Chapter 192 - How Unprofessional!!

The black Maybach stopped before White Meadows, the man with a tall and imposing stature stepped out followed by a dazzling woman.

"Huh? Isn't this..", she looked at the man walking away unconcerned in complete puzzlement.

Xia Ruo Lan was stunned to see the location of Sera's art gallery. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

It was the same place where Mia's studio was supposed to be set up. Mia was so adamant on displaying her collection of ROSE's exclusive paintings here back then that she had even fought with Lucifer for acquiring this piece of land from him.

"No wonder the great Ethan Lee is helping someone like Sera Lu!", Xia Ruo Lan snickered inwardly.

This man was so guileful that Xia Ruo Lan felt goosebumps rise on her just by meeting his dark gaze.

As they walked inside, she looked around in amusement. Everything was the same as 6-7 years ago, the garden, trees, fountains. She smiled reminiscing the time spent here with Mia and Ethan.

"It was so.. Huu, forget it! There's no use living in the past now"

Xia Ruo Lan sighed in defeat, looking at the receding figure of Ethan, who had long disappeared into the white building as pure as snow.

"She.. Uh? Sera? I thought she's.. Mia!!", Ethan was dumb struck as he mumbled incoherent words.

As he stepped inside Ethan was greeted by a beautiful sight of a smiling girl looking out of the floor to ceiling windows in a daze.

"No.. How can she be Mia! She's Sera.. Seraphina Lu!", he tried to convince himself with a pained smile which soon changed into a fond expression.

Unknown of the additional presence Sera stood there under the white lights giving the impression of an angel in her snow-white dress with a bright wine red blazer over it against the white walls as a backdrop. Appearing classy yet professional in her attire.

"What are these two playing at? And what's with this disgusting love-sick expressions on their faces!!", Xia Ruo Lan sneered.

Xia Ruo Lan entered inside to witness this scene, her eyes darting from Ethan to the oblivious beauty in white.

"How dare they ignore my presence!!", Xia Ruo Lan felt displeased after being ignored. Feeling that she was being looked down upon by Ethan on purpose.

She walked forward with a smile completely unfazed from being forgotten, her black high heels clicking against the floor woke up the duo from their daze.

"Oh! You're early..", Xia Ruo Lan's honeyed voice resounded in the large empty hall.

Ethan coughed awkwardly while Sera was red in embarrassment. She shot a smile before walking towards Ethan and Xia Ruo Lan.

The two women standing across each other were poles apart, one was mature with an air of elegance around her as she peered at Sera with confidence while the other was young, ambitious and fresh in appearance and talent. No matter how you look they seemed perfect from every angle.

"Miss Xia, Mr Lee.. Welcome!", she tried to break the ice with a smile, her voice soft as the melody of a flute, pleasing to ears.

"Sera.. Xia Ruo Lan is a good friend so you don't have to be so formal", Ethan laughed, his voice clear and crisp.

A hint of disdain flashed across Xia Ruo Lan's eyes as she smiled derisively at his words. Ethan was certainly just trying to act kindly in front of Sera.

How can he even think of Xia Ruo Lan as a good friend after behaving so coldly in the car earlier?

"Yes, of course", she said with a glint in her eyes that wasn't unnoticed by Ethan.

Ethan glared at her in warning. Xia Ruo Lan chuckled at his actions seemingly mocking him which further added fuel to his fury.

The warmth in his eyes originally directed at Sera shriveled dead. Xia Ruo Lan couldn't care less about him and continued smiling humbly at Sera.

"Sera.. Can I call you Sera as well?", she asked in a sweet voice however her words only made Ethan's mood worse. What was she implying here?

"Uh! Yes, why not Miss Xia.. Xia Ruo Lan", Sera agreed with a puzzled look at her backhanded words.

"Let's go upstairs.. I'm sure Xia Ruo Lan might want a tour of this place to decide her next course of action", he butted in with a stern gaze albeit his calm tone.

Xia Ruo Lan shrugged unaffected by his glare and motioned for them to go ahead and she quietly followed behind.

Upon reaching their destination the trio looked around. It was indeed an attractive property that caught Mia's eyes hence Xia Ruo Lan was also aware of this fact.

Xia Ruo Lan studied the place with interest, her eyes glimmering as ideas flowed into her head listening to Sera's description of the style she wanted.

"I want a modern yet traditional design.. I have heard that you're popular for your oriental style decor", Sera smiled looking at the room where Xia Ruo Lan was perusing around with a focused gaze.

"Uh-huh.. Who told you?", she asked absentmindedly looking at the ceiling and window, her slender fingers grazing the walls softly.

"Uh? It.. It was Ethan!", Sera was tongue-tied by her simple question, she wanted to say that it was Lucifer however she decided against it and lied.

"Oh!", pausing her action she replied monotonously.

Xia Ruo Lan didn't believe her, how could that block of ice remember all this or say something good about her.

Hearing Sera's words and Xia Ruo Lan's lukewarm response Ethan's eyes twitched.

He was baffled by the two girls that were lying through their teeth so randomly as if it wasn't a big deal.

After their inspection the trio stood in the center of the room with a satisfied look on their faces, smiling. It was surely going to be a successful collaboration.

"Alright.. that's decided then! I'll be working here with you all for the next two months. Please do take care of me..", Xia Ruo Lan was in a pleasant mood as she smiled at Sera and Ethan.

"Thank you for your cooperation.. Do take care of me too!" Sera returned her smile and shook her hand.

"No!! She's an evil woman!! Evil..", momentarily stunned by Xia Ruo Lan's bedazzling smile Ethan looked away muttering to himself.

His deep black eyes refusing to believe that she is the same Xia Ruo Lan. The thing in his chest was running havoc as his throat constricted unable to speak up.

"What the heck is wrong with this man! How unprofessional!", Xia Ruo Lan felt her blood boil seeing how Ethan was lost in his thoughts. She looked at him, her eyes filled with nothing but contempt.

"What?", he asked quirking his brow inquiringly as he shot her a question.

Ethan recognized the look in her eyes, his face turned ugly which only made Xia Ruo Lan scoff in response. She turned around preparing to descend the stairs unbothered by his abrupt question.

"Oh no!! What have I got myself into? Please save me anyone..", Sera was feeling uncomfortable in this stifling atmosphere.

It was as clear as day that Ethan and Xia Ruo Lan were having a cold-war between them.

Sera desperately wanted to flee from here and sleep after stuffing her stomach with all kinds of yummy food.

She felt dead-beat witnessing these disturbing scenes in front of her eyes scarring her naive mind.

"Let's have lunch together.." Ethan spoke up, Sera jolted at his words and gulped heavily.

"Oh noooo.. I can't endure this anymore!!", she screamed inwardly albeit the harmless smile on her face.