Ethan’s POV.I wake up with the weight of a headache slamming through my skull. It’s the kind of pain that feels like someone’s taking a sledgehammer to the inside of my head, but I don’t bother complaining. It’s nothing new. I get up, slowly—my eyes flicker to the mess of sheets beside me. A faint trace of her perfume still lingers in the air, mixing with the sharp tang of whiskey. I’m not sure why, but it’s the first thing I notice.The night with her wasn’t planned, but then again, nothing I do ever is. The problem is... I can still smell her. Her scent is all over me, in the air, in the corners of the room, like a ghost that won’t leave. And God help me, I don’t hate it.I drag myself to the bathroom, splash some water on my face, and stare at my reflection. A man who’s got everything, except maybe a clue about why I’m still thinking about her. My hand runs through my hair, slicking it back. Gotta look sharp today. I can’t let some damn woman distract me.I pull open the closet, s
Ethan's POV: Ethan’s DilemmaI stare at my father for a long moment, the words hanging in the air like smoke. He’s calm, as always—too damn calm for my liking. The old man has this way of making everything seem like it’s already set in stone, like I don’t even get a say. He’s the one who built the empire, who carved out a legacy that I’m supposed to carry on, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just the heir to his plans, not a man in my own right.“Who is she?” I ask, my voice low, not bothering to hide the frustration I can’t quite keep down.He leans back in his chair as if he's been waiting for me to ask that question. Of course he has. “Her name is Sophia Greenwood.” He says it like it’s supposed to mean something to me.Sophia Greenwood. I’ve heard the name. Her father’s got his fingers in a lot of pies—real estate, tech startups, and a few other things I won’t get into, but he is ranked Number one (1), in the world and I’m guessing that’s why my father wants to partner with him, for
As I stepped into Ethan's office, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about our upcoming trip to Italy. Earlier that morning, I had shared the thrilling news with my closest friends, Mia and Alex, about the monumental project that would take me abroad. "I'm telling you, guys, this is a game-changer for my company," I explained over coffee. "We're on the cusp of going global. Our brand will be recognized internationally, and our reach will expand exponentially." Mia's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I hope you won't forget about us little people when you're a global mogul." I chuckled, feeling grateful for their unwavering support. "Of course not, Mia. You'll always be my go-to crew." Alex, ever the practical one, asked, "So, how long will you be away?" I hesitated, considering the timeline Ethan and I had discussed. "Not too long, I promise. I'll be back before you know it." Mia and Alex exchanged a knowing glance, and I could sense their quiet pride in m
By the time we arrived at the De’Lanor Hotel, the streets of the small Italian town were bathed in the soft glow of midnight. The boutique hotel was as elegant as I had imagined, its classic façade adorned with ivy and softly lit lanterns. Ethan and I walked into the sumptuous lobby together, both feeling quite weary after the arduous trip.The receptionist smiled at us with an exhausted but gracious mouth. "Good evening. Welcome to De’Lanor Hotel. May I have your name, please?"Ethan Gray," he answered (his tone steady into the night of the hour)," he said.The receptionist entered into her computer and then frowned a little. "Ah, yes. We have your reservation here, Mr. Gray However..."Ethan’s brows furrowed. "However?"She glanced up, a hint of embarrassment on her face. "It seems there was an error in the booking. We only have one room reserved under your name.""What?" Ethan and I said in unison, our voices rising slightly"I deeply apologize for the inconvenience," she continued
lThe morning breeze drifted through the hotel’s dining terrace, carrying the scent of fresh pastries and espresso. Rachel and Ethan sat at a table overlooking a charming courtyard, where vines climbed the walls and birds chirped softly. It was serene, far from the chaos of the previous night but Rachel’s mind was already racing with business ideas. "Alright," Rachel said, pulling out her tablet and stylus. "We can use this time to finalize the presentation. I also want to review the designs again and.." Ethan held up a hand, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Rachel," he said firmly, "we’re not diving into work today." She blinked, surprised. "What do you mean? This is why we’re here, Ethan. We have so much to prepare for " Ethan leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee leisurely. "And we will. But first, we’re taking three days to enjoy Italy before the madness begins." Rachel frowned, clearly taken aback. "Three days? Ethan, we don’t have time for a vacation!" “We do,"
