Too Close

Chapter 8

Lana – POV

My first afternoon at Hale Industries is far more overwhelming than I expected.

Not because of the workload.

But because of the people.

More specifically…

The Hale brothers.

I spend most of the morning reviewing department reports in my new office, trying to focus on spreadsheets and management structures instead of the complicated situation I’ve somehow walked into.

But it’s impossible.

Because every time I glance out the window…

I remember that Ethan’s office is directly across the tower.

Watching.

Waiting.

My phone buzzes on the desk again.

This time it’s a message from Daniel.

Daniel: Lunch? I thought we could review the operational division together.

I hesitate.

Lunch with Daniel means more time with Ethan’s brother.

The brother I’m supposed to work closely with.

The brother who has no idea what happened between me and Ethan.

But refusing would look suspicious.

Me: Sure.

Five minutes later, Daniel knocks on my office door.

“Ready?” he asks with an easy smile.

He looks relaxed, confident—very different from Ethan’s intense, guarded presence.

“Of course,” I say, grabbing my tablet.

The executive dining area is located on the top floor of the building.

Floor-to-ceiling windows reveal a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

Daniel pulls out a chair for me.

“Please.”

“Thank you.”

As we sit, he studies me with curiosity.

“I have to admit something,” he says.

“What?”

“You’re younger than I expected.”

I laugh softly.

“That’s not the first time I’ve heard that.”

“But your proposal was impressive,” he continues. “You clearly know what you’re doing.”

“I try.”

Lunch arrives quickly.

For a while we talk about business.

Department restructuring.

Leadership efficiency.

Corporate growth strategies.

Daniel is intelligent and engaged, asking thoughtful questions about every part of my proposal.

Then suddenly he leans back slightly in his chair.

“So,” he says casually, “how do you like working with my brother?”

My fork pauses halfway to my mouth.

Professional, Lana.

“Mr. Hale is… very decisive.”

Daniel laughs.

“That’s a polite way of putting it.”

“Is there another way?”

“Most people just say intimidating.”

I smile slightly.

“That too.”

Daniel studies me again.

“You don’t seem intimidated.”

My pulse jumps slightly.

“You barely know me.”

“That’s true.”

He tilts his head slightly.

“But Ethan doesn’t usually look at people the way he looked at you this morning.”

My heart skips.

“What do you mean?”

Daniel shrugs.

“Just an observation.”

I force myself to stay calm.

“Well, I imagine CEOs tend to analyze their consultants carefully.”

Daniel doesn’t respond right away.

Instead, he smiles slowly.

“Maybe.”

Just then, a familiar voice interrupts us.

“Daniel.”

I freeze.

Selene.

She stands beside our table, elegant and composed in a soft beige dress.

Daniel looks surprised.

“Selene. I thought you were having lunch with Ethan.”

“I was,” she says calmly.

Her gaze shifts toward me.

Sharp.

Observant.

“And you must be Ms. Vale.”

I stand politely.

“Yes. Lana Vale.”

She offers her hand.

“Selene Park.”

Her grip is gentle.

But something in her eyes feels… assessing.

Like she’s already forming an opinion about me.

“I’ve heard a lot about you today,” she says.

“Oh?”

“Yes,” Selene replies.

“My fiancé seems very interested in your work.”

My stomach tightens slightly.

Fiancé.

Daniel gestures to the empty chair beside them.

“Join us.”

Selene sits gracefully.

“Thank you.”

For the next few minutes, the conversation returns to business.

But the atmosphere has changed.

Selene watches me carefully.

Like she’s trying to figure something out.

Finally she asks,

“Ms. Vale, how long will you be working with our company?”

“Approximately three months.”

“That’s quite a long time.”

Daniel smiles.

“It’s necessary for a full restructuring.”

Selene nods thoughtfully.

“I see.”

Then she adds casually,

“Ethan doesn’t usually trust outside consultants so easily.”

My pulse tightens again.

“Perhaps he trusts results,” I reply.

Selene’s lips curve slightly.

“Perhaps.”

But the look she gives me says something else.

Something suspicious.

Daniel, however, seems completely unaware of the tension.

“So, Lana,” he says, “I was thinking we could start reviewing the operations division tomorrow morning.”

“That works for me.”

“Perfect.”

Just then, another voice joins us.

Low.

Familiar.

“I see you’ve all met.”

Ethan.

My heart immediately jumps.

He stands beside the table, looking composed as ever.

But the moment his gaze lands on me…

Something shifts in his expression.

Daniel gestures toward the empty seat beside him.

“Ethan, join us.”

Ethan doesn’t take his eyes off me.

“Looks like you’re already having an interesting lunch.”

Selene smiles at him.

“We were just discussing Ms. Vale’s work.”

Ethan finally sits down.

Across from me.

Too close.

The tension in the air thickens instantly.

Daniel continues talking about the restructuring project.

Selene occasionally adds comments.

But the entire time…

Ethan’s gaze keeps drifting back to me.

Like he can’t help it.

Like he’s remembering something no one else at this table knows.

Then suddenly Daniel says something unexpected.

“Actually, Lana, I was thinking we could start reviewing the reports tonight. Maybe dinner?”

My heart nearly stops.

Dinner.

With Daniel.

Before I can respond…

Ethan speaks.

His voice calm.

Controlled.

But unmistakably firm.

“That won’t be necessary.”

The table goes quiet.

Daniel frowns slightly.

“Why not?”

Ethan leans back in his chair.

His gaze moves slowly from his brother… to me.

“Because Ms. Vale already has a full schedule tonight.”

I stare at him.

I absolutely do not.

Daniel looks confused.

“She does?”

Ethan’s eyes meet mine.

A slow, dangerous smile appears.

“Yes.”

He pauses.

Then adds quietly—

“With me.”

My heart slams against my ribs.

Because now everyone at the table is looking at us.

And I have no idea what Ethan is planning.

But something tells me…

This situation is about to get even more complicated.

⸻