Beautiful And Hot

Ethan's POV

"I don't think I can do this, Vince. I don't want to go back to Adriana's farm," I muttered, swirling the amber liquid in my glass before taking another sip. The burn did little to dull the unease gnawing at me.

"Don't do this, Ethan," Vince said, his gaze steady and unwavering, laced with quiet determination.

I sighed, leaning back in my seat. "Why the farm, of all places?" Frustration simmered beneath my skin.

"You could have the wedding reception here in the city. There are plenty of luxury hotels and resorts. It would be easier, more convenient. Do you think that's fair to your guests?" I asked.

Vince's expression darkened with disappointment, his jaw tightening slightly.

We were at my place, the familiar scent of leather and aged whiskey filling the air. I had just arrived home from work to find him waiting on my front porch. It wasn't unusual—he had access to all my properties. Vince wasn't just my cousin; he was my best friend. We grew up like brothers, our lives intricately tied by blood and years of shared history.

"Everyone was excited when they found out Ruby and I were getting married at Adriana's farm," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "Why do you hate that place so much, Ethan? You used to call it paradise."

I tensed, gripping my glass tighter. Memories I had buried deep threatened to resurface, but I shoved them back down. "You know why, Vince. And I don't want to talk about it."

"Come on," he pressed, his tone gentler now. "It's been years. Iza's long gone. It's just a place now. You need to let it go."

A bitter laugh escaped me. "Let it go?" I shook my head, staring into my drink. "I don't even remember her face anymore."

"Liar," Vince shot back without missing a beat, his lips tugging into a knowing smirk.

I clenched my jaw, hating how well he could read me. Silence settled between us, thick and heavy. He knew the truth. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself otherwise, Iza's ghost still haunted me in the corners of my mind.

"You and I never kept secrets from each other, Ethan," Vince said softly. "I know how much you loved her. And I know how much it hurt when she left you. You never got over it."

I scoffed, setting my glass down with a thud. "Loved? Please. She was a gold-digger. She thought I was just some poor farm boy, a nobody. And she made it clear I wasn't enough for her." My fists curled on the table. "I don't love her anymore, Vince. I hate her. And if I ever see her again, I'll make her regret every single thing she did to me."

Vince exhaled, shaking his head. "You don't mean that."

I met his gaze, a cold smirk curling my lips. "Watch me."

He leaned back in his chair, studying me with a look that made my skin itch. "You tried looking for her," he reminded me. "Ruby never told you where she was. None of our friends did. Maybe it's time to stop chasing ghosts."

I let out a dry chuckle. "I'm not chasing anything, Vince. If she shows up, I'll make her life a living hell. She owes me that much."

"You're still angry," he said quietly.

"Damn right, I am."

Silence stretched between us again, heavier this time. Vince sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I didn't come here to talk about Iza. I came to ask you to be my best man. Please, Ethan. Put the past behind you. Just for one day."

I stared at him for a long moment, then shook my head. "I'm sorry, Vince. I can't do it."

His disappointment was palpable. "You promised me, man."

"I'll come if you move the wedding here," I said, shrugging. "Hell, I'll even foot the bill. Whatever you need."

Vince's face fell. "I can pay for my own damn wedding, Ethan."

I downed the rest of my drink. "Then I guess I'm not going."

He pushed his chair back abruptly, standing up. "You're impossible," he muttered. "That farm meant something to us once. It still does to me."

"Not anymore," I said flatly. "I'm selling it."

Vince stared at me in disbelief. "You're kidding."

"I don't need it," I said with a shrug. "And I don't have time to deal with it."

"But Benito's family has been taking care of it for years," Vince argued. "If you want to sell it, sell it to me."

I shook my head. "I want it gone. Completely. I don't want to remember it."

Vince's lips pressed into a tight line. "This isn't about the farm. It's about her."

"It's not," I lied.

He didn't look convinced. "You can lie to yourself all you want, but I know the truth."

I watched him leave, frustration clawing at my chest. Vince didn't text or call me after that. I figured he was giving me space—something I thought I wanted.

Then, days later, my secretary walked into my office and placed a wedding invitation on my desk.

I shook my head, opening the envelope. Vince wasn't giving up, and he still thought I'd change my mind.

I was about to toss it aside when my phone buzzed. A message from Vince appeared on the screen.

I sent you the invitation. Still hoping you'll come.

I rolled my eyes, but the next message froze me in place.

Iza is coming.

My hand tightened around the phone, my pulse quickening. After all these years, she was finally within reach.

I pressed the intercom button. "Cancel all my meetings for the week. Get the chopper ready."

My secretary looked startled but nodded without question.

