Chapter 33
The warm rays of sunlight filter through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the room as I slowly stir from my slumber. The faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the air, enticing me to wakefulness.
As I blink away the remnants of sleep, I realize that Ethan’s side of the bed is empty.
Curiosity piqued, I pad barefoot out of the bedroom and down the hallway, following the irresistible scent of coffee to the kitchen.
And there, standing shirtless amidst a cloud of steam, is Ethan, his muscular form illuminated by the soft morning light streaming in through the windows.
I can’t help but admire the way his broad shoulders ripple with each movement, the defined lines of his chest and arms hinting at strength and vitality.
The sight of him cooking, completely at ease in his own skin, sends a rush of warmth coursing through me, igniting a flutter of excitement in the pit of my stomach.
“Good morning,” I greet him, my voice soft as I lean against the doorway, watching him with unabashed admiration.
He turns towards me, a bright smile spreading across his face as he sets down the spatula and crosses the room to greet me.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he replies, his eyes sparkling with warmth and affection.
As he wraps me in a gentle embrace, the intoxicating scent of his skin, mingling with the aroma of coffee, fills my senses, enveloping me in a sense of comfort and contentment.
“What are you making?” I ask as he walks back to the stove, turning down the heat. He opens a cabinet, takes out a coffee mug, and rinses it in the sink before pouring coffee into it.
“Just whipping up some bacon and eggs,” he replies, gesturing to the skillet. “I hope you like it.”
“You know I love bacon and eggs,” I respond enthusiastically, making my way over to the kitchen island where he’s set up our breakfast plates, my stomach rumbling with hunger.
Ethan chuckles, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. “I’m glad you approve,” he replies, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he flips a sizzling strip of bacon in the pan.
I glance around the kitchen, searching for something to assist with.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I offer, eager to contribute in any way I can. Nothing is as sexy as cooking breakfast with your man.
But Ethan shakes his head, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “Nope, I’ve got this covered,” he says, handing me a steaming cup of coffee. “You just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.”
I can’t help but chuckle at his response, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me at his thoughtfulness.
“Well, if you insist,” I reply, sinking into a nearby chair and taking a sip of the aromatic coffee.
As I watch him move around the kitchen with practiced ease, the tantalizing aroma of bacon and eggs filling the air, I can’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me.
You know how I said nothing is as sexy as making breakfast with your man? Well, scratch that because I think it’s even sexier to watch your man make you breakfast shirtless.
“So, what’s on the agenda for today? It’s Saturday—any plans?” he asks, breaking the comfortable silence between us.
I pause, considering his question. “Actually, I can’t hang out today,” I reply, a hint of disappointment in my voice. “It’s Chloe’s birthday, and we’re going out to celebrate.”
Ethan nods understandingly, his expression thoughtful. “Ah, Chloe’s birthday. That sounds like fun,” he remarks, a hint of curiosity in his voice. “Are you excited?”
I smile, nodding eagerly. “Definitely! It’s always a blast when we get together to celebrate,” I reply, my excitement evident in my tone.
He returns my smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Well, I hope you have a great time,” he says sincerely, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand gently.
“But don’t worry, we’ll make plans for another day, okay?”
Ethan nods, his gaze lingering on mine for a moment longer before he turns his attention back to our breakfast.
I spend the rest of the morning shopping for gifts for Chloe, and she always talks about owning a pair of strap heels at one of the boutiques we go shopping, so I got her that and a few other items.
By evening,we all meet up at a bar to celebrate. As we step into the lively atmosphere of the bar, the pulsating beat of music fills the air, mingling with the chatter of patrons and the clinking of glasses.
Chloe leads the way to a table in the corner where Bianca and I eagerly join her. The dim lighting casts a warm glow over the scene, adding to the festive ambiance of the evening.
As the night progresses, we find ourselves swept up in the infectious energy of the crowd, dancing and singing along to our favorite tunes.
The air is thick with the scent of sweat and alcohol, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of food being served nearby.
With each song that blares from the speakers, we lose ourselves in the moment, letting go of all inhibitions and embracing the joy of the occasion.
As we slip back into our booth, breathless, Chloe turns to me with a mischievous grin. “So, spill the beans, Jessy,” she says, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “How are things going with Ethan?”
I can’t help but smile at the mention of Ethan’s name, the warmth of his presence flooding my thoughts. “Things are amazing,” I reply, my voice filled with genuine happiness. “I’ve never been happier.”
Bianca leans in, her expression eager. “I see that someone has fallen in love.”
“Well, you can say that again. I never thought I would say this, but I think I’m in love.” I can feel my cheeks warm. warm up with blue
“Aww, that’s so sweet, Jessy,” Bianca throws her arms around me.
