Running Into Shadows

Chapter 5: Running Into Shadows

Ethan  

I woke up unusually excited that morning. That bastard Liam wouldn’t know what hit him at his wedding.

 My plan with Riley was already in motion, and the thought of walking into that event with someone so effortlessly charming by my side made my chest swell with anticipation.  

After a quick shower, I got dressed in a rush, pulling on a crisp white shirt and dark jeans. Luna, my moody tabby, meowed impatiently from the kitchen, her golden eyes glaring at me like I’d committed some grave offense.  

“Alright, alright, I’m coming,” I muttered, grabbing her food bowl. She purred in satisfaction as I set it down, already digging in.  

With one last glance in the mirror, messy hair, but manageable, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door.  

As I locked my apartment, an idea struck me. I turned to Riley’s door. If I could catch him before he left, maybe we could iron out a few more details about our fake relationship. I knocked twice, then waited, shifting from foot to foot.  

No answer.  

I knocked again, louder this time. Still nothing.  

“He must already be out,” I mumbled, glancing at my watch. My stomach sank. 8:00 a.m.

“Shit!” I hissed. I was already half an hour late for work. Samantha, my boss, wasn’t exactly the forgiving type.  

I bolted down the stairs, flagging down the first taxi I could find. Fifteen minutes later, I was standing outside the glass doors of the marketing firm where I worked, catching my breath.  

The office was already buzzing when I walked in. Phones rang, keyboards clicked, and the faint smell of burnt coffee lingered in the air. I waved at a few colleagues as I made my way to my desk, trying to keep a low profile.  

“Ethan! You’re late!”  

I turned to see Clara, my closest work friend, rushing over with a worried expression. Her dark hair was pulled into a neat bun, and she clutched her coffee mug like it was the only thing keeping her sane.  

“I know,” I groaned, throwing my bag onto my chair. “Don’t tell me Samantha’s here already.”  

“Not yet,” Clara said, lowering her voice. “But Jonathan is. And he’s been eyeing the clock since he got here.”  

I rolled my eyes. Jonathan Hayes, my so-called “rival,” was a senior designer who seemed to have made it his life’s mission to make my job miserable.  

“Of course he has,” I muttered, plopping into my seat.  

As if summoned by sheer willpower, Jonathan appeared like a smug shadow over my desk. His perfectly tailored suit and slicked-back blond hair were as irritating as his personality.  

“Well, well,” he drawled, leaning against my cubicle. “Look who decided to grace us with his presence.”  

“Good morning, Jonathan,” I said flatly, not bothering to look up.  

“Thirty minutes late,” he said, tapping his watch. “I’m sure Samantha will find that very interesting.”  

I sighed, already too tired to deal with him. “Do what you need to do, Jonathan. I’m not in the mood today.”  

“Oh, I will,” he said with a venomous smile. “Just thought I’d give you a heads-up before I report it. You’re welcome.”  

“Thanks,” I muttered under my breath, watching him saunter away.  

Clara appeared at my side, her expression a mix of sympathy and exasperation. “He’s such a snake. Don’t let him get to you.”  

“I won’t,” I said, though my clenched fists told a different story.  

The day dragged on painfully after that. Samantha did eventually reprimand me when Jonathan reported my tardiness, but it was nothing more than a brief scolding. Still, it was enough to make Jonathan smirk at me from across the room like he’d won some kind of prize.  

By late afternoon, I was ready to call it quits. As I packed up my things, Jonathan decided to deliver one last parting blow.  

“Oh, Ethan,” he said, his voice dripping with fake sweetness. “I almost forgot to mention, did you know your ex, Liam, is getting married? In case you missed the memo.”  

I froze, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. “I’m aware, Jonathan. Thanks for your concern.”  

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a mock whisper. “You know, I heard his fiancé is quite the catch. Definitely a step up. Guess Liam finally found someone who’s not... well, you.”  

I turned to glare at him, but Clara grabbed my arm before I could retort. “He’s not worth it,” she whispered, pulling me toward the exit.  

Jonathan’s laughter followed us as we left the office.  

“God, I hate him,” I muttered as we stepped outside. “One of these days, I swear—”  

“Forget him,” Clara said, cutting me off. “He’s just jealous because you’re better than him, and he knows it.”  

I nodded, though my frustration still simmered. As we reached the curb, Clara waved goodbye and headed toward the subway. I lingered for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm myself.  

That’s when I saw him.  

Liam.  

He was standing by a sleek black car just a few feet away, his arm draped casually over the shoulders of another man.  

My stomach twisted.  

The man was tall, with sharp cheekbones, dark hair, and an air of effortless sophistication. He wore a tailored suit that probably cost more than my rent, and the way he leaned into Liam made my chest ache. This had to be Owen, the man Liam had cheated on me with.  

What the hell were they doing here?  

I quickly turned away, hoping to disappear before they noticed me. But, of cour

se, luck wasn’t on my side.  

“Ethan?”  

Liam’s voice stopped me in my tracks.  

Fuck!