Episode 4:The Promise
875 Words
Anna's POV
The furious knocking by Daniel resounded in the room, each thud against the door stronger than the last. I froze, my heart racing.
"Anna! Open this damn door!" Daniel's voice boomed, shaking the walls.
Ethan lay beside me, turned his head toward the door, and smiled, not at all concerned. His shirt was open, and his chest still gleamed in the dark. I was about to freak out.
"Ethan," I whispered sternly, tugging the sheet around me as I sat up. "You have to leave."
He didn't move. Instead, he leaned back against the headboard, looking far too comfortable considering. "Why should I leave? Let him keep knocking."
"Ethan, please," I pleaded. "If Daniel finds you here-"
Ethan stopped me with a teasing smile. "He'll find out what? That his wife was in bed with someone who actually knows how to appreciate her?
I glared at him, annoyed yet silently amused by his brazenness. "This isn't a joke, Ethan."
He gave a sigh, finally sitting up. "Fine, I'll go. But only if you promise me something."
"Now isn't the time for this!"
"Promise me you'll come to my house for dinner tomorrow," he said, his voice firm and serious.
I blinked at him in utter surprise. "Dinner? Tomorrow?
"Yes," he said, leaning in close. "If you want me to leave, you have to promise me."
I hesitated, hearing Daniel's fists hammering on the door again. "Anna!" he yelled, his voice growing angrier by the second.
"Okay, fine," I whispered hurriedly. "I promise. Now, go!"
But Ethan didn't budge. Instead, he leaned in and kissed me, his lips soft but demanding. The kiss deepened, and for a moment, I forgot about the pounding on the door. His hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as my resolve melted away.
"Tomorrow," he murmured against my lips before finally standing and grabbing his jacket.
Ethan glided from the room by way of the balcony, as silently in this movement as on all occasions regarding him were concerned. My heart still racing in flight, I re-tightened, doing all that was in my power to seem decent when planted against tempest storming behind the other door.
I smoothed down my hair as I walked to the door, adjusting my robe. My fingers had a slight shake to them as I turned the lock, but I squared my shoulders as I turned the handle. I wasn't about to let Daniel see any weakness.
The door flew open and Daniel stormed in, his face contorted in fury. His hands shot out, catching me by the shoulders and pushing me back against the wall.
Who was in here with you?" he growled, his fingers tightening. His eyes were just blazing with anger, and for one second, I almost believed he would hurt me.
I didn't back down. "Let go of me, Daniel," I said icily, my voice even despite the circumstances.
"Tell me!" he roared, his hands sliding from my shoulders to my neck.
Get your hands off me," I hissed, glaring up at him. My hand reached for my phone on the nearby table, and with a few swipes, I pulled up the video I had recorded earlier-the one of Daniel and Sophia in their heated embrace.
His grip loosened as I shoved the phone in his face. "Watch," I said, my voice dripping with contempt.
Daniel's face went white as the video continued, the moans of Sophia and his name echoing within the room. He retreated backward, eyes wide in shock.
"Where did you-"
"It doesn't matter where I got it," I snapped, quickly cutting him off. "You want to ask me about my room? My life? While you're out screwing my so-called best friend? Save your hypocrisy, Daniel.
His jaw clenched, and I could see the rage boiling beneath the surface. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into," he spat, raising his hand as if to strike me.
I didn't flinch. In mid-air, I clutched his wrist tightly. "Don't you dare," I said, in the lowest and most venomous tone I had ever spoken. "You're in no position to threaten me. If you touch me, I will post this video for the world to see. Your reputation, your precious career-it goes down in tatters. And don't you dare involve my family or anyone in this mess, or you'll lose absolutely everything.
Daniel's hand fell to his side, and he started to shudder with restrained anger. "You think you are blackmailing me?"
"No, Daniel," I said, stepping closer to him, my tone soft but the undertones deadly. "I am giving you an ultimatum: leave me alone, and I'll leave you alone. In my opinion, this farce of a marriage ended when you stepped into that room with Sophia.
Daniel's nostrils flared, and his fists clenched, but he didn't move. Instead, he stared at me, his chest heaving with barely contained fury.
This isn't over," he growled, turning and storming from the room, slamming the door behind him.
I stood there for a long moment, breathing heavily as I digested everything that had just happened.
I leaned against the door and let a small smile on my face. Tomorrow, I will be facing Ethan all over again.
- Writer
