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Hmm ,so some of you think it's too early to allow Darcy to forgive Paul while some think that she's holding onto the past too tight. Well, what happened had a huge impact on her so it's difficult for her to just move on. But yes, it has been quite some time since it happened and they were both young and Paul hadn't actually made any promises so there's that and he has been trying hard to get in her good books.
Basically, both the views are correct. And I only have an outline thought out for the story and not all the details so let's see where it goes. But for now, let's find out who the new character is!
Enjoy!
Chapter 11
Darcy didn't know how to react. She was stunned as a very familiar voice called out to her but why now? She was beginning to get along with Paul once again. But she knew he had noticed her stiff posture and would want to know the reason behind it. She looked up to see him staring intently at the person who was now moving towards her. She could see him concentrating really hard as if trying to place a name to the face.
Paul was confused. Obviously this person knew Darcy. But he knew most people who knew Darcy. He always had. But who was this man moving towards her with a determined stride? He couldn't remember him at all. And it unnerved him. Something about the way he was smiling at Darcy scared him.
The smile was too genuine and very happy, as if the person was delighted at his discovery. Why would anyone feel that way when they saw Darcy, his Darcy?
These smiles should be reserved for him. Darcy should receive them from him and him alone. But here was someone walking straight towards her with that expression of delight intact and Darcy, Darcy was...wait a minute...what was Darcy doing? Did she know this guy? Did she mirror his expression?
A new fear, apprehension gripped him and very slowly and cautiously, he turned to look at Darcy, scared of what he might actually find.
To his delectation, Darcy was looking at him and not the intruder. Paul locked eyes with her. She was looking at him with the same intensity that he was sure he had in his and it pleased him. He felt confident. No. Nobody would come between them now. Sure he didn't know this new person but he knew himself and Darcy and also that nobody would be able to love Darcy the way he did.
Paul placed an arm around her delicate waist as they turned to look at the man standing before them now.
Darcy wasn't sure how to react. Ethan Webar was a nice guy or at least had been all these years ago but she had not expected to see him again. She wasn't sure how to react. Especially after what had gone down between them. From the way he was smiling at her, it was clear he wasn't holding onto their last meeting which wasn't very pleasant.
"Darcy! I can't believe you're here!" Ethan said enthusiastically while trying to go in for a hug.
Paul growled lowly as he pulled Darcy behind him a little and prevented Ethan from touching her.
Of course it was Ethan. How could he not remember him? They had never been friends but weren't enemies either but Paul had always known that he had a thing for Darcy. He used to be the shy, quiet types during school. Where was that guy now? Why was he acting all familiar with her and trying to hug her?
"Ethan..what a surprise..I thought you'd moved to Manhattan." Darcy said smiling politely even as her heart raced. Paul was acting all possessive and it made her nervous and excited at the same time.
"Yeah but now my mom hasn't been well for a while and refuses to come and live with me so I've moved to Seattle." Ethan said and noticed the man holding onto Darce. Man! Talk about being insecure! Why would he want to stake his claim like that?!
"Oh, sorry to hear that, I mean about your mom but it's good that you are here now to take care of her." Darcy said still flustered.
"Yeah. So you're visiting or you moved back." Ethan asked while eyeing the man warily.
"Oh I'm visiting." Darcy said a little unsurely and Ethan caught onto that. He raised a brow but didn't say anything.
Darcy noticed Paul staring at Ethan and thought maybe he hadn't recognized him.
"Paul, you remember Ethan, right?"
"Yeah." Paul said nonchalantly but he was anxious. They were on the right track, he didn't want any trouble. Hopefully, Ethan was smart and would understand not to mess with his Darcy.
"Oh, it's you Paul." Ethan said in a mildly surprised tone.
"Why the surprise? I haven't changed much, Ethan."
"That is correct." Ethan smirked in a condescending way and Paul felt his temper rising.
Darcy was quick to put her arm around his waist and Paul was easily distracted.
He saw her looking at him and understood the silent message. Stay calm.
Ethan observed the pair and it was pretty obvious that something was going down between them.
"So, Darcy, you free for lunch anytime this week? Let's catch up." Ethan smiled a genuine smile at Darcy.
Darcy looked at him and wondered what she should do. On one hand there was Ethan whom she was meeting after a long time. They had been friends. Not very close except for that one time but yeah, more than an acquaintance.
On the other hand she had Paul. Darcy sighed. Paul. She knew there was really no use denying her feelings. Maybe she didn't love him but whatever she still felt for him was pretty strong. And he had been an ass but he was doing his best to make up and was being really mature, something she hadn't expected. And she had agreed to going out with him. And now here was Ethan, the sweet, shy guy from school, who had always been good to her. Did he deserve her time?
"Sure. Give me your number and I'll let you know when." Darcy said as she moved her arm from Paul's waist.
"Cool!" Ethan said and tried his best not to look smug or too pleased as he noticed how dejected Paul seemed.
Paul was disappointed and hurt. He thought she had just agreed to go out with him. Then why Ethan now? He watched sullenly as they exchanged numbers.
"Okay then. I look forward to meeting up."
"Yeah, me too." Darcy said as she shook hands with Ethan and he turned and waved before walking away.
She turned to look at Paul who had now crossed his arms over his chest and had a stoic expression.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?" Darcy asked tilting her head to the side.
"Why? You tell me!"
Darcy sighed. "Look, Paul, he's an old friend. If he wants to catch up what's so wrong about that?"
"Oh I don't know..hmm..maybe the way he was ogling you or how smug he looked once you agreed to meet him." Paul said mockingly.
Darcy felt anger bubbling inside her.
"May I remind you, that I was the one who caught you in bed with another woman when we were still together?"
Paul did a double take. Ok, so yeah he was wrong but for how long was he supposed to be penalized for that?
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AN: Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and like I said, this could go either way. Maybe she'll forgive him soon, maybe she won't. Let me know what you think of it.
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