Chapter Thirteen: The Wedding Date
831 Words
The Blake estate was already buzzing before sunrise.
Luxury news vans lined the entrance.
Photographers crowded the gates.
Inside the mansion, staff rushed through the hallways carrying breakfast trays and fresh flowers.
Ava stood in front of the mirror in the guest suite, trying to calm the knot in her stomach.
A wedding date.
They were about to announce a wedding date for a marriage that wasn’t even real.
A knock sounded.
“Come in.”
Ethan stepped inside.
He had already exchanged last night’s tuxedo for a charcoal-gray suit. As always, he looked composed.
Almost.
She noticed the faint shadows beneath his eyes.
“You didn’t sleep.”
“Neither did you.”
She sighed.
“I kept thinking about the contract.”
“So did I.”
Silence settled between them.
Finally, Ava spoke.
“What happens if they release it?”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
“We deal with it.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I have.”
Downstairs, reporters filled the ballroom.
Microphones were arranged neatly at the front.
Arthur adjusted his tie with obvious excitement.
“This reminds me of Ethan’s graduation.”
His daughter laughed.
“You’ve been smiling all morning.”
“I’ve waited years for this.”
Ava’s heart twisted with guilt.
Arthur deserved the truth.
Instead…
They were about to tell another lie.
Noah approached Ethan.
“The press is ready.”
Ethan nodded.
“What about security?”
“We’ve doubled it.”
“And the waiter?”
“We’re still looking.”
Ethan frowned.
“He vanished.”
Arthur stepped onto the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen…”
“Thank you for joining us.”
Camera shutters clicked continuously.
“I have wonderful news.”
“My grandson and his beautiful fiancée have decided on a wedding date.”
Arthur turned toward Ethan and Ava with a proud smile.
Every camera followed.
Every microphone lifted.
A reporter called out,
“When’s the wedding?”
For the briefest second…
Ava panicked.
She looked at Ethan.
He reached for her hand.
His thumb brushed across her fingers.
Then, without hesitation, he answered.
“October eighteenth.”
Ava blinked.
October eighteenth?
She forced herself to smile.
The reporters scribbled furiously.
Another voice shouted,
“Why that date?”
Ethan didn’t even pause.
“It’s the day we first met.”
Ava almost laughed.
They had met because she’d spilled coffee all over him.
Technically…
He wasn’t lying.
Another reporter raised her hand.
“Miss Bennett.”
“What made you fall in love with Mr. Blake?”
The room quieted.
Every eye turned toward her.
She looked at Ethan.
He gave the tiniest nod.
She smiled softly.
“I thought he was the most arrogant man I’d ever met.”
Laughter echoed through the room.
“And now?”
Ava looked at Ethan again.
“He still is.”
Even Ethan laughed.
“But…”
She continued.
“I’ve learned that the people who care the most don’t always know how to show it.”
The room fell silent.
She hadn’t planned those words.
They had simply…
Come out.
Ethan looked at her.
Really looked at her.
Something unreadable flickered across his face.
The press conference ended with applause.
As the reporters packed up, Arthur embraced Ava warmly.
“You handled that beautifully.”
“Thank you.”
“I knew Ethan chose well.”
Her smile wavered.
If only he knew.
Later that afternoon…
Ethan and Ava escaped to the mansion’s gardens.
The estate overlooked the Hudson River, the breeze carrying the scent of blooming roses.
For the first time in days…
They were alone.
“You surprised me.”
Ava glanced at him.
“When?”
“At the press conference.”
“You did too.”
“I meant what I said.”
She stopped walking.
“What part?”
“About caring.”
His gray eyes held hers.
“I’ve never been good at saying what I feel.”
She smiled faintly.
“I noticed.”
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Not awkward.
Not forced.
Comfortable.
Ava looked toward the river.
“You know…”
“If this were real…”
Ethan turned.
She laughed softly.
“We’d probably make a terrible couple.”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, he said quietly,
“I don’t think we would.”
The words lingered between them.
Before Ava could respond—
Noah came running across the lawn.
His face had gone completely pale.
“Ethan!”
Both of them turned immediately.
“What is it?”
Noah struggled to catch his breath before handing Ethan his phone.
“It’s online.”
Ethan looked down.
His expression froze.
Ava stepped closer.
On the screen was a blurry photograph.
The stolen contract.
Just enough of it was visible to reveal two devastating words:
ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Beneath the image was a countdown.
FULL DOCUMENT RELEASES IN 24 HOURS.
Someone wasn’t threatening them anymore.
Someone had just declared war.
- Writer
