CHAPTER SEVEN: THE DISTRACTION
1028 Words
Ethan stood by the wide window of the upstairs lounge, the storm long faded into a low, damp silence outside. The Stanford estate at night always had a strange stillness to it — as though the walls themselves had secrets they refused to share.
He sipped slowly from a glass of aged whiskey, the warmth crawling down his throat in a slow burn that didn’t quite reach his chest.
Because his chest felt… complicated.
He had no reason to feel this twisted over a maid. None.
Aria was quiet. Graceful. Obedient in a way the staff were trained to be. And yet, she wasn’t invisible like the others. He noticed her. The way she moved like she didn’t want to take up space, the way her eyes darted away from him as if they didn’t deserve to meet his.
But they did. And when they did—God—he felt something he hadn’t in years. Like clarity. Like curiosity. Like…
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“This is insane,” he muttered to himself.
A maid.
Not Lily. Not any of the polished, poised women from his world.
But her.
He sat down on the plush couch, resting the drink on the side table. His fingers tapped lightly on the glass rim.
It wasn’t even about attraction. It was the way she looked at him like he was a puzzle, not a prize. The way she made him feel seen without even trying.
And maybe… maybe he liked that too much.
“Need a distraction,” he murmured.
As if on cue, his phone buzzed.
Lily 💋
“Still awake? Join me at the lounge bar. My treat 🍸”
He stared at the message for a second too long before typing back.
“Be there in 15.”
Two drinks turned to five.
The lounge bar in town was dim and luxurious, tucked away like a secret for the rich and reckless. Lily wore crimson red, her legs crossed and lips glossed as she leaned into him with every laugh.
But Ethan couldn’t laugh.
Couldn’t even feel properly present.
He kept hearing Aria’s soft voice in his head. Kept remembering the way she looked up at him by the pool — that unspoken question trembling behind her lashes.
Lily leaned over to brush her fingers against his thigh.
“You’re quiet tonight,” she whispered.
Ethan gave a lazy smile. “Just tired.”
“Well,” Lily said, standing and tugging at his hand. “Then let me make sure you don’t go home bored.”
He didn’t remember telling Lily goodbye. Didn’t remember getting into the car his cousin Daniel sent for him.
He just remembered stumbling through the grand hallway, his head buzzing, the scent of bourbon lingering on his clothes.
And then—
His foot caught the edge of the carpet.
His balance slipped.
And he landed hard against the cold marble floor.
“Ugh…” he groaned, blinking up at the ornate ceiling.
Footsteps approached.
Light ones. Careful.
Then a gasp.
“Sir?”
That voice.
He turned his head, blinking sluggishly.
Aria.
She was in her night uniform—simple gray dress, hair loosely tied, barefoot.
“Oh my God,” she whispered, kneeling beside him. “Are you hurt?”
Ethan laughed softly, the sound dry. “Just my pride.”
“You’re drunk,” she said, touching his arm carefully. “Can you stand?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
She reached under his arm, trying to lift him. He was heavier than she expected, and her knees shook under the effort.
He felt her breath, quick and warm, her fingers trembling against his ribs as she steadied him.
“You’re stronger than you look,” he mumbled.
“You’re heavier than you look,” she shot back, surprising even herself.
They both paused.
Then he smiled.
And she looked away, cheeks pink.
Slowly, step by step, they made their way down the corridor.
“You didn’t have to help me,” he said, his voice softer now, more clear.
“I couldn’t leave you on the floor,” she replied. “Even if I should have.”
They reached the door to his suite. Aria pushed it open and helped guide him inside. The room was dim, only the lamp near the desk casting a warm glow.
“Sit,” she instructed gently.
He obeyed, slumping onto the bed with a groan.
She reached for the throw blanket folded at the footboard and pulled it over his legs.
“Thank you,” he said, gazing at her through half-lidded eyes.
Aria hesitated at the edge of the bed.
“I should go.”
“Don’t.”
The word stopped her cold.
She turned slightly. “Ethan—”
“Just stay. A minute.”
She glanced down at her hands, then back to his eyes. They were heavy-lidded, but honest. No games.
So she sat — not on the bed, but the armchair across from it.
“Talk to me,” he murmured. “Say anything.”
She hesitated, then asked softly, “Did you enjoy your night?”
He gave a dry laugh. “Not as much as I should have.”
“Because of Lily?”
“Because of you.”
Silence.
Aria’s heart thudded.
Ethan leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling.
“I thought if I drank enough, if I laughed enough, I’d forget how you looked at me earlier today.”
Her breath caught.
“I’m not supposed to feel anything for you,” he continued. “But I do.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I want to,” he said simply.
That was what undid her.
She stood slowly, uncertain whether to flee or… stay.
“I’ll let you sleep,” she whispered.
She walked to the door and turned the knob.
“Aria.”
She froze.
“Thanks for picking me up.”
She turned just enough to meet his gaze one more time.
“I always will,” she whispered.
And then she slipped out into the hall, heart pounding, footsteps soft.
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