Chapter 38 BestFriends

<Third Person>

"Yes, I know! You're aware that he's head over heels for Mia, love at first sight for him," Moonraker added.

"But that woman doesn't love him! Is there any decent wife who doesn't come home?!" Nathan's voice rose.

He knew that Mia rarely went home.

"Look, she's neglecting my twin's feelings! And now what?! She had an affair! No wonder she rarely came home before because she had someone else!" Ethan said angrily.

"Ethan, if you don't want to hurt each other, divorce her!" Nathan firmly advised.

"No!" Ethan protested.

Nathan just shook his head.

"You two are always fighting. It's like you're the same as Kier! He and his wife used to fight every day, and what happened? Kier is broken as fuck, and no one can make him whole again, not even himself!"

Nathan was deeply concerned about his twin's feelings. He didn't want him to get hurt. He would protect him to the best of his ability; they were the only ones they had. They always had each other's back in this hurtful world.

"Fuck! Shut up!" Ethan retorted angrily, glaring at his twin. "Their story is different from ours, okay?! We won't break up! Fucking no way! No one is going to separate us!" He outburst and messed up his hair in frustration.

Their two friends suddenly became serious.

Nathan had witnessed the love story of their other friend, and now he was alone with their son. Kier had suffered greatly because of love, and he didn't want the same thing to happen to his twin. He was damn concerned about him.

"Yeah, bro, their love stories are different, and who knows, maybe Mia will eventually learn to love him," Moonraker said seriously. "Kier's case was different; his wife and him loved each other, but they weren't meant to stay together for long." He explained the differences.

They all knew how much Ethan was crazy in love with his wife. They were all aware of what was happening between them, and they knew how hurt Ethan was.

"You don't understand me," Nathan replied to their friend's response.

Annoyed, Ethan took another sip of his drink.

"If you're going to talk about shits, please leave me alone," Ethan said coldly, clenching his jaw and taking a deep, heavy breath.

"May I remind you that you're in my house," Nathan replied, setting aside his anger and trying to talk to his twin calmly.

Ethan didn't answer anymore and just focused on drinking.

"Who knows, maybe tomorrow Mia will learn to love Ethan, right? Right?" Tor said optimistically. "And besides, Ethan's long-term girlfriend just broke up with him. Who knows, maybe he'll realize the value of our friend here," he cheered up the situation.

"Huh, really?! He should have done that a long time ago. That's crazy, Tor. He cheated on my twin, and you think she'll love him now? This should have happened two years ago, but until now, there's been no progress in their marriage!" Nathan said, seeming more affected than his twin.

"You're so bitter," commented Moonraker, scratching his head.

"Agree! Let's just cheers!" Tor invited them for a toast, trying to lighten the mood. They tried to get Ethan to join in the cheers.

"What a killjoy," Tor whispered.

"Divorce him, Ethan," his twin repeated.

"Shut the hell up!"

They started arguing again.

"Hey, chill out, you two," their friends tried to intervene.

"What if she's having an affair again?"

"I said shut up!"

"With a man this time," Nathan grinned.

Moon looked at him seriously, and Nathan returned the gaze, both communicating through their eyes. Tor joined in their stare session, not having any idea what they were talking about until he finally got it.

Nathan still had a grin on his face.

*

"How's my wife?" Ethan asked the housekeeper as he passed by.

"She locked herself in the room, she didn't eat, and she took the key to your room. She hasn't come out all day, just crying," Rose reported, sounding a bit frustrated with the situation.

Nothing new.

"Um, sir, where will you sleep then?" Rose asked hesitantly.

"I'll sleep in the guest room," he replied tiredly, leaning back on the sofa.

"I can duplicate the key to your room," Rose suggested.

"No, let her be."

"Sir, do you want anything? Do you need some water?"

"Leave me alone."

Rose quietly followed his request.

Ethan stared at the ceiling for minutes.

What's happening to their marriage? It's been three years, maybe it was wrong to let his wife be like that, and that's why their marriage turned out this way.

He could feel it, Mia hated him so much. She despised him. Everything he did was for her, for his wife, for their marriage. Since they got married, he stopped thinking about his own desires, and it seems like the result wasn't good.

But he also couldn't just give his wife to her father when things went wrong. He couldn't blame her for feeling like this, she couldn't choose what she wanted. She couldn't free herself.

*

"Rose, did Ethan come home?" I asked her as I saw her preparing my breakfast.

I woke up early, unsure if I even slept. I wanted to go out of the house, but I couldn't. Ethan was suffocating me; he took away my freedom. I just wanted to get some fresh air without him, but it seemed like he knew everything and was constantly watching over me. If I stepped outside, he would get angry, and we would end up arguing again.

I didn't want to fight with him anymore. I'm tired of it.

