at the workload piling up on my desk. In fact, the staff seemed to avoid eye contact with me altogether, as if associating with me would make them targets of his wrath a

quiet now, most people having left an hour ago. I sighed heavily, rubbing my

standing there, his expression unreadable. "What are you still doing here?" h

the mountain of documents stacked on my desk. "You've bee

ze shifting from the papers to me. "It's l

I'm fine, really. I

this time. "Close up. Now.

for my well-being. But I was too exhausted to argue. With a sigh, I closed the b

eerily quiet, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing through the empty halls.

e. "Am I going to see you tonight?" he asked, his tone casual but h

onfused. "Wh

hing with a faint smirk. "You didn't hear? Ther

. "No one

ooking amused. "Samantha d

bering the way Samantha had sneered

th a shrug. "You should come. It's a good opportunity

art of me knew I couldn't just avoid these events if I wanted to be taken seriously here. This was more than just a job-it w

," I said finally, m

onvinced. The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped out into the lobby.

up for debate. Then, without waiting for my response, he turned and wa

-

uld just stay home, relax, and avoid the inevitable awkward encounters with Ethan or Samantha. But something inside me-maybe it was pride, or maybe it

o flashy but still made a statement. I paired it with simple jewelry and

fice. I spotted a few familiar faces, including some of the senior managers, but my eyes were immediately drawn to Ethan, standing ne

the bar. I ordered a drink and tried to blend in with the

his voice low enough t

y drink before re

room, then back at me.

replied coolly, kee

that didn't reach his eyes. "Good. Becaus

underlying challenge in his words

g me with that same piercing gaze he

ut of nowhere. She looped her arm through Ethan's, her

she said, her tone drippi

oice flat. I wasn't in the

hat made me want to gag. "I hope you're enjoying the party, Madison

he tension between us rising. I wasn't ab

tight smile. "I'm sure I'll get t

d, but she quickly recovered. "Of course. A

'd used to mock me in high school, but I kept my

his expression unreadable, but I could

he said, interrupting I and

aid clapping her

dy can handle the al

lright" I

and a bottle of champag

y throat had began to burn but I was

and downed the co

tipsy and the alcohol seemed to m

lright?" E

find words to descri

see something

odd

" he said, pu

u off to?" Sa

re she gets home safely" Ethan replie

" I asked as soon as we

her to come w

He had reserved a suite in the hotel and as much as I wanted to run b

e swiped his card, granting

aid, signal

balcony which had an a

ispered und

rom up here" he sighed

d in ag

looks beautiful toni

ing to punch you in th

lking about the r

d in emba

he said tucking a loose st

ged Maddy?

t call me Mad

rry" he

iss you?" He asked

or a response, his li

verwhelming and my breath

round my neck, pulling me c

and granted him ac

d of wine and

eck, gently sucking and leavin

stared down at me, his 6f

and his lips wer

to you Miss Taylor" he sa

t the words that spilled out of

?" He asked, inch

r you want