Tangled hearts
1176 Words
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Episode 9 – “Tangled Hearts”
Zara wasn’t sure when the line between personal and professional had blurred.
But it had.
And now, she found herself sitting across from Ethan Blackwood at a dimly lit wine bar downtown — not as his employee, but as something far more dangerous.
His date.
It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t announced. It just... happened.
“I thought you hated wine,” he said, swirling his glass.
Zara smiled faintly. “I said I hated cheap wine. There’s a difference.”
Ethan chuckled — an actual laugh. It felt rare and intimate, like she’d unlocked a side of him no one else got to see.
She watched his profile in the warm light — the quiet strength in his jawline, the way his eyes narrowed thoughtfully with each sip. Ethan Blackwood was stunning in the daylight, but in moments like this, when he wasn’t pretending, he was dangerous.
“Why did you ask me here?” she asked softly.
He didn’t look at her right away. “Because I needed to know something.”
“What?”
“If this is just curiosity for you,” he said. “A thrill. A way to play the game.”
Zara set down her glass. “Is that what you think of me?”
“No,” he said. “But I don’t know what to think when I look at you. One minute you’re this unstoppable force. The next, you look at me like I’m your worst mistake.”
She swallowed. “Maybe I am making a mistake.”
He stiffened.
Zara leaned forward. “But I don’t want to stop.”
His eyes locked with hers. “Then don’t.”
A beat passed. Then another.
She reached across the table, her fingers brushing his.
They sat in silence. No more questions. No more defenses. Just the quiet hum of something growing too big to ignore.
---
The next morning at the office was a different kind of storm.
Zara walked in earlier than usual, feeling raw but clear-headed. Last night wasn’t a dream. Ethan had kissed her again. Twice. They’d left the bar in silence, hands brushing occasionally, lips swollen with the weight of decisions.
But now — they were back in Blackwood Enterprises.
Back where everyone was watching.
As she reached her desk, Laura’s message popped up instantly.
Laura: You went on a date with your boss and didn’t tell me??? Girl, I will fight you.
Zara couldn’t help but laugh.
She typed back: It wasn’t a date.
A second later, Laura replied: Was there food?
Yes.
Was there wine?
Yes.
Did you kiss him?
Zara stared at the screen before typing: Yes.
Laura sent a string of shocked emojis.
Zara sighed, minimizing the chat.
Just then, the elevator doors opened.
Ethan stepped out, crisp and polished, eyes sweeping the floor. For a second, his gaze caught hers.
But just as quickly — it passed over her, and he walked away without a word.
Her stomach sank.
So that’s how it was going to be.
---
At noon, Zara was called into the boardroom unexpectedly. She wasn’t scheduled for any meetings. Her fingers trembled slightly as she grabbed her notepad.
Inside the room, Ethan was already seated — along with his assistant, one of the HR reps, and... Issabel.
Zara blinked. “What’s going on?”
Ethan didn’t answer.
Issabel stood. “Zara, dear. You’re probably wondering why you're here.”
Zara crossed her arms. “Yes, actually.”
Issabel smiled sweetly. “It’s come to my attention that there may be some... conflict of interest going on between you and Mr. Blackwood.”
Zara’s heart stopped.
“What are you talking about?”
HR cleared her throat. “We’ve received an anonymous complaint regarding inappropriate employee–employer interactions. We’re required to investigate.”
Zara looked at Ethan — but his face was unreadable.
“No one here has seen or heard anything inappropriate,” she said.
Issabel tilted her head. “Oh, but darling... rumors fly. You wouldn’t want the board to think you’ve earned your place with anything other than talent, would you?”
Zara clenched her jaw. “This is about your insecurity. Not my work.”
Ethan finally stood. His voice was cold.
“That’s enough.”
Issabel turned. “I’m only trying to protect your company, Ethan. From scandal.”
He looked at her like he could barely tolerate the sight. “Zara’s work is beyond reproach. If there’s a complaint, we’ll investigate. But this meeting ends now.”
Issabel glared at him, then at Zara, before storming out.
HR mumbled something about policy and quietly followed.
The door clicked shut.
Zara faced Ethan. “So this is how you protect me?”
“I didn’t call this meeting.”
“But you didn’t stop it either.”
“I had to let HR do their job.”
“You had to let your mother’s puppet humiliate me in front of half your team?”
He stepped forward. “Zara, you know this is messy. I’m trying to—”
“To what? Keep your hands clean?”
His eyes darkened. “That’s not fair.”
She shook her head. “You don’t get to pull me into your world and then act like I’m a liability.”
“I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
Zara turned to leave, but Ethan caught her arm.
“Zara—”
She yanked away. “Don’t. Just... don’t.”
---
That night, Zara didn’t go home.
She wandered New York until the sun dipped below the skyline, walking past glowing shop windows, food carts, street musicians — trying to remember who she was before Ethan Blackwood started unraveling her.
She ended up at a bench near Central Park, hugging her coat tighter, her breath misting in the air.
She didn’t cry.
She didn’t want to give him that power.
But inside, everything was cracking.
She pulled out her phone.
Laura had texted.
Laura: Come home. You don’t have to act strong tonight.
Zara typed back: I don’t know if I can keep doing this.
A pause.
Then Laura replied: You don’t have to decide anything tonight. Just come home. I’ve got wine and frozen pizza.
Zara smiled faintly through the ache.
She stood up and began to walk.
---
Meanwhile, Ethan sat alone in his penthouse — the city buzzing beneath his window, but his thoughts impossibly quiet.
He’d never seen Zara look at him that way — like he’d broken something that couldn’t be repaired.
He poured a drink but didn’t touch it.
Instead, he walked to the window, staring at the reflection of his own face.
The boy who grew up under his father’s thumb. The man who built walls so high no one could climb them — until she did.
He pulled out his phone. Stared at her number.
But didn’t call.
Because the truth was... he didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t ruin it more.
- Writer
