"Mia… Mia… where are you?"
Ethan's voice echoed through the apartment as he walked in without waiting for an answer.
He checked the bedroom first—empty. Then the kitchen. Nothing. He moved through the place like he owned it, opening doors without hesitation, growing more irritated with every second.
"Where the hell did she go?" he muttered.
He headed toward the bathroom, not really expecting anything, and pushed the door open.
"Huh—"
He froze for half a second.
"Good Lord."
The door slammed shut immediately.
"Dammit, Mia… seriously?"
He ran a hand through his hair, then walked straight to the fridge, pulling it open and grabbing a bottle of water. He drank quickly, like he needed something to reset himself, before dropping onto the sofa.
A moment later, Mia stepped out, adjusting her bathrobe as if nothing had happened.
"Why the hell are you barging in like that?" she asked, completely unfazed.
Ethan didn't even look guilty. "I always do. And I called you like ten times."
"That doesn't mean you get to break into my bathroom."
Before Ethan could reply, a guy walked out of the bedroom, finishing buttoning his shirt.
"Hey, Ethan," he said casually. "You good? I'll head out and leave you two. See you around."
Matty.
He leaned in, kissed Mia quickly, and left without another word.
The door clicked shut.
Silence.
Ethan and Mia looked at each other.
Mia grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, took a slow sip, and sat down across from him, crossing her legs.
"Well?" she said.
Ethan exhaled. "That guy is unreliable, Mia. I'm serious. You shouldn't even—"
"It was just sex, Ethan," she cut in flatly. "Relax."
He frowned. "Dammit, Mia…"
She tilted her head, studying him. "What do you want?"
A pause.
"What do I have that you suddenly need this time?"
Ethan leaned back slightly, trying to ignore the awkwardness from earlier.
"Your friend," he said. "Kourtney."
Mia blinked once.
Then laughed.
"No. Absolutely not."
"Come on—"
"No," she repeated. "Kourtney is my best friend. I'm not setting her up with you so you can mess her up like the others."
"I'm your favorite cousin," Ethan said, almost offended.
"You're my most problematic cousin," she shot back.
He leaned forward, trying again. "Maybe it'll be different this time."
"Why now?" Mia asked, narrowing her eyes. "What's this really about?"
Ethan scoffed. "Nothing. Can't I just like someone?"
Mia didn't look convinced. "This has nothing to do with Zara?"
His expression tightened for a second.
Then he looked away. "No."
"Right," she said dryly.
"Think about it," he added quickly. "Kourtney's… different."
"Exactly," Mia replied. "She's too good for you."
"That's why I like her," Ethan said without hesitation.
Mia stared at him for a long second.
"You're unbelievable."
He shifted closer, dropping all pride. "Please?"
She rolled her eyes. "You're actually begging right now?"
"Yes."
"That's embarrassing."
"I don't care."
Mia sighed, already annoyed.
"Fine," she said finally. "If you take me shopping today, I'll think about it."
Ethan's face lit up instantly. "Deal."
"Don't celebrate yet," she added sharply, pointing a finger at him. "I said I'll think about it."
"You're still the best," he said, grinning.
Mia gave him a warning look before standing up. "Get out. I need to get dressed."
Ethan leaned back into the sofa, completely at ease again—
as if nothing about him had ever been broken.
⸻
Zara stood in her room, steaming her outfit for tomorrow. White mist curled into the air as she balanced her phone between her shoulder and ear.
"There's nothing going on, Maya. You know me better than that."
"That's exactly why I'm asking," Maya replied. "Don't lie to me."
Zara sighed.
"Okay, fine… it's a long story. I'll tell you everything when we meet. I'm really busy right now."
"…Fine. Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow."
She hung up.
The moment she turned—
Zoe was staring at her.
That smug, knowing smile already on her face.
Zara narrowed her eyes.
"What?"
Zoe tilted her head slightly.
"Your love life is getting interesting."
Zara scoffed.
"Don't drag me into your imaginary stories. Try living in the real world for once."
