Secret Romance

Chapter 3: Secret Meeting

The busy roads of New York City move with activities as the sun went below the horizon, casting long shadows across the busy sidewalks. In the heart of the city, a small café is seen in between tall skyscrapers. Its warm light is so inviting for tired visitors looking for a chance to settle themselves from the bustle of the city.

Amelia walked inside, the familiar scent of freshly made coffee flowing over her as she looked around the room for Ethan. She saw him sitting at a table in the corner, his dark hair disheveled, and his sharp gaze fixed on her as she walked up to him.

"Hi Amelia, I'm glad you could make it. " He greeted her with a soft smile, standing at his feet as she approached the table.

"Thanks for meeting up with me, Ethan, " she replied, taking her seat across the table. "What's it you wanted to talk with me about? "

Ethan quickly glanced around the café, his expression serious as he bent forward. "I'll be as direct as possible. You need to be careful around Alex, there's more to him than a visible encounter. " He said in a voice barely above a whisper.

Her heart beat faster at his words. "What do you mean? " She asked, leaning forward with expectations.

He paused for a moment before continuing. "I've been with Sterling Enterprises for years, and I've known things, things that just don't fit right. Alex is not the man he portrays himself to be. He's ruthless, sly, will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. "

Her mind raced as she took in his every word. Could her judgement be correct? Could Alexander be hiding a secret beneath his charming face?

"Why are you telling me this? " She asked in a low voice.

Ethan sighed, brushing his hand through his hair. "Because I've noticed the way he looks at you, the way he always talks about you. He's obsessed with you, Amelia, and that's dangerous. I just don't want to see you get hurt. "

Amelia's heart began beating strongly as she processed his words. Could it be that Alexander's interest in her was driven by something darker than what she even thought about?

Before she could give a response, a shadow fell over their table, and they both turned their heads to see Alexander standing before them with an unreadable stoic expression.

"Miss Westwood," he said, with a voice smooth as silk. "What a nice surprise to see you here. "

Amelia's heart raced as she saw him, but she forced herself to keep a calm expression. "Mr Sterling, what are you here? "

"I should say the same for you, " he said, his gaze glancing towards Ethan before returning to her. "But I would presume we both know the answer. "

Tension popped in the air as the three of them sat in silence, each one glancing towards the other. Amelia felt like a chess piece in a dangerous game, caught between two really powerful men with their own plans.

Finally, Alexander spoke up, breaking the overbearing silence, his voice low and threatening. "I suggest you be careful, Miss Westwood. Not everyone is as reliable and trustworthy as they seem. "

With that, he strode out of the café, leaving them alone once more. As they watched him go, a sense of unease fell over them.

As Ethan and Amelia parted ways outside the café, the cold evening air seemed to reflect the discomfort that had settled over them. She could not shake off the feeling that she was on the edge of something very important. Determination burned within her, pushing forth her resolve to discover what might be the truth about Alexander and his company.

_ _ _ _

As she made her way back to her office, her thoughts raced with questions. What was Alexander hiding? And why did Ethan choose to warn her about him? She needed answers, and she needed them fast.

Getting into her office, she wasted no time in resuming her research. She went deeper into Sterling Enterprises' history, searching every possible source for any hint of wrongdoing. Time passed in a blur as she sorted through lots of information, her resolve firm in the face of tiredness.

But no matter how hard she searched, she wasn't able to find any solid proof of his fault or that of his company. It was as if he and his company were in the shadows of the wealth and power they portrayed to the outside world.

The frustration was getting at her nerves as she slammed her laptop shut in anger. She needed a new method, a way to bring her closer to Alexander and discover the truth from the inside.

Just then, a knock sounded at her office door, disrupting her thoughts. She glanced up to see Carter walking through the entrance, with a concerned expression carved on his face.

"Hey, you alright? You look exhausted. " He asked with concern in his voice, closing the doors behind him.

Amelia faked a smile, trying to push aside her growing worries. "I'm fine," she replied. "Just a tiring day at the office. "

He looked at her for a moment, his gaze piercing. "Is this about the meeting with Sterling Enterprises? " he asked with a quiet voice.

She hesitated, uncertain whether to tell him or not. But she trusted Carter definitely, and she knew she couldn't keep secrets from him.

"Yes," she finally confessed. "I met with Ethan earlier, and he warned me about Alexander. He said there's more to him than what he actually appears to be. "

Carter's brow wrinkled in concern. "Do you believe him? "

She sighed, moving her hand through her hair. "I don't know Carter, I'm not sure what to believe anymore, " she confessed. "I just know there's a reason for me to be careful around Alexander. I can't really say what the reason is, and I don't know what exactly the reason is. "

Carter nodded in understanding, with a serious face. "Well, whatever it is that makes you feel that way, just know you can always count on me to help you out with anything. Don't forget we're always together. "

A great feeling of thanks washed over her as she looked into his sincere eyes. She was grateful to have him by her side, now more than ever.

"Thanks a lot bud, I don't know what I'd do without you. " Her voice was laced with emotion.

With a restored determination, she and Carter set to work, resolved to discover the hidden truth about Alexander and his company, not minding the obstacles that lay in their path. Unknown to them, their search for the truth would set them down a dangerous path. A path laced with deceit, dishonesty, and ultimately, forgiveness.