Ethan was deeply engrossed in his book. "Ethan, I've hardly seen you since I got back, so I wanted to check on you," I tried to sound as friendly and nonchalant as possible.Ethan looked up from his book, his eyes meeting mine for a moment before he returned to his reading. "I've been busy with work." His tone was cold and distant.I suppressed a sigh, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. Why was he being so closed off all of a sudden?Trying to hide my disappointment, I pressed on. "Okay, no problem. Would you like me to make you anything to eat? I'm happy to whip up a quick meal if you're hungry."Ethan shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the pages of his book. "No, thanks. I've already ordered and eaten something." His tone was disinterested.I fought the urge to roll my eyes. It was like talking to a brick wall! I couldn't help but wonder what had changed again.The tension in the air was palpable as Ethan continued to rebuff my attempts at conversation. "Don't forget
"I'm sorry about how I spoke to you the other day," he apologized, his voice cracking slightly. "I wasn't in a good mood, and I'm always taking my aggression out on you. That's not fair, and I know it. I'm sorry, Emily." As he spoke, his words dripped with intensity, and I couldn't help but cast my gaze downward. He closed the distance between us, his presence suffocating, making my breath catch in my throat. His hand grasped my jaw, gently but firmly, lifting my face to meet his piercing stare. I was paralyzed, frozen in time, as if the world had come to a standstill. The moment hung heavy, like a precipice, waiting to plummet into chaos. I felt trapped, unable to look away, as his eyes bore into mine. My voice was barely audible as I finally found the courage to speak. 'Yes, I forgive you,' I whispered, taking a step back from him, desperate to break the spell. His hand fell away from my jaw, leaving a palpable absence, like a phantom limb. I hastened upstairs, my thoughts racing
Ethan led us through the bustling airport, his presence commanding and effortless. I followed him, trying to keep my nerves under control as we approached the security checkpoint. The lines were long, and we waited patiently for our turn to scan our luggage. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it was our turn. Ethan went first, his bag sailing through the X-ray machine without a hitch. As I was about to follow, I heard the announcement: our flight had been delayed by an hour. I sighed, glancing over at Ethan to see his reaction. Ethan's face remained impassive as if the news of the delay had barely registered. He adjusted his suit jacket, glancing down at his phone before tucking it back into his pocket. I was starting to get a sense that Ethan was always like this, controlled and unreadable. It was frustrating but also intriguing. There was something magnetic about his mystery, something that made me want to peel back the layers and discover what lay beneath. We moved
He released my hands and settled into the passenger seat, while I took my place in the front seat, feeling a pang of disappointment wash over me. I couldn't help but wonder if I had misread the moment or if I had misinterpreted his intentions. But to my surprise, he didn't seem to notice my discomfort, or if he did, he didn't let it show, his expression serene and calm, putting me at ease despite my inner turmoil. As the car began to move, I focused on the road ahead, trying to shake off the feeling of disappointment. But my mind kept wandering back to the moment we shared, the touch of his hands, the intensity of his gaze. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be close to him, to feel his presence, to be the one he turned to. But I pushed those thoughts aside, reminding myself of my loyalty to my sister, and of the boundaries I couldn't cross. The silence in the car was comfortable, but my mind was a whirlwind of emotions, all centered around the man sitting behind me.
