Chapter 50: Chapter 50

A long clamorous silence invaded both of us while eating our dinner. I only can hear the sound of fork and spoon clattering together. The sound of the plate run by a knife was overly rackety. However, I didn't flinch or move more of my muscle while watching my food underneath. I was busy minding my own world, having my own thoughts, when someone faked a cough.

"Do you like my cooking?" I heard him ask. His voice is low and somehow steady, as if he's careful not to say anything that's up against my will. I shrug my shoulders and then continue to chew slightly. The food is not horrible, though. I was just taking my time to digest everything.

Another stillness filled every corner of the kitchen. I know he's watching me under his lashes, observing my every mood, and he's confused about why I'm not talking too much. Honestly? I don't know either. Even if he asked me about it, I don't know what excuse I would say.

But my mind keeps going to that same scenario earlier that I had witnessed in the staircase. Something was off in their interaction. I expect him not to mind at all, especially to a girl. He would just shrug it off and then walk away. But no, he even says his second name to her.

Just the thought of it, something inside me flits, and I wanted to chuck something. My internal self was in chaos, and I couldn't obtain it. What is wrong with me? I'm convincing myself it's just a regular exchange of casual talk, but I was not in favor. Also, instead of confronting him, I remained silent, reasoning through all of this.

"Why are you so quiet? Is there something wrong?"

He finally dropped the bomb, which I should have expected to answer, but I didn't know why I stopped my tongue from answering his simple question with a yes or no. I paused. My body stiffened from the tension of his stares. I dropped my spoon on the table and then slowly looked at his face.

All the colors on my face drained and streamed on the floor when I saw how sinister his eyes were. Not in a harmful way like he wanted to take my life in just a snap, but he looks more rigid on who made me so quiet today.

"Did someone who I do not notice have bother you? Are you still thinking about those fuckers earlier you called you? Do you want me to hunt them down?" he asked earnestly. He sounded so concerned with me, at the same time furious and somehow bothered.

"I-" I parted my lips, then faked a coughed. I took a deep breath for it to take courage, then smiled, which I know is not my genuine one.

"I was just hungry." I maintain my grin, hoping he didn't notice something was off. His eyes squint, overseeing me. His eyes roamed around my body, then they stopped on my chest.

"You're breathing heavily, your shoulders are tensed, you look constipated. something is definitely going on, but you aren't confident to talk about it, right?"

I was gaping at him the whole time after he pointed out, which obviously, was right about me. However, my smile did not falter. I actually did not know what I would say to him, even though I was also confused about my emotion. It feels unfamiliar to discern this. Almost half of my year focused on Ethan, and I am the only woman he had set his eyes to.

But everything is not different when he introduces himself to another woman earlier, who is also attractive like him. I don't want to say I don't stand a chance against her because I know I also have the looks, but the confidence? No, that's where I will collapse.

"Natasha."

I snapped back to reality when he called my name authoritatively. He rested his elbow on the table and darted down at me, controlling me under his gaze. I heaved out a sigh, defeated. Maybe I should ask him about it because I want to confirm his intentions. Communication will resolve this overthinking of mine.

"Ethan, I-"

A doorbell rings, interrupting what I was about to say. We both looked at the door, curious who it was. I looked at Ethan, who just shrugged his shoulders, didn't have any clue, and then stood up. I followed him, trailing on his path. My heartbeat throbbed, worried they might have pursued us here in the new city.

Ethan covered me, walking up to my front. He's protecting me from someone who is outside of our door. I jumped in shock when the doorbells rang, infuriated as if the person outside was impatient. Ethan's fangs appeared, then ready his claws, prepared to attack.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, then clung to his shirt. I will not leave his side if ever the police find us, even though they only want confirmation. It's hard to lie to the authorities, especially if they have evidence against you.

Ethan slowly twists the door, opening it. The sweats forming on my forehead, strolling down to my cheeks and neck. My whole body intensified when he opened the door. However, we both paused on our spot, confounded. Ethan hurriedly changed his arms back to his normal hand. It was someone who we didn't expect to be.

"Hi!" her high-pitched tone echoed throughout the whole room. She waved her hand merrily, then played with her hair.

"How are you, Ajax?" she asked.

My eyebrows furrowed. What is she doing here?

"I'm sorry. Why are you here?" Ethan asked in a cold tone. He would usually close the door and not talk to the woman before us, but instead, he even said his apology.

"Well, I wondered if you would accept the invitation to eat with us. It's the landlord's idea. We threw a party for every new guest here. We rarely have clients because this city is deserted and not really an ideal to live by."

I look at Ethan, who remained emotionless in his spot, but his eyebrow raised, willing to listen to her. She smiled alluringly and then offered a letter to him. Ethan looked at it and then accepted it. I peeked above his shoulders, reading what was on the note.

"So, what do you say? Are you in or what?" she asked. Hopefully, Ethan will agree with her.

I anticipated his answer. I was waiting for him to look down at me and ask for my opinion about this nonsense. However, he nodded his head and looked back at the woman, to my surprise.

"Sure." was all he said, then slid the paper into his pockets. Things couldn't get even better when she jumped on him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest. I froze on my spot, not knowing what to do. I wanted to push her away, but that would look so rude.

"Yey! Thanks, sugar! I will be expecting you!" she took a step back and offered her hand.

"I'm Criselda, by the way. Nice to meet you."

