you know how many ladies will pay to have him,” Sophia mumbled.

“He is coming over,” Linda said.

“Really, I know he will come. when you have broken the ice. Wow! I am happy for you friend.” Sophia said as she hugged Linda.

“Girl, you want to suffocate me,” Linda said.

“Being suffocated doesn't kill.” She replied,

Sophia released her and checked her from head to toe.

“I would like to order you some clothes. I just won't accept if Ethan sees you in this kind of cloth,” Sophia said.

“Sophia, Ethan will have to see me in this cloth, because I don’t have any clothes to wear,” Linda said.

“You know, I always got you back.” She said as she pulled her from her handbag and dialed a number. The customer care picked it up.

“Hello, this is Julikins clothing, can I help you?” the voice said.