The days that followed Lara's meeting with Ethan were a blur. Despite the calm assurances he had offered, the unease still lingered in her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was just beyond her grasp, something important she wasn't being told. The weight of his words—the threats surrounding her pregnancy and the child she carried—seemed heavier with each passing moment.
She had tried to focus on her work, but it felt impossible to concentrate. Every time her phone buzzed, her heart skipped a beat, half-expecting it to be Ethan or someone else with information she wasn't prepared for.
It had been a week since their conversation, and Lara was still processing everything. She had learned that Ethan's life was far more complicated than she had ever imagined. The people he was trying to protect her from, the ones he said were watching her, remained a mystery.
Sitting at her desk late one afternoon, Lara stared at the files in front of her, her pen poised in the air, but her mind was elsewhere.
The door to her office opened with a soft creak, and Kara stepped inside, a file folder in her hands. Lara looked up in surprise. Kara had been quiet lately, keeping to herself, but there was something different about her today—her eyes were wide, and her expression was serious.
"Lara, I need to talk to you," Kara said, closing the door behind her. Her tone was urgent, almost fearful. "It's about Ethan."
Lara's heart skipped. "What about him?"
Kara set the file on Lara's desk and lowered her voice. "You've been working closely with him, right? Lately, I've been hearing things... rumors, whispers around the office. People are saying that Ethan has been making deals with people you don't want to be involved with."
Lara frowned. "What do you mean?"
Kara hesitated before speaking again. "There are people who want to use you, Lara. I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but I've seen things—heard things—that don't sit right with me. And I think Ethan might be more involved than he's letting on."
Lara stood up, her hands shaking slightly. "What kind of things are you talking about?"
Kara's eyes darted around the office, as if checking to see if anyone else could hear. "I've heard whispers about the people Ethan has connections with. They're not just business rivals or corporate enemies. Some of these people are dangerous. And there are rumors that he's promised you to them—" Kara stopped herself, as if realizing what she had just said. She quickly added, "Not in the way you think. He's trying to protect you, but I think his protection is putting you in even more danger."
Lara felt her breath catch in her throat. Promises? Danger? The pieces were starting to fall into place, but none of them made sense. Her mind raced, but before she could ask more questions, the phone on her desk buzzed, interrupting the moment.
It was Ethan.
Without thinking, she picked up the phone. "Ethan?" she asked, her voice a little shaky.
"I need to see you, Lara," he said, his voice low, filled with urgency. "Now."
Lara's heart skipped. There was something in his tone that sent a chill down her spine. She glanced at Kara, who stood in front of her, eyes wide with concern.
"I'll be right there," Lara replied, before hanging up.
Kara placed a hand on Lara's arm. "Please, be careful. I don't trust him, Lara. Not entirely."
Lara didn't have time to respond. She didn't know what to think, but one thing was clear—Ethan was hiding something. She just wasn't sure what.
---
Lara arrived at the meeting place—a secluded café near the edge of the city—shortly after she had hung up. The café was dimly lit, with few patrons scattered around the tables. Ethan was sitting in a corner, his eyes scanning the room as if expecting trouble.
Lara hesitated for a moment at the entrance, her mind racing. Why did he sound so urgent? What was going on?
She walked over to his table, her steps slow and deliberate. When Ethan saw her, he stood up immediately. His usual calm demeanor was replaced with an intensity she hadn't seen before. There was no warmth in his gaze, no reassurance. Only urgency.
"Lara, we need to talk," he said, his voice low and serious.
"About what?" she asked, trying to mask the fear that had started to take hold of her.
"There's something happening, something I didn't expect," Ethan replied, his eyes darting around the café. "I need you to trust me."
Lara's heart pounded in her chest.