Forbidden Echoes

Chapter 4: The Office

The air in my father's office feels heavy, laden with the weight of memories and the unspoken echoes of his legacy. I follow suit and sit on the single chair across from Ethan. His eyes meet mine, searching for something beneath the veneer of composure. The subtle furrow of his brow hints at a curiosity that sets me on edge.

"I thought you're done with Alexander," he says casually, his voice a measured cadence that sends a ripple through the room. I take a deep breath, steadying myself before responding, "He was here to console me, as a friend. He knows that I don’t enjoy crowds and that today is tough for me. Honestly, I’m just happy to see a familiar face in the midst of all this chaos."

Ethan's gaze intensifies, probing further.

"How long have you known the Harringtons?”

I scoff at the question, “Well, Alex and I did go to the same kindergarten, Ethan. I would say that I’ve known them my whole life. Why?”

What is this?

Since when does Ethan care about the Harringtons and how well I know them?

Maybe he’s just trying to look out for me with dad being gone. He is- was, his best friend after all.

“Do you know what his father does for a living?”

“Ethan, I can assure you that I’m not going to date Alex again.” I laugh it off. “We’ve been friends forever and that relationship ended a long time ago. Alex is not the big bad wolf that’s going to try and take advantage of me whilst I’m mourning.” I say, softening my gaze, showing him the appreciation I have for what he’s trying to do.

Ethan looks away, his eyes squint.

“I promised your father I would look after you, Serena, and I don’t want you falling into the hands of fools. Your father had a much much more significant future planned for you. One without someone who…” He grows silent and my mind is racing.

“Someone who what?” I ask, as all admiration drains from my face. Each inquiry feels like a pressing weight, and for a moment, I wonder if Ethan is jealous, if my time alone with Alexander has triggered some unspoken insecurity.

His eyes meet mine, searching through me for a sign that I might know what he’s talking about.

Disappointment washes over him.

“Nevermind, Serena. Just now that I’ll be here when you need me and remember, not all is as it seems.”

My mind is racing with confusion. The half truths and questions I uncovered all catch up with me and I feel overwhelmed, realizing I don't have answers to his questions. Suddenly the unfamiliarity of Alex's family strikes me, and I find myself stumbling through memories of my childhood.

I redirect the conversation, attempting to steer it away from the many unknowns that have revealed themselves in this world without my father.

I shake my head, throwing off the veil of confusion to focus on what I know is certain. My father’s company.

"Do you know who my father appointed as the executor of his will? We need to get going with the proceedings so that we can start prepping for Q2." I watch Ethan closely, hoping to divert his focus, and he grimaces.

“You’re just like him, Serena. We’re halfway through November and you’re already looking towards Q2. He’d be proud of you!” He sits forward on the leather couch, his elbows press against his muscular thighs, bringing his hands together. He takes a deep breath and his face grows serious.

”Your father appointed me as the executor of his will, Serena. My lawyers notified me this morning and we’ll start proceedings later this week when the dust has settled down”, his tone carrying a mix of authority and sympathy.

"I'll announce a gathering in the coming days to discuss the details.”

Nodding in agreement, we share a moment of silence, the gravity of my father's absence palpable in the room.

Ethan's words echo, "He really was a great man, wasn't he?"

A smile spreads across my face and I find myself gazing at the familiar items around the office, each triggering memories of my father.

My eyes settle on the bay window overlooking the lush front lawn. He used to stand there in an air of authority, watching me play with my friends.

My gaze drifts to the left of the room and I recall the black robe that always hung on the coat rack behind the two steel chairs.

Funny- he wasn’t a judge. I wonder what it was for?

I remember asking dad about it once but the memory is hazy and all I recall from that conversation is that it was a family heirloom.

I don’t think that’s our family crest embroidered on the back though?

“Serena,” Ethan interrupts my thought, “would you mind if I fix myself a drink?”

“Oh yeah, of course. He kept the good stuff-”

“In his bottom left drawer, I know. We used to spend hours in this office.” He grins as he makes his way to dad’s desk, my eyes fixed on his movements across the room. He opens the drawer, waking the bottle of Dalmore 62 whisky from its mahogany encased slumber.

“You want one?”

“Sure. Why not.”

He turns around to the fireplace, taking two crystal whisky tumblers from the floating shelves dad insisted be dressed as a mini whisky bar.

My focus shifts to the massive bookshelf next to him. The small alcove I noticed earlier beckons my attention. I move towards it to inspect this unknown alcove and when I reach Ethan, I notice for the first time how good he smells. Like expensive s*x- if that even makes sense?

