Chapter 7. The Date part 1

“Who’s there?”

Ethan’s voice came out sharper than he intended, cutting through the quiet of the hallway. His heart was still racing, his chest tight not from fear, but from the sudden, jarring realization that he might not have been alone while he… spoke.

His jaw clenched.

Without wasting another second, he pushed his chair back and strode out of his study, his footsteps quick but controlled. His eyes scanned the corridor left, right, then down the long stretch of polished floor.

No one.

Silence greeted him.

But then his gaze dropped.

A shattered vase lay across the floor, porcelain fragments scattered like fallen petals. The small table it once sat on stood slightly askew, as if it had been brushed past in a hurry.

Ethan exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.

“Lila!” he called out, his voice echoing faintly through the house.

A moment later, hurried footsteps approached, and Lila appeared, slightly out of breath. “Yes, sir?”

Ethan gestured toward the mess on the floor. “How did this happen?”

Lila blinked, clearly confused. “I, I don’t know, sir. It was fine the last time I passed here.”

Ethan studied her for a second, his expression unreadable, as if weighing whether she knew more than she was saying. But her face held nothing but genuine uncertainty.

He sighed lightly. “Clean it up.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Lila quickly moved to gather the broken pieces, Ethan lingered for a second longer, his eyes drifting once more down the empty hallway. Something about it felt… off.

But he said nothing.

Turning on his heel, he walked back into his study and closed the door behind him with a soft click.

The moment he was alone again, he let out a long breath.

“Phew…”

He leaned back against the door, closing his eyes briefly.

“Next time, Ethan,” he muttered under his breath, a faint, self-aware smirk tugging at his lips, “think to yourself… not out loud.”

He pushed himself off the door and walked back to his desk, but his focus was gone.

Completely gone.

His fingers tapped absently against the surface as his mind drifted back to her.

Because this house… it used to be quiet. Predictable. Entirely his.

But now

Now there was someone else.

Someone who didn’t belong to the silence.

Someone who disrupted it without even trying.

Someone who had no idea what she was doing to him.

Ethan let out a quiet, almost defeated chuckle, shaking his head.

“Somebody…” he murmured softly.

His gaze unfocused as her image filled his mind again.

“And that somebody…” he added under his breath, his voice lower now, almost dangerous in its honesty, “…is putting my mind into trouble.”

By the time night settled over the mansion, everything felt different.

Emily stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the final detail of her dress. The deep red fabric hugged her perfectly, flowing down in a way that felt both powerful and effortless. It wasn’t something new.

It was hers.

A design she had created months ago, back when life was simpler. Back when fear didn’t follow her into every quiet space.

She took a slow breath, picking up the clutch and slipping on her heels. The diamond necklace Ethan had given her rested softly against her collarbone, catching the light with every small movement.

For a moment, she just looked at herself.

Not the girl running.

Not the girl hiding.

Someone else.

Someone… in control.

Then she turned and stepped out.

Lila was the first to see her.

The moment Emily appeared at the top of the stairs, Lila froze slightly, her eyes widening with genuine admiration.

“Wow…” she said softly. “You look beautiful, Madam Emily. Truly… exquisite.”

Emily smiled, and this time it wasn’t forced.

“Thank you, Lila,” she said warmly. “That means a lot.”

She paused for a second before adding, more sincerely, “Having you around makes this place feel… easier.”

Lila’s smile softened. “I’m glad to know you feel that way ma’am and I can say the same about you too.”

Downstairs, Ethan was already waiting.

He stood near the car, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture as composed as ever. But the moment Emily walked toward him

he stilled.

Completely.

For a second too long, he just stared.

Not calculating.

Not analyzing.

Just… looking.

Ethan stilled, completely lost, a slow, disbelieving smile forming as his gaze traced every detail of her damn… she looks unreal… his thoughts darkened, richer, those lips… the way the color matches her outfit… God, I’d do anything just to bite them right now… He exhaled quietly, almost shaking his head at himself, and you got her through a contract?… damn, Ethan… you really outdid yourself this time.

“Ethan… Ethan…” Emily called, tapping him lightly, pulling him out of the storm in his head.

Emily stopped in front of him, tilting her head slightly. “Ethan? Are you okay?”

He blinked once, as if snapping out of something.

“Yes,” he said quickly. “I’m fine. I was just…”

He stopped.

Even he didn’t finish that sentence.

Emily smiled faintly. “Lost in your thoughts?”

A small pause.

“…Something like that,” he admitted.

They didn’t say anything more as they got into the car.

But the silence felt different tonight.

Emily’s fingers tightened around her dress again, her gaze betraying her as it slid briefly toward him. He really does know how to dress… she admitted inwardly, almost annoyed with herself, he cleans up too well. Her eyes flickered over him the sharp cut of his suit, the effortless way he carried it, the faint scent that still lingered in the air around him.

Her breath hitched.

Then reality snapped back.

Emily… you’re doing this again.

Her grip tightened. This is exactly how it started with Jason…

Her chest rose slowly as she forced her gaze forward, her thoughts tangling over each other. Don’t forget who he is…

A pause.

He’s Ethan Reed, The arrogant CEO

Another pause longer this time.

Her fingers pressed deeper into the fabric.

…a very attractive one.

She exhaled quietly, frustrated with herself.

Across from her, Ethan adjusted his tie again, like the air in the car had suddenly grown too thick.

Damn… why do I feel this hot?

His jaw flexed as his gaze dropped just for a second before snapping away again.

What is wrong with me…

But the image had already settled in his mind, uninvited and persistent.

His grip on the tie faltered for a second.

What is it about her right now…

His gaze flicked toward her just once but it was enough.

Enough to make his chest tighten.

Enough to make him look away just as quickly.

Those lips…

He exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down his tie again, like he was trying to ground himself.

Ethan… get a grip.