C4 Four

Nicole Vargas

"I don't want to stay with Ethan for a year. Can I at least have my own apartment?" I looked with pleading eyes at my parents.

This is such a great opportunity, but I don't want to stay under the same roof with Ethan. It's not that I don't trust him, it's just that I don't trust myself. Seeing him after so many years made me realize how much he actually grew as a person. And not only in knowledge but also in body parts.

"No, you are going to stay with Ethan. He has a big mansion in New York, you will not have to see him every day. The least you can do is cook for him." My mom stood at the doorway in her pink fluffy bathrobe. Her hair was tied in a messy bun and she had a green facemask on and a Starbucks in her hand.

"Cook?" I stared at them as if they grew two horns. My dad stood next to my mom, dressed in his suit, ready to go to work. He was constantly looking at his watch while arguing with me.

"Yes, cook." He said. "He is already kind enough to let you stay in his mansion for a year. Be nice and make something to eat for him once in a while. I didn't raise a spoiled little brat."

"But I can't cook. He's so rich, it's no luxury to hire a cook." I can't believe Ethan didn't have a cook. What did he eat then? Takeout?

"He likes to prepare his food himself, so help him. Do some chores and whatnot. This is a chance for you Nicole. Don't waste it. It's only for a year, after that you can live wherever you want." My mom sipped on her Starbucks and it made the annoying sound, I couldn't stand.

"Ughh!!" I growled and plopped down on my bed. "Do I need to remind you that I'm already an adult and that I can make my own decisions?"

"Nicole!" My dad was getting impatient. "I know you're an adult, but you're also my only child. And god forbid if something happens to you. I'll never forgive myself. You don't know New York City, you never went there. So please, take my advice and live with Ethan so you're not alone. You will learn from him and it will benefit you somewhere in the future."

I let out a deep sigh. My dad was not completely wrong. And it will be just for a year. I can do it. I can live under the same roof with Ethan Gray without crushing on him. Maybe he even has a girlfriend, that would be much easier for me to keep my distance from him.

"What time will he pick me up?"

A smile crept on my mom's face. "He'll be here in three hours, so you better hurry up."

Three hours? How the hell am I going to pack in three hours?

I jumped out of bed and grabbed my suitcases from underneath my bed. I called my assistant to come and help me. It was urgent I said, since it was her day off.

When my assistant came she started packing so I could take a long bath. I poured some champagne in a glass and stepped into the bathtub that was filled with roses. I grabbed a bath bomb and put it in the water. So restful and refreshing.

I stayed in there for a while and after that I put on my bathrobe so I could do my makeup and hair. I straightened my hair and applied a minimum of makeup. I don't like to get all dolled up especially when I'm traveling. I sprayed some setting spray on my face and walked out of the bathroom.

"I already packed everything that you asked me too, do you need anything else?" My assistant asked. I shook my head and dismissed her. I can do the rest myself.

I changed into some comfy traveling clothes and walked downstairs to make myself a smoothie. My mom probably went to the art gallery, because I didn't see her car in the garage. When I entered the kitchen, Carolina, our housemaid was cleaning the kitchen counter.

"Nicole, I've heard you're leaving today," she said, turning around and hitting me with the duster in the process.

"Ugh! Linaa!" I groaned annoyed. "Watch out and yes, I'm moving to New York today."

"Ahh, so it's true. You're going with Mr Gray?" She winked at me and I rolled my eyes. She did her 'stalking' I see because otherwise she wouldn't know that Ethan turned into a greek god.

"Yes, I actually have to live with him for an entire year. Thanks to my parents." I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

"It will not be that bad, anyway I made your favorite smoothie. It's in the fridge."

I opened the fridge and saw a glass with my favorite strawberry-yogurt smoothie. "Thanks Lina."

She smiled at me and continued cleaning the kitchen. I walked back upstairs with my smoothie. Ethan should arrive soon. I did some last-minute packing, clean my room up, and put all my bedding and dirty clothes in the laundry room.

After I was done I heard a horn outside. "Nicole! Mr. Gray is here to pick you up!" Lina yelled from downstairs.

"Can you help me with my luggage?!" I yelled back. "Tell Vincent and Martinez too!"

Moments later Carolina, Vincent, and Martinez all helped me to bring my stuff downstairs. When I entered the living room Ethan stood there with his hands in his pockets. He wore a navy blue shirt with brown khaki pants. His hair was damp and messy, which gave him the 'I just woke up, but I still look hot' look.

His eyes.

His eyes turned big when I entered the room.

And not because of me.

He stared at my luggage, opened his mouth and closed it again. I don't know why he is so surprised. It was only eight suitcases and four carry-ons. I will be staying for a year, what did he expect?

"Those are not going to New York." He said after a while, and pointed at my stuff.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "What do I have to wear?"

"Two suitcases are more than enough, not a bajillion of them."

"You're exaggerating Mr. Gray. It's only eight!" I replied annoyed.

His lips turned into a scowl. "I think that since you're going to live with me it's safe to call me Ethan. And no, we're not taking eight suitcases to New York. It's too much."

"What am I supposed to wear then, Ethan!"

"He's right, Nicole. That's way too much." My dad's voice came from behind me. "I'll give you a credit card. You don't need so much stuff."

I rolled my eyes. "Why didn't you say that earlier?"

"But..." My mom appeared from behind my dad. "There's only a limited amount of money in it."

"What!" I yelled out. "What do you mean?"

"It means, you can only use it in emergency situations." My dad clarified.

"But...but every day is an emergency situation. What am I supposed to wear?"

"Maybe you should learn how to wash your clothes and wear it again." My mom rolled her eyes and blow her fingernails. I didn't get my attitude from a stranger.

I scrunched up my nose. What the hell? "That's so old-fashioned!"

"That's not old fashioned, it's normal! And I don't want to argue with you anymore. Take it or leave it!"

I groaned out frustrated, I know I'm not going to win this argument. "UGH! FINE!"

"Are you ready to go?" Ethan asked. "Choose the suitcase you want to bring."

I pointed angrily at two suitcases and one carry on and Vincent brought it to the car for me. I turned around to my parents. "Uhm, okay goodbye. Thank you for this torture I guess."

My dad sighed. "It's not torture, it's a---"

"I know, I know."

I hugged him and then my mom. After the goodbyes I walked to the car and Ethan was already waiting for me.

I stepped in and sat down next to Ethan and let out a deep sigh as the driver turned on the engine.

This is going to be one hell of a year.

Let's just hope I'll not fall in love with the person sitting next to me.