Dating The Ruthless Tycoon

Ariana White took a deep breath as she adjusted her blazer, her fingers smoothing over the fabric. She stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, trying to quell the fluttering nerves in her stomach. Tonight was important-very important.

Ethan's big meeting. The one that would define everything they'd worked for. The one he'd insisted Ariana be a part of.

"You'll be perfect," he had whispered that morning as he kissed her forehead, a glint of determination in his eyes. "This is a turning point for us."

Ariana smiled at him, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She knew Ethan's ambitions-he was the heir to Carter Enterprises, a golden boy with a golden future. But Ariana? She was just the woman by his side. The secretary who loved him, the quiet presence in his whirlwind life.

She was his fiancé. But what did she really know about him?

The reflection staring back at her seemed unfamiliar. She adjusted her pearl earrings and reapplied a bit of rose lipstick, then hurried out of the bathroom, hoping she looked as composed as she was expected to be.

As she made her way to the hotel's lavish ballroom, she spotted Layla Monroe, her best friend, standing near the bar. Layla's fiery red dress clung to her like it was made for her body, and her confidence radiated.

"You're late," Layla teased as Ariana approached, sipping from a glass of wine. "Ethan's waiting for you."

"I'm sorry. I just-" Ariana paused. "I don't know why I feel so anxious tonight."

Layla raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're doubting this whole thing with Ethan now?"

Ariana shook her head quickly, but there was a subtle hesitation in her voice. "Of course not. He's everything. He's my future."

Layla smirked, seemingly unconvinced, but she didn't press it. "Well, your future's looking pretty damn shiny tonight."

Ethan walked up just then, his arm outstretched. His sleek black suit was immaculate, his jet-black hair perfectly styled. He smiled at Ariana with that boyish grin that always made her heart race, but tonight, it didn't feel the same. It felt... like a performance.

"There you are," he said, kissing her cheek. "You look stunning."

Ariana smiled, a flutter in her chest that didn't feel as reassuring as it used to. "Thanks. You look amazing too."

The tension from earlier was forgotten as Ethan took her arm and led her into the grand dining hall. The air smelled like expensive perfume and fresh-cut flowers. The room glimmered with opulence, every detail meticulously planned. Ariana felt out of place, like a girl from a different world entirely, dressed up to match a lifestyle she had only just begun to understand.

They were seated at the head of the table with several other men, all sharply dressed, all business. And at the end of the table was Marcus Gray, the most powerful businessman in the city. Ariana had heard his name in passing but had never met him in person.

Tonight, however, that was about to change.

"Marcus," Ethan greeted, his voice low but confident, "this is Ariana, my fiancée. She's been an integral part of my team."

Marcus studied Ariana for a moment, his gaze lingering longer than necessary, making her uncomfortable. His eyes were cold-calculating-and the way he looked at her made her feel like she was being sized up, inspected like cattle.

"Pleasure," Marcus said finally, a tight smile curling on his lips. His gaze flickered back to Ethan, a silent understanding between them that Ariana couldn't quite place.

Dinner began, but Ariana's unease only grew. There was something about Marcus's presence-something dark and unsettling. The conversation around her blurred, and her attention kept drifting to him. Was it her imagination, or was Ethan acting a little... different tonight?

It wasn't until she took a sip from her wine glass that everything started to spin.

The world tilted. Her vision blurred. Her head became light, then dizzy. She clutched the edge of the table, trying to steady herself.

"Ari?" Ethan's voice cut through the haze, but it sounded muffled, far away. She blinked, trying to focus.

"You okay?" he asked, but the concern didn't match the coldness in his eyes.

"I-" Ariana's voice cracked as the room spun faster. "I don't feel... right."

Her hands were shaking now, her stomach twisting painfully. What had happened? The wine? Her heart raced with panic.

"Ethan, I..." She tried to stand, but her legs wouldn't cooperate. She stumbled.

"Let's get you upstairs," Ethan said smoothly, his arm sliding around her waist, guiding her to her feet.

But then Marcus's voice cut through the fog, low and firm. "It's time. Take her to the suite."

Ariana's blood ran cold. The suite?

She was about to say something-anything-when the world spun again. Her legs gave out, but Ethan's grip on her was like iron, steady, leading her away. She felt so small against him, helpless.

They moved through the hallways, and Ariana's mind was barely keeping up. She was conscious, but the dizziness in her head made it hard to focus. Everything felt out of place.

Ethan's hand was on her back, guiding her toward the elevator, and she felt herself being pushed inside. He pressed a button, the elevator doors closing slowly. Ariana's hand rested against the cold metal wall, her breathing shallow, her head spinning even faster.

And then... the elevator doors opened again.

Ariana blinked, confused. She hadn't even realized they'd reached the top floor until the doors slid open to reveal a tall figure standing in the hallway.

A man.

She stumbled forward, right into him.

Strong hands gripped her waist, steadying her. Her mind was too foggy to make sense of anything, but the touch of his hands on her skin sparked something in her. She looked up, but everything was a blur, the man's face unreadable, his expression cold and distant.

"What the hell?" the man's voice was sharp, his eyes narrowing. He looked at her like she was trouble.

"Please," she whispered, her words slurring. "Help me..."

The man's gaze darkened for a moment, but he didn't move. He didn't offer to help. Instead, he stood there, cold and impassive. There was something about the way he looked at her-almost as if she wasn't human. She felt exposed in front of him, like she was a puzzle he didn't care to solve.

Ariana's hand fell to his chest, weakly trying to steady herself. His eyes flicked down at her hand but then turned away.

"Get her inside," came a low voice from behind them-someone else. Ariana felt herself being lifted into strong arms.

The last thing she remembered before everything went black was the man's eyes-cold, hard, and unreadable.