The kiss was initially violent—Lucas's hunger meeting Ethan's resistance. But as Lucas's lips moved with familiar, pleading affection, Ethan's anger wavered. The resistance turned to a desperate acceptance. They clutched at each other, the tension breaking into a passionate, intimate moment that burned away the five years of icy separation.
Then, just as quickly, Ethan pulled back, his chest heaving, his eyes clearing to reveal fresh tears. He scrambled away from Lucas, pressing his back against the cool tile wall.
Outside the restroom, Arlo ended the tense phone call with Sefan.
did Lucas meet Ethan in shopping yesterday?" Sefan demanded.
"Hello, Ma'am? Ah, ahh, yes, yesterday we met a guy. He was Lucas's childhood friend, not... not Ethan." Arlo had lied, swallowing her fear.
"A friend?" Sefan's tone was skeptical. "Ah, okay. I thought it was Ethan."
"I guess he went abroad after that day. Ma'am," Arlo said.
"Good. Don't tell Lucas I asked you about this." The warning was implicit and sharp.
"Yes, Ma'am." Arlo hung up, a cold thought forming in her mind: This is going to end badly.
While inside the restroom. Lucas watched him go, his heart seizing with panic. "Ethan! Please!" His voice was ragged, losing its CEO polish and cracking with genuine need. He rushed to hug Ethan from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder. "I know I was wrong. Please, don't leave me again."
Ethan's body shook. "You know you were wrong after five years?!" His voice was a choked sob. "You didn't even trust me at all! How can I ever forgive you easily?"
"Tell me what to do!" Lucas pleaded, desperately. "What can I do to get your forgiveness? If you want to slap me, do it!" He seized Ethan's hand and pulled it toward his own face.
"Enough, Lucas! Please, enough!" Ethan wrenched his hand away. "After all these years, I can't be in a relationship with you again." The words felt like a broken promise, tearing him apart inside.
"Why?! Why not?" Lucas spun him around, gripping his shoulders. "Don't tell me you don't love me! I know you still do. Is there a problem? Tell me! I can protect you with my life!"
When Lucas said protect you with my life, Ethan's memory flashed back: Clara's fierce fight, the baby pressed into his arms for survival. His resolve hardened.
"Stop talking like that," Ethan snapped, coldness replacing his tears. "If something happens to you, I won't survive myself. But right now, I have to protect someone." He broke free and walked toward the door.
"I love you!" Lucas shouted at his back.
Ethan paused, his hand on the cold brass handle.
"I love you Ethan, and I know how to make you love me again," Lucas added, his voice regaining its confident, dangerous edge.
"But I can't love you," Ethan snapped back, his voice flat. "I have a baby. Eli."
He yanked the door open and stepped out.
"He's Clara's son?!" Lucas shouted the question into the empty restroom, his eyes widening in shock. Eli looked exactly like her.
But Ethan was already gone.
Arlo watched Ethan emerge, his face pale, his lips swollen—a clear sign of the forced kiss.
"Ethan!" Arlo tried to stop him. "I want to talk to you about something, but... not now." Her eyes darted toward the restroom door where Lucas would soon exit.
Ethan understood. He gave a small, tear-filled nod and hurried away.
Lucas emerged, looking flushed and determined. Arlo grabbed his arm, pulling him aside. "Do you have any idea what you're doing? You are here for business! Do you have any professional ethics?" she snapped.
"I know, Arlo," Lucas said, his tone low and weary. "Business, money, profession... none of it matters when it comes to Ethan. You know how much I suffered during those five years. At least now I have to follow my heart."
"But Sir, this may lead you into more serious problems!" Arlo insisted. "I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about Ethan."
"Ethan?" Lucas asked, surprised. "Why?"
Arlo looked away. "I... I don't know," she stammered, avoiding something. "I just wanted to tell you that."
Lucas shook his head. "Hmmmm.
I need Eli's information. Where is he studying? What are his favorite things? Get all the information. I don't care how you get it, but I need it now!"
If I want to get Ethan back, Lucas mused to himself, I need to get his baby on my side.
Ethan found his way back to his cabinet. He looked utterly drained, his face a mess of old pain and fresh tears. He sank slowly into his chair, the scene in the restroom replaying vividly.
His saying 'I love you'...
The words were the exact same ones he'd heard five years ago. He raised a trembling hand and touched his own lips, feeling the lingering ghost of Lucas's passionate kiss. His heart pounded wildly, suddenly recalling the affection of their old days.
He quickly shook his head. No, no! This can never happen!
A new thought struck him, freezing his blood. What if Lucas's mother knows I'm here? He questioned himself, suddenly worried for Eli.
"Ahhhhh! What happened? What did Lucas say? Did he confess to you?!" Cury and two other doctors burst into the cabinet. Satraus stood silently by, his expression dark with jealousy.
"See, guys," Cury crowed, "our Dr. Beauty made the CEO stumble! He didn't even care about his status or reputation, just confessed boldly! Why can't I find someone like that in my life?"
The other doctors nodded in agreement. Ethan ignored them, trying to smooth his face into an expression of cold professionalism.
"Dr. Stan, please tell us what happened. Did he conf—"
"There's nothing to tell," Ethan cut them off, his voice ice cold. "I told the CEO directly not to cross any limits and to be professional. He understood and left."
Everyone gasped, "Oh, sorry, sorry." The doctors apologized and shuffled out, leaving Cury and Satraus.
"It's already late," Ethan announced, getting up quickly. "I have to go to the school and pick up my son." He grabbed his bag, his mind focused solely on Eli.
Cury and Satraus said goodbye.
Outside, the remaining hospital staff were gathered to see off the CEO. Lucas was already inside his car, his demeanor quiet and serious.
"Ahhh, sorry about what happened today," Arlo stepped forward, quickly covering for her boss. "My boss is like this. If he likes someone, he never cares about where he is. His personal life just matters more. He seemed to find Ethan perfect for his match. If you all felt uncomfortable..."
"Hey, hey, that's okay!" the MD interrupted with a fake, elegant laugh. "At least he found someone who warrants such boldness. Rich people, right?" Everyone laughed stiffly.
"Actually, Ethan is a very private person," the CMO interjected. "If he says anything upsetting, please apologize to Lucas Sir for us."
"Yeah, yeah, tell him sorry!" the staff chorused.
"Thanks. Now we have to go." Arlo said goodbye and slipped into the car.
The car started, pulling away.
Ethan was already running urgently through the parking lot toward the street.
Inside the car, Lucas saw him. "Hey! Driver! Stop the car!"