Focus, Serena!

I point to the shadowy enclave "Do you know if there’s something behind this bookshelf? I’ve never seen this alcove until this morning. I was always sure it was a built-in feature of my father’s office."

Ethan's composure remains unchanged, but a flicker of curiosity lights up his eyes. He turns around, handing me a tumbler of the silky, golden whisky my dad so loved.

"I don’t know. Has your father mentioned something about it before?" He says as he sits on the desk, facing the bookshelf.

“Never. But to be fair, the only books brought up in our conversation were about my master’s degree studies.” I say with my back turned to Ethan as I float my empty hand over the business and history books stacked in alphabetical order.

“He didn’t care much for reading me bedtime stories, but he sure did enjoy teaching his ‘little girl’ about corporate finance and management.” My grin melts into the golden liquor flowing from the tumbler in my hand.

“Well, you’re not so little anymore.”

Surprised at his words, I turn around to find his gaze rolling down my body and back up to lock eyes with me. It’s at this moment I notice how his gray-blue eyes are framed perfectly by his swept back salt and pepper hair.

Am I imagining this or does he look like he wants to pin me against this bookshelf and have his way with me?

Oh my god what’s wrong with you? He’s dad’s best friend and a whole 25 years older than you, Serena! Stop it!

He approaches the massive bookshelf, his cologne filling every particle of air around me. He reaches forward to touch a book, his hand brushing mine and I feel like I’m about to faint. Maybe it’s the whisky, or the intimate moment I almost had with Alex, I’m not sure but what I do know is that I’m suddenly feeling too dizzy to stand upright and I stagger against the bookshelf for support.

“Serena, are you alright?” He says as he puts his arm around me, steadying me where I stand.

“Have you eaten today? Or did Alex slip you something?” He looks over his shoulder towards the door as if he’s waiting for Alex to appear. “That son of a b***h, I’ll kill him!” He turns around, ready to make his way to the door.

“No Ethan, Alex didn’t do anything,” He halts in his steps and flings himself around to face me again, a look of relief flickering in his eyes. “I haven’t eaten and am just feeling overwhelmed by everything that’s going on today. I don’t need you and whatever drama you have with the Harrington’s to get in the way.” I’m suddenly annoyed with him and it shows.

“I’m just trying to look out for you, Serena.”

“I know but I don’t need you to, Ethan. I’m not so little anymore, remember?”

I can see the heat rising beneath his collar but instead of lashing out like my father would, he clenches his jaw, inhaling deeply.

“Fine, let me just help you to the couch then.”

I protest but he guides me to the leather couch where I was moaning moments ago. He sits beside me, still frowning and clenching his jaw, examining me to see if the color has returned to my face. When I seem to have recovered, he restarts the conversation.

“Your dad’s no longer here, Serena, and somebody has got to take care of you! You don’t know who those people are and what they’re capable of!” His frustration is closer to the surface than before and I see glimpses of my father’s behavior when he motions with his hands to the door. Unfortunately for him, I have my father’s temper and will not back down like he wants me to. My frustration quickly matches his as I wonder Who the hell is this guy to tell me who I can and cannot see?

I sit upright, facing him when I say “You are not my father, Eathan. You do not get to tell me who I can and cannot see! I am twenty one and very capable of taking care of myself! I don’t need you to tell me to be more careful!”

He inches closer to me, searching my eyes again in hopes that I would have caught on to what he was trying to hint at earlier.

“You don’t-” he clenches his jaw, interrupting himself. He inhales, calming himself as if he’s trying his best not to show me his ugly side.

He unclenches his jaw, stretching his arm on the couch’s backrest and says, “You don’t know what you are dealing with, Serena. This is not some research project or a test you’re studying for, this is real life and you need to learn how to be more careful!”

I drop against the backrest in defeat.

I don’t have the energy for this right now.

“I am careful, Ethan. I’ve made it this far, haven’t I?”

Dissatisfied by my answer, he leans forward until he’s only one foot away from me, putting his hand on the back of my neck. I catch his gaze on my lips, and a flicker of tension passes over his face.

Just breathe, Serena!

A controlled exhale escapes him as he leans in closer, his touch both gentle and possessive. The atmosphere becomes charged with a shared unspoken desire, and my mind fixates on the intimate memory of Alex's lips.

He releases my neck and reaches past me, his lips only a few inches away from mine. I can feel the heat from his skin when he drops something into my lap. Startled, I look down to find my misplaced black lace panties.

“Maybe not careful enough.” He whispers, sending shivers down my spine.