Twice Too Many
585 Words
The following morning, Blackwood Tower was unusually busy.
Employees hurried through the lobby carrying files and coffee, whispering about an upcoming partnership announcement.
Lia barely noticed.
Her mind was still on yesterday.
On Alexander.
More specifically...
On Ethan's reaction.
---
"You've been quiet."
Lia looked up.
Sophia stood beside her desk with two cups of coffee.
"I've been working."
"You've been thinking."
Lia accepted the coffee.
"Is it that obvious?"
Sophia smiled.
"Only to people paying attention."
---
Before Lia could answer, Ethan stepped out of his office.
"Conference room. Five minutes."
He didn't even glance at her before walking away.
Lia frowned.
"He's in a worse mood than usual."
Sophia hid a smile.
"I wonder why."
---
The meeting dragged on for almost three hours.
Investors discussed contracts.
Lawyers argued over details.
Lia focused on taking notes.
Until the conference room doors opened.
Alexander Knight walked in.
Fashionably late.
"As dramatic as ever," he said with a grin.
Several executives laughed.
Ethan didn't.
---
Alexander's eyes found Lia almost immediately.
"Good morning."
She smiled politely.
"Morning."
Ethan closed the file in front of him.
"Can we continue?"
The room instantly fell silent.
---
After the meeting ended, Lia stepped into the hallway.
She had barely taken three steps when Alexander caught up.
"You never answered my question yesterday."
"What question?"
"The coffee."
Lia laughed softly.
"You really don't give up."
"Not easily."
---
Before she could reply, another voice interrupted.
"Lia."
She turned.
Ethan stood at the end of the hallway.
His expression calm.
Too calm.
"I need you."
Alexander glanced between them.
"Am I interrupting?"
"Yes," Ethan answered.
Without hesitation.
---
The silence that followed was almost comical.
Alexander blinked.
Then laughed.
"I'll borrow her another time."
"No."
This time, even Lia stared at Ethan.
"No?"
"No."
Alexander folded his arms.
"You know she can answer for herself."
"I do."
"And?"
"I already answered."
---
Lia looked between the two men.
"Am I missing something?"
Neither answered.
Which somehow answered everything.
---
Back in Ethan's office, Lia closed the door behind her.
She turned to face him.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"That."
"You'll need to be more specific."
She sighed.
"You practically chased Alexander away."
"I did."
"Why?"
Ethan looked at her.
"He keeps distracting you."
"He's talked to me twice."
"Twice too many."
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Silence filled the room.
Lia blinked.
"You... actually sound jealous."
For the first time since she'd met him...
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked away.
Just for a second.
---
"I don't like people with unclear intentions."
Lia smiled.
"That's not what I asked."
Another silence.
Longer this time.
Then Ethan walked toward the window.
His back facing her.
"I've spent years learning how to read people."
He spoke quietly.
"Alexander never does anything without a reason."
"And you think I'm his reason?"
"I know you are."
---
Lia walked over until she was standing beside him.
The city stretched below them.
"So you're worried about me?"
Ethan didn't respond.
"You are."
Still nothing.
She smiled to herself.
"You know..."
She looked at him.
"It's kind of sweet."
That finally earned a reaction.
He turned to face her.
"I wasn't trying to be sweet."
"I know."
"But you were."
For the first time...
A faint blush crept across Ethan Blackwood's face.
It lasted less than a second.
But Lia saw it.
And she couldn't stop smiling.
Because for once...
The unshakable billionaire looked completely caught off guard.
- Writer