"Did Ethan come home?"

I didn't feel him come in, but I took the key to our room. I also don't know if I slept, but all I feel right now is exhaustion.

"Oh! You startled me, madam!" Rose reacted, almost spilling the milk she was holding.

Pina was also here, assisting her.

"Yes, he came home early in the morning and left again. I heard his car, and until now, he hasn't returned."

I sat down and looked at the glass of milk she prepared for me.

"I don't want that," I pushed the glass away from me.

"But madam-" I cut Rose off before she could finish her sentence.

"I'm not a child," I said as I stood up.

"I won't eat, I don't want to see your faces," I said irritably and went to the living room.

I didn't hear from Rose again.

I sat peacefully in the living room, watching TV when suddenly, Pina called me.

"Madame, there's an unregistered number calling," she said, looking at the phone's screen while walking towards me. She had a broomstick tucked under her armpit.

I quickly stood up and snatched the cellphone from her. I had five missed calls, and from the number alone, I already knew who it was.

"Don't touch my phone!" I pretended to be angry. She might have snooped around and read something she shouldn't, and then report me to her employers.

She looked puzzled as she glanced at me. "I-I'm sorry," she said.

She left, and I received a message from the man.

"Meet me today or else I'll tell your dad everything I know, and worse, your husband." I read his text with an evil grin emoji.

"Same hotel," he added.

How can I escape this?

What should I do now?

I already have so many problems, and this man is adding to it. I just want to rip his hair out and throw him into the ocean.

I don't know how I can escape this situation. New security guards are surrounding the house, and they look like male dancers. Where does Ethan find these people to work for him? If it's not gossipy house helpers, it's macho dancer security guards. That doctor really enjoys making my life miserable.

I've been thinking for an hour, but I still can't come up with a plan.

And that fish-like man keeps calling me. He's so irritating!

Wait, why hasn't Ethan come home yet? I haven't eaten, and he should be here by now. I feel disappointed because this always happens whenever I'm up to something. His men report everything to him so quickly, and he rushes home. He was probably a flash in his past life.

I feel a sense of sadness. Is he angry with me?

I saw Rose pass by, and she didn't even say a word to me.

I went out to the garage and was surprised to see that there are no security guards at the gate, outside, or inside the house. Where did Ethan's macho dancers go?

"Manang Rose!" I called her as I entered the house.

"M-madam?"

"Can you call Ethan, tell him to accompany me to my dermatologist appointment."

"Ah, -uh," she scratched her head, her hair was dry. She likes coloring her hair, but it doesn't suit her.

"What?!" I'm getting irritated. Just looking at this woman makes my blood boil.

"Sir isn't answering, and he didn't leave any instructions for today," she scratched her head again.

"Pina!" I called for the other helper.

"Pina!" I raised my voice.

"Madam, d-do you need anything?"

She's doing the laundry, and she seems to be the one in charge of it now.

"Can you call Ethan and tell him to accompany me to my dermatologist appointment!" I demanded.

"I'll just text sir and let him know. His phone is off. We've been trying to call him earlier. We were going to ask you about what you'd like to eat." She said timidly and bit her lower lip.

I can't believe they're saying Ethan's phone is off. As far as I know, he never turns off his phone, and even if he's asleep, he always answers my calls.

"Call him again! I have a schedule for my dermatologist appointment!" I lied. How many times have I lied already? It's okay; I'm not a saint. I'm not an angel either.

"Madam, he really isn't answering," Pina replied.

"I'll go out, and if I catch you both, you'll tell him I escaped again!" I said angrily.

"We won't tell on you!" Pina protested.

"Just take care of yourselves, okay, madam?" Rose chimed in.

"What do you want? I'll bring you food. I'm going to SM, and is there anything specific you want to eat?" I bribed them.

"Oh, madam! I want pizza. I've been craving it for so long!" Rose said, her eyes still shaking. She looked like she was salivating.

I looked at Pina, who seemed to disapprove of my plan to go out.

"Get what you want while I'm being nice today." I smiled to make myself look like an angel in front of them. I realized I hadn't even brushed my hair or washed my face yet because I was planning to annoy Ethan, but now he's not even home.

"How about pizza, ice cream, and milk tea?" I flashed a big smile.

"Sure, madam! I'm all in for that!" Rose giggled.

"That's what I want too," Pina said in a low voice.

I went upstairs to my room and changed quickly. I decided not to take a shower because Ethan might suddenly show up in front of me, and then I won't be able to continue with my plans.

I hurried my actions and felt relieved as I finally left the peaceful subdivision.

"If you don't show up today, you know what's going to happen next," I read in Hermione's text. She's threatening me.

I'm getting nervous; we might get caught this time, and worse, she might report us. I stopped by the ATM machine to withdraw some money to pay him off.