20 Chapter
“Are you trying to tell me now that he’s been stealing all the girls from you?”
“Pen, not only did he steal girls from us, he seduced my fiancée, my sister.”
“Ethan? That’s just unbelievable.”
“It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Kevin and Michael trusted him, too, but their wives suffered the same fate. And now his biggest trophy is you. He’s trying to play outside the box, to make himself look good to you. To play the good guy and the guy in love, but in reality, he’s not. He’s trying to convince you otherwise.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“I’m not forcing you to, but in time you’ll realize that I was right. And then you’ll get burned, very badly burned.”
“Why did you decide to tell me everything?”
“You’re falling in love with him, Pen. I can see that. But before it’s too late, don’t do it. Ethan’s no angel. His devilishly handsome looks tell you to stay away from him. He’s incapable of love. He’s never been in love in his life.”
“All right, I’ll believe you. I’ll try to stay away from him. But that doesn’t mean I have to stay close to you.”
“I didn’t ask you to. See, I don’t even try to hug and kiss you like Ethan did all the time. It’s up to you. But if you want to get one step closer to me, I don’t mind,” he said with a sly smile.
“I don’t think that day will ever come.”
“You never know. Why don’t you join me for a drink?” he suggested as he poured the whiskey into the glasses.
“No, I’m at work,” Pen declined. He didn’t like it, but he didn’t want to scare her off, so he didn’t insist.
“All right, I’ll have a drink,” he said, and took a sip of whiskey.
“George, why aren’t you married?”
“Pen, I still adhere to the traditional system of relationship between a man and a woman. So unless I’m in love, I won’t go for it. As long as I’m not married, I can change women, but as soon as I do, she’ll be the one for me,” how skillfully he lies and deceives her.
“And your friends, they are married, aren’t they?”
“Yes, but they didn’t marry for love. Kevin married the daughter of the judge who helped him get a job. Michael married the daughter of a colonel who was also well-connected. So, they each had a benefit.”
“And their wives tolerated cheating?”
“They don’t know anything about it. And even if they suspect it, they don’t talk about it and don’t make it public. Public opinion can play tricks on them. And they don’t need all that trouble.”
“I see,” Pen replied.
“Listen, how did you survive the loss of your parents? I heard about it, but I never thought I’d see the heiress of a jewelry empire working as a waitress in this restaurant.”
“That’s a tough one. I haven’t come to terms with it yet. I’m not an heiress, the heiress is my older sister Kelly. She didn’t think long about what to do with me. Left me with the choice of dancing or total obedience to her opinion, I chose the former. I never saw her again after that.”
“She shouldn’t have done that, put you in front of a choice.”
“But she went for it, and she got nothing.”
“You’re smart and beautiful, you’re bound to achieve a lot in life.”
“I believe that too. I’ll be eighteen in a week. And she won’t be able to influence me in any way.”
“You’re going to be an adult and independent, which is really great. I wish I could go back to that carefree time”.
“Maybe, George. I have to go now. You still haven’t touched your food,” she remarked as she looked at the table.
“That’s all right, Pen. If you’ve got to go, then go. Thank you for agreeing to talk to me.”
“You’re welcome.”
– Can I kiss you on the cheek? – George asked.
“Yes,” she agreed and he kissed her. George didn’t stir her emotions, but they could have been good friends, Pen thought, before she walked out.
Pen walked to the kitchen and noticed Beth appear.
“Hi, Beth. How are you? Why are you late?”
“Pen, let’s not do this now. I’m busy,” she answered her rudely.
“But you, weren’t, and I figured that,” but Beth didn’t answer her. Silently she walked past Pen.
Pen found this behavior of Beth strange, she was always cheerful and joyful, but now everything had changed. And Beth doesn’t want to say why. Pen is not used to prying into a person’s soul, especially if they don’t want to.
Meanwhile, Beth made her way over to George’s. She walked there with purpose.
“Hey, kitty,” he greeted her as she approached him.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
“George, are you alone?”
“As you can see. Unless Michael and Kevin got superpowers since yesterday and started turning invisible.”
“Oh, I see. George, I can’t do this anymore. I’m tired.”
“What do you mean, baby?” He didn’t understand her behavior.
“I worked off all the money a long time ago, let’s stop these sex games. Kevin’s question yesterday got me thinking.”
“What am I going to do when the guy I fall in love with finds out what I’ve done in the past.”
“He’s too right, Beth.”
“But he’s, he’s damn right! I want to find a nice guy and have a happy family with him. Let’s get this over with. I don’t want to be somebody’s whore all my life. I want to be a loving wife and a caring mother.”
“How will your future husband look at you being the handmaiden whore of three rich guys. And knowing that two of you are married with kids?”
“That’s why I want to change everything, I want to quit my job and go to school. I have enough money already.”
“Thanks to us, Beth. You realize we were perfect for you, it’s not like the next male is going to be so nice to you. He won’t be aggressive and beat you up in a fit of passion.”
“I won’t do it anymore, George. Whether you want me to or not.”
“All right, you’re right. You’ve already paid your dues. Besides, we’re interested in another girl now.”
“You mean Pen?”
“You’re smart.”
“I doubt you’ll get anywhere with her.”
“Let’s see, you can go!”