From Duty To Desire

Chapter 9

Brittany walked into the kitchen, her feet padding softly on the floor. Amanda looked up from her phone, a concerned expression on her face.

" Hey, Brittany! Good morning ", Amanda said, setting her phone down."Mr Ethan has already left for work, by the way ".

Brittany nodded, her eyes fixed on the coffee maker as she poured herself a cup." Okay, thanks for letting me know ".

" I knocked on your door yesterday, but you didn't answer. I was worried about you ".

" I was upset, Amanda. I fell asleep ". Brittany replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

" Oh, Brittany, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. But you're going to have to explain everything to me when you get back ". Amanda said.

" I promise, Amanda. But for now, I just need to get out of here and focus on something else ". Brittany smiled weakly.

With that, she headed out the door, leaving Amanda looking concerned but supportive.

" Brittany, you didn't tell me what was going on before you left for home yesterday, and you couldn't even call me when you got home? I thought we were closer than that".Dora frowned when Brittany walked into the office.

" I was really not myself yesterday and I didn't know how to reach out to anyone ".

Dora listened intently as Brittany poured out her heart, sharing every detail of her argument with Ethan. When Brittany finally finished speaking, Dora smiled at her.

" At least, no more bodyguards ", she said, a mischievous glint in her eye" I've got some news that might take your mind off things ".

Brittany raised an eyebrow, intrigued." What is it?"

Dora leaned in, a conspirational whisper escaping her lips." I saw the most gorgeous man on my way home from work yesterday. He was standing outside that new luxury apartment building on Main St, looking like a million bucks. I mean, we're talking tailored suit, perfectly styled hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me ".

" And what happened next? "

Dora's grin grew wider." Well, I tried to play it cool, but I couldn't help sneaking a few glances his way. And let me tell you, he did not disappoint. He caught me staring and gave me this devastating smile that left me weak in the knees ".

Brittany laughed, shaking her head." Dora, you're such a hopeless romantic. How did you manage to tear yourself away from him?"

Dora giggled "Oh, it wasn't easy but I managed to drag myself away and continue on my way home. But I couldn't stop thinking about him all night. I mean, who was this mysterious stranger, and why did he have to be so ridiculously handsome? "

Brittany chuckled, enjoying the distraction from her own problems." Well, maybe you'll run into him again sometime and get your answers".

" I hope so! I really do. And even if I don't, at least I have the memory of that gorgeous smile to keep me going ".

" You and your rich handsome men, Dora", Brittany said after a while" When will you take one of them seriously? "

Dora laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement" I'm just keeping my options open! And besides, I'm not ready to settle down yet. I'm having too much fun playing the field ".

" You're something else, Dora. But I have to admit, I'm a little jealous. My love life is in shambles, and you're out here living your best life ".

Dora grinned" Hey, someone's got to keep the romance alive around here! Moreso, I'm always happy to share the details with you. You can live vicariously through me ".

Brittany laughed, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend." Thanks, Dora. You always know how to make me feel better "she said and added" And as for my promise of making it up to you, I'd like to make good on that today and take you out for a nice lunch ".

**************

Ethan sat alone in his office, the silence deafening . He stared at the files in front of him, his mind a million miles away. The gleaming surface of his mahogany desk reflected the light, casting a warm sheen on the papers and files scattered across its surface.

He mechanically flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning the words without registering their meaning. His brain felt numb, unable to process the information.His mind replayed the conversation with Gregory, the words he had spoken echoing like a cruel taunt.

"You're a womanizer, always chasing after the latest skirt".

He winced, regret washing over him like a cold wave. Why had he said such a thing?. He knew Gregory was a good person, a loyal friend . But in the heat of the moment, his own insecurities and fears had gotten the better of him.

Ethan's eyes dropped to the papers on the desk, his gaze unfocused . He couldn't believe he had stooped so low as to attack his friend's character. He sighed heavily, his chest feeling heavy with remorse. He needed to make things right, to apologize and mend the rift he had created.

As he sat lost in thought, the door to his office swung open and Daisy walked in with a gentle smile on her face.

"Good morning, Ethan", she said,"I brought you the latest reports from the marketing team. I thought you'd want to review them before the meeting with the investors".

Ethan's gaze slowly shifted from the papers in front of him to Daisy's friendly face, his expression still clouded by his inner turmoil. "Thank you",he replied, his voice distant. "Just leave them on the desk, please".

She placed the files on his desk, her eyes fixed on his face, searching for a glimmer of his usual enthusiasm. But Ethan's expression remained somber, his eyes fixed on a point beyond the papers.

Daisy hesitated, her instincts telling her that something was off. "Ethan, is everything okay? You seem a bit.......... distant".

Ethan's gaze flickered, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment before darting away. "I'm fine, Daisy. Just a bit preoccupied".

"Is it because of what happened yesterday? Because Gregory caught us..........?"

Ethan's eyes flashed up to hers, his expression unyielding "Just drop it, Daisy".