Chapter - 3
The front door slammed shut, hard enough to scare a few pigeons off the roof. But Ethan didn't care right now. He was already halfway down the driveway, muttering under his breath, "Now I am late... Great start you idiot."
He tugged at his tie, trying to make it look less like it had been strangling him a minute ago. His brain was still replaying that accidental kiss on Clara's nape just now. That soft skin against his lips and that heart-racing smell of her, it all felt good.
But right now, Ethan did not have the time to gloat over it.
"Not the time," he shook away the thoughts, "Focus. Interview. Job. Money."
He was late, and missing this interview wasn't an option. He did not want to give Richard the pleasure of making fun of him.
He straightened his tie as he strode down the driveway, while his eyes scanned the street for a taxi.
But just as he strode down the driveway, a sleek black sedan parked at the curb next door purred to life. The engine of the car was so quiet that it was more of a vibration than a sound.
But instead of driving away, the driver's door of the car opened with a soft click, and a woman stepped out of the car.
The woman looked just the absolute beauty. No other adjectives were needed to describe her.
She was somewhere in her early thirties and wore a tailored navy-blue expensive pant suit. Her chest-nut brown hair was pulled back in a stylish chignon, and not a single strand of her hair was out of place.
As she stood straight, and adjusted her coat, every move of her spilled elegance.
She was the neighbourhood beauty Isabelle Vance. Every young boy, single guy, married man, divorced dad, or the widower who still wasn't over his dead wife fawned over one glimpse of her.
And Isabelle did not disappoint them as well. She pulled them close enough to give them enough hope to keep pursing her, but kept enough distance that the thrill was always there.
Isabelle did not approach Ethan as she saw him walk out of his house. She simply leaned against the hood of her car, crossing her arms, and watched him with a knowing, slightly amused look in her eyes.
And she had such a strong presence that Ethan could feel her gaze on him. Following him as he walked towards her. But he did not look at her, he wanted to walk past her, without even "noticing" her.
"Quite the hurried exit there, Ethan," she said, her voice was smooth, with a calming effect to it, "Having trouble in your paradise?"
'Dammit… Not today Miss Isabelle,' Ethan sighed and stopped dead in his tracks. He forced a polite smile on his face and turned towards her, "Miss. Vance," he greeted formally, his voice hesitant.
This Isabelle was a tough woman to deal with. In front of her, it was as if he always felt as if he was completely naked. Somehow, there was nothing he could hide from her.
She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, "You are not running from the scene of the crime, are you? Did you do something naughty that you don't want others to know?" Her eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief.
"I am just late for an interview, Miss Vance" he said, adjusting his tie again, a nervous habit.
Isabelle gave a small, wry smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, "Come on, Ethan. It's Isabelle for you."
"And since you are about to run a marathon to an interview," She glanced at a slim, elegant watch on her wrist, then back at him, "Then why don't I give you a ride there?"
"You don't have to… Miss Va… Isabelle," Ethan tried to refuse, "I am going downtown. You don't have to take a…"
But she did not let him complete. She pointed her car key at him and spoke first, "I am heading downtown anyway. I can give you a ride. It will be faster than running yourself into a sweaty mess. You know… It will ruin your first impression, and all that."
Ethan hesitated. Every brain cell of his warned him against the idea of getting into this woman's car. He knew he had to maintain distance from her. She was beautiful, soft-spoken, understanding, caring and intelligent. These were just too many red flags that screamed at him to run away.
"I... I wouldn't want to impose," he said, trying to get out of the situation. If any of the horny men in the neighbourhood saw him get into her car, he would be set off, before the sun would set.
"It's no imposition at all," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. "This lady is offering you a ride. Now get in, or do you think this lady is not worth to give you a ride?" She slid back into the driver's seat without waiting for his answer.
"That's not... Ughhh," Defeated, Ethan walked towards the passenger seat and sat in the car.
The door closed with a solid, satisfying thud, and Ethan found himself in a world of quiet luxury. He could not hear anything from the outside, it was as if they had been cut off from the outside world.
The interior of the sedan smelled of rich leather and a faint, clean perfume that smelled like Isabelle. It made his heart beat faster.
But despite all the luxury, Ethan felt trapped with a vixen, ready to get attacked.
Soon, the car was on the road and Isabelle drove with an effortless, focused skill, her hands light on the steering wheel. She navigated the morning traffic smoothly. But for several minutes, neither of them spoke.
Ethan stared out the window, watching the familiar suburban houses give way to bigger and taller buildings. He was just trying to look engrossed and pass the time.
but he was in Isabelle's grasp.
"You know. I have always felt that you are just too quiet for someone whose eyes look like they have seen a lot of things," Isabelle said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, as usual, "There is chaos in your eyes."
He turned to look at her and smiled, "What kind of chaos is that?"
"I don't know. The messy kind?" she said, her eyes fixed on the road, "I am not talking about couple fights or heartbreaks."
Then she turned to look him into his eyes and she whispered, "Your eyes feel like they have seen a lot of blood."
"Maybe I was a doctor once," Ethan smiled wryly, shaking his head. He did not know anything about his life.
Isabelle looked at his helpless expression and could sense the real sadness behind his words. She was quite fond of Ethan, she wanted to know more about him, but for now, she decided to hold back her curiosity.
"So Mr Doctor! Where are you interviewing?" she asked, her tone shifting to something more casual, more professional.
"Aura Media," he replied.
When Isabelle heard the name, there was a subtle change in the smile on her face. Ethan did not pay attention to the change, but Isabelle was intrigued.
"Ambitious," It was all Isabelle said.
"Given my situation…" Ethan turned his head to look outside the car again, "That is my only option for now."
** ** ** ** **
[
Author's Question: What do you think his situation is?
A. He was in prison once.
B. He is a snitch/whistle-blower.
]