Emily's POV Ethan's gaze lingered on me, his expression a mix of surprise and disapproval. I felt a surge of shyness, wondering if it was the robe that had caught his attention. His words dripped with reprimand: "Don't forget, you're here with your boss. This isn't a vacation. Put on something decent, and let's go out for some fresh air. I need the evening breeze." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling embarrassed and chastised. My cheeks flushed with heat as I hastily got dressed, the sting of his words lingering like a rebuke. I swiftly swapped the robe for a simple yet elegant flair gown, ran a comb through my hair to tame the tangles, and headed to the sitting room to meet Ethan. As I entered, I saw him standing by the window, gazing out at the evening sky. The soft light cast a warm glow on his features, and for a moment, I forgot about the tension between us. But as our eyes met, I remembered the awkwardness and felt a flutter in my chest. "Ready?" He
Ethan's POV "I can't believe her," I thought to myself, shaking my head in disbelief as I sat on the couch, still trying to process the chaos that had just ensued. One minute we were having a decent conversation, and the next, she was tumbling into the pool, phone and all. I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. I had never seen someone so careless and accident-prone in my life. And to top it off, she had the nerve to call me by my last name, Smith, like she was trying to get under my skin. I sighed heavily, wondering how I was going to put up with her for the rest of the evening. I grudgingly admitted to myself that despite my frustration, I couldn't ignore the sight of her shivering like a leaf. Something about it tugged at me, and I found myself wanting to help her, even if I didn't want to admit it. "No, Ethan, don't be ridiculous," I thought, chastising myself for even considering making her a hot coffee. But the image of her shivering persisted, and I reluctantly r
Ethan's POV I stamped my feet in frustration, feeling like a child again, trapped in a web of family expectations and obligations. "Why does it always have to be like this?!" I muttered to myself, frustration boiling over. I was getting fed up with all this. I felt like I was living in a never-ending drama, with my mom pulling the strings and me dancing to her tune. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but my anger and resentment lingered, refusing to be extinguished I knew I had no choice but to go along with my mom's plan. I had to find a way to ask Emily to pretend to be my wife, even though we had only attended a dinner together once before, and she had been there as my assistant. I was worried that asking her to play along with this charade would be awkward, but I had no other options. As I walked into the hotel apartment, I couldn't ignore the rumbling protests from my stomach. I had been so caught up in the evening's events that I had forgotten to eat dinner! I he
Ethan's POV The uncomfortable truth hit me like a ton of bricks. Maybe I was indeed sugarcoating my words to spare her feelings. In reality, Emily wasn't someone who particularly stood out to me, neither positively nor negatively. She was, as I thought to myself, simply average. But in that moment, I realized that my honesty, or lack thereof, wasn't what mattered. What mattered was that Emily was hurting, and she needed someone to acknowledge her pain, even if I didn't truly believe she was "amazing". I took a deep breath, deciding to focus on being present for her, rather than trying to convince her of something she didn't believe herself. My eyes scanned the room, desperate for a way to rescue our conversation from the awkward abyss. And then, I spotted it - a tiny opening to pry open the door to understanding. "Why do you think there's a chance your mom, boyfriend, and best friend just don't...get it?" My voice was a gentle probe, trying to coax her into sharing her thought
Ethan's POVI extended my hand, but Emily looked at it with confusion, her stubbornness radiating like a shield."Emily," I called softly.She snapped out of her reverie, her gaze focusing. Finally, she took my hand. Her palm felt incredibly soft, sending unexpected waves of comfort through me. I hated to admit it, but her touch soothed me."You're my wife.... for today." The words felt strange coming out of my mouth, but they were true.Emily's gaze dropped to my shoes, then met mine, her brown eyes locking onto mine. "That's what I'm being paid for," she said, her voice heavy with sorrow.I nodded silently, acknowledging the truth in her words. I felt bad for telling her that I was trying to create a conversation; I just couldn't say anything to alter what she just said. As painful as it was to her, that was the truth. I wanted to counter it, but no words could express it in a way I wouldn't show vulnerability.I had planned to drive myself, but occasions like this left me no choice
Ethan Smith In record time, she emerged from her room, radiant in a fitted blue sundress that accentuated every curve. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Had I been blind to her allure this whole time? The dress hugged her figure in all the right places, showcasing the soft swell of her hips and the gentle dip of her waist. My gaze lingered, tracing the contours of her body. How had I managed to overlook this stunning woman standing right before me? "OH. GOD!!" my mind screamed as if finally waking up to the reality of my feelings. In that instant, I yearned to feel her warm breath dance across my skin, her body melting into mine. The thought of her gentle touch sent shivers down my spine. I craved the softness of her hands, the whisper of her fingers intertwining with mine. Every cell in my body ached to be closer, to feel her radiating heat. Time stood still as I gazed at her, lost in the depths of her eyes. The world around us dissolved, leaving only the two of us
