Page 14 of Petals and Fangs

“Are you doing something illegal?” I ask, my arms crossed the moment we get inside Ethan’s office again.

He sits down on the sofa and motions for me to sit beside him. There is something about the way he crosses his arms and tilts his head to the side. It makes me feel weak.

“Not yet.”

“What does that even mean?”

“Maybe not that illegal.”

“You are so indecisive. Are you or are you not doing something illegal, Ethan?” I ask, my tone a bit sterner than usual.

“And what are you going to do about it if I am doing something illegal?”

“Maybe I can help. But that depends on how illegal what you are doing is.”

“Define illegal, Lily.”

“I don’t know. Something against the law, I guess?” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

“I see, we have a criminal mastermind here,” Ethan mocks with a smirk on his face.

“What's that supposed to mean?” I frown as my eyes widen a little.

“You define illegal as something against the law. But what Rothschild Pharmaceuticals is doing is not against the law. Well, maybe a little bit, but in a good way. We are keeping people sane and safe,” he tries to explain.

“I don't think I get it. How is that illegal, but still in a good way? Or is this a joke?” I ask, feeling a bit confused.

“You ask too many questions; do you know that?”

“Lots of weird things about this place anyway, so I ought to ask questions since I will be spending a lot of time here. First, the smell, now, the accusations. There is also the weird way your advisors look at me. I have nothing to do with this, but I guess my-”

“Curiosity?” he interrupts, and grins at me.

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Well, we deal with a lot of substances and chemicals in this building, which explains the smell. As for the accusations, nothing can be proven. They don't know who they are dealing with. As for my advisors, Alfred and Nick, they are just not used to seeing a human in this building.”

“Human? What is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh. It is but a joke, Lily,” he says and stands up.

“You’re not funny.”

“Lily, can you trust me? Do you trust me?”

“I trusted you once. Remember?”

“I remember. This time is different. We are mature people now.”

“I also remember that you betrayed that trust, Ethan Ruth,” I say, my eyes piercing into his. I know he sees me as a challenge.

“I haven't. I protected you.”

“Protected me from what?”

“I protected you from me, but that's not the case now. I need to trust you and be honest with you,” he says.

“What is so unethical that you are doing that the FDA is after you?” I ask. My curiosity will soon be the death of me.

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