章節 25: Leisure II

Ethan turned toward the voice calling his name. Two women stood there, one slim with bright eyes and a sharp smile, and the other curvier with a warm, confident demeanor. For a moment, Ethan froze. They were stunning—like they'd stepped out of a magazine.

"Yes?" he managed to say, his voice cracking slightly.

The slim one, Cynthia, laughed. "Told you it was him!"

"Yeah, yeah, Cynthia, I see that now," the other one replied, smirking.

"Can we get a photo?" Cynthia asked eagerly, holding up her phone.

"Sure, no problem," Ethan said, slipping into his practiced but slightly awkward smile.

The three posed by the poolside, and Cynthia snapped a few shots. After a brief pause, she turned back to Ethan, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"So, Ethan Jones, what are you doing here all alone?"

"Uh, just... exploring," Ethan said, unsure of how much to share.

"Well, exploring's more fun with company," the busty one chimed in. "I'm Lena, by the way. And I think we're about to make your day a lot more interesting."

Cynthia leaned in, her grin mischievous. "We've got plans for the afternoon. Why don't you come with us?"

Ethan hesitated, glancing toward the hotel's glass doors. Bill had told him to relax, but this? Going out with two complete strangers in a foreign country felt... reckless.

"I don't know..." he began.

"Oh, come on," Lena urged, her tone teasing. "Live a little. You're a YouTube star, right? Isn't this kind of thing part of the gig?"

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, torn between caution and the pull of the unexpected. Finally, he nodded. "Okay, fine. But just for a bit."

The girls cheered, grabbing his hands and leading him toward the hotel exit.

A Day in Hilversum

Their first stop was a bustling open-air market. Stalls lined the cobblestone streets, overflowing with fresh flowers, handmade trinkets, and colorful pastries.

"Try this!" Cynthia said, handing Ethan a stroopwafel dripping with caramel.

He bit into it, his eyes widening. "This is amazing!"

"Told you," she said with a wink.

From there, they wandered to a nearby park, where musicians played lively tunes, and couples danced in the sunshine. Ethan found himself laughing more than he had in weeks.

"Not bad for a day out, huh?" Lena said, nudging him as they sat on a bench overlooking the canal.

"Yeah," Ethan admitted. "This is... different. But good."

The girls exchanged a quick glance, and Cynthia clapped her hands together. "Next stop: drinks!"

The bar they found was tucked into a side street, its wooden beams and cozy lighting giving it an old-world charm.

"To new friends," Lena said, raising her glass.

Ethan hesitated again. He wasn't much of a drinker, but the girls' enthusiasm was infectious. He clinked glasses with them, taking a sip of the crisp, golden beer.

Before long, the drinks flowed, and so did the stories. Cynthia recounted a ridiculous tale of getting lost in Paris, while Lena teased Ethan about his polished public persona.

"You're more fun than I expected," she said, leaning closer.

"Thanks... I think," Ethan replied, feeling the warmth of her shoulder against his.

As the night wore on, the laughter grew louder, and so did the girls' playfulness. Cynthia draped an arm around Ethan's neck, snapping selfies and whispering jokes in his ear. Lena, meanwhile, traced patterns on the back of his hand as they talked.

"You're full of surprises, Ethan Jones," Lena said, her voice low.

Ethan's head was spinning—not just from the drinks but from the sheer intensity of the moment. This was nothing like his usual life, where everything was carefully managed and planned.

By the time they returned to the hotel, the three of them were stumbling with laughter. The elevator ride was a blur, filled with playful shoves and whispered jokes.

When they reached the girls' floor, Cynthia tugged Ethan by the hand. "Come on, we're not done yet."

Ethan hesitated, glancing toward the hallway that led to his room. A small, sober part of his brain screamed at him to walk away, but the pull of the unknown was too strong.

"Alright," he said, his voice quieter now.

The door to their suite clicked open, and the girls ushered him inside. The room was warm and inviting, dimly lit with soft music playing in the background.

As Lena poured more drinks and Cynthia kicked off her heels, Ethan stood near the door, his heart pounding. This was unlike anything he'd ever done before, and he wasn't sure if he was thrilled or terrified.

But before he could overthink it, Lena stepped closer, her smile disarming.

"Relax, Ethan," she said softly. "You're in good hands."

Authors note.

I know some of you would be tired of this but bear with me this is all important for the main story just let me cook