Chapter 4
761 Words
Two weeks into the internship, lara had started to find her rhyme. The firm was fast paced, the expectation high, but she liked the challenge. She was learning a lot, and despite the intimidating presence of Ethan - who still occasionally teased her with lingering glances and smug smiles - she was settling in.
But something else weighed heavily on her.
Tyler.
He hadn't replied to any of her recent messages. Her calls rang out , unanswered. His usual good morning texts had stopped. At first she told herself he was just busy. Then she thought maybe there was an issue with his phone. But deep down, a storm was already brewing her chest.
That evening while she was sipping tea on the balcony and scrolling through old photos of them, her phone buzzed with a message.
Jace.
Her stomach dropped.
Jace : It was a mistake, it was not for you
Attached was a photo, blurry but clear enough.
Tyler
And her best friend, Jace.
In bed, Naked.Mid -act.
Lara Froze.Her throat tightened,the tea nearly slipping from her fingers.She stared at the screen, unable to process what she was seeing.
Her heart pounding, she called Jace."Hello?" Jace answered after the third ring, her voice nonchallant.
Why ? Lara snapped, tears already spilling down her cheeks."Why would you do this to me? You are my best friend !
A pause .Then Jace sighed.Lara.... I am sorry. It's just happened. He was lonely, I was there"-
" Don't ! Don't you dare give me that excuse!" Lara yelled." you sent me the damn picture! Was that supposed to be an apology too ?"
Jace hung up.
Lara's hands trembled as she called Tyler next.He answered, but barely sounded regretful.
" Lara..... I'm sorry, okay ?I didn't mean for it to happen. She was .....She came over and one thing led to another.
"You slept with my best friend, and you couldn't resist it ? After everything we had and shared."
I didn't plan it, Lara,"he said quietly.I was just in the mood, and she ......
She ended the call.
Her body shook.She burled her face in her hands, and sobbed. She had trusted them. loved them.
She felt sick.
The next morning, Lara dragged herself to the firm. Her eyes were red and swollen, her energy depleted. She kept her head down, avoided unnecessary conversation, and hoped no one noticed.
Ethan did.
He saw her the moment she walked in. Her shoulders were hunched, her steps slower than usual. She didn't return his usual smirk.Didn't even look his way.
For once he didn't tease her.
He simply watched.
Later that evening as lara was grabbing a bottle of water from the kitchen, he leaned against the doorway.
"Rough day" he asked casually.
She didn't answer.
He took a step forward. "Look.... I was thinking. Maybe you need a break. Something fun. A distraction.
She looked up, eyes dull. Like what?
"A club,loud music, drinks, bad decisions",he said with shrug."just for a few hours.You in ?
Lara hesitated. The old her would have declined. But now ? Now she needs to forget.
She gave a small nod ."Okay.Just for a few hours.
----
The club was everything she did know she needed. light flashed in every direction, the music thumped through her chest, and people moved like they had no care in the world.
Lara drank. She laughed.She let the beat take over her body.For the first time in week, she didn't think about Tyler and Jace .
Ethan watched her from across the room. She wore a deep red dress, her hair flowing freely, a drink in hand.She danced with strangers.She even kissed one of the guys - twice.
His jaw clenched.
He shouldn't care .
But he did
When she stumbled slightly and another guy grabbed her waist, Ethan had had enough.
He crossed the floor in seconds, gently but firmly pulling her away." Time to go".
Lara blinked up at him, dazed."I was having fun before you stopped me".
"Yeah , I could tell," he muttered, wrapping an arm around her waist.
she didn't resist.She leaned into him,her body warm and soft ,her perfume dizzying.
He drove her home in silence.She hummed softly beside him, half - asleep, still smiling.
When they got back to the mansion,he helped her out of the car .Her fingers curled around his arm as they walked up the stairs.
Just before reaching her door,she stopped."Thanks, Ethan," she whispered.
He nodded."Get some sleep."
He waited until she was safely inside,then leaned against the hallway wall.
- Writer
