Rags to Stardom

Chapter 5

“Thank me for what exactly?” She asked, feigning ignorance.

She was different from most ladies that came from wealthy families like herself. Her grandfather would always tease her that she had a good heart like her grandmother but then her father used to say the exact same thing to her; that she had the heart of her mother, so Loretta didn't know exactly who to believe.

It was true that both men loved their late wives so much and maybe because of that saw similar traits in her, but whichever was the case, they both agreed one thing, that she had a good heart.

“For covering my ass out there. I will never forget it,” he responded, gratefully.

Loretta couldn't help blushing at his statement as they approached sunrise villa.

“We are finally here,” she announced happily.

Ethan could hardly believe he actually owned sunrise villa. A little while ago he was literarily homeless but now he owned an entire villa. Life was indeed truly unpredictable afterall, he thought to himself.

As they entered the villa, Ethan marveled at the benevolence of Ian Lopez. The villa was one of the choicest locations to live in. As a matter of fact, it was among the top 10 highly sought after residential destinations of the rich in Stanberry.

It had its own recreational facility and gym as well as both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.

Sunrise villa also had its own staff, it lacked absolutely nothing.

“I hope it suits your taste,” Loretta asked, as they stepped into his living room.

Ethan opened his mouth to speak but words failed to come out as his joy knew no bounds. 

Finally he managed to voice out, “It’s so beautiful. I am truly grateful to you and your entire family. Thank you.”

Loretta nodded as she called the staff of the villa and introduced them to Ethan.

After the introduction, she picked up her bag, “I'll leave you to get some rest. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow.”

But Ethan countered, “please don't go….” realizing how he just sounded, he quickly corrected himself, “It's not safe for you to go home alone. Why not spend the night here and leave tomorrow.”

Loretta blushed, “Missing me already?”

Ethan couldn't help laughing, “I know trouble always has a way of finding you but we are a team now. I have no choice in the matter.”

On hearing that, she picked a pillow from the sofa and aimed at him but missed, as they both laughed heartily.

“Alright, I'll stay even if I disagree with you about the trouble part.” She was going to comment about him being a gentleman but since Ethan never gave her any reason to worry, she brushed the thought aside.

They spent another hour talking over pizza and some fruit juice before they retired to their rooms for the night.

Ethan was amazed at how fast they had become close. Anyone that saw the duo would never believe they got acquainted just today.

The following day, Ethan surprised Loretta by waking up early to make breakfast.

Before going to jail, he had done the exact same thing for Ariella and her family, despite his busy work schedule, but his efforts were never appreciated.

The aroma from his cooking must have somehow woken Loretta up as she came out just as he finished setting the table.

“You made breakfast!” She exclaimed.

Just when she thought she had figured him all out, he did something that surprised and impressed her again.

“Yes, I did. You are my guest, remember,” he grinned.

Loretta couldn't help requesting for more as she found his cooking extremely tasty.

An hour later, they walked into Lopez conglomerate's main building amid whispers from everyone.

“Is that the new head of operations?”

“What a lucky guy!”

“I wonder if he is married!”

Even though they were whispering, Ethan could hear them clearly as his senses were exceptionally good.

Ethan and Loretta soon ran into Julian Lark, the project manager. 

“Julian meet Ethan…” But before she could finish the introduction, Julian responded derisively, ‘’Oh! The new driver? Boy, how are you?”

As he stretched out his hand for a handshake, Ethan pretended to want to shake him but headbutted him instead.

Julian fell on the ground, his face contorted in pain.

“Oh! My bad. Did I hurt you?”

Loretta couldn't help turning to the wall and laughing softly. “Like I was about to say, this is Ethan Banks, the new head of operations. You report to him henceforth.”

Julian cursed under his breath. He wasn't pleased that an outsider had snatched a position that he had been eyeing for a long time. He had dreamt of the day he would occupy the position, so he could finally gain the respect he deserved from his family.

He vowed to deal with Ethan as he stumbled into his office.

At that moment Ethan called out, “Julian, get me a cup of coffee.”

Julian was furious. How could a lowlife not only steal a position he had set his heart but also order him around.

Ethan wanted to know what it felt like to be served for once and to him Julian was the perfect candidate. He smirked to himself as he pictured Julian's face with his cup of coffee.

“Enjoying your new role already, I see,” Loretta guffawed. She knew Ethan was only doing it to punish Julian.

Ethan chuckled softly as he explored his office, admiring its opulent finishings. “The Lopez truly have exquisite taste,” he whispered to himself.

Just then, Loretta's phone rang and she stepped aside to answer it.

As Ethan attempted to sit down Julian returned with the coffee in his hand. Ethan collected his coffee, took a sniff and poured it away.

“Thanks for the coffee but I changed my mind. You may leave.”

Julian was both shocked and furious as he left Ethan's office. He was shocked because Ethan didn't drink the poisoned coffee and he was furious that his plan just failed. He had seen Ethan's petty errand as a golden opportunity to get rid of him once and for all but alas, his plan had failed.

Ethan smiled to himself, on sniffing the coffee, he had perceived a foreign ingredient in it, confirming his suspicion that Julian would try to poison him.

“Firing him would be just too easy,” he furrowed his brow as he thought. “I have something better planned out for you Julian!”