Ethan slammed the door of their hotel room behind him. He tossed his phone on the table and paced the room. Rachel pulled out her laptop, her fingers trembling as she opened the video call app. I quickly sent out a text message. "We need everyone on this call. Now," she said, her voice sharp. ‘Who would have done thatEthan stopped pacing and leaned against the wall. "Do you think it’s someone on the team? That doesn’t sit right with me, Rachel." Rachel didn’t look up. "What else could it be? Designs don’t leak themselves, Ethan, especially when it's your team." The laptop screen blinked to life as Danny's face appeared, her expression already filled with concern. "What’s going on?" "Someone leaked our designs," Rachel said bluntly. Danny gasped. "What? How is that even possible?" "That’s what we’re trying to figure out," Ethan cut in. "Could it have been a hack? Or maybe someone accidentally forwarded something?" Liam joined the call next, his face groggy. "It’s three
Rachel sat at the small desk in their hotel room, her laptop open. The screen displayed their immediate team in a grid of video call windows. Ethan stood behind her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. “I don't think why my team will betray me now," Ethan said as the call kept ringing Rachel looked exhausted, her hair tied up messily. Ethan's face was tense, his jaw clenched. The IT manager, Greg, had just joined the call, blinking sleep from his eyes. Rachel wasted no time. "We’re not here to point fingers, but we need answers. Someone accessed the prototypes without authorization. We need to know who, how, and why." Greg adjusted his glasses nervously. "I’ve been reviewing the server logs since Danny alerted me. The unauthorized login came from an IP address in Europe. It wasn’t from anyone on the team... at least not directly." "Not directly?" Rachel asked, narrowing her eyes. Greg cleared his throat. "It could’ve been someone using stolen credentials. Or... someone
Rachel stood frozen in front of her laptop, staring at the breaking news headline splashed across the screen: “Star design set to reveal their latest project online" The color drained from her face as she read the subtext: Rumored to feature their prototype of the design. “Unbelievable,” she muttered, slamming the laptop shut. Ethan leaned against the hotel desk, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on her. “This is it. They’ve taken the bait and want to claim it as theirs.” Rachel rubbed her temples, her mind racing. “They’re going to flaunt our work. And worse, they’ll beat us to the market. Everything we’ve worked for is gone.” Ethan straightened, his expression calm but determined. “Not if we outdo them.” Rachel turned to him, her tone biting. “And how exactly do we do that, Ethan? The launch is in a week. We’ve lost our key designs, and now you want to know what? Start over?” “Yes,” Ethan said simply, his confidence unwavering. Rachel gaped at him. “Do you hear you
Sophia POV: I've always lived a life that others could only wish for. Born into the Greenwood clan, my father, Greenwood is the wealthiest in New York, a tycoon in real estate and luxury. From waking up, the world was at my fingertips. Private school, designer clothes, lunch dates with Paris, it all just happened effortlessly.Hard work? Struggle? Those were foreign concepts. My father always told me, "You don’t work for what you deserve; you command it.". I've lived by that motto every day of my life.It’s no surprise that Ethan fell for me. We’re both products of power and prestige, two halves of a perfect dynasty in the making. Together, we’ll be unstoppable.My phone buzzed on the nightstand, interrupting my thoughts. I grabbed it, smiling, when I saw a text message from Marcia, my wedding gown designer.Marcia: “The dress is ready! Can you stop by the studio today for the fitting?" and so on.I quickly replied, eager to see the gown I’d been dreaming of for months.Me: “Absolute
Sophia POV:That afternoon, I stormed into Ethan's office, my heels clicking against the marble floor, like severing calls to action. His secretary could barely even utter a hello before I pushed it open. Ethan sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his expression calm as he glanced up from the stack of papers."Sophia," he said with a faint smile as if I hadn’t spent the morning fuming over him.I crossed my arms slamming the door shut with exact force. "We need to talk."He leaned back in his chair, his brow arching. "I figured. Go ahead."I walked closer, placing both hands on his desk. "What’s going on with you and Rachel? And don't kid me now that it's nothing since the whole internet is hooked on your so-called ‘chemistry.’.Ethan sighed, getting up and walking around the desk to face me. His height and calm demeanor usually made me feel safe, but now it only fueled my frustration.Sophia," he started, touching my shoulders, "Rachel and I are just good friends. Business partners,
Sophia POV :The morning sunlight filtered through the tiny curtains of my penthouse, casting a warm glow over the pristine living room. I sat on the velvet chaise, sipping my black coffee, flipping absentmindedly through a glossy fashion magazine. The faint noise of the TV in the background created a nostalgic background hum of comfort.“…Ethan Gray and Rachel Thompson spotted together again…”The phrases cut through the air like a razor. I turned to the TV, my eyes narrowing as images of Ethan and Rachel walking out of a grand event played on the screen. Paparazzi flashes reflected in their faces as Ethan led Rachel toward a car waiting for them and his hand rested as a shield on the small of her back.Rachel smiled at something he said, her expression warm, almost glowing. Ethan’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than it should have.My grip on the coffee mug tightened.They looked snug, didn't they?, chirped, the joyful voice of the entertainment broke on the air went on.
