Chapter 20
The private jet ride to L.A. was an experience in itself. As we stepped off the plane onto the tarmac, I find myself surrounded by a buzz of excitement as my colleagues chatted in clusters.
“Can you believe this place?” Vivian exclaims, her eyes wide with wonder as she takes in the sprawling cityscape before us.
Vivian and I are the only junior staff on this trip. Ethan told me I had to come and I later found out that she was coming as well. Apparently, it is normal for two junior staff members to be picked to join the managerial team on their annual retreat.
Knowing this helped to put my mind at ease that I wasn’t asked to go on this trip because I had once slept with Ethan. Okay, it was more than once, but you know what I mean.
“It’s like something out of a movie,” Jane, another of our colleagues, adds, her voice tinged with excitement.
I nod in agreement, unable to tear my eyes away from the breathtaking view. “It’s incredible,” I murmur, feeling a sense of awe wash over me.
As we make our way towards the awaiting fleet of cars that will take us to the hotel, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude that I’m on this trip. I’ve never been to L.A. before, and this being my first time, I have a feeling that I’m going to enjoy it.
I can’t help but feel a sense of awe wash over me. L.A. is a city unlike any other, with its palm-lined streets, sparkling beaches, and endless blue skies stretching out as far as the eye can see.
As we step into the lobby of the hotel, the opulence of our surroundings takes my breath away. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over plush velvet furnishings, and the air is filled with the soft murmur of conversation. This place looks even more luxurious than the Grand Princeton, and I can’t believe that I will be spending the night here.
One of the ironies of working in a place like the Grand Princeton is the fact that I can’t even afford to spend the night there.
As we all head to our rooms, I can’t help but notice how Ethan is being treated. Everyone, including the staff at the hotel, seems to hold him in really high regard. They seem to hang on to his every word, eager to anticipate his every need.
Does he frequent here often?Or is it simply the natural charisma of a born leader, effortlessly commanding the respect and admiration of those around him?
I push the thought to the back of my mind as we reach our rooms, eager to settle in and make the most of our time here.
As we step into our suite, I’m greeted by a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The room itself is spacious and elegantly appointed, with a king-sized bed draped in sumptuous linens and a marble bathroom fit for royalty.
“It’s like something out of a dream,” I breathe, sinking onto the plush sofa and taking in the panoramic view from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Indeed, it is. I can’t wait to call my sister on video so she can see this place,” Vivian squeals in excitement as she grabs her phone from her purse and rushes to the balcony.
“I’m glad you like it.” I quickly turn around, almost having whiplash, to see Ethan standing at the door.
“What are you doing here?” I ask in a low tone. Vivian has her back to us, so she can’t see him.
“Relax, I’m only here to see how you guys are settling in,” he says softly, his gaze lingering on me in a way that sets my heart racing.
I can feel my cheeks flush under his intense gaze, and I quickly avert my eyes, hoping he doesn’t notice the effect he has on me.
“Is this something you do for all your employees?” I ask, attempting to steer the conversation away from the undeniable tension between us.
He nods casually, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Of course. I like to make sure my team is comfortable, especially when we’re away on business.”
His response only serves to heighten my curiosity about his motives, but I push the thought aside, unwilling to dwell on it any longer.
Suddenly, his expression turns to tease, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “So, are we still doing this ‘just friends’ thing?”
I feel a surge of irritation at his audacity, and I quickly rise to my feet, crossing my arms defensively. “Yes, we are,” I reply firmly, my voice tinged with frustration.
“I told you, what happened between us was a mistake, and it’s not going to happen again.”
He raises an eyebrow, unfazed by my rejection. “Is that so?” he says, taking a step closer to me. “Because from where I’m standing, it seems like you’re protesting a little too much.”
I can feel my temper flaring as he continues to push my buttons, and before I can stop myself, I reach out and push him gently towards the door. “We are settling in just fine, sir,” I drawl the “sir’’ for emphasis. “I’m sure you have other employees that you need to check on.”
To my relief, he relents, offering me a cocky grin as he heads for the door. “Suit yourself,” he says, his tone teasing.
With that, he disappears from the room, leaving me to wrestle with the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. As I collapse onto a nearby sofa, I can’t help but wonder how I’m going to survive the rest of this trip with him around.
Later that evening, after we’d unpacked, we all head down to the hotel’s restaurant to have dinner.
Vivian’s already on a roll, dishing out all the latest office gossip like she’s hosting a talk show.
“Did you hear about Mark from accounting?” she starts, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement. “Apparently, he’s been sneaking out for secret smoke breaks behind the building!”
I chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief. “No way! I always thought he was the quiet type. Not that I’m judging him for smoking, though.”
“I’m not talking about cigarettes!” Vivian replies with a mischievous grin, clearly reveling in the scandalous revelation.
“He’s doing marijuana?”
“No, silly, he’s doing one of the janitors on the third floor. You have to keep up, Jessy.”
