Chapter 16. College Friends

***

"I have to admit KG Airline's reputation has started to fall compared to before," Hannah replied.

Ethan and Hannah were at a restaurant by the sea, and Ethan's eyes could see the waves lapping in rhythm as they ate their lunch. Even though the two were eating together, Hannah kept the conversation about KG Aviation open.

"I never knew about KG Aviation before, so I cannot say much," Ethan said.

As the two were enjoying their seafood meal, Ethan's attention was drawn towards the restaurant entrance where a group of casually dressed women entered. Hannah, who was sitting next to Ethan, noticed the changed look in the young man's eyes.

Hannah followed his eyes and to her surprise she saw her college friends in the same restaurant. The woman before Ethan waved a hand, calling out to them which spontaneously shocked Ethan.

"They're your friends?" Ethan asked.

Hannah smiled with her eyes fixed on the five friends, "Yeah. They're my college friends."

One by one, Hannah's friends greeted the woman, without exception. Since Hannah was with Ethan, Ethan was also greeted by them, even though they did not know the young man's name.

"I knew you'd like this place, Hannah," said one of the women, tanned and standing near Hannah.

"Your restaurant recommendations never disappoint," said Hannah.

The woman smiled broadly while placing her right hand in front of her chest, feeling touched by Hannah's words, "Who is he then? Why are you dressed formally on a day off?"

"He's my nephew, just arrived in town yesterday to attend our third aunt's wedding," Hannah replied.

"Oh, I see, huh? No wonder you look so beautiful today," said the brown-skinned woman.

Hannah's five friends took seats close to Ethan and Hannah, making it impossible for the two to talk much about KG Aviation around them. Hannah chatted occasionally with a cheerful face, while Ethan continued with his lunch.

BEEP!

Ethan's cell phone vibrated, indicating someone was calling him. Ethan excused Hannah to answer Astrid's call, and Hannah said yes.

Ethan walked out of the restaurant and spoke near the parking lot, "What's the matter, Astrid?"

"Finnley and I met with Claire. She said she cannot explain much about the company's finances to anyone other than a member of the Kingsley Family," Astrid said, standing in the KG Entertainment lobby with Finnley.

"But you're the representatives of the Kingsley Family heirs. Don't they trust it?" Ethan asked.

"No, they don't. Since there's been no recent news of who the Kingsley heir is, they seem to be more anticipatory of people," Astrid replied.

"Alright. I'm still having lunch with Hannah. When I'm done, I'll be right there," Ethan said.

"Alright then, I'll excuse, Ethan," Astrid said.

Ethan turned off the call, clucking his tongue because he was annoyed that he hadn't been able to get information from KG Entertainment about their losses. Lunch would be over soon, and he and Hannah would go visit KG Entertainment afterward.

"What are you doing here, Ethan?"

From the right, a woman walked along with her boyfriend. Ethan turned his head when his name was called by the woman, his heart surprised to see who was greeting him.

"Eleanor?" asked Ethan, startled.

"What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost, Ethan," said Eleanor, arriving at the front of the restaurant with Marc.

Eleanor and Marc noticed Ethan's formal and luxurious appearance. This was the second time they had seen Ethan who was different from what they often saw on campus. Suddenly the incident raised many questions in Eleanor and Marc's minds.

"Are you having lunch here too?" asked Eleanor, pointing at the restaurant where Ethan was eating.

"Ah, yes. I'm eating here with my friend," said Ethan.

Hannah came out of the restaurant, meeting Ethan who was talking to two people. He had already paid for the food they ordered, Hannah also guessed Ethan was done with his lunch.

"Are those two your friends, Ethan?" asked Hannah, standing next to Ethan.

Ethan's attention was distracted, staring at Hannah who had arrived and had finished her lunch. Ethan didn't know what to answer, considering he wasn't quite sure if they considered Ethan a friend or not.

"Can we go? There's one place I need to visit," Ethan said, Hannah confused.

"Are we going back to KG Aviation?" Hannah asked.

"KG Aviation? What are you guys doing in that company?" asked Marc.

Ethan smiled, pulling Hannah's hand away from the two, "Nothing, just a seminar."

The two walked toward the black sedan parked in front of the restaurant. Ethan was behind the wheel, while Hannah sat beside him. Ethan's car looked more luxurious than Marc's, making Eleanor's lover gasp in surprise, assuming that it was Ethan's car.

Ethan and Hannah left the place quickly. Millions of questions sprung up in the back of Marc's mind, especially when he realized there was a definite change in Ethan's life.

"Do you feel anything different about him?" asked Marc.

"Yes," Eleanor replied.

"Is it possible that something happened to Ethan that he behaves quite strangely every time he sees us?" asked Eleanor.

Marc sighed, he didn't want the day to be filled with questions that bothered his mind, "Let him be. We have nothing to do with that young man."

Ethan drove the car away from the restaurant, while occasionally watching through the rearview window. The attitude Ethan showed was enough to make Hannah suspicious, the woman suspected those two people were Ethan's acquaintances.

"It's quite troublesome if you haven't introduced yourself, Ethan," Hannah said.

"I know that, I'll take it slow," Ethan replied.

"Then you said that we were going to visit a place. What is it?" asked Hannah.

"I just got word from Astrid that they failed to get information about KG Entertainment's losses," Ethan replied.

Hannah narrowed her eyes, "So, we're going to go investigate there just like we did with KG Aviation?"

"Right," Ethan replied.

"But there's something I'm going to do that will have a big impact there," Ethan said.

The woman was curious again as she looked at Ethan, "What is it?"

"I'm going to introduce myself as the CEO."