Working for him

Lines you shouldn't cross

"Watch your back darling." Selene winked at Bella before walking away, leaving her with a knot forming in her stomach. Bella knew selene was trying to intimidate her but her words rang in my head.

What was she doing here really? Playing cinderella with a dress she couldn't afford, standing in a place with people far above her reach, and somehow entangled whether she liked it or not, with a man who was way out of her league and was somehow involved with the manager.

"Don't let her get to you."

Bella jumped. Ethan was standing in the doorway now, his tie was slightly loosened, looking more human than ever.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough."

He moved to stand beside Bella, closer than neccessary. One wrong move and they would be brushing against each other.

Bella didn't move. Neither did he.

"Selene is fond of making threats sound like she's giving a friendly advice."

Bella still couldn't figure out what joined Selene and Ethan together because it didn't look like they were in a relationship to her neither did he look like he was in one. But regardless upon still, she had like a claim on him. Not that she was really bothered by it but finding out just helped cleared things up. At least. Bella convinced herself that she didn't feel a thing for him. She was just attracted to his physical features and that was all to it. She hoped

"She just seems to have a claim on you.... you guys are together?" Bella asked as the words sprawled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

She prayed silently that whatever comes out of Ethan's mouth would somehow help her sleep better tonight.

Ethan jaw thightened. "Our families have been friends for years. Her father is a major shareholder of the company. So she considers herself the perfect match for me."

"And what do you think?"

He turned to look at her with his piercing brown eyes as intense as the moonlight. "It's my destiny. I prefer to make my own choices."

Bella heart was pounding so loud that she doubted if he couldn't hear it. They were standing very close now. She could smell his cologne. It was intoxicating.

"Bella." Ethan said softly as he lifted his hand to cup his face, looking down at her with warmth in his eyes, as he brushed some strands of hair off her face.

"Mr Ethan!" one of the board members called.

"There you are, we need you for a photoshoot with one of the major donors."

The moment once again was interrupted as Ethan dropped his hand switching back to professional mode. "Alright, after you."

Ethan glanced at Bella one last time before following the board member inside leaving Bella alone with racing thoughts and the cool air that now brought goosebumbs to her skin. After a while, Bella could hear faint sounds coming from inside.

Bella knew it was time for the dance as she walked past the doorway to be greeted by soft music playing and couples swaying to the music. It felt magical. Walking down the stairs, what Bella saw made her stop in her tracks.

Her chest tightened at the sight before her.

Few feets away was Selene and Ethan dancing together. Selene had her hands wrapped around him, her body aligned together with his as if she belonged there.

Ethan wasn't looking at Bella but from where she stood she could tell he wasn't relaxed but that didn't change what it looked like to everyone else. They both danced with precision as Ethan tilted a little and saw Bella.

Something unreadable flashed his face. For her, that was it. She couldn't be swooning over someone else man who happened to be her boss. She didn't care about the story he told her because in this moment, Ethan belonged to Selene. Bella gave Ethan a small smile and was about to walk away.

"Hey princess, thought i would never see you again."

Bella tilted to the side and saw Brane walking towards her with a smile on his face. There was just something about him that appealed to her, but in a good way tho.

"May i have this dance?" he asked with smile on the corner of his lips

He looked cute and handsome at the same time.

Without much thought Bella gave in. She could use one to clear her head anyway.

"As you wish, prince charming" Bella replied with a smile taking his arm.

Pushing Ethan away from her mind, she focused on Brane as he held her waist with gentle hands and careful movement as they swayed to the music. She soon forget about everything and relaxed in Brane arms.

"Been a while i danced." Brane said staring down at her with his grey eyes.

"You're dancing as if you did one just yesterday" Bella chuckled lightly. "I can't remember when last i danced like this, if not for you holding me up, i would have tripped over this dress countless times."

"Did i fail to mention you look gorgeous tonight?" Brane said as staring at her with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Your smile just sums everything up."

Bella tried to hide her blush but failed. "Thank you."

From the corner of her eyes Bella could see Ethan staring at her with a cold look that could kill without words. He was staring at them like he could rip them apart if he had the chance.

Why was he staring at them like that? Was it now a crime to dance with someone? She held on to his gaze, meeting his stare head on. Selene seemed to notice the tension when she realised Ethan wasn't minding her at all, neither the dance.

"Concentrate on the dance." Brane said drawing Bella closer by her waist, using his shoulders to block her view like a shield she didn't know she needed.

"I'm sorry" Bella muttered quietly.

By the time the dance was over, Brane had excused himself saying he had something urgent to attend to but not before offering her a ride home which she declined apologetically. Now she was kind of regretting the decision when she felt a slight headache. Bella looked around and couldn't find Ethan. She sighed and headed outside, she just wanted to be home.

Bella was about to order for a ride.

"Ms. bella, Mr Ethan ordered me to take you home." the chauffeur said upon sighting her.

"Oh.. do you have any idea where he might be?" Bella asked bluntly.

"He already left few minutes ago with a lady." he replied opening the door for me. I could feel my mood change as i slid into the car. I felt nothing but anger. How dare he leave me alone here without informing me? And why was he going home with her? Possible reasons played in my mind but none of them helped. I recalled the moment we shared at the balcony and my stomach did a little flip.

And that was when it dawned on Bella that her job was about to get a lot more complicated than she bargained for.