“Oh…you don’t say.”
As the conversation flows, I can’t help but notice Ethan’s presence at the table. He’s sitting just a few seats away, his gaze occasionally flickering in my direction. Despite my best efforts to focus on the lively chatter around me, I can feel his eyes on me, like a magnetic pull that I can’t escape.
I try my best to keep him out of my mind for the rest of the night.
The next day,after a grueling day of training sessions that seemed to drag on forever, we all welcomed the chance to escape into the great outdoors.
The idea of hiking through the lush trails of L.A.’s scenic mountains iswas met with unanimous enthusiasm, and soon enough, we are all geared up and ready to hit the trails.
Ethan and I find ourselves falling behind the rest of the group, lost in our own little world as we meandered along the trail.
“So, how are you finding the hike so far?” Ethan asks, glancing over at me with a playful grin.
I chuckle, wiping the beads of sweat from my forehead. “Not exactly a walk in the park, but definitely worth it for the views.”
He nods in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the sprawling landscape stretched out before us. “Definitely. Sometimes, you just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with nature.”
“Couldn’t agree more.”
As we continue our ascent, the trail starts to narrow, winding its way up a steep incline. The rest of the group is nowhere in sight, and for a moment, it feels like Ethan and I are the only ones in the world.
But instead of feeling anxious, I find myself strangely at ease, content to soak in the tranquility of the moment.
“Hey, maybe we should head back and try to find the others,” I suggest, glancing around at the dense foliage surrounding us.
Ethan nods, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Yeah, good idea. Let’s double back and see if we can pick up their trail.”
But as we backtrack along the trail, it becomes increasingly clear that we’ve lost sight of the rest of the group. The winding paths all look the same, and with the sun starting to dip below the horizon, the forest is cast in shadow, making it even harder to navigate.
“I don’t remember passing this tree before,” Ethan mutters, his voice tinged with frustration as we come to a fork in the path.
I shake my head, feeling a knot of anxiety forming in the pit of my stomach. “I don’t either. Maybe we took a wrong turn somewhere.”
As we continue to wander through the wilderness, the sky starts to darken, ominous clouds gathering overhead. Panic starts to rise within me as I realize that we’re completely cut off from civilization, with no way to call for help.
“I can’t get any signal out here,” I say, frustration lacing my words as I check my phone for what feels like the hundredth time.
Ethan’s expression is grim as he scans the surrounding landscape, his eyes narrowing in concentration. “We need to find shelter before it starts to rain. Come on, let’s keep moving.”
“Look over there,” I say, pointing ahead through the trees. “Is that a cabin?”
Ethan squints, following my gaze. “I think you’re right. Let’s go check it out.”
We hurry towards the cabin, relief flooding through me at the thought of finding shelter from the impending storm. As we approach, I can see that it’s a quaint wooden structure nestled among the trees, like something out of a fairy tale.
“Hopefully, it’s not occupied,” Ethan murmurs, reaching for the doorknob.
I hold my breath as he turns it. The door creaks open to reveal a dimly lit interior. The air inside is musty and stale, but it’s dry, and that’s all that matters.
“It looks deserted,” I say, stepping cautiously over the threshold.
Ethan nods, pushing the door closed behind us. “Let’s take a look around and see if we can find anything useful.”
We explore the cabin, finding it surprisingly well-stocked with provisions. There’s a fireplace against one wall, and Ethan sets about lighting a fire while I rummage through the cupboards in search of food.
“This should keep us warm until help arrives,” Ethan says, nodding approvingly at the crackling flames.
I nod, relief washing over me as I sink onto one of the threadbare armchairs. “Thank goodness we found this place.”
Ethan joins me, sitting close enough that our shoulders brush. “Yeah, we got lucky.”
We sit in companionable silence, the sound of the rain tapping against the windows filling the cabin.
“Don’t worry, Jessy,” Ethan says, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I’ll figure out a way to contact help as soon as the storm lets up.”
I nod, grateful for his confidence. “Thanks, Ethan. I don’t know what Iwe would do without you.”
He smiles, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “We’ll be fine. Just try to stay positive.”
I take a deep breath, trying to push aside my anxiety. “Okay, I’ll try.”
As the rain continues to drum against the windows, we settle in by the fire, waiting anxiously for the storm to pass and for help to arrive.
As we huddle together in the cozy cabin, I can’t help but notice the crackling tension between us. Every time our eyes meet, a spark ignites, sending a jolt of electricity through the air. I try my best to ignore it.
Ethan’s presence is both comforting and unnerving, his proximity stirring up a flurry of emotions within me.
But I know better than to let my guard down. We’re lost in the woods, stranded in a remote cabin with no one but each other for company. This is not the time or the place for romantic entanglements.
So, I push aside the fluttering in my stomach, determined to keep my emotions in check. We need to focus on finding a way out of here, not getting distracted by fleeting desires.