"Mm-hmm," Zoe hummed, completely unfazed.
Then, casually—
"He's tall, by the way."
Zara froze.
Just for a second.
Zoe continued, like she was talking about the weather.
"Really tall. Broad shoulders. Kind of unfair, honestly."
She glanced at Zara, watching her reaction.
"Quiet. Calm. And annoyingly handsome."
Zara focused on the steamer, pretending not to care.
"No idea what someone like him sees in you, though," Zoe added with a grin.
Zara shot her a look.
"Who are you even talking about?"
Zoe's smile widened.
"Ethan."
Zara's heart skipped.
Just once.
"What… do you know?" she asked, more carefully now.
Before Zoe could answer—
The door opened.
"Hi, girls! Your brother's coming home tomorrow, so make sure his room is clean, okay?" their mother said.
"What? Why so sudden?" Zara asked.
"I don't know. Just like you two, he doesn't tell me anything," she sighed.
"I'll ask him," Zoe said proudly. "He tells me everything."
"I knew I could count on you. Goodnight, girls."
"Goodnight, Mum."
The door closed.
Silence.
Zara turned immediately and grabbed Zoe's arm.
"Talk."
Zoe yawned.
"I'm sleepy."
"Sleep here tonight."
"You never let me."
"I'm letting you now."
Zoe paused… then smiled slowly.
"Okay. But I want cold coffee. And snacks. And my book."
Zara stared at her.
"…You're unbelievable."
"Still negotiating?" Zoe tilted her head sweetly.
Zara sighed in defeat.
"Fine."
⸻
A few minutes later, Zoe was lying comfortably on the bed, sipping her drink like a queen.
Zara stood in front of her, arms crossed.
"Well?"
Zoe took her time.
"I went into Ethan's apartment today."
Zara's eyes widened.
"What?! Are you insane? I'm telling Dad—"
"I know, I know," Zoe waved it off. "But listen first."
Zara stayed silent.
"And?" she pressed.
Zoe looked straight at her.
"I saw a painting of you."
Zara's breath caught.
"…What?"
"And a sketchbook," Zoe added, a little too casually. "Full of you."
Zara didn't move.
She didn't speak.
Her heartbeat grew louder.
"Oh, Zoe…" she whispered. "You really shouldn't have done that."
Zoe shrugged, completely unbothered. "I didn't touch anything. I just looked."
Zara turned away, running a hand through her hair, trying to steady herself—but her thoughts were already spiraling.
Zoe watched her closely now, her teasing expression slowly shifting into curiosity.
"You're acting weird," she said.
Zara stayed quiet.
That alone was an answer.
Zoe tilted her head, studying her sister more carefully.
"Wait…" she said slowly. "Don't tell me—"
Zara shot her a look. "Don't start."
Zoe's eyes lit up immediately. "Oh my God. There is something."
"Zoe."
"No, seriously," she continued, sitting up straighter now. "Why does he even have so many drawings of you?"
Zara looked away again. "I don't know."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
Zoe narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced.
Then, after a small pause, she said more quietly—
"He draws you a lot."
Another pause.
"…like, a lot."
Zara's fingers tightened slightly at her side.
Zoe leaned back again, watching her reaction carefully.
"I mean… I don't know what that means," she said with a small shrug.
"But it's not normal."
A short pause passed between them.
Then Zoe tilted her head, a slow, mischievous smile forming.
"Unless…"
Zara stiffened slightly.
"There's actually something between you two."
Zara looked at her immediately. "There isn't."
Zoe didn't look convinced. Not even a little.
"Mm," she hummed. "If there is…"
She leaned forward just a little, eyes glinting with curiosity—
"you better tell me. I want the full story."
Zara turned away again, her silence louder than any answer.
Zoe watched her for a moment longer… then said nothing.
That night, Zara lay awake, staring at the ceiling, Zoe's words repeating in her mind.
If he didn't love her anymore,
why was she still everywhere in his world?