Ch 03: The Dare

"Alright, alright," Ethan nodded, his heart brimming with joy. The driver returned to the car, and at Alice's command, he drove away. Ethan stood there, smiling. As Alice's car moved forward, Ethan, full of happiness, began walking towards his home. Meanwhile, Damien muttered to himself, got up anxiously from his seat, and walked outside the shop. He restlessly scanned the spot where Ethan had stood just moments before, muttering to himself, "Madman."

Ethan arrived at the college at the right time, though getting there had required him to come up with another excuse for the day. Alice emerged from the college gate and walked up to Ethan.

"Where's that restaurant?" she asked.

"It's right here," Ethan replied with a smile.

"Let's sit there," Alice said.

"Sure," Ethan said, walking alongside her.

The restaurant wasn't far. At that hour, it wasn't crowded, with just a few couples or some young people sitting around. They found a secluded spot and sat down. Soft music played in the background, filling the hall.

"What would you like to have?" Ethan asked.

"Just juice," Alice replied in a flat tone.

Ethan ordered two juices from the waiter. Alice glanced at him and asked, "What is it that you wanted to say to me?"

"It's from my heart," Ethan said, looking at her.

"I'm listening," Alice said coldly.

"It was difficult for me to just watch you from a distance. So, I decided, regardless of the outcome, to speak with you. That's why I'm here before you," Ethan said.

"It was your boldness that compelled me to sit with you and find out what you wanted to say," Alice replied. Just then, the waiter placed the glasses of juice in front of them and left.

"I want to be honest. I don't care if you punish me for what I'm about to say or if you give it any thought. I'm from a good family. We own a cardboard factory in this city. We are well-off and live in the same area where you reside," Ethan explained. Alice took a sip of her juice and said, "That's all well and good, but what is it that we're really here for?"

"I saw you and fell in love with you," Ethan said without hesitation, looking directly at her. "I feel like I can't live without you. You're always on my mind."

Alice listened to him calmly, taking small sips of her juice. Then she looked at him, her face showing no sign of displeasure or approval. It was as blank as a sheet of paper.

"What's your name?" Alice asked.

"My name is Ethan," he replied.

"Do you know my name, which family I belong to, what my father does, or how my brothers feel about me?" Alice asked, then continued taking small sips.

"I only know that I saw you and fell in love with you. I don't need to know anything else," Ethan said, still gazing at her. His glass of juice remained untouched on the table. "I've grown to want you intensely. I don't even know if the way I've approached you is right. Call it my madness or my insanity. I've expressed what was in my heart."

Alice finished her juice, placed the glass on the table, looked at Ethan, and said, "This is madness."

"It's also an expression of my love," Ethan responded.

"Such boldness is rare," Alice remarked, glancing at his untouched glass of juice. "Your juice is still sitting there."

"I'm waiting for your answer," he said.

"What did you say you do?" Alice asked.

"We own a cardboard factory," Ethan replied.

"When you say 'we,' what do you mean?" Alice looked at him. "The entire neighborhood owns it?" she asked with a faint smile.

"My father and brothers, we all share it," Ethan clarified. "We all work together."

"So, one plate and many hands to eat," Alice said. "Mr. Ethan, I think we should leave now."

"I haven't received an answer from you," he said anxiously. "I want to know your response."

"You're very impatient. You're in a rush to speak and eager for a response," Alice said calmly.

"I gave you the opportunity to express your feelings, listened to what you had to say, and drank the juice. But you cannot force me to give an answer here and now. I detest people who try to impose their will on me. I am the master of my own will."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Ethan quickly said. "But I still want to know if you..."

"Remember one thing, Mr. Ethan... you will not meet me again until I want to. And when I do want to, I will give you an answer. I'm leaving now. And don't stand in my way again," Alice said as she stood up.

"When will you meet me?" Ethan asked, standing up anxiously.

Alice turned and fixed her large eyes on Ethan's face. There was such an intensity in her gaze that Ethan immediately looked away.

"I told you, I will answer you when I feel like it, when I want to," Alice said. Ethan fell silent, and Alice walked away from that place.

The sky was clear, and the sun was shining brightly. Alice was sitting on a large swing on the roof of her house, holding a mug of tea in her hand, gently swaying as she watched a flock of birds flying in the distance. Grace was sitting nearby on a wooden stool, also holding a small mug of tea.

"Grace," Alice softly called her name.

"Yes, Miss Alice?" Grace immediately responded.

Before speaking, Alice smiled at her and said, "When you call me 'Miss Alice,' I really like it."

"Just give the order, and I'll keep saying it while you listen," Grace said, pleased with the compliment.

"Why don't my sisters-in-law call me 'Miss Alice'?" Alice asked. "They should address me that way too."

"You're the youngest," Grace replied. "And besides, why would they call you 'Miss Alice'? They're all jealous of you."

"So what? I'm the darling of this house, aren't I?" Alice said with a playful gesture. "It makes me happy to see their jealousy."

"You're the darling of your parents and brothers, not your sisters-in-law," Grace said, taking a sip of her tea.

Alice gave her a strange look and said, "Shall I make them all call me 'Miss Alice' too?"

"Leave it, Miss Alice. They're already united against you. They've formed an alliance," Grace said. "And Zeenat is their leader."

"Am I afraid of them?" Alice asked.

"You're not afraid, but it's enough that when your brothers pamper you, rushing to fulfill your every wish, it burns them up inside. That's what keeps you happy, isn't it?" Grace replied. "Just enjoy that, and what more do you need?"

Alice laughed with a certain flair, her laughter full of pride and arrogance. Then she said, "I want to live like the queen of a kingdom. My command should be obeyed by a line of people standing before me. Everything should be mine. My authority, my power. The day I achieve something like that, I'll forget everything else. Nothing would matter more than the realization of that dream."

"But this is also your kingdom," Grace said with a hint of affection.

"In this kingdom, nothing is mine," Alice said. "It's all my brothers' and their wives'."

Grace paused for a moment and then said, "But for now, everything belongs to your father. And what belongs to your father is yours. After all, you are the darling of your parents."

Alice felt pleased by her words and smiled with a certain elegance. Then she said, "I met him again."

"Who?" Grace looked at her.

"Grace, your memory isn't so weak that you'd need to ask me again who 'he' is," Alice said, giving her a sharp look. "I know you do this on purpose."

Grace smiled. "So what happened next?"

"He's truly mad about me. Crazy. He confessed his feelings to me, and looked at me as if I was waiting for him all along," Alice explained. "He asked me for an answer."

"What did you say?" Grace asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"I didn't say anything yet. But I wanted to say a lot," Alice replied coldly. "I haven't said anything yet."

"Are you angry? Didn't you like it?" Grace asked, peering into her eyes with concern.

"His actions were insolent. Insolence could only be tolerated if he were very rich, wealthy, and the sole owner of everything. But he works with his father and brothers, and he's dreaming about me. About Alice..." Alice's tone turned venomous, and a hint of redness seemed to cloud her eyes.

Grace set her cup of tea down on the floor and quickly moved behind Alice, gently massaging her shoulders. She had moved towards her with a sense of urgency.

"Miss Alice... there's fire in your eyes. Let's go to your room," Grace said soothingly.