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
I woke up to the soft glow of dawn, the clock blinking 5 AM, my usual time to rise. My brown hair was a tangled mess, and I could feel my glasses slipping down my nose as I stretched. It was time to start my day, even if I felt like a sleep-deprived zombie.As I stumbled out of bed, I tripped over Mr. Whiskers, who was sprawled out like he owned the place. I couldn’t help but giggle as I scooped him up, cradling him against my chest. “You little scamp,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to his furry head. “You’re the real reason I’m up so early, aren’t you?”But as I cradled him, a familiar ache tugged at my heart. Memories I tried so hard to forget crept in, uninvited. Five years had passed since I handed him those divorce papers, and yet the pain felt fresh. I could still see his detached expression as he signed, the coldness in his eyes cutting deeper than I ever imagined.I had loved him completely, but now all I saw was darkness—his obsession with work and that woman, Victoria. She wa
Mia and Alex quickly gathered their things, and the excitement in the air was palpable. “I can’t believe we’re finally going out!” I said, a smile spreading across my face.As we stepped outside, the cool night air hit us, invigorating and full of promise. We hopped into Alex’s car, and he cranked up the music, filling the space with upbeat tracks that matched our energy.“Where are we going?” I asked, glancing at Mia, who was scrolling through her phone.“I found this place called The Pulse. It’s supposed to be incredible, and they have a great dance floor!” she replied, her eyes sparkling.“Sounds perfect!” I said, feeling the anticipation build.When we arrived, the club was already buzzing with people. The lights pulsed in time with the music, and I could feel the energy radiating from the crowd. We made our way inside, and I immediately felt the weight of the week lift off my shoulders.Mia led the way to the bar, ordering us drinks while Alex and I chatted about the night. “I st
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
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
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
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,"
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
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
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
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:I wasn’t used to feeling this... restless. But the closer I got to her, the more it gnawed at me. Something about the way she moved—calm, cool, like she knew exactly how to make me wait for her. She wasn’t the kind of girl who needed to rush. She was making me chase her, which, to be honest, I hadn’t planned on.But fuck, I liked it.Her steps were measured, deliberate, like she was savoring the space between us. Each click of her heels against the stairs was like a countdown. I could hear her breathing, even if it wasn’t heavy. And I wondered—just for a second—if she was feeling the same way I was.But I wasn’t about to ask. That wasn’t how I played.We reached the top of the stairs, and she stopped right before turning the corner, just long enough for me to catch up. The hallway stretched out in front of us, dimly lit, the air thick with something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.She turned toward me, her eyes meeting mine. No words. Just that look. The kind of look t