Chapter 34

Audrey went to Ethan's penthouse for their planned dinner. As she stepped inside the house, she saw a dashing Ethan in his navy suit. She recalled that they'd stayed in to have dinner and watch movie.

"You're looking dashing tonight. I thought we're staying in?" She teased walking towards him for a hug but he took a step back.

"We're not, and we won't be seeing each other again. I think you should leave, Miss Bouquet." He said looking at his watch and then back up to a confused and baffled Audrey.

"What are you talking about? What- What do you mean? What happened?" She stammered.

"We had fun, now I'm bored. So please leave, now. It's not like we're anything." He said viciously. We're nothing.

"I'm sorry, what? There has never been anything going on... between us?" She asked blatantly, feeling a sudden surge of courage, or rage while he simply looked bored.

"We've been going out on multiple dates all these times... because... I mean nothing to you? And every time we kissed... doesn't mean anything to you?" He stayed silent while she tried to comprehend the situation, looking straight into his deep dark cruel ocean.

"You always knew who I am. I am the cruel, rude and arrogant ex-boss, wasn't that your words? So don't look so surprised, Audrey." His cold words pierced through her already aching heart.

"You're right. I thought that you were those things. And I thought I learnt that there's something more behind that cruel and rude façade, I thought you were funny, smart, kind and surprisingly an amazing man. I'm sorry that I misread the lines thinking that someone like you could actually know how to sincerely like me. I apologized if I ever did something that made you changed your mind like this." She was about to turn and stormed out the door when a beautiful blonde haired woman walked into the penthouse. Her world seemed to stop for a moment as she stood there with her heart shattered into a million pieces. Taking a deep breath, trying to gather her broken pieces to no avail, she walked out of his penthouse with her head held high. She ran out of the Loyd Hotel ignoring the receptionist calling out to her and a few stares. Hailed a cab to the one place that she can think of and started the forty minutes journey recalling the scene in her mind. As she reached her destination, she stepped out of the cab and walked along the pedestrian showing the amazing view of the downtown Manhattan, the East river and the Brooklyn bridge. She kept walking and finally sat on the empty bench overlooking the serene river decorated with the beautiful dazzling city lights of Manhattan. This was her favourite place to hide from her troubles when she was still staying in Brooklyn with her parents. The silence brought her thoughts back to the scene she saw at his penthouse, the beautiful blonde girl looking strangely at her and Ethan. She felt stupid and foolish to think that someone like Ethan might actually like her for who she is. It seemed that she was just another random girl for him. She was a nobody. The one man that she finally allowed herself to be vulnerable finally showed it's true self. She had been ignoring the warnings from her brother. She knew him when she was still working for him. She knew the selfish, arrogant and rude person he was. She knew the reputation he got for going with different girls at every week. She thought she learnt something more about him, that he is so much more than what people perceived. He is actually kind, caring and capable to appreciate.

"So stupid! Audrey, you are so stupid!" She scolded herself in a whisper and sobbed.

"How could he do this to me... He's so mean! Why is he so mean..." She whispered bringing her knees to her chest and hugged them closed. She continued crying that she lost track of time. Dazed at the city lights reminiscing the amazing view of the skyscrapers from his home. Her mind scattered and thinking.

What was I to him?

Nothing!

For the first time I made myself vulnerable to a man... and he did that to me! All the times we spent together... meant nothing!

Maybe you misread the line!

He was there for me all these times, the hospital, the funeral, the dates...

Maybe he's bored! You are so stupid! You thought wrong! You will never let a man played you like that! Ever again! You are strong! You'll get over him! You will show him what you're made of!!

==

"Who was that girl, bro? You seeing someone now?" She asked taking a seat at the couch looking out to the amazing view of the skyscrapers.

"You're supposed to wait for me downstairs, Lana." He brought his hand to brush his hair, frustrated to what had just happened.

"You know I hate waiting, brother. So, are we going or not? I only have limited time here in New York!"

"Yeah let's go. When will you be leaving for London again?" He held out his hands for his half-sister as they walked into the elevator.

"Maybe just a week. I can't really leave my job too long or I'll lose them. But I will be back again in two months. Dad has been warning me to come visit him, come with me please?"

"Yeah fine. Just tell me when." He said flatly.

"Anyway, what's up with that girl just now? She looked heart broken. You really need to stop playing with women, brother! I don't think that I'm anything like her. You can't assume that all women are like mother. She actually seemed nice and gorgeous." She pointed, making him dazed blankly with his thoughts only to Audrey. He was overwhelmed with emotions he cannot fathom. He felt his heart ache looking at her desolated hazel eyes and he was disappointed that she played him as his father told him.