Ethan looked down at her hands, observed them, then slowly gazed up at her face, waiting for his reply. Her cleavage is sticking out because her dress that's too tight and short. As if she had just returned from another party. I was about to chime in enough of this nonsense when Ethan accepted her hand and then nodded his head in courtesy.

"Nice to meet you, too." then he let go of her hand, dismissing her. Ethan held the edge of the door and was about to close it when Criselda blocked her long legs.

"It was nice meeting you, Ethan," she said in her flirtatious voice, then flaunted her long lashes. Ethan's eyes roamed around her face, then nodded his head. Criselda winked, then stormed out of the room, leaving us, and did not even set her eyes on me. Ethan closed the door and then gazed down at me when we were alone.

"Are you-"

"Go by yourself." I interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. I turned my back on him and was about to walk away when he stopped me by holding my pulse. I didn't look at him because he couldn't see my tears on edge. I bit my bottom lip, trying hard not to be heard sniffing.

"Natasha, what's wrong?" he asked earnestly, his tone changed. He sounded more concerned this time. I didn't say anything nor glance at him. I, instead, pried off his hands from me and then walked away to our room.

"Natasha! Talked to me!" I heard his footsteps following me. I suddenly ran and then locked the doors behind me when I got inside the room before he could catch up to me. The door was almost crushed when he banged on it with his fist. Good thing I jolted the lock.

"Natasha! Open this door! Why aren't you talking to me?!" he was furious and wanted to throw his hands. I shook my head while tears were streaming down my cheeks. I closed my eyes and then cried silently.

"Natasha, please...why are you doing this? Open this door-"

"N-no!" my voice cracks in surprise. I sounded like I was breaking down, and it wasn't my intention to be heard. I covered my mouth with my palm, then back away from the door.

Surprisingly, he stopped banging on the door. It had a crack in the middle. He can destroy it if he wants to, but we are living in another city, and he's limiting his power. He went still for a long minute before he finally spoke.

"Why are you crying, love?" his voice toned down.

I stare at the door, dumbfounded. I stopped dead in my tracks, looking like a lifeless person in the middle of the room. I looked around, standing alone. That's when I burst into reality. Why am I running away from him? What pushed me to act like this? Oh god. I slowly sank to the floor while my hand was on my face.

I wanted to slap myself, but then I knew I had a reason why I was acting like this. Ethan changed. He became friendlier than I could've imagined, especially towards a young beautiful fine woman like Criselda. I stand no chance against her. You know what they say, a slut overcomes the beauty.

No matter how gorgeous or lovely you are, if your man is surrounded by hungry predators, he can't win. Even if he's the alpha, he can't win.

No one talked between us. I crawled on the floor to the door and rested my head on the wood. I looked up from the ceiling, dumbfounded by what was going on in my surroundings. Ethan was unbelievably quiet on the other side of the room. I have no idea if he went out and been with that Criselda. The thought of it wrecks me, and it's my fault because I can't open up what I am feeling about this.

It's new. It's bizarre. I don't know if this is normal to feel. I feel so unfortunate because I can't look him in the eye. It should be easy to say I don't like that, Criselda. Still, I don't want to stop him from generally communicating with others.

"I'm sorry if you are mad at me. If ever I did something that offended you, communicate with me. I am willing to tell you every possible word I can to assure you, Natasha."

His voice was soothing. If ever he was here, I could feel his hands gently caressing my shoulder and kissing me on my forehead. He sounded so sincere and apologetic that it anguished him to see me avoiding him.

"I would do everything to cheer you, my love. Just please talk to me and sort this out. What did I do wrong? Tell me so I can fix this."

Maybe, I was a little bit dramatic, and I should have just talked to him more calmly. I picked up myself from the ground and then took a long breath. I looked at the door, fighting with myself if I should open it or not. I bit my lip and then slowly twisted the doorknob to see him sitting on the ground, hugging his knees. He looks so helpless on the floor. When he felt someone was looking at him, he suddenly darted to my face, and his eyes widened.

"Natasha!" he stood up and then hugged him so tight as if he had never touched me before. I smiled, then let him embrace me. He played with my hair.

"Are you okay now? What happened to you?" he worriedly asked, then held both of my cheeks, glimpsing straight into my gazes.

"Ethan, can I be honest with you?" I told him, and he stiffened. He was quiet, unable to think suddenly. After probably minutes of waiting, he nodded his head and then let out all of his attention to me.

"Sure, what is it?"

"I want you to not-" I stopped myself, thinking through this. It somehow sounded so greedy on my part. I mean, it's okay for me to let Ethan associate with someone, especially an average person. Maybe, I should just trust him. I knew he wouldn't do something that was against me. Ethan is brilliant. He should know what's his boundaries.

"What?" he lowered his face, trying to catch my eyes. I smiled, then shrugged.

"I just want to let you know I trust you, Ethan, and I love you."

He fell in silence, speechless. Later on, he suddenly looks away, pursing his lips.

"I want to fuck you in this same spot," he muttered in a low voice while blushing like a tomato.

"E-ethan..." my eyes widen. The thought of him making love in this apartment, even though we just got here, made my insides tingle.

"N-not now, Ethan, aren't you going to the party later? She invited you, though." I changed the topic in case we got carried away. I knew Ethan. Once he starts, it would take hours to make him cum.

"Me? I'm bringing my girl to the party. There's no me, but we." then he pulled me towards him to kiss me passionately.