7

A week after the engagement party. She emerges into the company, ready to start her work for the day. She saunters into her office and heads to her coffee machine.

Her door creaks open, she knew who would that be. She knew the only person that would saunter into her office when they want to without waiting for permission. “Good morning, Isabella. Something steamy to start your day with?”

She raises her shoulders, smiling a little. “You read my mind.” He walks further, looking around the familiar place. She settles down on her office chair before carefully taking a sip of her coffee. He heaves a sigh, settling down on the visitors chair. “I wanted to tell you that--”

The door creaks open again and Madelyn ambles in, hoisting a paper bag and looking suspiciously bright eyed for this early in the morning. “My love, what are you doing here?” She didn't hesitate to sit down on his laps. She throws her arms around Ethan, who barely manages to hug her back, instead, he got irritated when she sat on his laps. “Madelyn, what are you--”

“Saying good morning to my honey bear.” She tries to kiss him but he pulls away. He shrugs her off him. “We have company. If you have forgotten, this happens to be her office, and we were having a meeting, right now!”

“It’s just Isabella. This is your company! Ours if I may say!” She shrieked. “Yeah, don’t let me stop you.” Isabella plasters a smile on her face. “Just pretend I'm not here,” Isabella spoke again and starts taking her coffee which she has long lost her appetite for. “See? She understands.” Madelyn throws her arms around him but he steps back.

“Still, I don't need you to put on a performance in my working place, Madelyn. You can just act normally.”

“Whatever, I'm here to see Isabella anyway.” Madelyn tosses her hair over her shoulder and turns her back on Ethan to focus on Isabella who nearly chokes on her coffee.

“Grab me a coffee and let’s chat.” Madelyn spoke nonchalantly as she beamed at Isabella. “We talked about this, Madelyn. It’s not appropriate to ask Isabella or any of my employees to fetch you things.”

Madelyn rolls her eyes, but moves to get her own cup of coffee from Isabella’s coffee machine. Isabella turns to catch his gaze just as Madelyn turns to look at them. She takes a sip and immediately spats it out? “Urgh! You drink this? Yuck!” She dashes to the sink and spill the coffee out.

“That’s so wasteful, Madelyn. You can’t just waste food like that.”

“You call it food, I call it trash!”

“You--”

Ethan shoots her an apologetic look. Isabella breaths out and closed her mouth. Madelyn chuckles, “just as I thought.”

Ethan heads out immediately as Madelyn tails behind him.

Later that day, after working hours. Isabella works tiredly to the cafeteria to grab her lunch that has turned to dinner. Rubbing her sore neck, she enters almost bumping into someone. “Ethan? What are you doing here? This is the first time I'm seeing you in here, well on your birthday but-”

“Same as you. I’m guessing you haven't eaten lunch after the long, tiring meetings. I apologize about that.”

“Anyway, I'm looking for something delicate and sweet to eat.” He looked around the empty, spotless place. “Mr. Grayson, are you threatening to eat me?” She asked, perplexed. He smirked, darting his eyes on her. “I wasn't thinking about that, but now that you've mentioned it.” Her breath catches at the intensity in his gaze. She could only imagine what’s going through his head right now.

“Seriously, though, you don’t have nearly enough gluten to satisfy me right now.” Ethan lets out a heavy sigh after rummaging around the enormous kitchen.

“Giving up?”

“Heading out actually. I'm really tired of eating veggies. I want to eat something like burger and fries... maybe a slice pie and smoothie definitely.”

Isabella smiled, attempting to leave the place when he grabbed her wrist. She paused, turning her head to look at him. “Would you like to come with? I mean I’ll drop you off after we eat. And I think we both could use a little something sweet to tide us over.”

Isabella smiled, liking the idea of spending the rest of the night with her boss. She nodded her head.

After dismissing David for the day, Isabella and Ethan slip out of the company. “Dare I ask where are you taking me?”

“You can ask, but I won't tell. It’s a surprise.” She think back on the last few surprises she has had. “I'm not sure I like surprises.”

“Really? I've recently come to like them.” Isabella scoffed. “You mean like when Madelyn surprised you on your birthday?” Ethan couldn't help but laugh it out. “God no. I was thinking more about when you suddenly appeared into my life and decide to take my heart.”

He leads her into a small diner. She inhales deeply as the smell of salt grease fills her nose when she entered. “Oh God, this has gotta be heaven.”

The waitress approached, giving them a welcoming smile. “Grab a seat wherever you like, and I'll be right with you.”

Ethan looks at her, “ladies first.” The two of them find a quiet booth in the back. She slides into her seat next to him, settling so their sides are touching. She sighs as she melt into his warm, delicate touch. “Comfy?” He asked gazing at her. “Very. I could stay this way forever.”

“Really? There are a few other positions I'd prefer. Although all of them do involve having you in my arms.”

