I'M BACK

     Faith had gone home earlier that day. She didn't have many clients, so she decided to go home since she would be at the office doing nothing, besides, her stomach hurts, she needed to see doctor Ingrid again, but she dreaded booking an appointment with her. The last time she had been there, the doctor had talked about her being emotionally stressed and needing to see a therapist. 

       She had chuckled. Who needs a therapist? Her? No way, it was her duty to counsel people not the other way round. She opened the door to the apartment and didn't see that someone was by the wall. She started going in, but the person tripped her and she stumbled, but the person was fast enough to catch her by the wrist. She slowly looked up and saw Ethan smiling at her. 

       "I got you right there," he said and winked at her. 

       She thought as much. She scowled and straightened up. "You?" 

       "Yes me," he said with a smile. "I'm back." 

       "Indeed you are! You just tripped me." 

      "Did I?" He feigned concern. "I didn't see you there." 

       "I don't have time for this," Faith said, her heart thumping. She started walking towards her room and wondered where Charlotte was. Ethan followed her. 

        "Just like that? No welcome back home, how was your journey? Hope you enjoyed your trip?" 

       "I am minding my business."

       "Oh, come on, aren't you curious to know where I went?" 

       Faith contemplated telling him that she already knew from Charlotte but decided against it. She didn't want him to have ideas in his head and think that she had missed him. Although, some nights, she had walked into the house glancing over at his door and wondering if he was back. 

       "Can you mind your business?" she snapped at him turning abruptly to look at him. 

     He didn't give up. "No, I can't." 

       "Why?!" 

       "You keep asking why when I told you that I can't stay away from you." 

        "Can you just leave me in peace?" 

       "Let's just be friends." 

        "I don't wanna be friends!" 

       "Why?" 

   Because I am freaking attracted to you and can't stay friends! Because you are too much of a temptation to me! Because I'm scared of falling hopelessly and left shattered again! Because Charlotte is my friend and I can't hurt her! Those were the things she had wanted to reply to him, but she had just stood there gawking at him. 

      He widened his eyes and peered at her. "What? Cat got your tongue?" 

        She tilted her face up, using all the will in her. "I'm not doing this." She made to leave, but he grabbed her arm immediately and drew her back. 

        "Stop walking out on me, it makes me want to do crazy things to you," he said, bringing his face closer. 

        "Like what?" she heard herself asking and felt stupid immediately for asking the question. 

        "Like catching you when you fall." 

    She rolled her eyes. She should have known he was not serious. She tried to wriggle out of his grip, but his grip on her was firm. The entrance door. 

      "I'm coming home! I'm coming home! Tell the world that I'm coming home!" Charlotte sang as she walked in. She looked at both of them. "Thank God, you both are here! I got food for three!"