“And now,” Chloe exclaims, raising her glass in a toast, “to Jessy and Ethan, the cutest couple ever!”
We clink our glasses together, and in that moment, surrounded by the laughter and love of my friends, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
After the party,as I make my way toward my apartment, the darkness of the night surrounds me like a heavy cloak, casting ominous shadows across the path ahead.
Just as I reach the entrance, a figure emerges from the shadows, causing me to startle in surprise. It’s Lysa, her expression twisted into a mask of fury that sends a chill down my spine.
“Lysa, what are you doing here? Why are you lurking in the dark? What do you want?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear that grips my heart.
Her eyes narrow into slits as she takes a menacing step closer, her anger palpable in the air between us. “You,” she hisses, her voice dripping with venom. “I want you to pay for what you’ve done.”
I swallow hard, my pulse quickening with apprehension. “I haven’t done anything to you,” I protest, my voice trembling slightly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She lets out a bitter laugh; the sound echoing in the stillness of the night. “Don’t play dumb with me, Jessica,” she sneers, her voice laced with malice. “You know exactly what you’ve done. You stole my job, my life, and now you’ve stolen my man.”
I feel a surge of anger rising within me at her baseless accusations. “I didn’t steal anything from you,” I retort, my voice growing stronger with conviction. “I earned my position fair and square, and as for Ethan, he’s not yours to claim.”
Lysa’s eyes flash with rage, her fists clenched at her sides. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have even gotten the job,” she seethes, her words dripping with resentment. “You owe everything to me.”
I take a step forward, refusing to back down in the face of her aggression. “I owe you nothing,” I declare, my voice ringing with defiance. “And if you ever come near me again, I’ll have no choice but to report you to the authorities.”
A malicious grin spreads across Lysa’s face, sending a shiver down my spine. “You think you can threaten me?” she taunts, her voice cold and calculating. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with, Jessica. Watch your back.”
With that ominous warning, she disappears back into the darkness, leaving me standing alone in the cold night air, my heart pounding with fear.
As I finally make my way inside, I can’t shake the feeling that this encounter is far from over and that Lysa’s threats may be just the beginning of something much darker.
Stepping into my apartment, the weight of Lysa’s threats hangs heavy on my mind, casting a shadow over the otherwise peaceful surroundings.
Instinct tells me to pick up the phone and call Ethan to tell him about what happened, but something holds me back.
But I don’t want to worry him unnecessarily, especially when he’s busy preparing for the upcoming event.
Instead, I resolved to speak to him in person tomorrow after the event is over. We’ve never really discussed his past relationship with Lysa, but now feels like the right time to address it.
I need to know if there’s anything I should be worried about or if there are any lingering feelings between them that could threaten what we have.
But for now, I push aside the troubling thoughts and focus on getting some much-needed rest.
The evening is filledwith a buzz of excitement as guests mingle and chatter fills the air, punctuated by the clinking of glasses and soft music playing in the background.
I stand amidst the crowd, my heart racing with anticipation as the regional manager finishes his speech and invites the CEO of the hospitality group to the stage.
As the CEO steps forward, my breath catches in my throat, and my eyes widen in disbelief. It can’t be...but it is.
Ethan—the man I’ve been falling for, the man I’ve shared stolen kisses and whispered secrets with—is not only my boss, but the CEO...
Shock grips me like a vise as Ethan begins to speak, his voice resonating through the room with confidence and authority.
Every word he utters sends a jolt of realization through me, and I feel like a fool for not recognizing him sooner. How could I have been so blind?
The air seems to thicken around me as Ethan finishes his speech, and I struggle to compose myself as I make my way through the crowd to find him. When I finally reach him, my voice trembles as I speak.
“Ethan,” I begin, my words barely above a whisper. “I…I had no idea. I didn’t know you were... the CEO.”
He meets my gaze with a mixture of apprehension and vulnerability, and I can see the conflict playing out behind those eyes.
“I should have told you,” he admits, his voice tinged with regret. “But I was afraid…afraid that you would see me differently, that it would change everything between us.”
The weight of his confession hangs heavy in the air between us, and I struggle to find the right words to respond.
“Well, you are right. This has changed things between us,” I admit, feeling a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. “I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.”
Ethan reaches out to gently touch my arm, his touch sending shivers down my spine.
“Please, Jessy,” he implores, his eyes pleading for understanding. “I’m still the same person you’ve come to know and care for. Nothing has changed between us.”
But everything feels different now, and I can’t shake the sense of betrayal that gnaws at my heart.
“That’s where you are wrong, Ethan, everything has changed…”
As I turn to leave, the sound of my own footsteps echoes in my ears, each step carrying me further away from the man I thought I knew and closer to the truth that threatens to be the end.