LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 6: Biggest Mistake
Ethan's POV
My stomach tightens, and suddenly, my chest feels heavy. Even though I want to look away, it's hard not to analyze every little detail about her, wondering if she even remembers the role she played in my pain.
I stood like a stone as I watched Meliza's face. Seeing her after a long time feels like a punch to the gut and a jolt to the heart all at once. It's as if time stands still for a moment, and every suppressed emotion comes rushing back to me. It feels like I was back in time when we were together.
I could feel anger, sadness, and curiosity. I wished to forget everything about her, including all our memories, but I couldn't help replaying old memories. It was a crash of the past and present, catching me in the storm of emotions I thought I'd left behind.
Iza was the only girl who made my heart pound like I was always running in a marathon.
When I am with her, I feel different. She was the only thing I wanted in my entire life, but she made it harder for me, and after meeting her, I experienced for the first time how to be brokenhearted.
I used to break hearts, and I never expected to meet someone with an angelic face who had the ability to break my heart into pieces.
I never knew what love was until I met Meliza. I wasn't proud of who I was growing up since I only gave my father a headache because I was not interested in our businesses. I didn't want anything to do with my father's companies.
I enjoyed my life as the eldest son of Isagani Almendraz and the perks that came with it: popularity in our circle, cars, gadgets, money, and all the material things that I needed in my life. But I wasn't a good son; one day, my father couldn't take it anymore. He got furious and punished me,
I snapped back to the present when I heard Ruby scream as she ran toward her best friend. When Iza smiled at her, I cursed myself for hoping that smile was for me.
I used to love and long for that sweet smile of hers, but after she broke my heart, I wanted nothing but to see her suffer and look at the tears in her eyes as she realized the heart she broke belonged to the son of Isagani Almendraz.
I knew she would be interested in me again once she found out I am a billionaire and the CEO of my father's empire.
Iza stopped in her tracks and left the cart as she ran toward her best friend and met Ruby halfway, but she fell hard on the ground, and I couldn't believe she was still the same clumsy girl I knew.
I could tell she had a bad fall and injured her ankle since her face was in pain, and she couldn't get up on her own. I didn't want to come closer to them, but I didn't have a choice; she was in misery, and Ruby couldn't help her get up. I needed to help them since I came with Ruby.
The moment Iza looked at my face, I could see the fire of anger in her beautiful eyes. She blushed, and I wondered if my presence affected her or if it was because of her anger toward me.
I wished she looked ugly and horrible, but it was the opposite. Her porcelain skin became smoother, her natural red, perfect full lips still looked kissable, and her long, curly brown hair made her look like a model in a shampoo commercial.
And her body? I couldn't find the perfect words to describe how hot and sexy she looked even though she was only wearing jeans. Why on earth did she turn into a gorgeous, beautiful woman? I am not saying she was ugly before; Meliza has always been beautiful in my eyes, but now, she is perfect.
I have to reprimand myself for thinking those crazy things; no matter how beautiful she looked, I should never forget I came here to San Fernando to teach her a lesson and have my revenge, and not to check her out.
Admiring Iza was the most ridiculous thing I could ever do; she was nothing but an ex-girlfriend. She became my enemy, and I should never feel pity or anything toward her. I was over her, and nothing was left except my hatred for this woman.
Meliza wanted to stop me from helping her, but I didn't want the crowd to look at us. Without hesitation, I pulled her up from the ground and took her in my arms. I carried her toward the car, and she was struggling to get down on the ground, but I was strong and was able to keep her in my arms.
In the end, Iza stopped yelling at me and allowed me to carry her without protest. I realized taking her into my arms was a big mistake since I could feel her warmth, and her intoxicating scent made me feel uneasy, and I felt something familiar that I had been trying to forget
I quickly concentrate on my anger towards her and ignore her stares. I am aware she looked at my face the entire time I carried her, and I walked faster to get rid of her immediately. I don't want to feel her body next to me ever again.
The moment I put her down on the passenger's seat and buckled her seatbelt, it seemed like the world stood still, and I couldn't stop looking at her angelic face. Meliza's beauty would always put me in awe, and I wondered why she looked like an angel, but she enjoyed breaking men's hearts. She glared at me enough for me to come to my senses.
I closed the door with a loud bang and ran towards the driver's seat. Ruby had already asked me to drive the car back to Adriana's farm since she was having a headache and not feeling well.
I realized Ruby did it on purpose. She only wanted me to get closer to Iza again because she hated my current girlfriend. She was still rooting for Iza and me, but I would make sure I would never make the same mistake again, even if she kneeled and begged me. I knew her true colors, and I am sure she wouldn't change.
