My Girl

Ethan's POV

I couldn't believe my stupidity had turned our date into a disaster. I shouldn't have done it. I used to drive my sports car faster through the city than I did on that drive from the resort.

It was nothing compared to the adrenaline-fueled drag races I'd been part of, and now I understood why Iza acted the way she did. Maybe she was afraid something might happen to us.

Still, I should have controlled myself and respected her decision. But how could I accept being rejected by someone like her? I'm Ethan Almendras, the heir to my father's empire—though, I guess I lost that title the day I disobeyed him.

For the first time, I was rejected by someone I truly cared about. It felt like my heart was physically aching, as though a heavy weight was crushing my chest. A part of me had been ripped away, leaving behind a hollow void that nothing else could fill.

For the first time, I was rejected by someone I truly cared about. It felt like my heart was physically aching, as though a heavy weight was crushing my chest. A part of me had been ripped away, leaving behind a hollow void that nothing else could fill.

Even surrounded by Nicole and her friends or Vince and the others, I felt isolated—as if the person who mattered most was suddenly out of reach. I felt invisible, the warmth of connection replaced by a cold, hollow silence. The moments after felt surreal, as if the reality of rejection hadn't fully sunk in yet.

Time seemed to freeze as my mind struggled to process what had just happened. The rejection felt personal, making me question my worth. Was I not enough? Was something wrong with me? Then it hit me: In her eyes, I wasn't my father's son—I was just an ordinary guy, unworthy of her time.

I tried to talk to her, but she avoided me at every turn. The hurt deepened, and it wasn't just losing her—it was losing the future I had imagined with her.

A sense of powerlessness settled over me. I couldn't force love. The harder I tried to hold on, the further she seemed to slip away.

"Don't tell me you're just giving up on her?" my cousin asked, days after my failed date with Meliza.

"I've done everything I can, but she's avoiding me. Still, I'm not giving up," I replied, frustration creeping into my voice as I noticed his amusement.

"Why do you look so happy that I got dumped by Iza?" I asked.

"I'm not happy—I'm just shocked. You've never been rejected before, and seeing you like this is... amusing," Vince replied.

"Is that why you want her so badly? Because she rejected you?" he asked. I quickly shook my head.

"No, it's because of how I feel about her. I can't stop thinking about her—no matter what I do, she's always in my head. I just want her out, but I can't stop thinking about how beautiful and amazing she is," I said, frustration creeping into my voice.

"I've tried to forget her, even for a day, but it's impossible," I added with a heavy sigh.

"You're really into her, huh? You look pathetic right now," my cousin muttered.

"Yeah, I know. I need your advice," I replied.

"I'm sorry, but I've tried. She won't talk to you, and I'm wondering what happened on your date," he said, leaving me silent.

I couldn't bring myself to tell him what happened—I felt too ashamed.

"Nothing happened on our date, but she enjoyed it. She's just too selfish to give me another chance," I said, frustration seeping through.

"Maybe she has her reasons. Don't worry, if she likes you, she'll come around," Vince replied.

"Do you think Iza is that kind of person? I don't. She has her own rules, and I wish I were powerful enough to change her mind," I said.

"I never knew love could be this complicated."

Vince smirked. "Funny, you used to say love doesn't exist."

"That was before I met Meliza. Now I'm in love with her, and I don't know what to do," I admitted.

"I'm giving her space because that's what she wants, but it doesn't mean I don't care. Just seeing her from a distance makes my heart flutter," I said.

"I don't want to force things or make a fool of myself. Maybe the girls are right, maybe she's heartless. But I still hope that one day she'll realize she likes me."

"I wanted to be friends, but she won't give me a chance. It hurts that she threw everything I gave her, even the flowers I picked," I added, and Vince shot me a mischievous grin.

"Maybe you should change your approach," Vince suggested. I looked at him, confused.

"What approach?" I asked.

"Distance yourself and make her jealous," he replied.

"What if it makes things worse?" I asked.

"It's already bad; she's ignoring you. That's when you know she's not into you, and you have no choice but to move on," he said, tapping his fingers on his thigh.

