Mine, in public (2).
965 Words
Zoey didn’t do the costume fitting at 2pm but rather at 1:35pm. Being early was a weapon she carried around now. Sophia used to be late and apologize but Zoey was early and made them wait.
The Crimson Throne set was total chaos. Stylists were shouting, actors were rushing, one actor was even crying because his wig itched. Which were all normal.
What wasn’t normal was Ethan leaning against the doorway of the wardrobe and watching.
He wasn’t supposed to be here because CEOs don’t do fittings. They only sign checks and end lives from penthouses. Yet, he was there with his sleeves rolled as usual and a scar on his knuckle. He kept looking at her like a lottery he already won.
“You’re early, Zee.” Only Ethan called her that. The way he said it felt like a claiming hand around her throat.
“Adrian is gonna leak that tape.” She greeted him with that, instead of saying a hello.
The wardrobe was empty now. Just the both of them and a rack of gowns.
“The one from past life, he still has it.”
Ethan didn’t move. “I know.”
“You know and you’re just standing there?”
“I’m rather waiting.” He pushed the door and walked slowly to her.
“To see if you’d cry and beg me to fix it like Sophia would. Or if you’d tell me how you want him buried like Zoey does.
The last life, she had begged but got nothing instead. This life, she pulled out her phone, opened her email and drafted a letter in 30 seconds flat.
To: All blogs, Curbed NY, Streets blogs NYC.
Subject: Why Adrian Greyhound’s leak is from 2019 and he was holding it as a blackmail.
Attachment: Time-stamped texts, his IP address, Mia’s confession video from last night.
She held it up for Ethan to see. “I don’t need you to fix it, I need you to watch it.”
Something in his face shifted, maybe respect, maybe desire.
He took the phone from her but didn’t read the text, he suddenly just hit send with his thumb. Then he looked at her, really. “Good girl.” Those words shouldn’t have worked. They weren’t for Sophia because Sophia hated praises from men.
Zoey felt them hit low and hot but she hated that more.
“Don’t.” She said
“Don’t what?”, he was going closer to her. All he smelled like was cedar and cigarettes. “I shouldn’t praise you? I shouldn’t protect what’s mine?”
“I’m not yours, Ethan.”
“No.” He plucked a dress off one of the racks. The cloth was blood red, he knew it was her color. “Sophia wasn’t mine , she was theirs to break.”
He held up the dress to her and not touching her still. He just held it close to her, close enough so she could feel the heat from his hands.
“Zoey wears red when she goes to war.” He nodded to the PA who had appeared at the entrance of the doorway some minutes ago.
“She’s wearing this tonight. Crimson Throne wrap party at 8pm, then to my car.”
“It’s not a request.” The PA panicked for some seconds before she fled.
Zoey took the dress from him, it was a bit heavy. “If I wear this, every blog will say I’m sleeping with you, is that the point you’re trying to make?”
Ethan smiled that same warm smile once again.
“The point, Zee, is that after tonight , no man in New York will look at you without seeing my name across your throat.” And he left immediately.
•••
8:03pm. Crimson Throne wrap party. The Livingston ballroom.
Adrian and Mia were present at the party and sweat was all over them. They were both watching the door because the blogs had gone wild at 3pm. #AdrianGreyhoundIsOverParty was the trending hashtag.
Zoey came in at exactly 8:10pm, she came late on purpose. The red dress Ethan had chosen for her hit her like a second skin. She didn’t put on any jewelry nor a smile. Just a straight back and eyes that looked like it had seen death face to face before.
Just then, Ethan Cole stepped out of the crowd and walked up to her, he didn’t even have to ask. He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers. Then he turned to the room, particularly to Adrian and the flashing cameras.
“Evening.” Ethan said in a calm voice.
“This is Zoey Walker, the lead of Crimson Throne. She’s my newest signing.
*Flash, flash, flash. The cameras started clicking so fast.
“And,” he added, looking straight at Adrian, “anyone who tries to touch what’s mine will definitely spend the rest of their life explaining why their career took a wrong turn on a random Tuesday.”
Mia suddenly choked on her spit and started coughing. Adrian’s glass cup fell from his hand and shattered on the floor.
Zoey didn’t spare a glance at them. She only looked at Ethan, at the promise in his eyes.
In her past life, she’d died for love. In this life, she’d make them die for her.
She leaned in to him, just enough that the cameras caught it and just enough that her lips brushed his ear.
“Clause updated.” She whispered to him.
“I don’t date, except for you.”
Ethan’s fingers tightened on hers, possessively.
“Good,” he said loud enough for the whole room to hear. “Because Sophia was negotiable but Zoey is not!”
- Writer
