chapter twenty
661 Words
A Kiss Interrupted
The mansion remained in darkness.
Only the distant flashes of lightning lit the room for a split second before everything disappeared into black again.
Maya's hands were still clutching Ethan's shirt.
She realized how close they were.
His heartbeat was steady beneath her fingertips.
Strong.
Comforting.
She slowly tried to step back.
But Ethan didn't let go immediately.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly.
She nodded against his chest.
"I... I think so."
"You don't sound convinced."
A shy smile touched her lips.
"I've never liked thunderstorms."
Without thinking, Ethan gently stroked her hair.
"It's okay."
"I'm here."
His voice was so gentle that Maya closed her eyes for a brief moment.
For the first time in days...
She felt safe.
A few minutes later, the emergency lights flickered on.
The room glowed with a soft golden light.
Maya quickly realized she was still in Ethan's arms.
Embarrassed, she stepped back.
"I-I'm sorry."
Ethan smiled faintly.
"You don't have to apologize."
"I practically attacked you."
"You were frightened."
"And you didn't push me away."
His eyes remained fixed on hers.
"I never wanted to."
Maya felt her cheeks grow warm.
She quickly looked away.
Just then, Margaret entered the study carrying two candles.
"The power should return soon," she said.
She stopped suddenly when she noticed how close they were.
A knowing smile crossed her face.
"I'll leave these here."
Without another word, she quietly walked out, closing the door behind her.
Maya covered her face with her hands.
"This is so embarrassing."
Ethan couldn't help smiling.
"It's the first time I've seen you blush."
She peeked at him through her fingers.
"Please pretend you didn't."
"I don't think I can."
His teasing made her laugh.
A real laugh.
The first one Ethan had heard from her in days.
He found himself staring.
"What?"
Maya asked.
"You should smile more."
Her laughter slowly faded.
"No one's said that to me before."
"They should have."
Silence settled between them again.
This time...
It wasn't awkward.
It was warm.
Ethan walked toward the window.
"The man who came tonight..."
He paused.
"His name is Victor Hayes."
Maya looked at him.
"Who is he?"
"He used to work for my father."
"And now?"
"He disappeared years ago after being accused of stealing company secrets."
Maya frowned.
"Then why is he back?"
Ethan's expression darkened.
"Because someone powerful brought him back."
Maya walked over until she was standing beside him.
"If he's dangerous..."
She looked at Ethan.
"...then why didn't you tell me before?"
Ethan sighed.
"I wanted to keep you away from this."
She smiled sadly.
"But I'm already in it."
Their eyes met once more.
Neither spoke.
Neither needed to.
Without realizing it, Maya moved a little closer.
Ethan noticed.
"So did she.
The distance between them disappeared.
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips.
Maya's heartbeat quickened.
She noticed where he was looking.
Neither of them moved away.
Very slowly...
Ethan lifted his hand and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
His fingers brushed her cheek.
Maya's breath caught.
"Ethan..."
He whispered her name just as softly.
"Maya..."
Their foreheads almost touched.
The world around them seemed to disappear.
She closed her eyes.
He leaned in slowly.
Their lips were only inches apart.
Just as Ethan was about to kiss her—
A loud knock echoed through the room.
"Mr. Carter!"
Ryan's urgent voice came from outside.
Ethan stepped back immediately.
Maya opened her eyes, her face burning.
Ryan pushed the door open without waiting.
"I'm sorry," he said, breathing heavily.
"But we have a problem."
Ethan's expression turned serious.
"What happened?"
Ryan handed him a tablet.
"The security cameras caught someone leaving the estate just before the power outage."
Ethan looked at the screen.
His face hardened.
It was Victor Hayes.
But he wasn't alone.
Walking beside him...
Was someone Ethan never expected to see.
Sophia Bennett.
Alive.
And looking straight into the camera.
- Writer