I knew Ruby was faking her sickness, and I had to speak with her later when we were alone. I think my actions were enough to tell Ruby it would not happen again, and she was looking at me with a quizzical look all over her face in the rearview mirror.
I continued to drive in silence, and I didn't dare look at Meliza even once as I drove away from the airport until we reached the farmhouse. I should have never volunteered to come with Ruby and help my greatest enemy.
I took Meliza to her room, and I became more pissed when she didn't even say thank you after I carried her from the car, took the staircase and brought her to her room. I even gently put her down on the bed.
I got out, slamming the door. I took the stairs and made my way to the kitchen to have a coffee.
"Hey, why do you look so pissed?" Vince asked me when I crossed paths with him.
"I guess you already met her," Vince added before I could answer him, trying to contain his smile.
"Come on, Ethan. I know that look; you must have seen Meliza already. I heard you went with Ruby to the airport to fetch her." He continued as he followed me into the kitchen, and I remained silent as I made my way to the counter.
"I don't want to talk about it," I responded as I poured coffee into my mug.
"Well, it seemed to me that you are still affected by her presence, and it only means one thing: you weren't over her, Ethan," Vince stated, and I frowned at him.
"You are wrong. I don't even want to be near Meliza," I replied.
"Oh, really? You can't fool me, bro. I know the reason why you are here. You weren't interested in attending my wedding no matter how much I begged you, but after I told you Meliza was coming, you suddenly changed your mind and came here at the speed of a bullet." He declared, and I became speechless.
"It was okay with me, and I am still glad you came, even if my wedding was just an alibi for you. I should thank Iza later; she was the reason why you came, and I am grateful for her." Vince added.
"Just be honest with me," my cousin continued as he looked at me.
"I changed my mind because you sent me the invitation card, and I realized you were my best friend, and I should be here for you on your special day," I responded.
"I came here for your wedding and not because of Meliza, I don't give a damn, and I don't care if she is here or not," I added.
"You are here to have your revenge on your ex, but let me remind you; this is the celebration of my coming Union with Ruby. I want it to be memorable and fun, so please, I ask you to be polite and be civil with her." Vince asked with pleading on his face.
"Vince, I am professional. Ask your friend to do the same; you better warn Meliza not to flirt with your guests. I am sure she came since she wanted to hunt another victim." I responded with irritation, and his face fell.
"I can't believe you will be saying something like that, Ethan," Vince mumbled with disappointment in his voice.
"Why? Isn't it true she wanted to have a wealthy boyfriend? She doesn't settle with just anyone, and I think until now, Iza is still collecting boyfriends." I responded.
"Here we are again, and you just got here. I am celebrating my upcoming wedding, and I don't want to have another fight with you." He replied.
"I didn't come here to fight with you either. I wished to celebrate with you, buddy; stop talking about Iza, and everything will be okay," I stated.
"We can't avoid talking about your ex-girlfriend; she is here, Ethan. She is back, and you have to deal with it," he insisted, and I shook my head as I put down my mug on the counter.
"I don't want to talk about Iza, and I didn't have any plan of talking with her. We are done, and I am with Sylvia." I responded, and his face darkened. I knew, like Ruby, my cousin didn't like Sylvia as my date for his wedding.
"Whatever. See you at dinner tonight," Vince said before turning around and leaving the kitchen. I was still in the kitchen drinking my coffee when Ruby got inside.
It was just great. I also didn't want to deal with Ruby since I knew her loyalty would always be with Meliza.
"Ethan, thank you for allowing us to use your farmhouse for our wedding reception. I didn't get the chance to thank you when we went to fetch Iza, " she said, smiling at me.
"Of course, you are always welcome to use this place anytime you want," I responded. Like Vince, she reminded me that Meliza was here, and I had to deal with her in an excellent way. I said nothing since I didn't want to argue with her.
I felt relieved she stopped talking about Iza as she prepared snacks for our friends.
"You should ask one of the maids to do that, Rubs," I added.
"No, I can do this. Besides, I always love staying in the kitchen," she replied, and we both fell silent as I watched her bake some cookies in the Oven.
I returned to my room feeling excited about dinner. I usually hated when someone introduced me as Ethan Almedraz; that is why, growing up, I loved using my mom's family name.
I don't want people to get close to me because of my father's family name and influence, but that summer, I met Meliza; I wanted to shout I am the eldest and only son of Isagani Almendraz.
I chose the best suit I could find in my suitcase since I wished to show Iza I was no longer the boy she thought I was, a nobody in society. I want to make her realize she made the biggest mistake of her life when she rejected me and ran away from me.