Mismatched Compatibility (27)

Ethan:

The bell rang the moment we entered. The receptionist looked up and when her eyes landed on Viria, she smiled broadly.

“Hi!” she greeted cheerfully.

“Hi,” greeted back Viria, with a smile. “Are they still recording?”

“They're finishing up,” the receptionist informed. Her eyes switched to me and I could clearly see the curiosity there as her eyes traveled from my head to toe. She didn't bother hiding the fact that she was checking me out. “Who's your friend?”

“He's looking for someone,” said Viria. Her tone changed, no doubt noticing the receptionist's interest in me. “Did a Daniella Howard stop by here, in any chance?”

My eyes wandered around the place, in case Daniella suddenly popped out of nowhere. The brick walls were covered with frames of different artists and rock bands.

“Oh, Mr. Andrews' friend,” nodded the receptionist. She opened her mouth to say more but she got cut off.

“She left several hours ago,” said a British male voice.

All heads turned to the archway that lead to the long hallway. My eyes landed on a tall lean-build dude. He ran his hand through his short dirty blonde hair, making it more tousled than before. He had the kind of face girls came running to. But he didn't hold that player vibe. He looked playful, but not really a player.

I know I've seen his face before, I just couldn't put my finger on it.

“Who the fuck are you?” I snapped.

I couldn't help it. I thought I finally found Daniella and I'd be able to settle her doubts once and for all, only to bite me in the face.

“Ethan,” hissed Viria.

Huh. Turns out she didn't have to wait 'til Friday to see my jerk self.

To my surprise, the Brit laughed – wholeheartedly. He had one of those carefree laughter that was contagious if you were around them for too long.

“Hey, V.”

He stepped closer to Viria as his laugh lessened, his mouth turning into a warm smile. I caught his eyes soften when they landed on her. Then, I saw it. The same sad look Viria wore? This guy wore, too. He was just better at hiding it.

Viria smiled. “Hey, EJ.”

She looked like she was about to melt into a puddle on the floor as he pulled her into a hug. It was supposed to be friendly greeting, but they looked like they didn't wanna let go of each other.

If I wasn't so fucking whipped with Daniella right now, I would've made fun of them. Too bad I was no better at this sappy romance shit.

“Sorry about his rude behavior,” apologized Viria to the Brit, looking at me pointedly as they pulled away from what looked like a very magnetic hug.

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“No, it's all right,” assured the Brit, flashing her what could only be called a cheeky grin. He then faced me, amused. “It's actually quite refreshing.” He reaches out his hand to me. “I'm Erik Frost. One-fifth of High Jinks.”

I figured as much.

I nodded and took his hand, sneaking a glance at Viria who was watching us. With just one look at the two of them, I knew there was so much history there. I just didn't understand why the fuck weren't they still together.

Ack. Not my business.

“So where is she?” I asked him, getting to the point.

He sighed and shook his head. “I honestly don't know. She left with Karl as soon as she got here around noon.”

“Fuck,” I muttered.

“I know someone who might be able to help, though.”

Just then, a stunning redhead woman came to view. She walked out of the hallway and into the lobby, stopping in front of us. She looked really familiar. My eyes traveled to the round belly that she was holding like she was treasuring it.

Oh, shit.

My eyes slightly widened at the realization. She was a singer – a very famous one at that. I was a little starstruck, to be honest. I mean, I wasn't all that bothered about meeting a member of probably the hottest boy band of our generation blah blah blah. It wasn't a big deal because seriously, they all looked the same to me.

But she was different. I actually like listening to some of her songs. Heard her boyfriend – now husband – composed some of it with her.

Damn. Was this a marrying age? She was only a year older than me.

I noticed as her eyes traveled to everyone, settling on me for a second before looking at Erik Frost.

“What's going on?” she asked him.

“Lad's looking for Daniella.” He looked at me, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry, I didn't catch your name.”

“Ethan Tyler.”

I'm losing my patience.

“Do you know where Dana is?” I asked directly to the woman who was studying me curiously now.

Understanding crossed her features. “You're the fake boyfriend,” she concluded, smiling at me. She wasn't asking. It was a statement.

I frowned and looked at her questioningly.

“She told us everything earlier,” she explained, after seeing my expression. “I knew you'd come after her.” She beamed, not seeming uncomfortable at the fact that we only met and she was acting like we were so close already. “As for where she is, she's probably on her way to the Olympus right now.”

I frowned. “The hotel?”

“Yes. Don Howard's throwing her a welcoming dinner party.”

I turned to leave, not wanting to waste any more time.

“Um, there's a dress code,” she added.

That made me halt.

Shit. Stupid tradition.

“I'm guessing you didn't bring a suit.”

I tilted my head back and looked at her.

“I could buy one. I'm not poor.”

