SILHOUETTE AT THE WINDOW
1061 Words
CHAPTER 9:
The company's building felt quiet at night. The kind of quietness that made Ava aware of how close her heartbeat sounded in her own ears.
She sat across from Ethan in his executive office, both of them surrendered by stacks of files and unfinished reports.
Ava glanced at him, then back at the file in her hand.
She spoke softly. “People were talking today?”
Ethan didn't raise his face. “They would always talk.”
“No, this was different.” She swallowed. “The rumor about one of the brothers being…” she couldn't finish her sentence.
His hand stiffened.
Silence dragged between them. It was heavy.
“I don't care what they say about me.” Ethan finally spoke. “But I won't tolerate the company turning into a gossip hole.”
He lied; he cared about those things said about him.
Ava watched him, he looked terrified.
She breathed.
“Mr Ethan. You don't have to prove anything to them.”
His eyes lifted up.
“You know, people tend to touch what they can't reach.” she paused. “They tear down what intimidates them. It's not your fault you were born into their resentment.”
Something inside him went still.
She knew about his illegitimacy, he figured.
“You know?” He asked calmly.
“Yeah, I do,” She blinked. “And that doesn't make you imperfect or a bad person.”
He softened this time.
His shoulders relaxed, as though her words had loosened a weight he’d been holding for years.
For the first time, Ethan wasn't trying to look like a CEO or guarded wall she used to see.
He looked like a man, tired and worn out, trying not to fall apart.
“Thank you,” He said almost in a whisper and he meant it.
They stared at each other longer than expected.
“Of course.” Ava looked away first, tension stirring in her heart.
She stood to stretch her legs and walked towards the glass window overlooking the city. But her steps paused.
A figure stood outside the window; average height, and slightly curved body. It was a woman.
She couldn't see it properly, just a dark shaped outline.
Someone was standing outside the office.
A silhouette. It was perfectly still, head tilted as if studying them.
Her pulse jumped.
If this is someone dangerous, why now? She thought.
“Mr Ethan…” She whispered.
He looked up. He noticed the slightest shift, every hair on his arm standing.
Just then.
The lights flickered.
The entire floor went into shadow, then flickered back to light and went dim again.
Ava let out a small gasp and stepped back quickly. Her hand brushing Ethan's desk for balance.
He stared at her and laughed.
She blinked. She had never seen him laugh before; it was warm.
Unarmored.
It was weird because he hadn't done this before.
Laughing.
“You're scared of the dark?” He teased her.
Her cheeks flushed. “I wasn't scared. It felt creepy. That's all.”
“Oh! Please, you just jumped like a startled cat.”
She glared at him as he stepped closer to her.
He was beginning to feel more human and warm. Like he finally let himself breathe.
He brushed her hair behind her ears unconsciously, staring deep into her eyes.
“Ava you do this thing…”
Then the light went off and on again.
It was deliberate and calculated.
The softness vanished.
“Someone is watching us.” He said with sharp instinct. Her pulse quickened.
“Do you see that?” She asked.
“Yeah, stay close to me.” He didn't stutter, not behind but close to him.
He stepped forward and reached for her without thinking.
She swallowed, feeling the brush of his sleeve on her arms. The shadow shifted.
“Why is someone standing there?” She muttered.
“Who could be here at this hour?”
Her mind raced, imagining all the possible features the silhouette bore.
A part of her wanted to run, the other part was curious to know who it was.
A few moments after he felt whoever was there, wasn't there anymore. He turned to sit down.
But he had forgotten his hand had been on her wrist all the while.
He swallowed.
“Uhm…sorry.” He said, letting her go.
“We should go now.” Ava added.
She picked up her handbag and they left the office together.
The elevator ride down felt tense. Neither of them spoke. Ava kept replaying the silhouette, the flickering lights, the feel of Ethan’s hand still ghosting on her skin.
The lobby lights reflected on the marble floor and they were out of the elevator.
Lucas had been waiting for them, leaning casually against his car and a mischievous smile across his face.
“Ava,” he smiled, slowly and confident. “Working late with my brother?”
Ava stiffened. She didn't know what to say.
“Anyways, let's go home as one big family.” A crooked grin tugged at his lips.
He's confident. Too confident; what's his plan. She struggled with her inner thoughts.
Ethan didn't hesitate.
“She won't be returning to the Mansion.” He said. “She’ll be staying at my penthouse from now on.”
Everywhere went still.
Lucas's smile faded. Just barely but the break was real.
He was hurt first then filled with fury.
“Ava,” his voice was low now. “You’re really choosing him.”
Her chest squeezed. She found herself falling into a war she never wanted to be part of.
She didn't have an answer but at that moment she knew everything shifted.
“This isn't about choosing anyone.” She finally found her voice.
Lucas swallowed. His jaw clenched.
“So this is how it is…huh?”
Lucas's eyes flicked towards Ethan.
“You took everything from me once,” Lucas whispered. “Now you want her too.”
Ava's heart dropped.
She didn't know their whole story but whatever it is; it ran deep.
Lucas turned to leave, but paused.
“No matter where he puts you, I'll come get you; you must be mine, Ava.”
Her chest felt heavy.
She didn't know if it was a threat or the beginning of something dangerous.
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