Since he had become the male lead's secret assistant, Ethan realized he'd have to help Damien emotionally too.
Being the male lead's therapist? Ethan blinked.
Huh… if I don't end up dead in the process.
He stared at Damien like he was contemplating a mission impossible.
"You know what? This mission can wait," Ethan muttered with a sigh, brushing off the mental pressure.
Strangely, that rainbow-haired weirdo hadn't come back. Honestly, with all those colors clashing on his head, he looked more like a peacock than a person. A very loud, flashy peacock.
Just as Ethan was spacing out, Damien finally closed his laptop with a quiet snap. "Let's go," he said gruffly, his tone cool as ever.
"Coming!" Ethan straightened, quickly stepping behind the wheelchair.
Now, Damien could easily wheel himself — he'd done it countless times before. But seeing how Ethan eagerly rushed to help him like some loyal golden retriever, Damien silently allowed it.
And maybe… just maybe… he was getting used to this guy's annoying presence.
As they almost reached the exit, the seductive secretary suddenly ran after them, her heels clicking against the floor, cheeks flushed.
"Mr. Luciano, about that project I mentioned earlier…" she said sweetly, leaning forward.
Ethan's eyes widened as he accidentally stared straight at her bouncing chest. Heavens… this was simply a feast to the eyes!
"Leave it at my desk when you're done," Damien cut her off curtly, not sparing her another glance. He motioned to Ethan with a flick of his fingers.
Ethan, still half-dazed, obediently pushed the wheelchair forward.
The secretary's eyes narrowed, her gaze stabbing into Ethan's back. Who is this strange man? Why do I feel threatened just by him? Her lips pursed. Could it be… those ridiculously good feminine looks?!
The secretary clicked her tongue, her eyes following Ethan's back. He's going to be a problem. Better to eliminate him sooner rather than later… And that stomach of his—he's even carrying the boss's child!
Her eyes burned with greed. Even if the boss is crippled, he's still a Luciano. If he ends up falling for that boy, then my dream of living in luxury will be ruined. No… I can't allow that.
"You don't stand a chance, hehe," an annoying, gloating voice chuckled behind her.
The secretary stiffened and slowly turned, gritting her teeth. She already knew who it was. "What do you want, Cecilia?"
"Oh, nothing much," Cecilia replied lazily, her red lips curving into a dangerous smile. "I just came to remind you… drop your little fantasy, unless you want to end up dead and without an intact body."
If Ethan had been there, he would have definitely sprayed blood from his nose. Damn! This woman too was fully loaded!
"I don't know what you're talking about," Riell replied coldly, her nails digging into her palm.
Cecilia's lips curved lazily as she leaned closer. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you. If you play with fire, Riell dear, you'll get burned. And that pregnant man—he's not someone you want to mess with."
With a low chuckle, Cecilia spun on her heels, her long legs carrying her gracefully down the hall.
Riell stood frozen, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her eyes burned with unwillingness. What does that pompous woman know?
She lifted her chin proudly, eyes flashing. I'll show her. When I marry the boss, the first thing I'll do is fire her from this company!
They reached the car, and after helping Damien inside, Ethan slid in beside him. The chauffeur closed the door and smoothly drove away.
Ethan instantly took a deep breath, his eyes widening. This car… it smells of money!
The leather seats, the faint cologne-like scent, even the quiet hum of the engine screamed luxury. He rubbed the armrest secretly, his fingers tingling. So this is what it feels like to ride in a rich man's car… I could get used to this.
Damien's sharp eyes slid over to him, narrowing. "...What are you doing?" His tone was icy, suspicious, as though Ethan was plotting something unspeakable.
Ethan froze, hand still on the armrest. "…Appreciating the craftsmanship?"
Damien's gaze lingered for a moment before he looked away, clearly unconvinced.
Ethan let out a deep breath of relief. For a second there, he thought Damien was going to cut off his head.
Just then, his stomach growled—loud and clear.
Xixi, perched on his shoulder, giggled, its little ears twitching in delight.
Ethan gave an awkward smile. He suddenly realized he had spent the entire day sleeping without eating a thing. Turning, he met Damien's cold gaze. "Umm… the baby is hungry?"
The chauffeur in the front stiffled a laugh, shoulders trembling.
Damien's lips twitched ever so slightly before he said curtly, "Stop at the nearest restaurant."
"Yes, master." The chauffeur replied.
The sleek car pulled up in front of a five-star restaurant, its golden lights glowing like a palace. Ethan quickly helped Damien into his wheelchair before following him inside.
The maître d' immediately stepped forward with a professional smile. "Good evening, Mr. Luciano. Your usual table?"
Damien gave a short nod, and they were led to a private corner by the window. Ethan's eyes darted around at the glittering chandeliers and spotless crystal glasses. Wow… even the air smells expensive in here.
They sat down, and as soon as the menus were handed over, a waiter approached with a polite bow. "Good evening, gentlemen. May I take your order?"
Ethan flipped open the menu… and nearly fainted. Each dish had so many zeroes it made his head spin. Even a whole year of my old salary wouldn't buy a single plate here!
Just then Damien's cold voice broke his panic. "Feel free to order anything… for the baby." His eyes deliberately dropped to Ethan's stomach.
Ethan's eye twitched violently. Did he have to stress that point out loud?! Now even the waiter was staring at him strangely, like he was some rare creature.
Determined, Ethan cleared his throat. "Then I'll have the spicy seafood platter, extra strong wine, and the roasted duck with pepper sauce."
"No." Damien didn't even glance at the waiter. "Too spicy. Too oily. Too much alcohol. Bad for the baby's health."
Ethan's jaw dropped. He looked at Damien with a wronged expression. Didn't he just say I could order anything?!
Ethan bit his lip, refusing to give up. "Then… how about the sizzling hotpot with extra chili?"
Damien's eyes flicked up, cold and sharp. "Too spicy. Bad for the baby."
Ethan's face darkened. "…Fine. Then I'll take the golden fried pork belly with garlic sauce."
"No. Too greasy. Bad for the baby."
Ethan's fingers twitched. "…Alright. The braised beef in red wine sauce—"
"Too much alcohol."
Ethan almost slammed the menu shut. He turned to Damien with a betrayed look, eyes glistening. "Didn't you say I could order anything?"
The waiter stood awkwardly to the side, trying not to laugh as the scene played out.
Ethan slumped against the chair, feeling wronged. All the foods I dreamed of eating in my past world… and I can't touch a single one? What kind of scam is this?!