Seducing the enemy

An invitation into the fold

The office was buzzing with energy, the kind that comes when people are too caffeinated and too stressed to think straight. Gossip drifted between cubicles like invisible smoke—fragments of whispers about Ethan, the gala, and the endless drama of corporate life.

“You saw her, right?” one voice whispered behind me as I passed by the break room.

“Savannah?”

“Yeah, Savannah Lennox. She’s been sniffing around Ethan for years. Everyone thought they were a thing back in the day.”

“Did you see the way she clung to him at the gala? She’s definitely not here for business.”

I rolled my eyes as I stepped away from the door, ignoring the knot tightening in my chest. I shouldn’t care. Whatever history Ethan had with Savannah was none of my business.

But the memory of his kiss—and the way he’d looked at me after—was hard to shake.

I was sorting through a stack of reports at my desk when the sound of heels clicking against the floor made me glance up. A tall brunette with an air of effortless elegance was strolling toward Ethan’s office, her smile as bright as the sunlight streaming through the windows.

“Amelia,” Ethan said, his tone both warm and exasperated as he stood from his desk.

“Surprise!” she said, throwing her arms around him.

Amelia Alcaster. Ethan’s younger sister.

Her laugh was infectious, lighting up the room as she pulled back to study him. “You look tired,” she said, frowning. “Have you been sleeping at all?”

Ethan sighed. “Not now, Amelia.”

“Oh, hush,” she said, brushing him off. “I’m not here to stress you out. I’m here to talk about my wedding.”

Her gaze shifted, landing on me. Her smile widened instantly. “You must be Elzeine!”

I froze, startled by her enthusiasm. “That’s me,” I said, managing a small smile.

“She’s the one, right?” Amelia asked, turning back to Ethan. “The assistant you can’t stop talking about?”

Ethan stiffened, his expression unreadable as his gaze darted to me. “I wouldn’t phrase it like that.”

Amelia smirked, clearly enjoying his discomfort. “Relax, big brother. I’m just here to steal her for a little while.”

I blinked. “Steal me?”

“Yes!” Amelia said, stepping closer. “I need help with the wedding. My planning team has been driving me crazy, and I could use someone who knows how to keep things organized. Please tell me you’ll say yes.”

“Oh, I—” I hesitated, glancing at Ethan, whose jaw tightened ever so slightly.

“She’s very busy,” Ethan said, his tone cool.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Amelia said, waving him off. “She’s your assistant, not your prisoner. She can help me for a few days. Right, Elzeine?”

I hesitated again, but Amelia’s bright smile was impossible to resist. “Sure,” I said finally. “I’d be happy to help.”

“Perfect!” Amelia beamed, clapping her hands together. “This is going to be so much fun.”

Ethan’s expression darkened, but he said nothing as Amelia looped her arm through mine and began leading me toward the elevator.

Wedding Preparations

Amelia’s energy was infectious. Over the next few days, I found myself swept into the whirlwind of wedding planning: finalizing seating arrangements, taste-testing cake flavors, and coordinating with vendors who all seemed terrified of displeasing the Alcasters.

It was exhausting, but Amelia made it almost fun. She had a way of making everyone around her feel at ease, her laughter filling every room we entered.

“You’re a lifesaver,” she said one afternoon as we pored over a stack of invitations. “I don’t know how I’d survive this without you.”

I smiled. “It’s no problem, really.”

“No, I mean it,” she said, her expression softening. “Ethan was right about you.”

I blinked, startled. “What do you mean?”

She grinned. “He said you were different. That you’re not afraid to challenge him, but you still have his back. It’s rare for him to talk about anyone like that.”

My chest tightened at her words, but I pushed the feeling aside.

“Well, he’s a good boss,” I said lightly.

Amelia gave me a knowing look but didn’t press further.

The Alcaster Family

By the time the weekend arrived, I felt like I’d been inducted into the Alcaster family. Ethan’s mother, Margaret, was as sweet as Amelia had described—a kind, soft-spoken woman who treated me like one of her own the moment I met her.

“You must be Elzeine,” she said, pulling me into a gentle hug. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“All good things, I hope,” I said with a small smile.

“Of course,” she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’ve been such a help to Amelia. And to Ethan.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I just nodded, letting her guide me into the dining room where the rest of the family was gathered.

Vincent was there, of course, his presence as cold and intimidating as ever. He barely acknowledged me, his sharp eyes focused on the conversation at hand.

But even he couldn’t ruin the warmth of the evening.