BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

A PLACE BESIDE HIM

Chapter 15 – A Place Beside Him

The morning after the Carter Foundation Charity Gala, newspapers across the city carried the same front-page headline.

THE MYSTERY WOMAN WHO STOLE THE SPOTLIGHT MEET MRS. OLIVIA CARTER.

Inside Carter Manor, Mr. Harris placed a neatly folded newspaper beside Ethan's breakfast plate.

William adjusted his glasses and smiled as he read the article.

"They certainly like your wife."

Olivia looked up from her cup of tea.

"What are they saying?"

William handed her the newspaper.

Her eyes widened as she saw a full-page photograph of Ethan and herself walking hand in hand down the red carpet.

The article praised her elegance, kindness, and grace throughout the evening.

"They even interviewed some of the guests," William said.

Olivia continued reading.

One guest had said,

"Mrs. Carter is one of the most genuine women I've ever met."

Another wrote,

"She's not only beautiful but incredibly humble."

Olivia quickly lowered the newspaper.

"I don't think I deserve all this attention."

William smiled warmly.

"Kindness always gets noticed."

Ethan quietly folded another newspaper and looked at Olivia.

"You represented the Carter family well."

She looked at him in surprise.

"Is that your way of saying I did a good job?"

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Yes."

She laughed softly.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

William chuckled.

"I believe my grandson is improving."

After breakfast, Ethan stood and picked up his briefcase.

"I'll be at the office most of the day."

Olivia nodded.

"Have a good day."

He hesitated for a second.

Then he turned back.

"Would you like to have dinner together tonight?"

Olivia blinked.

"You mean..."

"Just us."

A smile slowly spread across her face.

"I'd love that."

"Seven o'clock."

"I'll be ready."

Ethan nodded before leaving.

William watched him disappear through the front door.

Then he looked at Olivia.

"Did you notice?"

She tilted her head.

"Notice what?"

"He didn't ask because of the contract."

Olivia looked thoughtful.

"I... hadn't thought about it."

William smiled knowingly.

"I have."

The rest of the morning passed quietly.

Olivia decided to spend some time in the mansion's gardens.

The roses were in full bloom, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.

She wandered slowly along the stone paths until she noticed one of the gardeners struggling to lift a heavy flower pot.

Without hesitation, she walked over.

"May I help?"

The elderly gardener immediately shook his head.

"Oh no, Mrs. Carter."

"It's too heavy."

She smiled.

"Then we'll carry it together."

Before he could protest, Olivia picked up one side of the pot.

Together they carefully placed it beside a flower bed.

The gardener wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Thank you."

"You've been working all morning."

"So have you."

He laughed.

"I've worked here for twenty-two years."

She smiled.

"Then you probably know these gardens better than anyone."

"I do."

He pointed toward a row of white roses.

"The chairman planted those with his late wife."

Olivia walked over and admired them.

"They're beautiful."

"They've always been a symbol of love in this family."

She gently touched one of the petals.

"I hope they keep blooming for many years."

From the balcony above, William had quietly witnessed the entire exchange.

He smiled proudly.

Every day...

Olivia found another way to make someone feel valued.

She never did it for praise.

It was simply who she was.

Meanwhile, at Carter Group Headquarters, Ethan sat in his office reviewing reports.

One of the directors entered carrying several newspapers.

"You've become quite popular, Ethan."

He placed them on the desk.

Every newspaper featured photographs of Ethan and Olivia from the gala.

The director smiled.

"Most articles aren't talking about your business achievements."

"They're talking about your wife."

Ethan glanced at the front page.

A photograph showed Olivia laughing as she spoke with several elderly guests during the gala.

Without realizing it...

He smiled.

The director noticed immediately.

"I've known you for fifteen years."

"I've never seen you smile at a newspaper."

Ethan closed the paper.

"People are interested because she's new."

"Is that all?"

Ethan didn't answer.

Instead, he looked out the office window.

For some reason...

He found himself thinking about dinner that evening.

Not the restaurant.

Not the food.

But the woman who would be waiting for him.

And for the first time in a very long time

The end of his workday couldn't come soon enough

The afternoon sun had begun to set by the time Ethan closed the last file on his desk. He glanced at the clock.

6:05 p.m.

Normally, he would still have hours of work ahead of him, but tonight was different.

He reached for his phone and called Daniel.

"Cancel my remaining appointments."

Daniel looked up in surprise.

"All of them, sir?"

"Yes."

"You have dinner with the directors tomorrow. This evening is free."

Ethan stood and picked up his jacket.

"I'm aware."

