The Meet

1318 Words
Ethan's eyes scanned the room, his mind racing with anger and betrayal. He had been so blind, so desperate to escape Mrs Smith's clutches, that he had fallen for the stupid lies of The dinner party and the Minister's visit - it was all a lie, a scheme to have him be present at the surprise birthday party that the witch Emily was organizing for her coven member Patricia. He felt a wave of fury wash over him as he realized that, again, he was nothing more than a pawn in Patricia's game of s****l satisfaction, causing his anger to boil over. As the realization dawned on him, the room became smaller, and he was suddenly short of breath. He knew he had to get out of the luxuriously furnished living room before he exploded. He turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving the laughter and music behind. He needed fresh air, needed to clear his head and think. With his champagne glass still clutched in his hand, Ethan walked away from the revelry and out into the cool night air. He felt suffocated by the lies and manipulation, and he needed a moment to clear his head. As he stepped out onto the balcony, he gazed up at the starry sky, feeling small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The stars twinkled above him, a reminder of the vastness of the universe and the infinite possibilities that lay beyond his current predicament. Ethan took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill his lungs, and let his gaze wander across the sky. For a moment, he forgot about Patricia and her games, forgot about the dinner party and the Minister's no-show. All he could think about was the beauty of the night sky, the way the stars seemed to stretch on forever, and the sense of freedom that came with being alone in the darkness. Ethan raised his glass to his lips, taking a sip of the champagne as he stood there, lost in thought. The bubbles tickled his nose, and the taste was bitter on his tongue, but he hardly noticed. He breathed in and out as the wind brought with it the scent of perfume wafting through the air. It was a sweet, floral scent, and it seemed to come from a tired woman stretching her body under the balcony lights. Ethan's eyes narrowed as he watched her, wondering why he hadn't noticed her before now. The woman, Aubrey, was the event planner and had clearly been working hard to make sure the party was a success. Ethan felt a pang of admiration for her as he watched her stretch, her body bending and twisting in almost impossible ways. She was lost in her own little world, oblivious to the fact that Ethan was watching her. As he stood there, Ethan found himself becoming more and more entranced by Aubrey. There was something about her that drew him in, something that made him want to know more about her. To take in more of her scent. He felt a spark of attraction ignite, and he knew he had to meet her, and he began to walk towards her. Just then, Aubrey lost her balance and stumbled, her arms flailing wildly as she tried to regain her footing. Ethan instinctively reached out and caught her, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her close. Aubrey's eyes flew open, and she looked up at Ethan in surprise. They just stared at each other for a moment, the tension between them palpable. Then, Aubrey's face flushed with embarrassment, and she pulled away from Ethan, apologizing profusely. Ethan smiled and introduced himself, taking Aubrey's hand in his as they shook. The touch sent shivers down his spine, and he knew that she felt it too, as she removed her hands quickly as though she was safeguarding her heart. He knew this trouble but couldn't deny the sparks that flew between them. So, what brings you to this shindig?" Ethan asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Are you a friend of the birthday girl?" Aubrey smiled, her eyes shining with pride. "I'm the one who put this whole thing together. I own Aubrey’s Surprises, the top event planning company in Chicago." Ethan's eyes widened in surprise, and he raised his champagne glass in a toast. "Well, I'm honoured to meet a celebrity. Weren't you the one who went viral on social media a while back?" Aubrey laughed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Guilty as charged. But I'm no celebrity, just a hardworking entrepreneur trying to make a name for myself." Ethan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Don't sell yourself short, Aubrey. Your reputation precedes you, and I'm impressed. It's not every day I get to meet someone as talented and driven as you." Aubrey felt a spark of connection with Ethan. There was something about him that put her at ease, something that made her want to know more about him. There, chatting and laughing, Aubrey knew this chance encounter might just be the start of something special. As they stood there talking about the weather, work, and Chicago, Ethan found himself feeling more and more at ease. Aubrey was easy to talk to, and he found himself wanting to tell her all his secrets. As a server walked by with a tray of champagne, Ethan grabbed a fresh glass while Aubrey took one, too, with relief. She needed a drink to calm the storm that was already brewing inside her. They both unconsciously moved close to each other as though a force was causing them to stay closer. With arms slightly brushing each other’s, they watched the stars and sipped their champagne in silence. The silence between them grew thicker until it seemed to vibrate with tension. And then, as if they were connected by an invisible thread, they turned to face each other at the exact same moment. Ethan’s eyes locked onto Aubrey's, and he felt his heart skip a beat. He took a step closer, his feet moving of their own accord until he stood right before her. "You have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen," he whispered, his voice low and husky. He reached out, his palms cupping her chin, and Aubrey’s eyes fluttered closed as she leaned into his touch. Her breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling with each ragged inhale, and Ethan’s eyes were drawn to the gentle swell of her breasts. He felt his own breathing slow, his heart pounding in his chest, as he brought his head closer to hers. Their lips were inches apart, the air between them charged with electricity, when suddenly Mrs Smith’s voice cut through the tension. "Ethan, darling," she said, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. "I've been looking all over for you." Aubrey’s eyes snapped open, and she jerked away from Ethan, her face flushing with embarrassment. Ethan’s eyes never left hers, his gaze burning with a fierce intensity that made Aubrey's heart skip a beat. "Patricia," he said, trying to be in control of the situation; this is Aubrey; she is a party planner here in Chicago." Patricia’s eyes narrowed, and with her voice dripping with sarcasm, she said, “Isn’t it interesting that you are doing me the honours of introducing me to my own party planner”? Aubrey looked uncomfortable, and Ethan could tell she was trying to extricate herself from the situation. "I should probably get back to work," she said, smiling weakly. "It was nice meeting you, Ethan." As Aubrey hurried away, Ethan felt a pang of disappointment. He had been enjoying her company and didn't want the night to end. But as he turned to face Patricia, he knew he had to deal with her first. "Let's talk," Patricia said, her eyes glinting with anger. "Now."
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