SWNOVELS Chapter 34: Meet Ethan
Saturday 5:00 AM.
"Good Morning, Sam," Samantha heard Ethan's husky voice on the other line. She bit her lip, feeling a little excited at getting a call from him so early. "Good Morning," she responded before clearing her throat.
"Did I wake you?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, but, it's fine. I have to prepare breakfast, anyway," Samantha answered. "How was your flight?"
Last night, Ethan only sent her a message, saying that he arrived rather late due to a delayed stop in the Middle East while refueling.
Ethan took a private jet, flying across the Pacific. He did not like sharing a space with other people, other than John and his executives.
"It was okay. It was boring as usual," declared Ethan. "I never liked long flights. On my next business trip, I'll take you and the kids with me."
It was a cold morning, and the sun has not shone yet, following Ethan's words, Samantha felt her cheeks turning warm.
Hearing his suggestion, she chuckled and asked, "What would we do on your business trip?"
"At least, I get to see you," he answered outright.
"Oh. Haha! Well... we will see about that." Pursing her lips at his words, Samantha opened the window curtains and realize how early it was. She asked, "What time is it there?"
"About three in the afternoon here. I had some rest before getting started. We are going to have dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Song later on. I'm sure they will ask about you," responded Ethan. "Well, send my regards," Samantha answered.
"Of course," responded Ethan.
Samantha could hear Ethan stretch his arms and he said, "I need to get ready, Sam. Tell the kids I called and I'll call again later... your time. If you need to go out today, just call Edgar. Don't go around town without him."
"Okay," said Samantha. "Good luck with your meeting."
"Thank you, Sam. Take care of yourself and the kids. Bye," said Ethan before putting down the phone.
While still in her room, Samantha took a moment to look out the window, still feeling with all the changes in her life. She gasped and thought; it was now time to tell her grandmother about the father of her kids. She had held off, telling Matilda, for she was still assessing how Ethan would take things, being the father of the twins.
Now, seeing how well it was going in such a short matter of time and how she might even end up marrying Ethan, she saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
First, she cooked breakfast for everyone, and after which; she called Matilda.
They agreed to meet at the First Diamond Hotel Lobby in the afternoon.
***
3:00 PM in the afternoon.
Samantha and the kids were waiting at the hotel lobby and had been for an hour. Sadly, Matilda never came nor can her mobile be reached.
"Where is grandma Matilda, Mommy?" Kyle asked after putting down his tablet on the lobby sofa.
"She's late, Mom," suggested Kenzie.
It was only after another half an hour that Samantha finally received a call, but it did not come from Matilda. Instead, it came from Stella, Matilda's caregiver.
"Hello, Miss Sam." With a sigh, Stella reported, "This is Stella, grandma Matilda's caregiver. I'm afraid that she can't leave."
"You see... your father suspected that she might see you and gave specific orders to the camp exits not to let grandma leave. He... he even took grandma's phone," revealed Stella.
"What? Why can't I see her? It's her right to see me if she wanted to!" Samantha got up and walked away from where the kids were seated.
"I know, Miss Sam. I'm so sorry about this," told Stella. "The General reasoned that since grandma Matilda is already old, she should not be going out of the camp often."
Samantha wound up taking a deep breath. She realized how this was the effect of having seen her father last week.
Now, General Davis knew... He knew her grandmother may come out to see her.
With eyes closed, Samantha thought deep. She really missed her grandmother so, and now that they were in one city, they still could not even see each other? She had to find a way. When an idea crept into her mind, Samantha probed, "Wait... Isn't it that you take grandma for a stroll at the military park?"
"Yes, I do," Stella answered on the other line.
"Then, you can take her there, right? I can meet her there," suggested Samantha.
"Yes, but... can you enter, Miss Sam?" Stella asked.
"I think I can," Samantha replied. She immediately assumed Ethan's car had immunity, including the military camp.
It was just as she thought. When Samantha called Edgar, he confirmed that he can get them inside the Fort Eagle Military Camp.
In less than an hour, they were off to the southern-most part of the city.
The soldiers on guard only sought Edgar's ID, and the plates were enough to gain the vehicle entry.
It made Samantha wonder how far Ethan's connections go.
