Ethan smiled at her, knowing she was in a tight corner where she can't turn him down now. But he cornered her from the door sight, knowing his seat ex-wife was capable of anything. "Hy," He mumbled.
"You sly fox! You have the nerve!"
He shrugged. "I knew you wouldn't come if I had come out straight to invite you so don't blame me for opting for this."
Daisy blew out an angry breath. She thought about this but didn't know he would have the balls to pull this kind of stuff off after what he did to her. "Ethan, do you know I can arrest you for stalking me and my son? What is wrong with you? You think because you invested in my busin__"
"Ladies and gentlemen, you are welcome to this great moment of the season when we are all gathered to witness the amazing performance like the time of the old, of our dear opera singer, Madame Celeste all the way from France. Please let's give a round of applause as we welcome her to the stage!" The man of the occasion cut her off to announce.
Ethan scooted closer and grabbed her hand, knowing if he had to get her attention he had to go hard. He was glad she still retained his name which means he still has chance. She didn't hate him that much to change her last name and he was willing to take advantage of anything within his grasp to have her back. She struggled away but he started pulling her away from the door.
"Let me go, Ethan, this minute!" She shrieked, her voice drowned out by the applause from the audience as the singer came on stage.
"Cmon, Daisy, the most interesting part of the show is about to start, you won't want to miss it out!" She wanted to struggle more but they are already within her eyesight of so many people and any move from her now and the press camera would zero on her. He planned this right and now she was trapped. With him.
They reached the seats he reserved and he ushered her into one of them and faced her with a broad grin. The grin that had swept her off her feet six years ago.
She smiled at a woman by her side who smiled back intently and then focused back on the stage. Then Daisy whirled around to him still smiling and bit out, "if you think..."
"Just enjoy the opera, baby. We will sort all that out!" her heart boiled the more he feigned everything was alright with them. It wasn't! How could he smile at her when he knew she resents him? What is this to him? Some game? A very sick one she would say.
He faced the stage and started listening to the music while she sat there deciding between concentrating on the song and lashing out at him despite knowing he wouldn't listen or from what she thought, might not care. So at the end, she had to join him in listening.
The opera singer sang a very compassionate song that left the audience enamored and their heart touched. It went long after she started singing, there were concealed sounds of sniffs and even some people crying. Daisy was very emotional mixed with rage that she had to listen to something that beautiful while with the worst person on earth right now to her.
Still, it didn't stop her from shedding tears. Before she could realize it, it was too late and when she searched for a napkin to wipe it off she didn't see any. She hissed and wanted to use her hand when a napkin blocked her vision. When she looked up, it was Ethan offering her a napkin. She didn't want to accept it. He has done more than enough and she was planning on returning his gift, accepting more wouldn't do her any good.
She was still trying to decide when he leaned in and started dabbing the napkin on her face. She flinched off, he inched in. "Stay put, unless you want me to smear your makeup," he said and without thinking about it, she knew he might likely do it so she stayed still while he dabbed away her tears. It was just like in the past. It made her reflect and made more tears pour.
"I'm sorry, Daisy, please forgive me," he said as though realizing she might have remembered when he did this in the past.
She shook her head and looked away. The woman by the side must have caught her movement because just when she was thinking of beating the remaining of the opera and giving up all the opportunity she stands to gain from it, the woman inched her chair close and said, "You look so familiar, are you by chance Daisy Richard, the award-winning model of the Princeton runway?"
Daisy blushed crimson because that was the last job she did before she had to quit for this man who didn't think twice to ruin her. "Yes, I am," She acquiesced, seeing no need to lie. Maybe in the past she would have denied so as to avoid attention, but not today. She came here to be free and even though Ethan has started ruining it for her, she would see it through.
"Wow!" the woman cried and flipped around to her partner and hailed him, "babe, come see Daisy, our daughter's number role model!" her husband's eyes lit up and he looked over.
"Is that truly her?" He asked and dragged his chair close, "That means we have to take a picture of her to show to Modella. She would regret not coming as we had encouraged."
His wife laughed. "Cmon, Chase, you can't be so wicked. Do you want her to hate us for not forcing her enough? Anyways, you are right we will have to show her pictures for her to believe us, in case of next time." She brought out her phone and then her eyes flew up and met with Ethan. "Is that your..."
"Yea!" Ethan came closer. "Her husband!"
Daisy's eyes widened.
She opened her mouth to deny it but their excitement wouldn't let her say a word. "Omg so it's true? The rumor has it that your husband looks like a god!" the woman reeled, further making Daisy uncomfortable. She glared at Ethan telling him with her eyes he is going to die for this.
The woman's husband's reaction was to break into loud mirth at his wife's open admiration of the beauty of another man. Which planet are they from?
"Maybe I can help you snap?" Ethan offered to, reaching out to take the phone from the couple who nodded hysterically. It made Daisy confused. Is this Ethan? Long before, these things angered him..the way people threw themselves at her all the time and wanted to engage in conversations or try to take pictures. It made him really mad. And here he was offering to snap them? She wondered in dismay.
"Thanks very much!" The woman continued. "When I saw you the first time, I thought perhaps it's someone that looks like you, but I couldn't help sneaking side glances until I was good enough to ask. You two look lovely by the way," She winked at them, referring to Ethan and Daisy.
She was speechless and didn't know what to say while Ethan was the one who shouted, thank you!
"So, since the singer is done, why don't you honor us with your presence at the bar. We have a reservation and would be really glad if you will be our guest."The man asked them expectantly.
"That is amazing!" Ethan said and stood, taking Daisy's hand which she couldn't yank off now that these people think they are a couple. How come things were working for him? Pondered Daisy. She won't be surprised if he paid them for all this.
"Yeah..." Her lips quivered to the side in a forced smile and allowed him to lead her out of the pew.
It was a long walk but it was one where she had to suffer camera snaps and frequent stops to greet one person or the other and then the few people who they used to know from before, who knew they were divorced. She saw the look of confusion on their faces and couldn't blame them. This was surprising to her too and she was trying very hard to flow along.
When they got to the reservation, the couple greeted their friends and then ushered them into their seats while the waiter went on to bring their order.
"So how has your career been for you, Mrs. Richard?" The woman asked Daisy, beaming widely.
"Fine!" She nodded, trying to maintain a peaceful decorum. "Though I no longer model."
"Oh, since when?" The woman appeared shocked. Oops!
Daisy hesitated at first, the memory washing over her. Then she said it. "My husband made me stop." Since he wants to play this game.
"Oh," The woman started chuckling and Daisy looked at Ethan and saw him go pale. "Men and their ego. I totally understand, if I were in his shoes with a beauty like you, I might have asked the same."What is she saying? Supporting him?
"Well, it was a mistake on my part, I'm hoping my wife forgives me for it someday," Ethan chipped in, bringing the table to a silent hush.
...