"I found what I wanted to do with my life that night. After dealing with my father, I found Jack’s diary that my father had kept hidden for years. That was when I realized that I wanted to continue what Jack couldn’t finish," Ethan explained.
"My father’s diary?" I asked curiously.
"Yup. Up until then, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life but reading what Jack wrote gave me the answers that I was looking for. I want to fulfill Jack’s wishes," Ethan stated with determination.
"What did my father wish for?" I asked.
"Uniting Torex and Silva and your happy marriage to Hayden Torex," Ethan stated.
"I don’t think my father wanted me to marry Hayden anymore because he didn’t want me to associate myself with the mafia," I interjected.
"Why do you think Hayden became a doctor?" Ethan asked in response.
"That’s..." I mumbled.
Was it because of my father?
"Maybe it wasn’t all because of Jack but he surely played a part in it. Usually, doctors don’t associate themselves with gangs. Jack wanted Hayden to distance himself away from the gang. I guess the things in your childhood impacts what you want and how you think. Hayden and me, we’re prime examples of that," Ethan said followed by a small laugh.
"What do you plan to do, Ethan?" I asked seriously.
"Everything and anything to make Jack’s dream come true. What about you? What are you going to do now, Lisa?" Ethan asked as his green eyes watched me closely.
"I tried talking to Hayden about uniting the gangs, but he didn’t respond to me..." I admitted truthfully.
...
Hayden picked me up right on time and we headed to a restaurant of his choice. The wind on the rooftop of the skyscraper where the restaurant was located was slightly cool against my skin. I watched the light of the candle flicker on the table in front of me as Hayden sipped on his red wine.
I sucked on the straw of my fruit smoothie as my mind worked hard on figuring how best to bring the topic of Ethan up to Hayden.
"Malissa?" Hayden called my name.
"Y-yes?" I replied after snapping out of my thoughts.
"Is everything ok? You seem a little distracted," Hayden asked as he eyed me with a look of concern.
"Yes. Everything is fine," I replied a little too fast.
Shit...maybe I should have just spat it out that Ethan came to see me earlier today.
"I see. You’ve been teaching at the art school for a while now, you have any other plans in mind?" Hayden asked casually.
That was a good question. With the many things that had been going on, I had unconsciously been putting my career on hold. Apart from teaching at the art school, I didn’t have another regular job. Unfortunately, teaching kids at the school wasn’t going to lead me far in my career as a professional artist. At this rate, I’ll just end up as an art teacher somewhere.
That wasn’t what I had in mind for myself although I did enjoy working with children.
"I’m not sure yet. Honestly, I might have to study some more before I can become a professional artist. It is a very competitive market..." I replied before trailing off.
--To be continued...