"You could use Nicole. She's in love with you," my cousin suggested.

"I'm not using anyone," I replied flatly.

"Then how will you win Iza's heart?" he asked, leaving me speechless.

"You've tried everything, but nothing's worked," Vince added before leaving.

I spent the next few days with Nicole and her friends, trying to distract myself from the pain. But every time I saw Iza, the ache in my chest grew, and I had to fight the urge to reach for her, biting my lip to stop myself from making a mistake.

There's a party tonight, and though I didn't want to go, Vince and Ruby convinced me Iza would be there. I sang one of my favorite songs and dedicated it to her, but didn't say it out loud to avoid scaring her.

When I saw Iza in the crowd, looking as beautiful as ever, my heart raced. I wanted to keep my eyes on her all night, but I followed their advice to ignore her, hoping it would make her like me more.

I wasn't sure if their plan would work, and I hated how Nicole tried to make a scene by giving me a red rose. But since Ruby and Vince suggested making Iza jealous, I went along with it.

I put my arm around Nicole's shoulders, though I wanted to do something else. During our performance, I saw Meliza's sad expression when she saw me with Nicole.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her suddenly stand, but she stumbled, hitting the table and knocking utensils to the ground. She grabbed the chair but lost her balance and fell.

I stopped singing, handed Vince the mic, and rushed to her side. Although I knew it wasn't a bad fall, I picked her up to spare her embarrassment, even though she could have stood on her own.

Put me down," she whispered as I carried her inside, away from the crowd. I didn't respond, continuing to carry her.

"I can walk! Put me down!" she snapped, and only after ensuring we were alone did I gently set her down.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice laced with concern as I checked her arms and legs for any injuries. Thankfully, she seemed fine.

"Yes," she replied, not meeting my gaze.

"I'm sorry if I ruined your gig," she mumbled, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"They're still out there singing. I can stay here with you for as long as you want," I said, my voice soft. "I want to be alone with you, Iza." Her face turned bright red.

"But I know you must hate me for this, and I'm sorry. I couldn't stop myself from carrying you. I knew you felt humiliated, and I just wanted to help. I hope you can forgive me for being so decisive," I added, watching her smile. It was the kind of smile that made my whole day.

"I can't believe you're smiling at me like that," I said, but her smile quickly turned into a scowl.

"Your girlfriend's going to be mad if you don't go back to the party," she said, pouting before turning on her heels.

I couldn't help but grin. Meliza was jealous.

She strode toward the grand staircase, and I followed her closely.

"Ethan, you should go back to the party," she said, stopping halfway up the stairs and turning to face me.

"Why are you still here?" she asked.

"I just wanted to thank you for saving me tonight. I can't express how grateful I am," Iza added.

"Are you jealous of Nicole?" I asked, and her face flushed instantly.

"Me? Jealous? That's ridiculous, Ethan," she replied, her voice tense.

"So, it wouldn't bother you if she's my girlfriend?" I asked, watching the brief flicker of hurt in her eyes before she masked it with a forced smile.

"Not at all," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You should go back to your girlfriend now. I don't want her to get angry with you," she added, bitterness lacing her words. But her expression said it all — she was far from happy about it.

I stifled a laugh, watching her face as I closed the distance between us in an instant. Without warning, I pushed her gently against the railing, wrapped my arm around her waist, and pulled her closer.

"For the record, I don't have a girlfriend, Iza. I only want you to be mine. I'm sorry if this seems sudden, but I can't keep holding back. I've been wanting to do this ever since we were at the beach," I said, before leaning down to capture her cherry-red lips in a long, sweet kiss.

When she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back without hesitation, I knew then, Iza wanted me too.

"Are you my girlfriend now?" I asked, breathless, after we finally pulled away from that mind-blowing kiss.

"Yes, Ethan, I want to be your girlfriend, and I'm sorry—" I interrupted her with a kiss, unable to resist claiming her lips once more. In that moment, for the first time in my life, I realized I had someone I needed to protect.

I couldn't put into words the overwhelming joy I felt as I held Meliza in my arms, knowing she was finally my girlfriend.