My Cousin’s Request

Ethan's POV

"Ethan!" Nicole's seductive voice rang out in the hallways as she tried to corner me.

Her red tight-fitting mini dress accentuated her curves, and the plunging neckline exhibited her ample cleavage, as though she wanted me to notice she was trying her best to seek my attention since the day we first met.

I had always been around women who would do anything to grab my attention, so I'm used to that behavior. They're confident, bold, and sometimes a little too eager to get noticed.

But with Nicole, it was different. Despite her attention-seeking nature, there was something about her I didn't like the most. It was her attitude. It all made her someone I couldn't respect, no matter how much she tried to draw me in. I hated her for bullying Iza.

"I want to speak with you," Nicole said as her eyes fluttered with a hint of seduction. She subtly tilted her head, trying her best to look alluring and beautiful. She carefully crafted every expression to draw me in.

"I want to talk with you, too," I replied. As soon as I said I wanted to speak with her, Nicole's face lit up with a wide, genuine smile. Her eyes sparkled, and a wave of excitement seemed to wash over her.

"Really? You go first!" She responded excitedly.

"Listen, I've noticed how you and your friends treated Meliza, and I want to clarify something. If you continue to bully or hurt her, I won't stand by and let it happen. I will be your enemy if you continue down this path. Everyone deserves respect and kindness; I expect you to treat her that way. If you can't do that, then we couldn't be friends. Do you understand?" I asked, and the beautiful smile on her face vanished in an instant.

Nicole slightly narrowed her eyes and pressed her lips together as if she were holding back something she didn't want to say. There was a brief pause as her facial expression filled with reluctance, but she nodded slowly, her body language tight, signaling that she had no choice but to agree despite not wanting to.

"Good," I added, turning my heels before she could say a word. I felt relieved since I had been dying to talk with her before the team building.

"What is your deal with Meliza, Ethan?" My cousin asked after I got inside his room, and I could tell he was in a bad mood.

"It doesn't concern you, Vince. You asked and begged me to be kind to her, and now that I am doing what you asked me to do, you are questioning my motives." I responded as I sat down on the couch.

"That is the right thing to do in the first place. You don't need to be a jerk to someone who has done nothing bad to you." My cousin replied.

"And why are you pissed with me when I am doing the right thing. I don't understand you at all." I declared, feeling irritated by my cousin's sudden outburst.

"You don't need to be friendly with her after all the things you have done; it would make you a jerk even more." He added, and I laughed.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked, and he looked at me with a heated gaze.

"Oh! I get it; you are jealous!" I added, and his face turned bright red.

"I am not jealous but worried about Meliza getting hurt. You've got a reputation, and let's be honest, you're not exactly known for taking relationships seriously. She deserves someone who won't break her heart, and I don't think it's fair to lead her on when all you want is to play with her heart." He responded, and his words wounded me.

"I see what's happening and know why you're suddenly interested in her. Iza is the first girl who hasn't fallen for your charm or shown any interest in you, and that's what's got you hooked. But this isn't just some game to me, Ethan. I genuinely like her and don't want her caught in the middle of something she doesn't deserve." My cousin added, and I realized he was serious with Meliza, and so did I.

"I can't believe you will be saying that; you have no right to judge me," I added, frustrated with Vince.

"I am not judging you. I am only stating facts. I am not only your cousin, but we are best friends, and I have known you since we were kids," he replied.

"I had seen girls crying and begging for your attention after having one or two dates with them. You easily got bored and rejected them and never looked back." Vince added furiously.

"Look, I knew I had a bad reputation with girls, but I need you to understand what I feel for Meliza. It is real; this isn't some passing crush or infatuation. I've never felt this way about anyone before. For the first time, I truly know what love is. It's not just about how amazing she is but how she makes me want to be a better person. This isn't something I can just ignore or walk away from." I honestly responded.

