Chapter 35: CHAPTER 35: IT’S ME JOHNNY!

"Dad, is mom not coming home anymore?" Eli blurted while munching on his breakfast. "Is she leaving us?"

"Eli, that's not true. Mom will come back. She only needs to sort some things, okay?" Ethan explained.

"Okay." He frowned. "Will she be here on my birthday?" He asked.

"Of course! Mom won't let it pass without celebrating your birthday." He encouraged his son.

Eli smiled forcefully.

After their breakfast, Ethan dropped Eli at his school leaving six bodyguards to watch him. Then he went directly to the company. Larry reported that Stacy cancelled her vacation leave and she was in the company right now. Ethan creased a bow. Why would she cancel it in the first place? Ethan fought his urge to call Stacy since she asked for space. He wanted to get her back one step at a time and stepping on her borders was a big no-no.

Meanwhile, Lisa and Caleb kept on looking at Aisha who restlessly checked her phone every now and then. Sometimes, she grinded her teeth in annoyance.

"Damn that man! Won't he really call me at all? I believe he knew that I cancelled my leave!" She burst in annoyance. Suddenly, Caleb and Lisa laughed after looking at each other.

"What!?" Aisha yelled at them. They kept laughing.

"You're funny! How could you wait for his call when you asked him for space?!" Lisa chuckled.

"Whatever!'' She pouted.

"Don't worry coz you will be able to see him later since we will be attending a departmental meeting at 2pm." Lisa assured her.

"Really? I didn't know we have a schedule for today." She smiled excitingly.

"Should I go with you?" Caleb teased her.

"Don't ever think of coming with us! I don't trust that mouth!'' Aisha stopped him.

"Me too." Lisa partnered with Aisha. Caleb looked defeated. He sighed.

***During the meeting, Aisha kept on glancing in Ethan's direction. He looked handsome when he was serious. He was listening intently to the reports, Aisha smiled silently. She averted her eyes when Ethan was about to look at her direction. She pretended to write something on the paper that she was holding. "Damn! That was close!" She murmured. Once again she looked at Ethan, Ooops! She didn't know that Ethan was still looking at her – Indifferently?! Their eyes met, she suddenly averted her eyes shyly in front. Ethan smirked. She looked like a guilty child who was caught stealing.

The other department finished their reports. It would be the White Lotus Department's turn in a minute but Lisa suddenly felt pain creeping in her lower abdomen. Lisa held Aisha's arm.

"A-are you okay?" Aisha asked her in a low tone. Lisa shook her head. She was holding her lower abdomen.

"I-I think I'm having a menstrual cramp." She answered weakly.

"What?! Why now?" Aisha was worried. She didn't want to present in front especially under Ethan's scrutinizing gaze. But she didn't have a choice. Aisha excused herself and Lisa then they exited the door. Ethan's gaze never left them until the door closed.

Outside the conference, Aisha called Caleb. Caleb rushed towards them as soon as he received Aisha's call.

"Please, take good care of her for the meantime." Aisha directed him. Caleb hurriedly scooped Lisa with his bare hands then he rushed her to Aisha's office.

Aisha went back to the conference room. She didn't know that they've been waiting for her since she was the last to report. She shyly gathered all the papers in her table. She stood in front and started the report. All throughout her report, she felt someone's eyes penetrating through her body. She knew it was Ethan.

After her successful report, Ethan dismissed everyone, except Stacy.

"M-me?" She pointed herself. She was about to stand up when she heard her name.

"Do you know another Stacy in the room?" Ethan raised his brow. Aisha grinned then she sat obediently.

"It's about your project proposal. I already read it but your report was missing some important parts." Ethan handed her the documents that she once gave him. "Read it and make the necessary adjustment then present it to me in my office tomorrow." Ethan said in an indifferent tone.

"Y-yes Sir…" Aisha furrowed. "What's wrong with this report?" She asked herself silently.

"That's it. You can go now."

"T-thank you." Aisha closed the door as soon as she got out. She was consumed in her thoughts while walking. She suddenly bumped into a wall. Oh no! It was not a wall. It was a man's back! She came back to her senses. The man faced her. He was definitely one of the employees here, she thought.

"Stacy?!" The man was surprise when he saw her.

"Do I know you?" Aisha asked him. The guy was definitely an Adonis but she didn't know him.

"It's me Johnny!" He introduced himself. He was searching her face for any reaction.

"Eh?" Aisha's eyes were full of questions. "I'm sorry I don't know you." She told him then she walked past him. The man creased a brow. He suddenly clutched her arm, Aisha halted.

"Are you really sure you don't remember me? Did you forget about what happened at Hotel 58? How about what happened in the West City hotel? And at Lost Island Beach?" The guy scrutinized her. She was hurting.

"I told you I don't know you and I haven't been at those places!" She yelled. "Can you let go off my hand-----'' Her other hand was about to land some punches on the guy but she heard a voice from behind her.

"What's happening in here? Is everything okay?" A familiar voice interrupted. The man suddenly released his grip on her arms.

"Ethan!" Aisha ran behind him as she embraced his arm. The other guy was surprised. Then he left with a scornful face.

Ethan looked at her. "Do you know him?" He asked her.

"No!" She pouted with a firm response. Ethan smirked when he saw that she was still embracing his hand.

"You were pretty close before, how could you forget about him?" Ethan mocked her.

"W-who?" She was surprised.

"Johnny!" Ethan laughed. She pouted.

"I don't know him!" She insisted.

"Okay, since you said so." She could hear sarcasm in his voice. She scoffed.

"Are you going with me in the men's comfort room?" He taunted her. Ethan directed his gaze on her hands which were still holding his. Aisha suddenly blushed then she ran towards her office. Ethan chuckled at her swift actions. However, his face became sour when he remembered how Johnny approached her.

"What if he confronts her again? Just like before?" He was worried.