Chapter 10: "Unexpected Visitor"
A few weeks had passed since their romantic day at the beach, and Ste and Ethan's relationship had grown stronger with each passing day. They cherished the moments they spent together and looked forward to building a future together.
One evening, as they enjoyed a quiet dinner at Ste's apartment, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. There was a knock at the door that made Ste tense up.
"Who could that be at this hour?" Ste wondered aloud.
Ethan, equally puzzled, shrugged. "I have no idea."
As Ste opened the door, his heart skipped a beat when he saw who was standing on the other side. It was Ethan's ex-boyfriend, Daniel, a tall and imposing figure with a stern expression on his face.
"Daniel," Ethan muttered, clearly taken aback by the unexpected visit.
Daniel didn't waste any time with pleasantries. "Ethan, we need to talk."
Ste watched the tense exchange between the two, a feeling of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. He knew that this situation could potentially complicate his budding relationship with Ethan.
Ethan hesitated but then reluctantly invited Daniel inside. They moved to the living room, leaving Ste in the hallway, feeling like an outsider in his own home.
As the conversation between Ethan and Daniel grew more intense, Ste couldn't help but overhear bits and pieces of their argument. It was clear that their past relationship had ended on a sour note, and unresolved issues were bubbling to the surface.
Ste debated whether to intervene or not but ultimately decided to respect Ethan's need to handle this situation himself. He retreated to his bedroom, leaving the two to sort out their problems.
Hours passed, and Ste couldn't help but feel a growing sense of worry. He wondered how this unexpected visit would impact his relationship with Ethan and whether their connection would withstand this unexpected test.
Finally, the living room fell silent. Ste cautiously reentered the room to find Daniel gone and Ethan sitting on the couch, looking drained and conflicted.
Ethan glanced up at Ste with a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry about that, Ste. I didn't expect him to show up like that."
Ste approached Ethan and took his hand reassuringly. "You don't have to apologize, Ethan. I understand that you have your own history and issues to deal with. We can work through this together."
Ethan managed a weak smile, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Ste. I appreciate your understanding."
As they embraced each other, Ste couldn't help but hope that their love would prove stronger than any unexpected obstacles that came their way. They were determined to navigate the challenges together, confident in the deep connection they had built, and eager to face whatever the future held for them.