Emily's POV I walked away from him, my heart still racing from our brief moment together. The way he brushed away the biscuit crumbs, his fingers grazing my skin... I couldn't shake the feeling. I returned to my room, I couldn't shake off the memory of our encounter. My mind replayed the moment, scrutinizing every detail. "Ugh, Emily, what's wrong with you?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head. "You practically threw yourself at him." My cheeks flushed at the thought. I couldn't believe I'd been so forward, my lips parted, inviting him to kiss me. But he didn't. Instead, he coughed, breaking the spell. I felt like I'd been doused with cold water. Why did I do that? Was I that desperate for connection? I forced myself to focus, but my gaze kept drifting to the door, hoping he'd appear again. I smacked my hand against my forehead, feeling like an utter idiot. "He's your sister's husband, Emily! Get a grip!" I reprimanded myself, pacing back and forth. How could I b
Ethan's POV I paced back and forth in my room, frustration boiling over. Why did my mom always have to sabotage my plans? Her constant interference was suffocating. But I refused to let her win. "No," I muttered to myself, determination hardening my resolve. "I won't let her control me." Or would I? The familiar doubt crept in, undermining my confidence. I stopped pacing and faced my reflection in the mirror. My eyes flashed with defiance. "I'm done letting her dictate my life," I declared, the words echoing in my room. This time, I meant it. I stood there, a grown man torn apart by conflicting desires. My mother didn't get it - I couldn't bear the thought of spending more time with Emily. Yet, my heart yearned for her desperately. The contradiction was maddening. How could I simultaneously feel an intense attraction to Emily and an overwhelming need to escape her? Two emotions wrestled within me: longing and repulsion, desire and resistance. It was as if my heart and m
Emily's POV The sweet words spilled from his lips like honey - "You're important to me," "I care deeply for you" - but I saw right through them. They were empty reassurances, crafted to soothe my frazzled emotions. I searched his face, my gaze piercing, but his expression revealed nothing. Still, I knew better. He was pretending, feigning concern. Olivia's haunting words still echoed in my mind: "I'll be back soon, and you'll return." The memory sent a shiver down my spine. "No, you didn't do anything, Em." I stared at him, shock etched on my face. "Em" - he'd never called me that before. Why now? It was just another tactic, a feeble attempt to soften the blow before cutting me out of his life. Just like everyone else. His sudden familiarity grated, a painful reminder of what I was about to lose. The truth stung: I was disposable, a temporary convenience. Then why now? I thought the contract stated that Olivia returns before I leave beside his Mom said I must fulfill my o
Contract DissolvedEthan's POV I watched Emily head to her room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards her. The pain in her eyes after that phone call had gutted me, and I knew I had to make today count. I wanted to tell her everything. I waited for her to get ready, and I steeled myself for the conversation ahead. I had to tell her the truth - that the proxy arrangement was over, that I couldn't keep pretending anymore. But it wasn't just about the arrangement; it was about my feelings. I was catching feelings for her, and I didn't like it. I didn't want to be vulnerable, didn't want to risk getting hurt. But I knew I had to be honest with her, and with myself. I took a deep breath, pushing aside the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. Time to end this charade and move on. She emerged from her room, dressed in black leggings and a cropped top, and for a moment, I saw her in a different light. The familiar contours of her face, the curve of her neck, see
Emily's POV I gazed up at Ethan, his words hung in the air like a gentle promise. "You're important to me, Emily." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was the last thing I thought possible - that I, a burden to everyone around me, could be important to someone like Ethan. His eyes, warm and sincere, held mine, and for a moment, I felt seen, truly seen, for the first time in what felt like an eternity. Time seemed to freeze, suspending us in a moment of electric tension. Our eyes locked, unblinking, as if the world around us had melted away. The air vibrated with unspoken emotions, our faces inches apart. It was as if the universe had pressed the pause button, trapping us in a cinematic tableau. The only sound was our synchronized breathing, the only movement was the fluttering of my heart. Ethan cleared his throat, shattering the spell that had held us captive. "Thanks for the coffee, Emily,' he said, his voice low and even, as if the tender moment we'd shared moments befo
Ethan's POV I gritted my teeth as Emily leaned into me, her body trembling with fear. The movie was intense, I'll give her that. But I didn't need her clinging to me like a lifeline. I tried to subtly shift away, but she only held on tighter. Her chest was pressed against my arm, and I could feel her warmth seeping into my skin. I hated it. I hated how my body reacted to her touch, how my mind started to wander to places it shouldn't. I focused on the screen, trying to distract myself from the sensation of her body against mine. But I could feel her gaze on me, sense her looking up at me with those big, scared eyes. I sighed inwardly, feeling like a jerk for not being more understanding. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that she was getting too close, that I needed to push her away before things got out of hand. "I'm Sorry" I couldn't help but notice the hint of disappointment in her voice, and I felt a pang of regret for not prolonging the moment. But I pushed it asid
Emily's POV After I was done eating, I quickly freshened up and got into an outfit for the movie night. I chose a comfortable yet stylish pair of dark wash skinny jeans, a soft white blouse with a relaxed fit, and a cozy black cardigan to layer over it. My hair was tied up in a messy bun, and I added a touch of subtle makeup to enhance my natural features. I slipped on a pair of black ankle boots, grabbed my small cross-body bag, and headed out to meet Ethan in the sitting room. As I entered the sitting room, Ethan looked up from his phone and smiled, his eyes scanning my outfit with approval. "You look great," he said, standing up from the couch. "Ready to head out?" I nodded, feeling a flutter in my chest as he approached me. He was dressed in a simple yet stylish outfit of his own - a pair of light blue jeans and a fitted white T-shirt that showcased his broad shoulders. We walked out of the house together, the evening air crisp and cool as we made our way to the car park.