3:00 AM
Dear Diary
It's been 2 weeks since dad gave me and Asher the entire responsibility of Evans BuiltIN Group. I would've been over the top, but to achieve this I have entered a phase where there is a lot of uncertainty around my future. I got married, to Ethan Carter.The merger that let us to this pinnacle came at a cost.
Both Ethan and I do not know each other, at all. Both of us have married into something unknown, it's like navigating unknown waters.
Mom used to say how lucky she was to find true love in Dad .Will I be lucky enough to get that?
S.
I had woken up in the middle of the night and realised that I hadn't taken my anxiety medicine. It's been 7 years since I started going into therapy. Defeating depression was no easy win, I fought with it for 3 years but anxiety was something I couldn't totally get out of. Always at the back of my mind, I had these intrusive thoughts which has led to many sleepless nights like such.
I popped the pill and chased it with water. Finally feeling drowsy enough, I slipped back under the covers. I took one glance at the figure resting beside me, he was sleeping peacefully. His entire body was relaxed--not a trace of that tension he always carried around. When he slightly stirs, I immediately turn away.
--*--
My alarm clock started beeping at 6:30 AM.Realising that I didn't have to go to work and having a chance at more sleep, I closed my eyes. Before falling asleep again I heard Ethan entering in and taking off his shoes, he must have gone out for a jog. I finally woke up at 9 and this time I was alone so like any sensible adult I got ready and decided I need to go shopping.
It was the most sleep I had gotten in a long time. I didn't exactly know what was the deciding factor. Maybe, the change of location had helped me relax.
I called up Sam to accompany me shopping and she was more than happy to. The driver dropped us off at the mall and we got off. Before I could decide anything Sam dragged me into a shop.
"Hi, we need bathing suits for her size. Good ones." She said winking to the helper.
I was astonished,"Sam I don't think I need any, I've got a one piece in case I feel like going to the beach."
"Feel like? You're definitely going to the beach and we definitely need those smoking 2 pieces so Ethan can't keep his eyes off of you."
Yeah, as if that was gonna happen.But knowing better I decided against saying anything and just sighed.
--*--
Let's just say that Sam is very happy with those strappy barely there bikinis and I am not. Afterwards we just bought some clothes and I got some knick knacks for everyone back in New York. We were having ice cream as we headed out of the mall.
"Jamie and Ethan will be here to pick us up, I called them." and exactly then 2 cars pulled up. Both Ethan and James stepped out.Sam ran towards James and smooched him. They were busy in their PDA while we just stood there, embarrassed. I turned around to face Ethan. He gave me an awkward questioning glance and took all of my bags.Well that was polite.
He then proceeded to lick some of my ice cream, I stared at him and he just smiled at me lovingly. My knees were buckling at his intensity but he subtly gestured to our side where I saw Sam and James looking at us and laughing .
Oh, so this was a show.
I slipped into the front seat before Ethan came in and took the driver's seat. There was something about him and driving--he liked it. Despite having chauffeurs he preferred to drive by himself. Maybe it was his escape.
I looked straight ahead but suddenly there was a warm presence very near to me. Ethan's hand rested right to the side of my head. His stormy blue eyes met mine and my breath hitched. What is he trying to do?
I heard a click that brought me out of my chain of thoughts, looking down I found my seatbelt locked in place.
"Safety first." Ethan says near my ear and positions himself. There was a trail of goosebumps along both my arms. I tried to focus on anything but him.We drove in a comfortable silence.
My stomach was killing me because the only thing I had since this morning was an ice cream. Taking in a deep breath, I softly held it before focusing back on the road.
"Did you have breakfast today?" Ethan asked out of the blue as he pulled into a parking lot of a restaurant.
"No?" I asked rather than saying.
He looked over at me once before tilting his head toward the restaurant, "So?"
I nodded once before following him out.
The hostess was checking him out shamelessly, not that I care.We got a corner table with a beautiful view.
