The day had been long—clients pouring in, business partners demanding meetings, and paperwork piled like mini skyscrapers on my desk. By the time evening arrived, I was barely holding my eyes open.
A knock pulled me from my fading focus.
I looked up, expecting Catherine, but froze when I saw him.
"Hello, Ms. Maya Sinclair," said a smooth, teasing voice. "May I come in?"
Two heads turned—mine, with a smile, and Ethan Cole's, with confusion from across the glass divider.
"Dane?" I stood quickly and hurried to the door. "What are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming today."
Dane chuckled, pulling me into a warm hug. "Well, I'm one of the partners here, aren't I? I thought I'd check in on my favorite investment... make sure you're doing your job properly."
I laughed and swatted his arm. "Oh yeah? Then I'm afraid you've made a terrible mistake, sir. This place is a mess."
He smiled, his eyes twinkling. "I believe in my friend. Even if it was a mistake, I won't regret it."
The sincerity in his voice made something in me soften. "Then... how about a cup of coffee to make up for your loss?"
"I'd never say no to your coffee," Dane teased.
I called Catherine and asked her to bring two cups. As Dane and I settled into a friendly conversation, I caught a glimpse of Ethan through the glass.
His brows were furrowed, lips tightly drawn. When I had hugged Dane, his eyes had narrowed, and now he just sat there, not working, just... watching.
---
Across the divider
Ethan's heart beat a little faster than he liked. He had dismissed the hug at first—maybe it was just a friendly greeting—but the easy laughter between them, the way Maya looked so at ease with Dane…
His hand gripped his pen until it cracked.
A knock.
He turned sharply.
"Sir," the office manager said, "our team wanted to celebrate the recent profit. If you're okay with it... we'd love for you to join us tonight."
He could've said no. He should have.
But all he could hear was her laugh. Dane's voice.
Something snapped.
"Why bother going elsewhere?" Ethan said, rising slowly. "We'll celebrate here. Order anything you want. Food, drinks, songs? Play them loud. It's on me today."
Cheers erupted around him.
Music blasted within minutes, laughter echoed through the halls, and the once-quiet space turned into a booming party. The sound bled through the walls—straight into Maya's office.
---
Back with Maya
I frowned as the music grew louder.
"This is ridiculous," I muttered, rising. "This isn't just Ethan's office anymore."
Without another word, I left Dane and stormed into the other side.
"Mr. Ethan Cole," I called firmly, standing just inside his space. "Your employees are being incredibly loud. I understand it's your office, but you do remember this floor is shared now, don't you? You're disturbing my staff."
Ethan stood slowly, a smirk playing at his lips, his usual calm replaced by something... darker.
"Ms. Maya," he said, voice thick with sarcasm, "if the music bothers you, why not ask your people to join us? After all, celebrations are better shared."
I narrowed my eyes and didn't waste another second. I walked past him, ignoring the surprised gasps from his employees, and yanked the speaker plug from the wall.
Silence fell like a curtain.
Everyone turned, wide-eyed.
I turned too, ready to leave—but a hand gripped my wrist tightly.
"Ethan!" I snapped, trying to pull free. "What do you think you're doing?"
His eyes were bloodshot now, face twisted in something raw and unreadable.
"Let go of me."
"Why?" he demanded. "Is this disturbing your alone time with your lover or something?"
I stopped struggling. For a moment, all I could do was stare.
So this is what this was about.
Suddenly, everything made sense—his behavior, the outburst, the mock party.
"You're jealous," I said quietly.
His jaw clenched. "Don't flatter yourself."
"I'm not. You already made it obvious." I yanked my arm free, fury simmering in my veins. "But here's the thing, Ethan. You lost the right to ask about my life the day you walked away from it."
I turned and walked away, leaving behind silence, stares, and Ethan Cole drowning in his own storm.