Daniel smiled to himself.

"I'll have the car ready."

Within minutes, the black Rolls-Royce pulled away from Carter Group Headquarters.

For the first time in years, Ethan wasn't thinking about contracts or meetings.

His thoughts kept drifting back to Olivia.

He remembered the way she laughed.

The way she thanked everyone, even for the smallest things.

The way she made every room feel warmer simply by being in it.

Without realizing it...

He found himself smiling.

Daniel noticed through the rearview mirror.

"You seem happy today, sir."

Ethan looked out the window.

"Do I?"

"A little."

"I suppose it's been a good day."

Daniel hid his smile.

"It certainly has."

Back at Carter Manor, Olivia stood in front of her wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear.

Sophia watched from the sofa with an amused expression.

"You've changed dresses three times."

Olivia sighed.

"I know."

"So what's the problem?"

"I don't know if this is a dinner because of the contract..."

She paused.

"...or because Ethan wanted to spend time with me."

Sophia smiled knowingly.

"Which answer are you hoping for?"

Olivia looked away shyly.

"I don't know."

"I think you do."

Sophia walked over and selected a simple ivory dress.

"This one."

"It's not too formal."

"Exactly."

"You don't need to impress him."

Olivia smiled softly.

"I'll wear this."

A few minutes before seven, Olivia walked downstairs.

The dining room lights were dim, and candles decorated the center of the table.

Fresh white roses rested in crystal vases.

The atmosphere felt warm and peaceful.

She looked around in surprise.

"This is beautiful."

Mr. Harris smiled.

"Mr. Carter made the arrangements himself."

"He did?"

"Yes, Mrs. Carter."

Before she could say another word, Ethan entered.

He had changed into a dark navy sweater and black trousers instead of his usual suit.

Olivia blinked.

"I've never seen you dressed like this."

"It's more comfortable."

"It suits you."

"Thank you."

For a brief second, they simply smiled at each other.

William suddenly appeared at the doorway.

"I was going to join you..."

Both of them looked toward him.

"...but I think two people deserve some time alone."

Olivia laughed.

"Grandpa."

William winked.

"Enjoy your evening."

As soon as he left, the chefs began serving dinner.

Unlike previous meals, no business discussions interrupted them.

Instead, they talked about ordinary things.

Olivia asked Ethan about his favorite food.

"Pasta."

She looked surprised.

"I thought you'd say something expensive."

He smiled faintly.

"I've never cared much about expensive food."

"What about desserts?"

"I don't usually eat them."

"You should."

"And why is that?"

"Because life is sweeter with dessert."

Ethan chuckled quietly.

"I'll remember that."

Later, Ethan looked at Olivia.

"My turn."

She smiled.

"Go ahead."

"If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?"

She thought for a moment.

"Italy."

"Why?"

"My parents always dreamed of visiting Tuscany."

She smiled softly.

"They promised we'd go together someday."

Ethan noticed the sadness in her eyes.

"We'll go."

She looked up.

"What?"

"You've never been."

She laughed.

"You make it sound so easy."

"It is."

"Ethan..."

"I'm serious."

She smiled warmly.

"I'd like that."

Dinner continued with laughter, childhood stories, and gentle teasing.

Neither of them noticed how quickly time passed.

When dessert arrived, Olivia looked at the chocolate cake and smiled.

"You ordered dessert."

Ethan looked at her.

"You said life is sweeter with it."

She laughed.

"I did."

He picked up his fork.

"I thought I'd listen."

Olivia smiled so brightly that Ethan couldn't look away.

After dinner, they stepped into the moonlit gardens.

The air was cool, carrying the sweet scent of blooming roses.

They walked side by side along the stone pathway without speaking.

The silence between them no longer felt awkward.

It felt comfortable.

Peaceful.

As they reached the fountain in the center of the garden, Olivia stopped.

"I'm happy."

Ethan turned toward her.

"You are?"

She nodded.

"I never imagined I'd find so much peace here."

He looked at the water reflecting the moonlight.

"Neither did I."

She looked at him curiously.

"What changed?"

Ethan met her eyes.

"You came."

Olivia's heart skipped a beat.

She couldn't think of a single word to say.

Neither of them noticed that their hands had slowly drifted together until their fingers brushed.

This time...

Instead of pulling away...

Ethan gently intertwined his fingers with hers.

Olivia looked down at their joined hands before looking back at him.

A shy smile appeared on her face.

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

And Ethan squeezed back.

Neither of them mentioned the contract.

For those few quiet moments beneath the moonlight

It felt as though it had never existed at all.