"Sir, Mr. Sullivan…," Clara began, but before she could finish her sentence, Ryan had already entered the room.
"Ethan, Clara's growing wild," Ryan said referring to Ethan's secretary.
"She's just doing her job," Ethan replied.
"But she's supposed to get used to me by now," Ryan remarked.
"Maybe I don't want to get used to you," Clara retorted leaving the room.
"Rude girl," Ryan muttered.
"Wouldn't Irene get mad seeing you get cozy with my secretary?" Ethan asked, glaring at his best friend.
"Irene also loves Clara. Not everyone is like you," Ryan laughed.
"So, I asked you and your wife to get close to Sharon, and you had to order 100 of everything she had?" Ethan asked.
"Is there anything that doesn't get passed you?" Ryan replied, but didn't get a response.
"Okay, chill. We were just trying to be nice. Did we do too much? Don't you like it?"
"It's okay," Ethan said.
"So, you're cool with it. Then why did you ask?" Ryan questioned, giving Ethan the side eye
"No reason," Ethan answered.
"Dude, you're sick," Ryan said, leaning properly on Ethan's chair.
"So, how does it feel living with your wife?" Ryan asked, smiling.
"It's challenging," Ethan said, returning to his work.
"It's challenging or she's challenging?" Ryan teased.
"She's challenging," Ethan replied.
"And you're the smart one?" Ryan scoffed, as Ethan shot him a look wanting to give him points on how smart he is.
"Okay, okay. I get it," Ryan said before muttering 'cocky bastard'.
"I heard you," Ethan said.
"Of course, I wanted you to hear me," Ryan replied, smiling. "So, what are you doing after work?" Ryan asked.
"Nothing much. I'll go straight home," Ethan replied.
"You seem to be going home a lot lately because you have a wife now," Ryan teased.
Only the side eye he received from Ethan kept him quiet.
"Okay, okay, I'll shut up," Ryan said, smiling. "Can't you take a joke? You're so boring. Poor little Sharon is really in deep trouble," Ryan continued, until Ethan's shoe landed on the side of Ryan's head, making him fall off his chair.
"Ouch! Ethan, what was that for," Ryan grumbled.
"You might want to watch your next word," Ethan threatened.
"I think this is my cue to leave," Ryan said, practically fleeing from the room as Ethan shook his head playfully.
"Idoit," Ethan remarked.
***********************************************Sharon returned from work and immediately she saw Ethan heading upstairs.
"Seems he's just coming back now," she thought, but they were both stopped by Maria.
"Thank God you both are back," Maria said, and Ethan looked puzzled.
"Why? Is anything wrong? Are you okay?" he asked.
"Of course. What could possibly happen to me?" Maria replied.
"So what's the problem, granny?" Sharon asked.
"Ethan's parents will be coming tomorrow, and since you don't have much clothes, you can use this as an opportunity to shop for more. As a daughter in-law of the Lancaster, you must dress elegantly," Maria said.
"And what does that have to do with me,? Ethan asked.
"It has everything to do with you. She's your wife, so you will have to accompany her for shopping," Maria insisted.
"And why would I do that?" Ethan questioned.
"Because she's my grand daughter in-law and your wife, and because I said so," Maria declared.
"Granny, are you doing all this because she gave you a bowl of porridge?" Ethan asked, and his grandma looked shocked, then gasped.
"How dare you? Are you saying I accepted a bribe?" His grandma demanded sternly.
"That's what I'm saying," Ethan replied, while Sharon observed the grandma and grandson duo with amazement.
"I didn't even eat. You can ask Lizzy," Maria said pointing to the maid passing by.
Sharon recognized Lizzy as the maid who called her down for dinner earlier.
"Yes, ma'am?" Lizzy responded.
"Tell this inconsiderate grandson of mine that I threw away the pudding Sharon gave me," Maria huffed, turning her face away.
Lizzy cleared her throat, smiling sheepishly.
"Yes, that's what madam did," Lizzy confirmed.
"You see, Ethan, you always accuse me wrongly," Maria said.
Sharon almost wanted to laugh out loud. Ethan knew the kind of person his grandma was. If he didn't let it go, he would be in big trouble.
"It's okay, granny. I'm at fault. I don't know why I'm always too quick to judge you," Ethan said, smiling apologetically.
"This cold man's weak spot seems to be his grandma," Sharon thought.
"It's okay. You always do that," Maria said huffing.