"Miss Davis, we are here at the park. Which side do you want us to pull over?" Edgar asked as he was circling around the square-shaped military park.
"Wow! Mommy! Look! There's a swing!" Kenzie pointed to the playground area. "Oh! And there is grandma, Matilda!"
"Over there, Edgar. Do you see that old lady in a wheelchair? That is where we need to go," instructed Samantha. "Okay, Miss Davis," acknowledged Edgar while turning to the side of the road.
"Thank you, Edgar. We won't be - Where are you going?" Samantha asked, seeing him unbuckle his seatbelt.
"Miss Davis, when I reported to Mr. Wright that I was taking you to the military camp, he gave specific orders to stay with you at all times." He cleared his throat and said, "He even ordered to get a bodyguard soon."
Samantha, who was seated at the back with Kenzie, leaned back. She said, "That's too much."
"Well, Miss Davis. It's something that you and the boss need to talk about. I only follow orders," told Edgar before he fully got off the car.
Samantha and the kids walked in the park in their casual clothes. Trudging behind them was a tall middle-aged man in a black suit.
From afar, Matilda quickly saw the frame behind her granddaughter and as soon as Samantha stood in front of her, the old lady easily formed a frown on her face. Matilda asked, "Is this the father of the twins?" While the kids laughed, Edgar swore he might as well commit suicide. Should the boss ever find out, he was going to get fired. Literally!
"No. No, grandma," said Samantha. Pointing to Edgar, she said, "This is Edgar."
"He is Daddy's driver, grandma Matilda," told Kyle.
"Daddy is so handsome like Kyle, grandma," revealed Kenzie. "You'll see him soon!"
Samantha turned to Stella, standing behind Matilda, and said, "Thank you, Stella. You are just a blessing."
Looking around, Stella said, "You are welcome, Miss Sam."
In one corner of the military park, an empty gazebo could be found beneath the large oak trees. It was there where they all settled to chat.
They all took their seats from each side of the place, with Samantha sitting next to where Matilda's wheelchair was.
"Grandma, this is a picture of Daddy. He is very handsome," reported Kyle while showing his tablet.
It shocked Samantha how her kids had a picture of Ethan. She probed, "Guys! How do you have a picture of your father?"
Kyle showed the photo to Samantha and replied, "It's a picture of us together, Mommy, when we had that special dinner."
Samantha sneered before she located Edgar. When she saw how he was standing two meters away, merely looking out. She asked her son, "Give me a copy, okay?" Kenzie laughed and said, "Mommy is so silly."
"Don't - don't tell your Daddy," warned Samantha while widening her eyes at the kids.
Noticing how her granddaughter blushed with just the picture of the man, Matilda could not help but remark, "I see... so it looks like your Mommy likes your Daddy."
"Of course, grandma! Mommy love's daddy!" Announced Kenzie.
"He seems familiar though," said Matilda. "What is his name again?"
"Grandma, he is Ethan Wright, the president of the Wright Diamond Corporation," told Samantha. "Of course, he might seem familiar to you."
Matilda was thinking deep. She tilted her head to the right and said, "If I am right, your mother was a friend with someone whose last name was Wright." Shaking her head, Matilda took back her words, "Maybe I am wrong. It has been so long ago."
Hearing her grandma mentioned about her mother made Samantha nostalgic. She stated, "I don't know much about Mom."
"I know... Anyway, it does not matter." Matilda placed a hand on Samantha's face and asked, "Let me just ask you... Is Ethan good to you and the kids? Should my time come, would I rest well, knowing that you are taken cared for, my dearest Sam? This is what matters to me most."
Her grandmother's words made Samantha cry. She said, "Grandma, first of all, you are a stubborn lady. I know you'll still live to see the day when my kids get older."
With a smile, Samantha added, "As for Ethan. I think so... I think he is a really nice man. I hope you'll meet him soon."
"Then, I'll find a way." Matilda turned to Stella and probed, "Stella, when is my next doctor's appointment?"
"Next Saturday, grandma Matilda," answered Stella.
Redirecting her gaze to Samantha, Matilda said, "Can Ethan... meet me after my doctor's appointment?" Samantha nodded and said, "I'll ask him if he is free this Saturday."