"I'll have the shrimp" I told the waiter .
"And I'd like a lobster" Ethan added.
I found myself relieved at the sight of food but consumed it at a pace acceptable enough. We didn't say much to each other. The entire time I admired the view while Ethan as usual was buried in his phone. There were a few 'hmms' to my questions from his side after which I didn't bother to talk anymore.
When we stepped out of the restaurant, I decided that since we will go back to the hotel after this, I should enjoy a bit. I turn to Ethan,
"Can I drive, Ethan?"
He stopped for a moment looked at me and opened his mouth,"No, Skylar."
This was the first time he said my name and it felt ridiculously good hearing it from him.
I stopped walking, "Please,Ethan."
"No,Skylar."
"Come on, I wanna take you somewhere."
"How can I trust you?"
"I trusted you, didn't I?"
"Fine." He tossed me the keys and groaned before sitting in the car.
I took out the map to retrace the path to my favourite spot in Hawaii.
"Have you heard of a gps, you old woman?"
"Oh shut it." I admonished him before speeding off.
I parked the car in a clearing.Ethan seemed apprehensive to be in scarcely populated spot.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you." I said, he smirked and walked off.I think he realised where we are as he started taking his shirt off and moving towards the end of the land. I smiled at him before shimmying off my dress.
We were at one of the most celebrated cliff diving spots of Hawaii--The Mokulua.We shared one last look before taking the dive.One moment we were leaping through the air, the next we found ourselves deep in the cold water.Ethan and I resurfaced together and started laughing before going back.
We did it twice more.
As I grabbed the door to the driver's seat,Ethan caught it. "Nuh-uh, this is one my most beloved cars.Be grateful I let you drive it once." and with that he got in.
Such a buzzkill. I blew a raspberry at him before going in from the other side.
As we reached the resort, Ethan walked off saying he had a meeting so I got back to the cottage.I guess, he had too much fun today and needed to be back to his actual grumpy self again.
I decided on a shower. And the moment I was done, the door to the room swung open. I hit my head once regretting my decision to leave my clothes out.
Great timing, Ethan Carter.
Mustering up a lot of courage, I opened the door to a small crack."Could you pass me my dress?" I said in a small voice and surprisingly he looked at me once before picking it up from the bed and handing it to me. I opened the door just a tad bit more, but still he couldn't get through.
"Oh, relax will you? It's not like I haven't seen those things before." He regretted the sentence as soon as he said it.
"Men are hopeless," I mutter before grabbing the dress from his hand.
The night was usually silent , we had our dinner by working at our respective laptops and got settled into bed. I took my anxiety medication , even if Ethan had any questions about it he didn't ask me.
This time I fell asleep easily.
--*--
I woke up around 8. It was a beautiful day. Ethan was obviously not here. I had talked to Ava and Asher and apparently, she had to interview him for the latest issue of Esquire. She needed me as well so she postponed it to a later date. It was then when I received a text from Sam.
Sam: If you're not busy, can I come by?
Me: Like you even have to ask.
Sam knocked on my door within 5 minutes wearing a yellow bikini with wooden hoops at strategic places and had a red sarong wrapped around.
"Get ready we're gonna have a fun beach day!"
She pulled out the black strappy bikini that I hated the most. "Sam, no. I'm not wearing that."
"Come on, Sky don't be a spoilsport.Besides you're going back tomorrow and I'll miss you." She frowned a bit, "Please spend this last day with me having fun, please, please." She said with those puppy eyes that no one could say no to.
"Fine." I groaned and put it on. I wore a sheer white oversized shirt over it. As we made our way to the beach, I saw all the couples doing lovey-dovey things. Getting pictures clicked , making their own drinks and what not.Things that real couples do on their real honeymoon.
"Oh, did I tell you it's couple's retreat special day today?" She said while dragging a shocked Ethan towards me.
Oh no.