I couldn't hide the irritation in my tone. I hated how this world was so fucking high maintenance. I hated how every thing seemed against me finding the girl who I'd fallen in love with. And I hated every second that I wasn't with Daniella.

Great. Now I'm clingy.

“Chill, mate,” said Erik Frost carefully. “She wasn't implying that.”

She ignored him and tugged my arm, before heading to the door. “Come on, we're wasting time.”

“Hold on,” Erik called after her, making her pause. “Isn't Todd supposed to come get you?” The slight lines on his forehead disappeared when something behind us caught his eye. A slow grin appeared. “Ah, speak of the devil.”

I turned my head to see a cool-looking male in a tux enter the place. His blonde hair was the most tousled I've ever seen in my life. But it added an edge to his no-nonsense posture. When I saw his eyes, I almost shuddered. They were so cold, like he was superior to everyone else.

People in this world were so full of themselves.

He nodded to Erik Frost, then walked over to Maxine – who stopped tugging my arm and was now smiling at the man who I assumed was her husband. His cold eyes vanished and instantly softened as soon as he laid eyes on her.

“Hey, baby,” he murmured, as he pulled her into his arms and ignored me completely. He kissed her on the forehead, before asking, “Ready?”

“This is the guy Dana talked about,” she told him excitedly, pointing at me.

I glanced at Viria, who was still in the room. She shrugged.

“Let's help him get a tux so he could go to the party and be with her,” continued Maxine, pulling Todd towards the door.

“I don't need help,” I informed them firmly.

Todd looked at me with a bored expression. “Saves me the trouble,” he said quietly, looking away.

Maxine shot him a sharp look.

He sighed. “You look like you're not fond of wearing a tux. People like that usually dislike it when the suit doesn't fit them right. It's summer, all the good tailor shops are busy because of the upcoming balls. It doesn't matter how rich you are. They don't get bribed easily.”

I gritted my teeth. “Get to the fucking point.”

Todd looked at Maxine and raised an eyebrow, like he was making sure if she was really gonna force him into helping a bad-mannered douche like me. She nodded and urged him on.

“You need connections,” he simply said.

And I just want this fucking over with.

“If I tell you the magic word,” I told him, with a hard tone, “would you shut up and help me already?”

He stared at me with an indifferent face, waiting.

My jaw clenched. I hated giving in to someone else's way. But I reminded myself that I was doing this for Daniella. I had to fucking swallow my pride for her.

“Say it,” whispered Viria.

“Please,” I grumbled, before I could lose my balls.

Todd smirked at me, making me want to break his face and see if he could still look smug then. But before I could, he turned his back on me and headed to the door. Lucky son of a bitch.

Maxine smiled apologetically at me as her husband pulled her with him, and then she waved for me to follow them out.

“Go on,” Erik Frost told me, patting me at the back. “Don't waste time.”

“You can do it, Ethan!” cheered Viria, all smiles.

I nodded and walked out the door. Todd was giving instructions to an average looking guy who looked like his secretary or something.

“This is Kingston,” introduced Todd, with the same nonchalant but cold tone. What the hell did the nation's American sweetheart saw in him? “He'll take you to my friend's shop. I already informed them that you're in a hurry.”

Without waiting for my reply, he led Maxine to the limousine waiting for them. I argued with myself if I should thank him.

“See you at the hotel!” called over Maxine, waving at me before climbing inside the limo with the help of Todd.

Before following after his wife, Todd stopped and looked at me.

“A reminder,” he began sternly. “Watch your manners. Not everyone tolerates that kind of attitude.” With that, he went inside the limo, both of us knowing he got the last say. Fucking smartass.

“Don't take it personal,” said Kingston, laughing weakly. “Mr. Samuels is like that to everyone but his friends.”

One thing I hated most in this world was being told off. That Todd dickhead was lucky I owed him, or I never would've let him get away with it.

I glowered as walked to the driver side of my car, while Kingston reluctantly got in at the passenger side. I quickly entered the key in the ignition and started the engine.

“He's right, you know. The people in their class are quite scary. The way they look down on people . . .”

Shit, he's a chatty one.

“But you don't have to worry about Mr. Samuels and his friends. They're nothing like that. They're actually very nice and down-to-earth.”

I sighed and looked at him. Time to be honest so he'd shut up.

“I don't really give a fuck, dude. I only came for my girl.”

I faced the road again, put the car on gear, and drove off.

And I won't leave 'til I get her back.

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To those who didn't read Realize and A and D, were you confused at the new characters? Tell me please! So I could improve it. :)

To my old readers, you wished for a Todd and Ethan encounter. You got it! As you can see, they didn't get along. Why do you think is that? ;)

Next chapter will be dedicated to the mose interesting insight. :)