A SMILE THAT PROMISED A WAR

Silence dragged across the living room like a heavy metal. Miranda stood by the doorway,eyes sharp and piercing her smile perfect like a double age sword.

The tap of her heels on the floor made Ava flinch.

Her hands clenched at her sides, nails digging deep into her palm.

Ethan didn't flinch. He was getting used to her impromptu barging.

“What is she doing, standing there with you?” Miranda demanded, her fingers gripping her designer purse.

Ava inhaled, bracing herself for the tantrums she was about to throw.

Ethan’s voice was calm. “Told you she lives here.”

Miranda laughed, a sadistic and intimidating laughter.

“In your house? Ethan, this isn't a shelter for just anybody.”

Ava held her breath. Try so hard not to whack Miranda on the head.

“You have to make peace with it though.”

She scoffed. “Peace with it? She works for you, I'm your girlfriend and I don't even live with you.” She said almost in a pleading voice.

Ethan didn't speak.

“She shouldn't be anywhere near your private life, babe.”

“I could leave.” Ava spoke before she realized it.

“Oh please,” Miranda fired back. “Spare me the good girl act. Girls like you always find a way to climb.”

“Who doesn't want to be at the top though?” Ava shrugged, gaining more confidence than ever.

Ethan clenched his jaw.

“Ava,” his tone was soft towards her. "We'll talk tomorrow, give me an answer then.”

She nodded. “Yes sir.”

Miranda blinked, eyes flicking from Ethan to Ava and back to Ethan.

“Answer to what?” She demanded.

Ethan didn't look at her.

“Nothing you need to be concerned about.”

Miranda turned her focus fully to Ethan, trying to read his expressionless face. And when she couldn't.

“Ethan…what's going on with you?” She asked in a hushed tone.

He didn't give her a reply.

Ava stepped away to allow them to have a private conversation. She headed towards the staircase.

But Miranda wasn't done yet.

“Babe,” she's stressed. “I came to spend the night with you.” Her voice dropped, low and seductive. “It's been a while, do you not miss me?”

Ava steps halted. Those words cut into her more than she wanted to admit.

He rubbed his face, a reflex ability of his whenever he feels exhausted.

I need her. He thought.

It wasn't Miranda that he needed, it was Ava.

“Ethan, are you listening to me?” She touched him.

“Miranda…I have work to do.” He said struggling with his inner thoughts.

He deeply wanted her.

She gasped, disbelief clouding her eyes.

“You’re rejecting me?” Her voice cracked.

There was an infinite amount of silence.

Ava swallowed hard from where she stood. Her heart felt empty and somewhat betrayed.

“This is because of her, isn't it.” She touched him.

Ethan didn't move her hand away but he didn't also feel anything from the touch.

“I said, I have work.” He said flatly.

Miranda froze, staring up at him like she didn't recognize him anymore.

Ava walked the rest of the stairs with a heavy heart.

Later that night, the house was quiet and dark.

A soft knock on Ava's door.

She opened the door to find Miranda standing there. She had spent the night at the penthouse.

“Can we talk?” Miranda asked.

Her heart raced, the thoughts of Miranda finding about the one-night stand with Ethan still scared.

She considered saying no but she nodded and stepped into the hallway.

Miranda looked her up and down in assessment.

“Most women in your position talk. You are overly quiet, Ava.”

Ava didn't respond.

“It won't last, you know.”

She blinked. “What won't?”

“This…this attention.” Miranda's voice was engraving.

“Men like Ethan do not give away love.” She exhaled. “It's quite expensive.”

“And he can comfortably afford anything he wants.” Ava responded.

She was shocked that Ava would say something like that.

“Showing your true self, huh?”

Miranda leaned in close enough for her perfume to fill the air. It was sharp and intoxicating, like a warning she couldn't ignore.

“You're temporary, Ava. Be careful not to forget your place.” Her words sliced through the hallway.

She walked away without waiting for a response.

Ava stood there for some moments then closed the door softly.

She just inhaled and let the heaviness simmer.

The next morning, Ethan was about to leave for work.

She stopped him.

“I'll move to your penthouse.”

His shoulders relaxed slightly. “Good.” He smirked, he really felt good on the inside.

He was probably going to have a great day.

I just want to be beside you even if I can't have you. She thought.

At the company, words travelled faster than any other thing.

The sound of shuffling papers and clicking keyboards filled the office, yet all Ava could hear were the distinct murmurs of her colleagues.

“I heard one of the Hale Brothers is an imposter.”

“Maybe it's Lucas. He looks like trouble.”

“No, no…someone said it's Mr Ethan.”

Ava froze. Her chest tightened.

The murmurs of her colleagues were like sharp whispers in her ears, and it went on, as both she and Ethan listened from behind.

His jaw clenched, he slowly inhaled trying to mask his growing anger.

She stepped close enough for him to feel her presence. He didn't look at her but he exhaled.

She was there with him.

Just then…

The elevator dinged. Lucas stepped out, hands in his pocket with a lazy smile across his face.

He looked at Ethan's face, assessing the environment. It brewed trouble.

“Well,” he drawled, “it seems I walked in at the perfect time.”

Ethan's fist clenched.

Lucas's eyes flicked towards Ava, then he looked at Ethan and his smile widened.

The kind that promised a war.