Rachel POV:I got the text from Ethan about a dinner party, and, of course, I am a huge fan of staying out of the spotlight and events, where we (more like me) dont like to socialise with the Rich and Powerful.I quickly scanned the email he sent to him:“Hi Rachel good morning, congratulations on our collaboration and also this is a reminder that I forgot to tell you yesterday that we are having a Media gathering to spread more visibility to the designs. Having a small party at Manor Hotel. Ensure you come. Thank you” I sent him a text message with a mention of coming later after I was through…The grand ballroom was full, and the air was heavy with expectation. Crystal chandeliers dotted the high ceilings overhead, showering the masses in golden light. Businessmen, investors, and journalists filled the space, all on the edge of the news of the official launch of Mavericks & Co Couture.Ethan stood beside me at the entrance, looking every bit the charismatic CEO in his tailored bla
RachelThe sound of shuffling papers filled the conference room as Ethan slid the final draft of the contract across the table. His sleeves were rolled up, and his sharp navy suit hinted at the kind of effortless confidence he exuded.“This is it, he said, his voice steady, yet something in his tone carried weight. If we just sign here, we are finally in collaboration, ” said LHP Junior Fernandez’s, Mavericks &Co Lawyer.I nodded, gripping the pen a little too tightly. Who would've thought we'd be standing here? I'm in shock," I said, doing my best to ignore the pile of papers in front of me and not the way the guy's eyes, like blue glass that vibrated, kept wandering into my skin. “It feels surreal.”Ethan relaxed in his chair, his lips turning into a partial smile. “Surreal, maybe, but we’ve earned this. You’ve earned this.”Icing over the flutter in my chest, I looked over at the contract. “Let’s get it done, then. I scribbled my name on the dotted line, feeling a mix of triumph an
There was something about the atmosphere in Ethan's office that was peculiar as Rachel approached. His piercing blue eyes were focused on his laptop screen, but the moment she entered, his gaze softened. Rachel, in a fitted pencil skirt and an emerald-toned blouse that displayed her hazel eyes, stood nervously by the entrance.“You wanted to see me? she asked, her voice steady, masking her unease.Ethan threw back in his chair and gave her the gesture to sit down. “Yes, Rachel. We are still finalizing plans for the launch photoshoot of Mavericks & Co Couture. I’ve booked a top-tier studio for tomorrow.”A photoshoot? Rachel raised an eyebrow, her “business as usual” appearance unshakable.“Yes,” Ethan said, his tone firm but gentle. “This campaign needs us to lead by example. As co-creators of this project, we’ll be part of the shoot. Think of it as showcasing the strength of the partnership behind this brand.Rachel hesitated. The idea of being so publicly tied to Ethan unnerved her.
Rachel stood outside the elegant restaurant, her heart racing. She twirled the bag strap, toying with curiosity about why she felt so worried. It was just a business dinner. Ethan had been clear about wanting to discuss the collaboration between their brands.But the memory of his protective words at the party and the intensity in his eyes kept replaying in her mind. She brought herself back from the edge of a nervous breakdown by adjusting her blazer, going through with it too, determined to bear down the emotions billowing in her chest. This was work, nothing more.The doorman greeted her with a polite nod as she stepped inside. Ethan was already sitting at one of the small tables in the corner. He rose when he saw her, a smile spreading across his face.“Rachel,” he said warmly. “I’m glad you came.”She nodded, her throat suddenly dry. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”He waved her to sit down and pulled out her chair. His gentlemanly behavior was both charming and unsettling. Rache
The playground was alive with the sounds of laughter and joy. Rachel sat on a bench, her gaze never straying far from her triplets, Dante, Damian, and Daniella, who played with uncontainable energy. For once, her mind was at ease. All of it faded, from the mystery of the box, the party gossip, to her work troubles. Here, she could just be Mom.“Dante, no climbing too high! Rachel called her voice a mix of warning and affection.“Okay, Mommy! Dante called back, waving before running off to fetch the ball he had been tossing around.Rachel exhaled and leaned back, enjoying the moment. But the peace was short-lived.Dante’s ball, propelled with more force than intended, went flying across the playground and hit someone square in the chest.“Oof!” came a familiar voice. The man reached out for a moment then recovered and took the ball again.Rachel’s heart froze when she looked up. Ethan.He looked about, searching for the owner of the ball, and came to a complete stop when his eyes met R
The morning began with an unease Rachel couldn’t shake. With a crack of the door she let the fresh air into her flat and her gaze fell on a box standing by the door. It was plain, unmarked, and oddly foreboding.Her brows furrowed as she crouched to retrieve it, tiptoeing it inside. Sitting at her kitchen table, she opened it. As soon as she lifted back the lid, her stomach churned.Inside were photographs, each more unsettling than the last.A picture of her and Ethan during their trip to Italy. One of her triplets playing at the park. Wedding photo with Michael, a memory of a scene which felt now thousands of years distant. Several photographs contained candid images of her, some obviously taken without her consent.As she touched the note between the photos, the notes of her hand trembled. It read:You'll never be able to completely hide who you are," The world will always remember you.Rachel’s heart pounded in her chest. The idea of a person meticulously collecting her life's bel