Ethan…and engagement

“The energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” -Brené Brown

Five years ago…

Knowing someone was the process of three phases.

When you were in the initial phase, you knew basic things about the person, but you knew nothing about the personality. And when we crossed that phase, entering into the middle one while trying to understand the personality, there came a lot of misunderstandings, fights, trust, issues and dilemmas.

It happened with everyone.

Once you sailed through that phase, you'd start knowing that person within as you had all the learning, which you had gained in the middle phase full of trauma. Crossing the middle phase, we'd start knowing a person in true senses like habits, behavior, thinking process, reactions in particular situations etc. You might fall in love with that person, or you'd just don't like the person. Depending upon the person you had chosen to know.

And the person that I had chosen to know was Xavier Knight.

We had crossed every phase in these three months, and there was only one word to summarize him:

Patience.

Yes, patience. Xavier Knight was the epitome of patience. And, as George Savile said: A man who was a master of patience was master of everything else. And, he was indeed the master of everything.

Whatever I said or did, Xavier never flipped on me. He had always tackled the situation with calmness and warmth.

I might not be in love with him, but I sure was in love with his eyes, his forest greens. Remembering the first day, when I looked into his eyes, I felt my entire world flip.

They were that warm.

After three months, today was the day of our engagement. Xavier's father has booked a lake house for the ceremony, and we reached there last night. The function was for close relatives only, so it was not much crowded.

The place was magnificent, right in front of the entrance, there was a large hall which could accommodate almost a hundred people easily. At one side, a spiral staircase leading to the second floor where most of the rooms were located. Xavier and I were given an adjoining room, but as I was mad at him, I kept my distance from Xavier, even though Marc had advised me to go into his room and talk.

In all honesty, I was not ready to get engaged, and there was no use of conversing with him because his father had made up his mind.

Early in the morning, after taking a bath, I changed into a red floral dress, curling my hair to give them volume. Spraying my favorite Rose cologne, I slipped into my sandals, and made my way out of the room.

Everyone was still sleeping as it was still thirty minutes past eight in the morning, and knowing that I was getting engaged tonight, I couldn't sleep.

Leaving the house, I walked towards the lake where the water was glistening under the sunlight. Sitting on the log in the canopy of the tree, I thought about my uncertain future.

Xavier Knight was not bad; the timing was worse. I simply wasn't ready to enter into a commitment and knowing that he loves me was not helping either.

Yea…. I know that he loves me, anyone could see it in his eyes whenever we indulged in a conversation.

When the sun started to burn my sensitive skin, I stood up to leave but a loud horn of a car forced me to turn towards the source of the sound.

It was a sleek, shiny black car that stopped right in front of the lake house and a masculine figure stepped out of it. My eyes were fixated on his hands that were taking the classy glasses off, revealing the grey pair of eyes.

Stepping closer to have a clearer look, my eyes trailed over his silky blonde hair, the grey eyes, his slightly crooked nose, plump red lips and finally at the white button up shirt that fitted his muscular torso perfectly.

Wow!

Wait…. I've seen him somewhere. Thinking hard about him, I instantly recognized him from my memories.

Damn! Oh my god!

He is the Ethan Forbes, most popular Hollywood actor, and of course the teen heartthrob. I was beaming with excitement, when after putting the glasses in his denim pocket, he ran his fingers through his hair and looked around, his eyes stopping at me. Running fingers through my hair to make them look presentable, I walked towards him with a friendly smile on my face, controlling the excitement.

"Hey, gorgeous." He greeted me as soon as I reached him. His voice was so silky and deep that it made me blush without saying anything else.

"Hello, I'm Evelyn Williams." I said, pulling my hand out to shake.

"Such a beautiful name for a beautiful lady." Ethan complimented, grinning wide, and showing his perfect set of teeth as I swooned internally. My blush seemed to deepen inexplicably under his gaze.

"Excuse my lack of manners, I'm Ethan Forbes."

Smiling, I said, "It's alright, and the whole country knows who you are."

Smirking, he said, "That's one way to put it." Continuing, "And you must be the lucky bride-to-be." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice and even though it was really subtle, I picked it up.

"Ethan!" Xavier's voice startled me, and I immediately retrieved a few steps backward. Both of them hugged each other with a chuckle after which they turned their eyes to me. "Have you met Evelyn?"

"Yes buddy, she's stunning." Said Ethan, his eyes fixated on my face and my cheeks once again warmed up.

"Did you like your surprise?" Asked Xavier.

"Surprise?"

"As you were quite mad at me, I asked my friend Ethan to come to our engagement. I know you're a big fan of Hollywood." Xavier said in an excited voice.

My eyes widened while listening to him as my eyes twinkled in excitement, "Really?!" I exclaimed.

Chuckling a little, he said, "Yes Rose."

I couldn't control my excitement as I hugged Xavier with the speed of lightning, "Thank you! Thank you, Blake."

When I backed away, "Anything for you Rose." Said Xavier, and his eyes shone with warmth.

Ethan cleared his throat, and I realized he was staring at us the whole time. Turning around to look at him, I registered that his jaw was really sharp, as if it could slice a piece of granite. I was eyeing appraisal when he teased and I flushed in embarrassment, "Careful Evelyn, it's my friend you should be staring at."

Smirking, I said, "Who said I was staring at you?"

Raising one of eyebrows, he asked, "Well, I've got a lot of these looks from my fans, so I know."

Before I could say anything in return, "How about we go inside and talk?" Asked Xavier to which we nodded and made our way inside the house.

There was a lounge on the ground floor, where guests could sit and enjoy their time. Making our way towards the sitting area, Xavier and I sat beside each other on the couch, while Ethan sat in front of us.

"So, from which college you graduated?" I asked as a servant escorted his luggage to his room.

"Steven School of Dramatic Art." said Ethan and I tried my best to look into his eyes without blushing.

Damn! Why am I blushing so hard?

"Wow, that's amazing." I exclaimed loudly. "It would have been my second choice after fashion designing."

"You have the looks for acting." He said and I pretended that his words didn't affect me but honestly, my heart just started beating harder than usual.

"Thank you." I said in a confident voice though my insides were shaking with nervousness. There was no such boy in my school with looks of Greek God and a great personality. He was perfect, in every way.

Well, Xavier did compliment you. A nagging voice in the back of my mind reminded me.

"So, what did you like the most about my friend and your soon to be husband?" Asked Ethan.

I cringed a little when he said the word, husband. When I turned my head to look at Xavier, his eyes were already fixated on me and a small smile was gracing his face.

The sight was so captivating that I forgot my surroundings, it was just me, Xavier, and the warmth radiating from him.

"His eyes." I said and waited for the warmth that had always reflected in Xavier's eyes whenever I said anything or even looked at him.

In the span of a few seconds after hearing my reply, his face softened, and this time love reflected in his eyes which made my heart skip a beat.