Chapter 5 – Julia’s Warning
1372 Words
By noon, my head was spinning. Between Ethan’s clipped orders and the tension that refused to die after this morning, I needed air. Or caffeine. Or something that wasn’t his voice echoing in my head.
Julia picked a corner café two blocks away, all chatter and espresso steam. She waved when she saw me, all sunshine in a yellow blazer and red lipstick that dared the world to keep up.
“Girl, you look like someone wrung you out,” she said as soon as I sat. “How’s Mr. Iceberg?”
I stirred my coffee, pretending to care about the foam. “Efficient. Demanding. Possibly allergic to smiles.”
Julia leaned in, eyes sparkling. “And yet you’re glowing. Don’t tell me it’s the fluorescent lights.”
I sighed. “You’re imagining things.”
“Am I?” she teased. “Because your voice does this tiny tremble every time you say his name.”
“I haven’t said his name.”
“You’re right,” she said easily. “That says more.”
I met her stare and tried to deflect. “He’s my boss, Jules. That’s all.”
“Your very attractive boss,” she countered. “I saw his picture on Forbes’ feature last year. The man could melt steel.”
I frowned. “He’s cold.”
“Cold men burn the hottest when they finally lose control.”
“Julia—”
She held up her cup like a toast. “Just saying, don’t mix business with l**t. One will eat the other alive.”
I leaned back, trying to sound firm. “I’m not mixing anything. I’m there for a reason.”
Her smile faded slightly. “You mean that reason?”
I hesitated. “Yes.”
She reached across the table, her hand covering mine. “Then don’t forget it, Ava. Whatever you’re doing, don’t let him rewrite it.”
The bell over the door rang as someone came in, and I glanced out of reflex. For half a second, I thought I saw him. Same height, same stance. But it wasn’t. Just another man in a suit who didn’t look twice my way.
Still, my chest tightened.
Julia followed my gaze and shook her head. “You’re already in trouble.”
“I’m not.”
“Then why do you look like you just got caught doing something you shouldn’t?”
Because I felt caught every time Ethan looked at me. Because when he said my name, it sounded nothing like a command.
I forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.”
Julia didn’t buy it, but she didn’t push. “Text me tonight. And if your boss starts crossing lines—”
“I can handle him,” I said quickly.
Her brows lifted. “That’s what every woman says before she ends up forgetting which side she’s fighting for.”
I finished my coffee, stood, and changed the subject. “Thanks for lunch.”
She smirked. “Don’t thank me. Just remember—he’s not a story you can edit later.”
When I reached my desk, Mark was waiting with a neutral smile. “He asked for you.”
I froze. “Now?”
He nodded. “And Ava—” He hesitated, lowering his voice. “Whatever it is, keep your cool. He’s in one of those moods.”
My cool had already deserted me hours ago. Still, I smoothed my skirt, squared my shoulders, and walked into Ethan’s office.
He was standing by the window, jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled just enough to show veins and tension. The city sprawled behind him, glass and clouds and quiet power.
“You wanted to see me, sir?”
He didn’t turn immediately. “Close the door.”
The words landed low, calm, too familiar.
I did. Slowly. “Is there a problem?”
“Sit,” he said.
I stayed standing. “I’d rather stand.”
His mouth twitched like he almost smiled, but didn’t. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“I’ve been working.”
“That’s one way to put it.”
I crossed my arms. “What’s this about?”
He finally turned, eyes locking on mine. “This morning.”
“What about it?”
His gaze dropped, briefly, before finding mine again. “You challenge me too easily.”
“I follow orders.”
“No,” he said quietly. “You question them. You watch me. You push back.”
“That’s my job.”
“Your job,” he said, stepping closer, “is to assist me, not provoke me.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t be so easy to provoke.”
His jaw tightened, but his eyes gleamed. “Careful, Ava.”
“Or what?”
The silence stretched between us. He stopped close enough for me to feel the heat of him, the faint scent of cedar and restraint.
“Or I might stop pretending I don’t notice you,” he said softly.
My pulse jumped. “You shouldn’t say that.”
“I didn’t plan to.”
“Then don’t.”
His gaze searched mine like he was waiting for something. “Do you really think you can play this game?”
“What game?”
“The one where you act like you’re not affected.”
“I’m not.”
He leaned in, voice almost a whisper. "You lie."
My breath caught. I hated that he was right.
He exhaled, stepping back, breaking whatever had been building. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“You already did.”
“Then forget it anyway.”
I folded my arms tighter. “That’s not how forgetting works.”
He looked away, hand flexing once at his side. “You should take the rest of the day off.”
“I have work to finish.”
“That’s an order.”
“Fine,” I said, grabbing my folder. “Anything else, sir?”
He hesitated. “Ava.”
I paused.
His tone changed, softer now. “You shouldn’t let people like Harrington talk to you the way he did.”
I blinked. “I didn’t.”
“I noticed.” His eyes held mine again. “Still. You shouldn’t have to.”
The air between us thickened again, full of things neither of us would say.
I swallowed hard. “Was that all?”
He nodded once. “Yes.”
I turned to go, hand on the handle, but his voice came again, lower, slower. “Ava.”
I froze. “What?”
“Don’t wear red tomorrow.”
The words hit like a pulse under my skin. “You've said that before.”
“And I meant it.”
I turned back just long enough to meet his gaze. “Then maybe stop looking.”
His jaw tightened. He didn’t respond.
I left before I could see what his face did next.
Back at my desk, my phone buzzed with a text from Julia.
JULIA: Survived the ice king?
ME: Barely.
JULIA: He’s going to melt you if you’re not careful.
ME: He can try.
I typed it with shaking hands.
Across the office, through the glass, Ethan was watching me again. Not a word, not a move. Just that look, cool and unreadable, but not nearly as detached as it used to be.
Mark passed behind him, caught the glance, and frowned slightly.
The rest of the day passed in fragments — keys clacking, phones ringing, Ethan’s voice in short bursts through the intercom. Every sound felt like a pulse I couldn’t escape.
By five, I was done pretending not to notice. I packed up, ready to flee the tension.
Just as I reached the door, my phone buzzed again.
Unknown number.
“You left your notebook in my office.”
I looked back toward the glass. Ethan was still at his desk, pen tapping against a folder, eyes fixed on me.
I typed fast.
“I didn’t.”
The reply came seconds later.
“Then maybe I just want an excuse to see you again.”
My breath caught.
He didn’t look away.
And for the second time that day, I forgot whose side I was on.
- Writer