Vince was surprised and couldn't believe what he was hearing from me, and then, his facial expression changed into something. His brow furrowed, and his jaw tightened slightly as if he were trying to decide how to respond. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the realization that we both liked the same girl hanging heavily between us. It was a mixture of shock, understanding, and maybe even a little tension.

"I know this is a lot to ask, but I need you to hear me out. I had fallen in love with Iza when I first saw her, and this was also the first time I felt this way. I'm begging you to please give me this chance to talk with her. I don't want to come between us, but I can't give her up." Vince said, with pleading in his voice after a moment of silence.

"I never beg you for anything, and I never ask anything from you, and this is the first time I am asking you for a favor. Please stay away from Meliza." He added, and I was shocked.

Vince never begged me for anything, and I couldn't blame him. I am willing to do anything for Iza, too, and I wondered how we were going to fix this.

"Vince, I want to give in for the sake of keeping peace between us. But I can't. I can't let her go either. What I feel for her is too deep, too real, and I know I'll regret it forever if I don't fight for her." I answered, trying to disregard the tension between us.

"This isn't about winning or losing; it's about love. For the first time, I've found something I can't walk away from, even if it means things get complicated between us. I am sorry, buddy, but I can't grant your request." I said with finality.

"She would never like you since she hated you; you better stop bothering her," my cousin insisted, and I could see the desperation on his face.

"Because I was a jerk, but I already apologized to her. I don't think she is the kind of girl who harbors a grudge. You were right. Meliza was different; that is why I like her." I declared, and Vince's face saddened.

"Don't make her your girlfriend if you are only planning to break her heart," he muttered, and I shook my head.

"Who says I am going to hurt her? I am willing to kneel before my father to be with Iza. I heard the rumors and don't care if she was only after my inheritance. I will give her the luxury this world can offer until she falls in love with me." I replied.

"I will give her everything she wants and make her the happiest girl in the universe," I added, and I could see the stunned look on my cousin's face.

"I will make her mine whatever it takes, Vince. You better stay away from her from now on." I continued, and my cousin laughed.

"You don't own her, Ethan. She doesn't even like you." He countered.

"You can't order me what to do," Vince added with disdain.

"Just watch me, and I will make Iza fall for me," I replied confidently, and he smirked.

"You are only wasting your time. You are not her type. You hurt and insulted her many times, and I don't think she will forgive you!" my cousin countered, raising his voice.

"I admit I hurt her, but I am willing to kneel in front of Iza and ask for her forgiveness if I have to. Besides, she is the only one who can decide, right?" I asked, trying to calm myself since I didn't want us to fight.

Vince's expression softened. The tension in his jaw eased, and his furrowed brow relaxed. There was a flicker of understanding in his eyes, maybe even guilt. He looked down for a moment as if searching for the right words, then back at me with a slight, resigned nod. It was clear he knew I was right, even if it wasn't easy for him to admit.

"I know we made a pact not to date the same girl since high school, and I'll admit, I forgot about that in the middle of all this. But this time, it's different. We both have feelings for her and can't avoid the situation. The only fair thing to do is to let her decide; whatever her choice is, we must respect it and be good sports about it. Let's not let this ruin what we have as cousins and best friends." I added.

"Yeah, you are right. I am sorry. Meliza is the only one who can resolve all this, and I just hope she chooses one of us, or we will both end up with a broken heart." Vince answered as his face softened, and the tension between us seemed to melt away.

He let out a soft sigh, and for the first time, his eyes showed a hint of understanding. With a reluctant nod, he finally agreed to my terms, willing to let Iza be the one to decide. I could tell it wasn't easy for him, but he seemed ready to put our rivalry aside and let things unfold fairly.

"Besides, we are no longer teenagers; we are now young adults. We should know how to accept defeat, and let us promise to support each other whatever happens and whoever Meliza chooses." My cousin added.

"Yeah, we are not kids anymore," I replied, even though deep in my heart, I felt terrified that Iza would choose my cousin over me.