Chương 17: Your hurting me, Are you?
Ethan stood frozen, his hands clenched into fists. Emily's words echoed in his mind, sharp and unforgiving.
"It's none of your business, Ethan," she had said. "Besides, it's just for a year, and you'll probably be seeing someone else by then."
He wanted to shout, to tell her how wrong she was, but his voice betrayed him. All he could do was watch as she walked past him, her head held high, leaving him drowning in an unbearable silence.
John, who had been lingering nearby, overheard the conversation and sighed. Watching Ethan's conflicted expression, he knew his friend was struggling to make sense of his feelings.
"Ethan," John started, his tone calm but firm, "you need to stop pretending this is just a business arrangement. You're not doing yourself or her any favors."
Ethan didn't respond, but his eyes darted to the floor, his jaw tightening.
The sound of the door swinging open interrupted the tense moment. Emily emerged, her fiery determination evident in her stride. She spotted John standing near the doorway, and her demeanor softened instantly.
"John," she said with a warm smile, "thank you for helping out at the store. It means a lot to me."
John smiled back at her, his tone equally warm. "Anything for you, Emily."
Ethan's fury boiled over. His chest heaved as he stepped forward, his voice erupting in anger. "John! Why is it that she speaks to you like this, but with me, it's always walls and daggers?"
John turned to face Ethan, unfazed by his outburst. "Maybe," he said bluntly, "it's because you don't even try to understand her. You treat her like a contract, not like a person."
Ethan froze, the weight of John's words sinking in. Before leaving, John added with a wink, "Don't worry, buddy. I'm going to help you win her over for real—so she becomes your wife in every sense, not just by some stupid one-year agreement."
Ethan stood there, his emotions swirling. Was John right? Did he even deserve Emily if he couldn't see past his own pride and fears? His chest ached as his eyes welled up with tears.
Meanwhile, Magna and Cathy's conversation unfolded in their shared apartment.
"Magna, what happened with Dylan that day?" Cathy asked, crossing her arms.
Magna shifted uncomfortably. "I'm really sorry I left you like that. It's just... Dylan helped me, and I got carried away."
Cathy rolled her eyes. "Fine. But listen, Dylan is hosting a party soon, and anyone can attend. We need to go and make sure he finally notices you."
Magna's eyes lit up. "Really? A party? Let's go shopping and make sure Dylan can't take his eyes off me!" She almost tripped over her bed in excitement, causing Cathy to laugh.
---
At the practice studio, Dylan and Emily had a different kind of exchange.
"Do you really want me to come to this party?" Emily asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Dylan smirked, leaning closer. "Why not? You still have feelings for me, don't you? Let's have some fun and see where it goes. Maybe you'll finally say yes to being my girlfriend."
Emily blushed at his boldness, her heart skipping a beat. Dylan's confidence had a way of catching her off guard, and for a moment, she couldn't find the words to respond.
Dylan interpreted her silence as a victory, feeling smug. "I'll pick you up. Be ready to turn heads."
---
The night of the party arrived, and Emily decided to stop by her old home to prepare.
When Dylan arrived to pick her up, his jaw dropped. Emily was stunning. She wore a simple yet elegant dress that perfectly complemented her features, and her quiet confidence was magnetic.
"You look incredible," Dylan said, his tone uncharacteristically soft.
Emily blushed, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Part of her felt flattered by Dylan's attention, but another part—a deeper, quieter part—felt uneasy.
As they arrived at the party, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Dylan held Emily's hand, proudly escorting her into the grand venue. His charm and confidence commanded attention, and Emily couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.
But then, she saw him.
Ethan.
He stood on the far side of the room, dressed sharply but with an unmistakable sadness in his eyes. Their gazes met, and Emily felt a pang in her chest she couldn't explain. His presence unsettled her in ways Dylan never could.
Ethan's expression softened for a moment before he quickly turned away, masking his emotions.
Emily tried to shake off the feeling, but it lingered. Why did seeing Ethan like this hurt so much?
Dylan, oblivious to the tension, leaned closer to Emily and whispered, "Let's show everyone who the real stars of this party are."
Emily forced a smile, but her thoughts remained on Ethan, who had already left the room.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
Rose_love_4995
Rose_love_4995 1. What do you think is stopping Ethan from being honest with Emily about his feelings? Do you sympathize with him?
2. How do you feel about John’s role as Ethan’s friend? Do you think his intervention will help or complicate things?
3.Why do you think Emily felt hurt seeing Ethan at the party? Is it a sign of deeper feelings?
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