The Billionaire's Forbidden Game

Unspoken Words

Amelia couldn't shake the feeling of Ethan’s gaze on her. It had been hours since that moment in his office, but it lingered in her mind like a shadow she couldn’t escape.

She had been so focused on her work, trying to drown out the noise in her head, but it wasn’t working. The numbers, the spreadsheets, the calls—all of it felt like a blur. All she could think about was how close Ethan had been. How his hand had brushed against her arm. How his eyes had locked onto hers like he was searching for something—something he might’ve found.

She stared at the screen in front of her, but the words on the page blurred together. Her mind kept drifting back to that moment. The tension between them had been so thick it was suffocating, and yet... it had felt electric.

"Amelia, are you with me?" Ethan’s voice cut through her thoughts like a knife.

She blinked, looking up from her computer to find him standing at the edge of her desk. His brow furrowed slightly, as though he could sense she wasn’t fully there.

“Sorry,” she said quickly, trying to mask her confusion. “I was just... lost in thought.”

Ethan’s eyes softened for just a second, and he gave a slight nod. "I asked for the report on Blackwood Ventures. Do you have it?"

Amelia straightened, forcing her mind to focus. "Yes, right away," she replied, reaching for the stack of papers she had been sorting through earlier. Her hands were slightly shaky, and she cursed herself for being distracted. She couldn’t afford to be. Not now, not when her job was on the line.

Ethan watched her for a moment longer before nodding again, though she didn’t miss the way his gaze lingered just a bit too long.

"Good. I’ll need those by the end of the day. Make sure they’re thorough, Amelia."

His tone was calm, but there was an underlying sharpness to it that made her spine straighten. Ethan Blackwood was never just ‘calm.’ He had a way of making even the simplest requests feel like they carried weight.

"Of course," she said, managing to meet his gaze this time. But her voice sounded a little too tight, even to her own ears.

Ethan didn’t seem to notice—or if he did, he didn’t comment on it. He gave her one last look, a silent, unreadable expression crossing his face before he turned and walked out of the room.

Amelia exhaled slowly, leaning back in her chair. What was it about him? Why did his presence make her heart beat faster, her hands feel cold even in the warm room?

She shook her head, trying to clear the confusion clouding her thoughts. This wasn’t the time to get distracted by things she couldn’t control. She had work to do, and that was all she could focus on. No matter how many times his eyes lingered on her, or how many times her pulse sped up whenever he was near.

As the hours passed, the office grew quieter. The others had all left for the day, leaving her alone with the paperwork. The ticking of the clock on the wall seemed louder than usual, each second dragging on like a reminder of the pressure building in her chest. She had to finish this report—had to prove she was capable.

But every time she glanced up, she found herself searching for Ethan, wondering what he was doing, where he was. His absence felt just as heavy as his presence.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she managed to finish the report. She gathered the papers in her hands, her fingers brushing together nervously. She knew Ethan was still here somewhere. He always stayed late, long after everyone else had left.

Taking a deep breath, Amelia walked toward his office. The sound of her heels clicking on the polished floor echoed in the empty space, making her feel like she was walking through a ghostly version of her own life.

When she reached his door, she knocked lightly, hesitating before she opened it.

"Come in," Ethan’s voice rang out, low and steady.

She stepped inside, the door closing softly behind her. Ethan was sitting at his desk, his attention fixed on the glowing screen in front of him. But as soon as he saw her, he straightened, his eyes flicking over her with that same intensity that made her stomach flip.

“I’ve finished the report,” she said, holding the papers out to him. “Everything’s in order.”

Ethan didn’t reach for the papers right away. Instead, he studied her for a moment, his gaze lingering on her face. Amelia felt her heart race under his scrutiny.

"Amelia," he began, his voice quieter than usual. "Is there something you’re not telling me?"

Her breath caught in her throat. Was he asking about earlier? About the tension? She had no idea how to respond. She had no words for the way he made her feel—no way to explain how everything had changed since the moment they’d gotten closer.

But instead of pressing her further, Ethan nodded, taking the papers from her hands. "Good work," he said, his voice back to its usual detached tone.

Amelia blinked, confused by the sudden shift. Was that it? Was he really not going to address the unspoken words between them? The way things had changed?

“Thank you, Mr. Blackwood,” she replied, turning to leave.

But just as her hand touched the door handle, Ethan spoke again. His voice was softer this time, more vulnerable than she had ever heard it before.

“Amelia... we need to talk.”