She shares a small, innocent smile as their server hurries over. “What can I get you started with?”

“What are your specials today?” Ethan asked, not bothering to go through the menu. “We've got the sweetheart special right now. Perfect for a couple like you two if you’re interested.”

“Us? A couple? What makes you say that?” Isabella asked, feeling a bit curious. “Trust me, I've seen more than my share of couples in love pass through here. You've got that glow about you.”

“Really? You think so?’ Ethan asked the question. “Love?” Isabella gave utterance to, astonished.

“Opps, have you not said that to each other yet? Well, I’m so sorry I brought that up and forget I said anything. Consider the Sweetheart Special on the house.”

Isabella puts the rest of her order before the waitress leaves. She gazes at him, very aware of the silence that settles over the table. Then it hits her, she’s basically on a date with her boss!

“You doing okay over there?”

“Oh, yes. I was just thinking about how I've never been here before. It’s nice. I cook all the time, but it always tastes better when someone else does it for you. Especially if your cooking is horrible. Which maybe mine is. Ohmygod I’m going to stop talking now.”

Ethan gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as she takes a deep breath in. “It’s just me, Isabella. You don't have to be nervous.”

She raised a brow, smiling a bit. “Who said I was nervous?” He just smiled, and she scowled. “Ethan, damn you for knowing me too much.”

He couldn't help but chuckle. “I think its cute. A little confusing, but cute.”

“This is... well, it’s different. It’s not the same as all the other times we’ve talked before.” She tried to make him understand but Ethan chose to be ignorant about it. “Cause we’re in a diner?”

“Cause we’re obviously on a date!” She muttered in a low voice, almost panicking. “And you’re still engaged to Madelyn.”

She fiddles with her fingers, lowering her head to avoid looking at him. After a moment, she feels his arm wrap around her shoulders. She leans into his touch, wishing all her troubles away. “I'm sorry, Isabella. I was being insensitive to your feelings. I didn't invite you out here to make you feel bad. I just wanted to treat you to a piece of pie, I promise.”

“I know, but it’s just... it’s all so confusing.”

“Hope I'm not interrupting.” The waitress sets down a large vanilla milkshake and an extra straw. “The rest of your food will be right out.” As soon as the waitress leaves, Ethan looks at her, waiting for her to elaborate.

“Let's just enjoy the night, starting with this milkshake.” Isabella grinned at the alluring cup of milkshake looking back at her.

“Are you sure?” He asked, worriedly. She nodded her head, smiling. “Positive. Dibs on the cherry.” She pops the maraschino cherry in her mouth before he could protest, and Ethan laughs. “Okay, fair enough.”

The waitress returns with their burgers and fries. Her stomach growls as she happily survey their plates. “This... this is heaven.” She swallows hard, anticipating the first bite.

“Wait till you try the pie.”

She digs into her food with total abandon, only stopping to steal a stray fry off Ethan’s plate or sip from the milkshake. “I can't remember when last I had a good burger and fries like this. The sugar.... Yum.”

“In the future, we will just have to satisfy our sugar cravings in other ways...”

“Oh? Got something in particular in mind?” She asked, teasingly. He opens his mouth to answer, just as the waitress drops off the pie. Isabella smirks as she walks away again. “You're not getting out of answering that easily.” She gave him a teasing look.

Ethan’s eyes darkened...

“You already know exactly what I'm thinking, Isabella.” She couldn't help but stare as Ethan sinks a fork into the flaky pie crust, digs up a bit, and curls his lips around it. “I want...” She pouted her lips. “What do you want, Isabella? Tell me, and it’s yours.”

“Want you to feed me.” She beams, above suspicion. “Your wish is my command.” With a glint in his eyes, Ethan spears a bit of pie and lifts the fork towards her lips. She opened her mouth. “Oh my....” The dessert is rich and tart at the same time, and she moan at the taste of it. Ethan grins at her and then hesitates. “You’ve got a little something on your lip.” He leans closer, smoothing his thumb over the speck of cherry sauce. Before you can think about it too hard, she darts her tongue out to lick his fingertip.

Isabella...” He calls out in awe. He reaches to cup her cheek, drawing her closer. Her eyes flutter shut.

Ethan’s phone buzzes on the tabletop, distracting them both with the sudden, loud vibration. “Oh... I'd better take this.” He cleared his throat before answering the phone.

“Hello? Oh yes. I've been meaning to tell you.” His eyes flicks back to Isabella, holding a stoic look. “Yes, she's great. You want to... next weekend? Uh... alright. See you then.” Ethan let's out a long sigh as he hangs up the phone.

“What was that about?” She asked, concerned. “My mother. She wants to meet you.” He breaks the news. “Me?” He nods his head. “She has this policy that whenever I hire a new employee, she has to see them herself. She just came back recently from Italy and requested to see the new supervisor.”