A slow grin spread across my face. I was going back to Adriana's farm after all.

And this time, I'd make sure Meliza Lizondra regretted ever walking away.

I shot him a warning look. "You know why, Vince. And I don't want to talk about it."

"Don't tell me you're still hung up on Iza. It's been five years, man. You haven't heard from her in all this time. Let it go."

I laughed bitterly, swirling the whiskey in my glass. "I don't even remember her face."

"Liar," he shot back without hesitation, and I clenched my jaw, gripping the glass tighter.

"We don't keep secrets from each other, Ethan," he continued. "I know how much you loved her. You never got over the fact that she rejected you and returned the engagement ring."

I raised my gaze, anger simmering beneath the surface. "She thought I was just a farm boy. She believed I was penniless—just some nobody. She was a social climber, Vince."

I clenched my fists, the sting of old wounds rising again. "I don't love her anymore. I hate Meliza Lizondra. And when I find her, I'll make her regret ever walking away from me. She'll beg for my love and attention, and I'll crush her heart just like she crushed mine."

Vince shook his head, exhaling heavily. "You don't mean that, Ethan. Once you see her again, you'll be the one crawling back to her."

"Hah!" I scoffed. "Not a chance. If we meet again, I'll make sure she suffers. I want to see the pain in her eyes as she begs."

"You're still lying to yourself," he said with a knowing smirk.

"Watch me," I snapped, my voice laced with finality.

Vince sighed, leaning forward. "Look, I came here to ask you to be my best man, not to argue about Iza. Can you put the past behind you and be there for me?"

"I'm sorry, Vince," I said firmly, downing the rest of my drink. "But I'm not going."

His shoulders slumped. "You promised, Ethan."

"I'll come if you have it here in the city. I'll even cover all the expenses," I said, but his face fell in disappointment.

"I can pay for my own wedding," he replied, his voice tight with hurt.

"I'm not going back to that farm," I said coldly. "In fact, I'm planning to sell it."

"Sell it? Do you think your parents would allow that?" he asked, disbelief written all over his face.

"Dad gave it to me. It's mine to do with as I please," I replied.

"You'd sell the place we spent our childhood in?" His voice held a mix of disbelief and sadness.

"I don't have time to oversee its operations."

"But Benito's family has been managing it perfectly for years. Just name your price, and I'll buy it," he offered earnestly.

I hesitated before shaking my head. "I don't want someone I know to own it. I need a clean break."

Vince's gaze was steady. "No matter what you say, I know this is about Iza. You're still haunted by her."

I scoffed. "It's not about her. We're businessmen now, Vince. It's just practical."

"You don't need the money, Ethan. You already have more than enough."

"I don't need your approval, Vince," I replied, signaling the end of the conversation.

Vince stood, his disappointment palpable. "I hope you change your mind. I still want you there—for old times' sake."

Days passed without a word from him, but when my secretary handed me the wedding invitation, I knew he hadn't given up.

I opened the envelope with a sigh, shaking my head. Vince still held onto hope. But I had no intention of going.

Then my phone chimed. Vince's text flashed on the screen.

"I sent you the invitation, and I'm still hopeful you'll come." He said on his text.

I rolled my eyes, ready to ignore it, but the next message made my breath catch. "Meliza is coming."

My grip tightened on the phone, my heart pounding in my chest. Meliza Lizondra. After five years, she was finally within reach.

Without hesitation, I buzzed my secretary. "Cancel my appointments for the week. Get the chopper ready. I'm going to San Fernando." The shock on her face was evident, but she nodded without question.

As I arrived at the farm, I spotted Ruby's surprised face.

"Aren't you happy to see me, future cousin-in-law?" I teased, kissing her cheek.

"Vince said you weren't coming," she said, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"I changed my mind," I replied with a smirk.

Her eyes flicked to Sylvia, my companion, and I knew she disapproved. Ruby had always rooted for me and Iza, but I wasn't stupid enough to fall for that trap again.

"I came for Vince," I lied smoothly. "I'm not late, am I?"

Ruby sighed. "Ethan, I know you hate Iza, but she's my guest. Promise me you won't cause trouble."

I laughed. "I'm not that shallow, Ruby. It's all in the past now. I'm not the same guy anymore."

"I hope so," she said, clearly unconvinced.

When we arrived at the airport to pick up Iza, my steps faltered the moment I saw her. She stepped out of the terminal, and my breath caught. Her beauty was even more striking than I remembered. Damn, I thought bitterly. She's even more beautiful now and hot.

Hatred burned beneath my skin, but it wasn't enough to drown out the old feelings that resurfaced, unbidden and unwelcome.

This time, I vowed silently, she wouldn't get the best of me.