Chapter 6;

ETHAN'S POV 

Staring at myself in front of the mirror in my dressing room, I sighed, playing with my bow tie. 

Gala night had finally arrived, and of course, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

 Tonight felt even worse, though, for some reasons I didn’t want to think about it. 

Working with Amelia for the past four days has been more difficult than I’d expected.

 She kept showing up in those her black outfits, always making her look like some dark angel, and it was definitely messing with my head.

I adjusted my wristwatch, wondering which black designer gown she’d wear tonight.

 I hoped it wouldn’t be one that made her impossible to resist. 

Heaven knows I didn’t want to find her irresistible. I gave myself one last look, turned, and left the room.

 Grabbing my phone and car keys from the shelf, I headed to the elevator, pressed the button for the ground floor.

 I tried to keep my mind blank, to stop the thoughts that had been haunting me for days. 

When I arrived at the hotel, I sighed, watching the crowd stream inside and the reporters circling like vultures. 

I just knew I had to dodge them. Last year’s questions were bad enough, and with Amelia in town, I couldn’t risk them digging so much into my past. 

I stepped out of my car, trying to blend into the crowd, but as you know paparazzi seemed not to miss a target. 

One spotted me and called my name, forcing me onto the red carpet.

“Mr. Caldwell, how do you feel about this year’s gala? With Caldwell Enterprises’ unstoppable success?” a red headed reporter asked, bringing a microphone to my face.

I squinted against the blinding camera flashes. “Satisfied, of course. It’s what keeps me going.”

“It must be rewarding as the CEO to see your company’s achievements,” she said with a smile, then glanced around me like she was searching for someone.

 “Mr. Caldwell, another year without a partner? Are the rumors true? Is there a first love you can’t let go of?” I froze. 

When I didn’t answer. 

“If so, does Ethan Caldwell have a different definition of love? Care to share?” I took a moment, choosing my words carefully. 

Did I actually have a different definition of love? Maybe once, but now? I wasn’t sure. 

I couldn’t exactly tell her I’d waited nine years for a woman who came back married. 

What a joke that would be. 

 I let out a deep breath. “I share the same definition of Love as everyone else. Now, before you ask another question, I have a gala to attend..”

 I walked off before she could pry further, relieved to escape the red carpet. But then a name made me turn.

“Mrs. Harper, it’s great to finally meet you,” I heard the same reporter say.

 I turned around, and there she was Amelia, in a black gown, just as I’d feared. Stunning as always. But before I could take a good look at her, I saw a man’s hand on her waist.

 Anger flared in my chest. She looked so at ease, like he touched her that way all the time. I turned and stormed into the hotel. 

For a moment, I wanted to find a gun and just shoot someone, but instead, I grabbed a drink from a passing waiter. Spotting my mother, Victoria, chatting with some men, I decided to join them.

 Maybe a pointless conversation would distract me from the infuriating woman on the red carpet with that idiot she called an escort. 

“There he is, the star of Caldwell Enterprises,” Mr. Cooper called out, drawing the group’s attention. I forced a smile and shook his hand. 

“Don’t flatter me, Mr. Cooper. It’s a team effort.”

 “A team effort, sure, but successful because you’re the leader,” Mr. Miller added.

 “A good leader makes all the difference, and you, Ethan, are padding my bank account nicely.” The group laughed, and I managed a grin.

  “Glad to hear it. ” Victoria turned to me, grabbing my forearm in a side hug. 

“I’m proud of you, son. Every time you steer us to another success, it makes me prouder.”

 “You should be, Victoria, ” a man said with a pout. 

“If my son were like Ethan, I’d be thrilled.” 

“What are you saying, Charles? Julian is a bright young man too smart for his age, I’d say,” Victoria replied.  

 “Sure, but he’s no match for Ethan,” Charles Pierce countered. 

“ Oh, come on, he’s doing his best,” Victoria said.   

“You only say that because Ethan’s your son,” Charles teased. 

“ You know what? Let’s trade Julian for Ethan.” 

“ Ha… Ha.. Ha, very funny, Charles, but my son’s not tradable. He’s the apple of my eye,” Victoria said, smiling.

“And he’d appreciate it if you stopped talking about him like he’s some fifteen-year-old kid,” I added, making the group laugh.

 Victoria swatted my shoulder lightly. “Silly boy,” she said fondly.

“I heard Mrs. Harper is working with you now,” Charles said, his smile widening. 

 “She’ll be introduced tonight, right? I wouldn’t recognize her in a crowd.” My mother nodded, clearly aware Charles had come to the gala for this very reason. 

“Oh, yes, once she arrives. Honestly, that woman has a habit of being late,” she said, shaking her head theatrically.

“Late or not, as long as she shows up,” Mr. Cooper said, his smile turning sleazy. 

“I hear she’s a beauty.” My grip tightened on my wine glass, and I was glad I did otherwise, the floor might’ve been stained red with someone’s blood.

“I hear she’s young, too, and obsessed with black,” Charles added with a chuckle.

 “You know what else? Black’s Julian’s favorite color. They already have something in common.” I forced a smile.

 “So, Charles, you’re hoping Julian ends up with her?” I curiously asked

“Of course,” he laughed. “Why not?”

“But Mrs. Harper hasn’t mentioned remarrying,” I said, dragging out the conversation, unable to let it go. 

 “She just lost her husband less than a month ago.” 

“She’ll come around in a few months,” Charles said confidently. 

“A woman like her won’t stay single forever. Julian’s patient enough to wait.”

“Really?” I said, my tone sharp. “What if she doesn’t choose him? I have a feeling Julian isn’t her type.”

“ It's okay, Ethan,” Mom whispered behind me.

 “Don’t make it obvious.” 

“How would you know that?” Charles raised an eyebrow.

 “Have you been spending quality time with her?” I wanted to snap back, but Victoria’s warning and my own frustration with Amelia held me back. 

“Of course not,” I said, biting my tongue. 

“But when you see her, you’ll understand. Mrs. Harper won’t see Julian as her type.”

“I hear my name,” a voice said behind me, and I froze. Amelia’s perfume hit me, that same scent that hadn’t changed in years. 

I stopped breathing for a moment. Why did she still smell the same?

 “I hope I’m not being arrested,” she said lightly.  

I glanced at the men’s faces, their eyes lighting up, and I knew if I didn’t commit murder tonight, I’d owe it to divine intervention. 

I turned to her, standing beside me in that black gown, her presence overwhelming. 

“Of course not,” I forced out. 

“I was just telling Mr. Pierce that you wouldn’t find his son, Julian, your type.”

“Oh, really?” Amelia smiled, her pearly white teeth gleaming. 

“And how do you know my type, Mr. Caldwell?” I matched her smile, leaning in slightly. 

“Oh, I know. It’s obvious. You prefer older men Julian’s only thirty-five. He’s got a few decades before he hits sixty or sixty-five.”