LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Final Stretch
The dream unfolded like a distant echo, murky yet unbearably vivid.
Boom! A punch flew straight into Ethan's face. His head snapped to the side, his vision blurring momentarily. Pain shot through his cheek as he stumbled backward, falling to the ground.
"You bastard!" a voice roared, trembling with rage.
Ethan looked up, his lips parted but no words forming. Before him stood a figure—a classmate—his features distorted by anguish and fury. Shadows played tricks on his face, obscuring his identity.
"If you were this rich, why didn't you help me?" the figure shouted, his voice cracking. "I thought we were friends!"
Ethan's chest tightened, but he remained silent. His hands pressed into the cold, hard floor, his body refusing to rise. The classroom around them was quiet yet oppressive. Muted murmurs buzzed in the background, classmates staring wide-eyed at the unfolding scene.
"Answer me!" the figure bellowed, lunging forward. His restrained fists clenched, held back by other students desperately trying to calm him.
Ethan's gaze remained fixed on the floor, his eyes hollow. Words swirled in his mind but never reached his lips. The weight of their shared past crushed any attempt to explain himself.
The figure's cries grew distant as Ethan's vision blurred. The classroom dissolved into an indistinct haze, the walls melting into a black void.
Ethan jolted awake, his chest heaving, drenched in cold sweat. His breath came in sharp gasps as his eyes darted around the room, the memory fading like morning mist.
"A terrible memory," he muttered, running a trembling hand through his hair.
Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains as Ethan dressed for the day. His movements were mechanical, his mind still lingering on the dream. Peering outside, he noticed the activity below. The courtyard buzzed with energy as the second part of the maid trials unfolded.
Ethan's curiosity tugged at him. Almost instinctively, he stepped outside, wandering through the estate. His eyes scanned the bustling participants, searching for Lily like a lost cat seeking its owner.
"Young Master Ethan," Gregory's voice came suddenly, startling him.
Ethan jumped slightly, turning to glare at his butler. "Gregory, you can't just sneak up on me like that!"
Gregory smirked knowingly. "Looking for Miss Lily, I presume?"
Ethan's face warmed with embarrassment, but he muttered, "Maybe."
Gregory tilted his head toward a spot in the garden. "There," he said simply.
Ethan followed Gregory's gaze and spotted her. Lily stood amid the foliage, trimming a bush with practiced care. Her hair caught the sunlight, framing her face like a delicate halo. Her eyes sparkled with focus, and her movements were gentle yet deliberate, as if she were painting with the shears.
For a moment, Ethan just stared, captivated. But when Lily glanced up and caught his gaze, he quickly turned away, pretending to admire the nearby fountain.
The day's competition eventually came to an end. The participants dispersed, and Ethan found himself near the courtyard exit, waiting for Lily. When she emerged, her face glowing with a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction, Ethan hesitated before stepping forward.
"Hey," he began awkwardly. "Do you... want to go to the convenience store nearby?"
Lily blinked, surprised by the casual offer. Then, with a shrug and a small smile, she replied, "Sure."
The two of them walked side by side, the silence between them light but comfortable. Ethan occasionally glanced at Lily out of the corner of his eye, noticing the way her steps still carried a slight limp.
As they neared the store, a familiar voice called out.
"Yo! What a coincidence!" Jack appeared from around the corner, his face lighting up when he saw them.
"Jack?" Ethan and Lily said simultaneously.
Jack's eyes flicked between the two of them, his expression curious but nonchalant. "What are you two doing together?"
"We were just heading to the convenience store," Ethan said, a little too quickly.
Jack raised an eyebrow but didn't press. "Well, let's go together, then!"
The three of them continued on, their chatter blending seamlessly as they entered the small shop. The shelves were lined with colorful snacks, and the air smelled faintly of instant noodles and sweet drinks.
Jack's carefree laughter filled the space, and for a moment, Ethan felt a strange sense of ease. Despite the earlier dream's lingering shadows, the warmth of Lily's presence and the camaraderie of their group made the moment feel lighter—like the final stretch of a race, where the finish line was finally in sight.
From outside the store, however, the shadowy figure lingered, half-hidden behind a lamppost. Their eyes never left Ethan, watching silently as the young master laughed and conversed with his companions.
Later that night as Ethan separated from Jack and Lily his phone rang.
Ring, ring.
Ethan's phone vibrated on the bedside table, jolting him from his thoughts. He picked it up, glancing at the caller ID. Mother.
"Hello?" he answered, unsure why she was calling so suddenly.
"Ethan, my poor son!" his mother's voice rang out, cheerful and full of energy. "I've just returned from the cruise, and I have a surprise for you!"
Ethan frowned. "What kind of surprise?"
"Well," she said with a teasing laugh, "your father and I have arranged a date for you."
Ethan froze. "What? A blind date?"
"Don't be so dramatic," she chided. "It doesn't have to be a real date. Just leave a good impression on our partner's daughter. You know how political business works."
Ethan's expression twisted into annoyance. "You can't just spring something like this on me. It's ridiculous!"
"Ho, ho, ho," his mother chuckled. "Remember the favor I did for you at your old school? I think it's time you repay me."
Ethan clenched his jaw, knowing he was cornered. He couldn't argue with her when she brought up that favor. "Fine," he muttered reluctantly, walking back to his room.
"Good boy!" she called after him. "Don't forget to dress nicely."
That night, Ethan lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The thought of the meeting filled him with disgust. A blind date, of all things, he thought bitterly.
The next morning arrived too soon. Gregory appeared at Ethan's door with a perfectly tailored suit in hand.
"Young Master Ethan, it's time to prepare," Gregory said with a smirk.
Ethan sighed and let himself be pulled into the whirlwind of preparations. After an hour, Gregory escorted him to the venue—a luxurious five-star restaurant by the seaside.
The setting was breathtaking, with waves crashing softly against the rocks below. The restaurant exuded sophistication, with sparkling chandeliers and elegantly dressed patrons.
Ethan's mood, however, was anything but pleasant. "Let's just get this over with," he grumbled.
Gregory led him to a table near a large window overlooking the ocean. Seated there was a young woman, her head buried in her phone.
Ethan straightened his jacket, put on a polite smile, and approached. "Ethan Collins," he said, extending his hand.
The young woman looked up from her phone, meeting his gaze.
Ethan's expression froze, his hand still outstretched. His breath caught in his throat, and his face paled.
It was her.
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind. What is she doing here? How is this possible? And what about my identity?
His heart pounded as he struggled to maintain his composure.
And as she smiled, recognizing him, Ethan's world tilted on its axis.