The Unreadable Heiress

Ethan’s POV

The night felt unusually quiet. The gentle hum of the city lights below my mansion faded into the background as I stood by the glass wall, staring at my reflection. The same face everyone called intimidating, sharp jaw, cold eyes but tonight, something about it looked different. Softer.

I'm happy.

I had been thinking about her… Andrea Williams.

Or at least, that was the name she carried. The moment I bumped into her at the dinner party, my entire body froze like I’d seen a ghost. The wine splashing onto her gown, her eyes widening. 

And that smile… it wasn’t the smile of the confident businesswoman the tabloids painted her to be. 

For years, I’d imagined meeting her, the woman whose empire stood next to mine in power and influence. Back then, when I was still an intern under my father’s company, she was already building her name, shaping the world like she owned it. I admired her from a distance, too proud to admit I was fascinated.

And tonight, I finally met her. Not in a boardroom, not in an official event but by mistake. I'm so lucky.

I didn’t even know how the wine glass slipped. But when it did, and I saw the crimson stain spread across her silver gown, I knew I had to make it right. My instincts kicked in, I took off my jacket, wrapped it around her shoulders, and apologized. She looked surprised… not because of the wine, but as if no one had treated her gently in a long time.

Her lips parted, and for a second, she just stared at me. No words. Just silence, heavy and electric. I handed her my card, told her she could call if she needed anything. And she nodded, quietly, almost too calm.

Now, here I was, in my own mansion, before my father turned it into my personal residence. Everyone thought I was living a dream. A billionaire. A man who owned everything. But truth was, I couldn’t get her out of my head.

I'm so much into her.

I ran my hand through my hair and let out a low sigh. “What’s wrong with me?” I muttered under my breath. I’ve dealt with hundreds of women in business, models, partners, investors but none of them had that kind of pull.

I would have made a perfect playboy if I s

The next morning, sunlight slipped through the tall glass windows, cutting across the marble floor. I was in my office, flipping through a few files when Ryan stormed in as usual, loud and grinning.

“Yo, Ethan! My man! How was the Empire Group dinner party last night?” he asked, dropping into the chair opposite me.

I didn’t answer at first. I just closed the file and leaned back, my lips curving slightly.

“Let me guess,” Ryan continued, “You scared everyone away again with that death stare of yours?”

I chuckled. “Not this time.”

That caught his attention. He leaned forward. “Wait… something happened.”

I looked out the window, the faintest smile tugging at my lips. “I met her.”

“Her? Who?”

“Andrea Williams.”

Ryan’s eyes widened. “The Andrea Williams? The woman who practically owns half the city? Don’t tell me you...”

“She was there,” I said, cutting him off, “and I kind of… spilled wine on her.”

Ryan blinked, then burst out laughing. “You what? Dude! The great Ethan Cole, the man of control and power, spilled wine on Andrea Williams?!”

I smirked. “Apparently.”

He shook his head, still laughing. “And what did she do? Throw her champagne at you?”

“No.” My voice grew softer. “She just… looked at me. Like she recognized me. Or maybe like she wanted to.”

Ryan’s laughter faded when he noticed the look on my face. “Wait. You’re serious.”

“I am.”

There was silence between us for a moment. Ryan leaned back, whistling. “Man, you’ve got it bad. You’ve been into that woman since forever.”

I didn’t reply. I couldn’t deny it either.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed on the desk. I glanced at the screen and frown.

Unknown number.

I hesitated for a moment, staring at it. It could be a client. It could be spam. Or probably some guys that are into me.

Ryan noticed. “Why are you just staring at it? Pick it up, man.”

“What if those girls are the one calling?” I muttered.

“And what if it is?” he countered, grinning.

I sighed, then swiped to answer. “Ethan Cole?.”

For a second, silence follow as I tried to recognise that familiar voice.

“Mr. Cole, this is Andrea Williams.”

Boom! My heart skipped a beat.

“I wanted to thank you for last night,” she continued, her tone polite, almost formal. “And… I’d like to return your jacket. Could we meet at the Rose Café around noon?”

It took me a moment to respond. “Of course,” I said, my voice lower than usual. “I’ll be there.”

“Good. See you then.”

The line went dead.

Ryan’s grin grew wider. “Well, well, well… looks like the universe just handed you your chance.”

I didn’t bother replying. I was already standing, grabbing my keys. “Reschedule my meetings.”

“Wait, now? You’re going now?”

“She said noon,” I said simply, buttoning my suit jacket.

Ryan chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re insane, man. But I like it.”

The drive to Rose Café felt longer than it should have. My fingers drummed lightly against the steering wheel. I wasn’t nervous , but there was something unsettling about this meeting. Something that made my chest tighten in a way business never could.

When I finally arrived, the place was quiet. I stepped out, walked toward the glass door, and there she was, sitting near the window, sunlight catching in her hair.

She looked… breathtaking.

Her hands rested gently on the table, and my jacket lay neatly folded beside her. But what really got me were her eyes calm, unreadable, yet they held an ache I couldn’t explain.

For a moment, I just stood there, watching her. The café noise faded. The world went still.

When our eyes met, she smiled faintly. “You came so fast”

“I don't want to keep you waiting.” I took the seat across from her, my gaze never leaving hers. “You didn’t have to return it in person.”

“I wanted to.”

I nodded slowly. There was more she wanted to say, I could feel it. But she held it in, choosing silence instead.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “You seem… different today.”

"Thanks" she asked quietly..”

She looked down, her lips twitching, maybe a smile, maybe a sigh. “You see too much, Mr. Cole.”

“I make a habit of it.”

Her gaze lifted again, and for a brief second, the cold, calculating woman she showed the world slipped away. 

“I should go,” she said softly, standing.

I stood too. “Andrea...”

She paused, looking at me with that same haunting calm. “Thank you for last night. Maybe we’ll see each other again.”

And then she left.

I stood there, watching her disappear through the glass door, a strange pull tightening in my chest.

I didn’t know what it was yet. But I knew one thing, I wasn’t letting her walk out of my life again.

Not this time.

I stood up and I was heading out the door when I met her by the doorway but she seems to struggle with her shoe lace.

"Oh , lemme help you with that" I bet down and tie the shoe successfully. Raising back to my feet, someone by pass her in a full speed and ended up pushing Andrea into my arms.

Then boom, we hugged with her hand wrapping tightly on my waist