The Rise of the White Lotus

After they finished the main course, Lexi and Ethan were served with the restaurant's signature pudding for dessert. Throughout the late dinner, they only talked every once in a while albeit always ended with an 'I see' and 'is that so?'.

Lexi dwelled on Ethan's proposal in his mind as she was reminded of her historic past. All her life, her main goal was to marry Morris Liu. Of course, that wasn't a secret to everyone as she never felt ashamed of it.

However, after everything that had happened, Lexi never sees herself in a romantic relationship with anyone just yet; what more get married. It's not that she was still holding on with Morris Liu but to her, she wanted to be in a relationship when she was complete again.

Yet, around Ethan, she felt as if she was standing at the edge of a cliff while he was on the ground; smiling and urging her to jump.

"This is frustrating…" Lexi murmured that was audible enough for him to hear. Upon hearing her remarks, Ethan froze. 

'I knew it! I frustrate her!' He grumbled inwardly as dejection began to surround him. He messed up. Though he was already satisfied with her presence around him and even accompanied him to dinner, Lexi might think differently.

"I -- I'm sorry. I had many thoughts in mind and I ended up wasting your time."

Lexi glanced at his dispirited eyes yet, he was trying hard to smile to conceal his emotions. So, does this mean he didn't intend to confess to her? She should be relieved, right? Then, why does she feel otherwise?

After that, another round of silence as only the clanging sound of their utensils and plates resounded across the four corners of the room. 

"Oh my god… this is boring! So boring!" Churu who was dismayed to the core shouted. She thought something entertaining might happen after Lexi read Ethan's mind but to no avail, she remained her lips zipped and talk to herself! Just what are these two doing? Should she pull another trick for a romantic scene?

"Lexi…" Ethan Lu gently put down his spoon as he raised his longing gaze across him. They were together since earlier but Ethan felt that he was wasting her time. After all, she should be resting by this time but she still went there.

He had so many things to say to her but he doesn't know where to start in the first place. Granting that Ethan had already decided to pursue her, alas, the moment she was in front of him, he could not help his heart but to throbbed uncontrollably.

He was too focused on his nervousness and his feelings instead of making her feel very uncomfortable. Hence, he couldn't let this go on.

Gulping a mouthful of saliva, Ethan Lu heavily exhaled. He raised his gaze once again and immediately caught her pair of unreadable eyes.

Just straightly looking at her, Ethan's tumultuous mind suddenly calmed down as if he took some muscle relaxing pills. Since earlier, he could only glance at her like a shy teenager boy, afraid to approach his crush.

But staring at her like this, his gaze softened and a subtle smile formed on the side of his lips. His stiff shoulder gradually relaxed as he heaved a heavy sigh.

"Did you know that I don't remember every single girl I dated?" 

His abrupt opening made Lexi's brows knitted in confusion. For a second, she thought that he'd finally say he likes her or anything near that. However, what was this nonsense now? 

"Uh… is that something to be proud about?" 

"Haha, no… I just picked that up earlier." Letting out a slight chuckle, Ethan Lu slightly shook his head because if not for Elliot Gong, he wouldn't have realized it. He added,

"Also, do you know the reason why I dragged you to brother Mo's office back then? It's because I was selfish. I wanted to see how you'd entertain me." 

His next remarks made Lexi's brows arch in dismay. She already guessed that far in the first time yet, Lexi shrugged it off as she didn't care before. But still, now that he said it himself, part of her was displeased.

"Not to mention, my provocation back then was because I was, again, selfish. I want to see that vicious, crazy white lotus that snapped my dear friend to the brink of insanity."

"Ethan… stop." Lexi blankly warned as she didn't want to hear more about this. Especially, if it was coming from his mouth. However, Ethan didn't waver as he fixed his gaze on her and resumed with a voice filled with mockery.

"Huh, I even called dibs on you."

"I said stop!" Upon hearing his last remarks, Lexi snapped. She abruptly stood from her seat as she slammed her palms on the surface of the table. 

Her eyes sharpened and her shoulder trembled. She had been insulted many times but this… hearing it from him, Lexi was hurt. Even if she was unsure of what she wanted, Lexi was certain that he was her friend.

"What a jerk." She scorned before harshly picking up her purse on the other chair and turned her back on him.

"What?! Is this your confession?! Are you crazy Mr. Dumb dumb?! Lexi isn't a priest! Confess your sins to a church, not to her!" Churu who was the most dismayed about this sudden turn of events bellowed. Her cute little fist continuously knocked his head as she vented her frustration.

"Yes, I am a jerk alright?" Lexi's steps halted when she heard him from behind. Ethan stood from his seat still staring at her slender back.

"I might be the most selfish, insensitive jerk you'd ever come across. I didn't approach you out of the goodness of my heart, but because I have ulterior motives." Indeed, their first encounter might be a coincidence but the occurrence after that was because of his initiative.

Ethan grinded his teeth before he continued and began taking slow strides towards her, "Yet, this jerk was insatiable and offered friendship with a shameless smile."

"And then, this jerk's greediness reached the zenith because… I fell in love." Just as he uttered his last words, Ethan stopped two steps away from her. He bit his lower lip and without a second hesitation, his hand reached hers.