04

Ethan's POV

I stand by the floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse, watching the shiny city below me.

The whiskey glass in my hand is nearly empty, the last of the amber liquid catch the faint glow of the setting sun. 

It should’ve been beautiful. 

It should have calmed me but the storm in my chest is beyond control.

Frozen accounts. 

Banned from the properties.

A forced marriage.

Sophia Carter.

The name alone makes my lips curl in disgust.

I can already see her in my head—dull, plain, probably the type of a girl that wears beige cardigans and sensible shoes, with a voice like a chalkboard scratch that is always ready to lecture about “responsibility.” 

Holier-than-thou. 

Sanctimonious. 

The kind of woman who’d think she can fix me.

I scoff and toss back the last of my drink. 

“Sophia Carter,” I mutter, the name tasting like ash on my lips,“What a joke.”

Then I hear it….the sharp chime of the elevator. 

My frown deepen.

Who is that? 

No one knows I'm here.

Not even the workers can come up here. Only Theo.

And I'm so sure this is not Theo— he would have come in with that depressing laughter of his.

The doors slide open revealing a busty goddess with blonde hair.

Vanessa.

She step out like she own the damn place, her stiletto heels clicking against the marble like a countdown. 

Her blonde hair spill over her shoulders, and that red dress—God, that dress, cling to her like it had been painted on. 

She looks like sin wrapped in silk.

Her eyes lock onto mine, her lips curling into that smile that always meant trouble.

My jaw clench. “How the hell did you get in here?”

She tilt her head,“Oh, come on, Ethan. You know I have my ways.”

“That’s not an answer,” I snap, setting my glass down on the bar with a little too much force.

She walk closer, hips swaying like a runway model, “Relax. I just wanted to see you. Is that such a crime?”

“Yes, actually,” I say, I don't want any distraction right now.”

“This is my private space. You don’t just show up uninvited.”

“Oh, spare me the lecture,” she say with a sharp tone, “You’re acting like I broke into some sacred temple. It’s just a penthouse, Ethan. And besides…” She lean in, “You don’t really want me to leave, do you?”

My pulse quicken.

Damn her!

She always know how to get under my skin, how to twist the knife just right.

She is not like the others. The others know when to disappear. 

But Vanessa? 

She keep coming back and I can't resist her. She's is just like a bad habit I can't kick.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I say coldly, stepping back. “I only need a pussy.”

And that is the truth. 

She laugh like a manic for second, “oh common Ethan, you can tell that lie to yourself but we both know the truth.”

“And what truth is that?” I raise a brow.

She close the distance between us again, her fingers brushing my arm like a spark waiting to ignite. “That you can’t resist me.”

My breath stop.

I hate that she is right. 

Hate that she knows it. 

Hate that part of me that don't want her to stop.

“Vanessa,” I warn with s low, dangerous voice.

“Yes?” she murmur, her lips brushing my ear.

“Get out,” I say and even I can hear the emptiness in my voice.

She pull back, “Make me…”

With a growl, I grab her wrist and yank her closer. 

Our lips collide in a kiss that was all heat and fury.

She smiled against my mouth, triumphant.

Soon, Clothes was flying everywhere and moans fill the room and for a moment, I let myself drown.

★moments later★

I lay sprawl on the couch with my shirt unbuttoned, my hair is a total mess.

Vanessa's finger keep drawing lazy circles on my chest.

“You’re impossible,” I mutter, staring at the ceiling.

“And yet, here we are,” she said, smiling like she’d win something.

I sigh, dragging a hand through my hair. “You shouldn’t have come here.”

“But aren’t you glad I did?” she tease.

I didn’t answer. 

My mind is already spiraling again, the weight of my father’s ultimatum has return and pressing down like a vice.

She shift, studying me. “What’s bothering you?”

My eyes snap to hers, hard. “Don’t wanna talk about it.”

“You can share anything with me,” she continues with a smirk.

“I said no,” I growl, pushing her off me instantly.

“You’re so unpredictable, Ethan…”

“Get out,” I cut her off.

She arch a brow. 

“Again? You really need to work on your hospitality.”

“Vanessa,” I warn, my patience fraying.

She stand smoothing her dress with a maddening calmness. “Fine. But don’t pretend this is the last time you’ll see me.”

I turn my back to her as she leave.

 I wait until the elevator doors slide shut behind her before sinking back into the couch, with my head in my hands.

Sophia Carter.

The name echo in my skull like a curse. 

I don't know her. 

I don't want to but I already hate her. 

She's just like a chain ready to tie me down.