Chapter 2: Nightmares

Ethan's POV 

“Yes, arrange the meeting Tomorrow. Goodnight

“I glance at the pills, sigh, and swallow them with a sip of water–not because I want to, but because I need to close my eyes for a few minutes.

Turning off the light, I let the darkness envelope me without me realizing it.

*****

I'm back in my childhood home. Smoke fills my lungs, my legs getting weak as I gasp for air, the flames spread fast with an immense energy, the heat unbearable, making my vision blur.

“Williams, please! save me!

Someone, please help!” I cry, biting my nails nervously. Tears stream down my face as I tremble in fear.

“Ethan, calm down, I'm coming!”

Williams yells back, his voice strained but filled with obvious determination. I see him dodging the burning debris as the fire grows wilder around him. He's coughing, the smoke getting to him, but he doesn’t stop.

Finally, he reaches me, pulling me close. His strong arms guide me through the blazing fire. The door is visible to us, fire consuming everything behind us.

With a last burst of strength, Williams pushes me through the door and into the cool night air.

I turn, gasping for breath, but Williams...Williams isn't with me.

“Williams! I scream, turning back to see him trapped. The flames leaped towards him, surrounding him. The door is blocked. He's stuck.

“Ethan, go! Save yourself!”he yells, his voice desperate, but there's fear in his eyes, something I have never seen before.

Williams! No! I scream, tears streaming down my face. My feet feel like they are glued to the ground.

He saved me….but got stuck.

The sound of footsteps and my mum’s voice pulls me from my panic.

What's going on here? Her face pales with terror and pain, where is your brother? How is there a fire?

Mum… he's in there, he was trying to save me, but got stuck, I cry, my voice barely audible between sobs 

“It’s my fault.. it's my fault mom, I'm sorry.

“Her eyes widen in horror as she runs to the flames. “No! Williams! She screams. But the fire is too strong to break through.

She turns to me, her face twisted with disgust and hatred as she shouts, “You killed your brother! You should have died instead.

Her words cut through me like a knife echoing endlessly:“You killed him...you should have died…

I wake up, tears on my face, gasping for air, beads of sweat trickling down my forehead.

Her words haunt me, deeper than the flames that night, she blames me, and she's right. I should have been the dead one not him, I hear his screams, and still see him being stuck. They haunt me, I should have saved him.

*****

“Good morning sir “ my employees greets me as I enter the office. As usual, I ignore them. I'm not in the mood for greetings, especially not today.

“After settling into my office and closing the door. Jane, my assistant for over 1 year, knocks and steps in with a cup of coffee.

“Good morning, sir.” She places the coffee on my desk. I nod, taking a sip. The bitterness calms me, though nothing can settle the demons I carry. They never leave.

 I look at Jane. “What's my schedule for today.?”

“Uhmm sir, you have a meeting today with the board members at 10am

And …..you have a dinner date with Miss Alison at 7pm.

“Cancel the date with Miss Alison” I signaled her to leave. I don't have the strength to deal with her tonight.

But, sir, you’ve been canceling on her for two weeks now…”

“Jane...am I your boss or is she? I snap, feeling frustrated.

“I'm sorry sir, I’ll inform her right away”. She says quickly closing the door behind her.

“As I check my emails, my phone rings. Rodney.

“Let's hangout tonight, Ethan,”Rodney says, far too cheerful for my mood.“It’s been a while. The boys are already in”.

“Fine,” I groaned. immediately regretting my reply.

Cool, Meet us at the usual spot by 8pm. Don't be late.

Before I can throw a witty comment at him, he hangs up. Typical.

 Jane knocks and enters, Sir. The board members are waiting, it's 10am already.

*******

“The doors to the boardroom swing open, and the chatter instantly dies down. Every eye is on me. They try to hide their nerves, but I see it-the fidgeting and quick glances. I thrive on it.

I stride to the head of the table, my footsteps echoing, no one dares to meet my gaze for too long, except a few who thinks they are bold. I sit, the silence pressing down on them.

“Good morning mr.Frost “they greets in unison, sweat trickling down their forehead. I don't respond. The silence keeps them quiet.

“Let's begin,” I say, my voice cold, and just like that the presentation starts. They stumble on their words, mixing up numbers and I let them be

“What's our plan to address the recent losses?”I ask, cutting through the mumbling excuses. The room grows even more tense as I scan their pale faces. Charles starts speaking but his stammering irritates me.

“You are not getting fired for speaking your mind,”I say.”Tell me something real.

Finally Dan speaks up about targeted ads. I scoff.”This isn't a game. I expect real strategies, not empty guesses.

“I look around the room, sensing their discomfort. “I want a detailed plan by the end of the week. Show me you're worth your salaries.”

Without waiting for a response, I stand and leave. They know what's at stake.

*****

“That night, I arrive at the bar, Rodney grins at me along with Jose and Michael.

“You made it, " he says, passing a drink to me.

As I take a swig, I notice a woman across the room. Her gaze is a mix of innocence and seduction. I smirk.” Pathetic “

She walks over to my side, bold yet trying to seem coy.

“Can I get you another drink? She whispers softly

“Sure, I play along with a smirk 

Her eyes light up as she signals the bar man.” I haven't seen you around much,”she says, turning her body towards me.” You must be the quiet type.”

I chuckle lightly.”Depends on the company”

She raises an eyebrow,”what kind of company do you prefer, then?

I lean in slightly, the type that doesn't ask too many questions.

Fair enough,”she laughed 

She takes a sip of her drink, her eyes staring into mine, what brings you here tonight apart from seeing your friends?

I shrug, already knowing where this is leading to” why don't you tell me? I said smugly.

She leans in a little, lowering her voice as though sharing a secret “maybe you are looking for something more?”

I let out a chuckle, the tension between us growing “ And what exactly are you offering”?

Already seeing the playful glint in her eyes as she played with the drinks. That depends. What do you want?”

I smirk, the heat rising between us,”let's just say I'm open to possibilities 

Her lips curve into a smile, playful and daring.”Possibilities, huh? I like a man who doesn't play by the rules.

I take a sip of my drink and lean in slightly closer”I'm not much of a rule follower.

She stands up and signals to me to follow her as she swings her hips seductively making sure I notice. I chuckle to myself, shaking my head. Cheap.

Still, I follow her. She leads me down a narrow hallway away from the bar, looking behind her to make sure I'm close. 

“At the end of the hallway, she opens the door and steps inside, turning to face me. Her eyes glint with that same seductive look from earlier, but there's something else_anticipation, she's the type who is used to getting what she wants.

She closes the door behind me and move closer, her hands reaching for my jacket. I catch her hands , irritated; and stop her.

Two rules,” i say, my voice low and cold,”I don't kiss. And this is a one time deal.

She blinks, surprised for a moment and puts on the unaffected smile back “No strings attached?”she asks, her voice lowers.

“Exactly,” I release her hand, are you still interested or not?

She doesn't hesitate, reaching up to run her fingers down my chest.

“Oh, I'm more than interested darling “, she whispers, her lips grazing my ear, kisses mean nothing.

Without a single word, I allow my hands to brush against her waist as I guide her to the bed.”Good,”I say, my voice dropping.

She smiled, biting her lips again in that annoying way as she pulled me down with her.

 ***Next day****

“I step outside, forgetting all about yesterday as I drive off to a destination unknown, finding myself at the beach–a place I have been running from.