Chapter 6 : Secrets In The Dark
461 Words
Ava sat alone in her apartment, staring at the city lights outside her window. The project at work was finally complete, but instead of feeling relieved, she felt restless.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Ethan.
"Did you get home safely?"
A smile appeared on her face before she could stop it.
"Yes. Thanks for asking."
A few seconds later, another message arrived.
"Good. I was worried."
Ava stared at the words.
No one had worried about her in a long time.
Ever since her father left when she was a child, she had learned to depend on herself. Her mother's illness had only strengthened that belief.
Yet somehow, Ethan made her feel like she didn't have to carry everything alone.
The next morning, Ava arrived at the office earlier than usual.
As she stepped out of the elevator, she heard voices coming from Ethan's office.
The door was slightly open.
A woman's voice.
"I thought you said you would tell her."
Ava froze.
Ethan sounded frustrated.
"Not now."
"When then? Before she finds out herself?"
Ava quietly stepped away before they noticed her.
The conversation stayed in her mind for the rest of the day.
Who was the woman?
And what secret was Ethan hiding?
Later that evening, Ethan invited her to dinner.
They met at a quiet restaurant near the waterfront.
For a while, everything felt normal.
They laughed.
Talked.
Shared stories about their childhoods.
But Ava couldn't ignore the questions in her head.
Finally, she looked at him.
"Ethan?"
"Yes?"
"Are you hiding something from me?"
His smile disappeared.
For a moment, silence filled the table.
Then he sighed.
"There are things about my past I haven't told you."
Ava's heart tightened.
"What things?"
Ethan looked away.
"The kind of things that make people leave."
Ava didn't know what to say.
She wanted answers.
Yet she could see genuine fear in his eyes.
For the first time since meeting him, Ethan Carter looked vulnerable.
"I won't force you to tell me," she said softly.
His eyes met hers.
"Thank you."
The conversation moved on, but neither of them truly relaxed.
When dinner ended, Ethan walked her home.
They stopped outside her apartment building.
The cool night breeze surrounded them.
For a few seconds, neither moved.
Then Ethan stepped closer.
"Ava."
"Yes?"
"I'm glad I met you."
Her heartbeat quickened.
"So am I."
Their eyes locked.
The distance between them disappeared.
Slowly, carefully, Ethan leaned forward.
Ava did not step away.
Their first kiss was gentle.
Brief.
Yet it felt like something neither of them would ever forget.
When they finally pulled apart, both were smiling.
But across the street, hidden in the shadows, someone was watching them.
And that person had no intention of letting them be happy.
- Writer
