I Was Working Late, He Was Eating My Food and Falling for My Best Friend Chapter 03

I Was Working Late, He Was Eating My Food and Falling for My Best Friend Chapter 03

I suddenly remembered everything work had pushed out of my mind.

Dad had recently been told there was something wrong with his liver. He and Mom planned to come to Bayport for more tests. I had been so busy that I had forgotten to arrange a place for them to stay.

“Just put them in a hotel,” Ethan said. “It’s easier.”

If Dad needed treatment, they might be in Bayport for weeks, and a hotel would get expensive. I asked our landlord whether he had another apartment nearby.

He replied late that night.

Landlord: [I do, but it costs more than your current place. Also, tell your boyfriend to send his part of the rent directly to my bank account next time. It’s easier that way.]

I stared at the message.

Anna replied: [What part? I’m the one who pays the rent.]

He seemed just as confused.

Landlord replied: [There are three of you. Your boyfriend said he pays the other girl’s share separately. You didn’t know?]

He sent me records of Ethan’s monthly payments.

Ethan had been paying Lily’s rent every month.

My fingers trembled. I looked at the man sleeping beside me.

“Ethan, wake up. Why are you paying Lily’s rent?”

He opened his eyes and glared at me.

“What?”

“Why are you paying for her? I’m your girlfriend, and I knew nothing about this.”

Anger surged through me.

Ethan finally understood and scowled.

“You woke me up for this? Anna, have you completely lost it?”

“You think this is nothing?”

“What else would it be? You told me to look out for Lily. She isn’t an only child like you. Her younger siblings drain every dollar she makes. She couldn’t afford the rent, so I helped.”

He rolled away from me.

“She’s your friend. Instead of caring about her, you’re blaming me. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

His words hit harder than I wanted to admit.

He went back to sleep and left me staring into the dark.

I was suddenly afraid to imagine how many other secrets they had kept from me. But I had to get up at five for work, and I had to earn enough money to pay for Dad’s treatment.

The next day, I left work early and brought my parents to the apartment for dinner. Since there was no room for them to stay with us, I had booked them a hotel nearby. Mom cooked for everyone, and in the center of the table sat a platter of smoked pork she had brought from home.

“Try some, Ethan. I made it myself.”

As Ethan reached for it, Lily caught his arm.

“Don’t. It’s too fatty.”

His fork stopped in midair.

Lily clung to his arm with exaggerated concern.

“A few bites of that and your abs will disappear. Then what am I supposed to touch?”

Ethan set down his fork and laughed.

“Fine. I won’t eat it.”

Lily smiled, then noticed my parents watching. She gave them a sheepish look.

“Sorry. Ethan and I have both been watching what we eat. I didn’t mean to insult your cooking.”

My parents smiled awkwardly and looked toward me.

I gripped my fork and stared at my plate.

Soon, I told myself. Once Dad recovered, I could leave.

The next day, I took my parents to the hospital. The results were serious enough that Dad needed surgery as soon as possible.

On the morning of the procedure, I had a meeting I could not miss. I asked Ethan to drive them.

“I’ll prepare everything. All you need to do is pick them up and take them to the hospital. I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.”

Ethan saw my anxiety and pulled me into a gentle embrace.

“Stop worrying. I promise I’ll get your dad there safely.”

I rushed out of work after my meeting. Just as I was about to leave for the hospital, an unfamiliar number called.

“Is this Anna Bennett? Your father was struck by a car. His condition is serious. Please come to the hospital immediately.”