Chapter six
1133 Words
The black sedan rolled smoothly to a stop beneath the glowing canopy of Lumières Restaurant, one of the most exclusive dining establishments in the city.
Before Ethan could even open the door, a valet had already stepped forward.
“Good evening, Mr. Caldwell.”
The tone carried recognition and respect.
Ethan stepped out, straightening the cuff of his dark coat. The golden lights of Lumières reflected faintly against the polished marble entrance. Conversations hushed slightly as he walked inside.
Power had a way of announcing itself without sound.
The maître d’ approached immediately.
“Mr. Caldwell, your table is ready.”
Ethan gave a short nod and followed him through the elegant dining hall. Crystal chandeliers glowed softly overhead while quiet music drifted through the air.
They stopped outside one of the private VIP suites.
The door opened.
Warm light spilled across the room.
And then Ethan saw her.
Cassandra Vale.
She was already seated at the table, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of red wine loosely balanced between her fingers.
Cassandra didn’t just sit in a room.
She occupied it.
Her dark hair fell in sleek waves down her back, her emerald dress fitted perfectly against her figure. Diamond earrings caught the light every time she moved.
Her beauty wasn’t soft.
It was sharp.
Dangerous.
Like poisonous ivy — beautiful enough to draw you in, deadly enough to regret touching.
Her eyes lifted as he entered.
A slow smile curved her lips.
“Well,” she said smoothly, “look who finally decided to grace me with his presence.”
Ethan pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down.
“You’re early.”
Cassandra shrugged lazily.
“I hate being late. It makes people think they’re important.”
Ethan gave a faint huff of amusement.
A waiter appeared instantly to pour wine for him.
“So,” Cassandra continued, swirling her glass lightly, “you missed quite the day.”
“Oh?”
“I closed the deal for that boutique chain I mentioned.”
She leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
“Six stores. Prime locations. And the original owner thought he was negotiating.”
Ethan listened quietly.
Cassandra thrived on winning.
Whether it was business, people, or influence — she pursued what she wanted with ruthless determination.
And most of the time, she got it.
“You should be impressed,” she added with a teasing arch of her brow.
“I am,” Ethan replied calmly.
But his attention drifted for a moment.
His phone sat face down beside his plate.
Unmoved.
Unopened.
Cassandra noticed.
She always noticed.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
She studied him for a beat longer but didn’t press.
Instead she launched into a new story about a designer collection she had just acquired during a trip overseas. Something rare. Something expensive. Something most people would never even see.
Ethan listened politely, occasionally responding, though his focus wandered more than once.
Dinner arrived — expertly prepared dishes arranged like artwork.
They had just begun eating when Cassandra’s phone buzzed.
She glanced down at the screen.
A small smile appeared.
“They’re already there.”
Ethan looked up.
“Elena and Adrian?”
She nodded.
“At the lounge across the street.”
Ethan finished the last sip of his wine and set the glass down.
“Then we shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
****
The night air was cool as they crossed the street together.
Cassandra slipped her arm lightly through Ethan’s as they walked.
Not possessive.
Just deliberate.
The lounge was darker than Lumières — more relaxed, filled with low music and quiet laughter.
A private booth in the corner was already occupied.
Adrian saw them first.
“Well look who decided to join civilization!”
Adrian Mercer leaned back lazily in his seat, waving a glass in greeting. His blond hair was slightly messy, his shirt half unbuttoned in a way that looked intentional rather than careless.
He had the effortless confidence of someone who had never worried about money a day in his life.
Elena Varga sat beside him.
Unlike Adrian’s relaxed posture, Elena was composed — elegant even while holding a cocktail.
Her sharp eyes flicked toward Ethan.
“Ethan.”
He nodded once.
“Elena.”
Cassandra slid into the booth beside him while Adrian flagged down a server.
“Drinks,” Adrian declared. “Real ones this time.”
The waiter arrived quickly.
“Your usual, Mr. Caldwell?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Moments later a glass of Macallan 18-year scotch was placed before Ethan.
Dark amber.
Strong.
Clean.
The kind of drink that didn’t pretend to be anything else.
Adrian raised his glass.
“To surviving another week without becoming responsible adults.”
Cassandra smirked.
“Speak for yourself.”
Elena took a slow sip of her drink.
“So,” Adrian continued dramatically, leaning forward, “my father called again today.”
Cassandra groaned.
“Oh no. Not the family empire lecture.”
“Exactly that,” Adrian said miserably. “Apparently the Mercer Group needs a ‘visionary successor.’”
“And you’re not volunteering?” Cassandra asked sweetly.
Adrian snorted.
“Why ruin a perfectly good life?”
Even Ethan chuckled slightly at that.
Adrian had always been like this.
Brilliant when he wanted to be.
Completely uninterested when he didn’t.
“Honestly,” Adrian continued, “I told him I’m conducting long-term research.”
Elena raised an eyebrow.
“On what?”
“Luxury lifestyles.”
Cassandra burst out laughing.
The tension in the booth eased as the conversation shifted into teasing and stories from old college days.
For a moment, it almost felt normal.
Then Elena set her glass down.
Her gaze moved briefly to Ethan.
“I met someone interesting this week.”
Cassandra tilted her head.
“Oh?”
“Ava Caldwell.”
The name landed in the air like a quiet stone dropped into water.
Ethan’s fingers stilled slightly around his glass.
Elena continued calmly.
“She’s impressive.”
Adrian blinked.
“Wait — that’s your wife, right?”
Ethan didn’t answer immediately.
Elena went on.
“She held her ground in negotiations. Most people fold when pressured.”
Her eyes rested on Ethan.
“But she didn’t.”
A faint smile touched Elena’s lips.
“Competent women are rare in business.”
Cassandra’s smile faded slightly.
The atmosphere shifted.
Adrian sensed it immediately.
“…Well,” he said awkwardly, lifting his drink again, “this suddenly feels like a board meeting.”
But Ethan remained silent.
The amber liquid in his glass reflected the dim lights of the lounge.
And for the first time that night—
His thoughts weren’t on Cassandra.
They were somewhere else entirely.
- Writer
