The city stretched endlessly beneath him, a sea of glimmering lights and moving cars, each one carrying people with their own stories, their own struggles. Ethan Smith stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse office, his sharp eyes scanning the skyline of Verona. His reflection in the glass stared back at him—tall, composed, untouchable.
To the world, Ethan Smith was perfection personified—a man who had everything: power, wealth, and a ruthless drive that made Velvet Vogue the fashion empire it was today. But perfection was a myth. He knew that better than anyone.
He exhaled, rolling his shoulders back as if trying to shake off the weight that settled deep in his bones. But the past had its way of creeping in when least expected.
"Ethan, please, listen to me—"
The voice in his head was soft, pleading. He could almost hear it as if she were right there, standing behind him.
He clenched his fists. No. Not now. Not ever.
But it was too late. The memories came like a slow poison, burning through the iron walls he had built around himself.
A Year Ago…
The soft glow of the penthouse chandeliers. The faint scent of her perfume in the air. The sound of laughter that wasn't hers.
Ethan had walked in, exhausted from a back-to-back meeting, eager to see the woman he had once imagined a future with. But instead, he had found her—his girlfriend, his supposed partner—wrapped in the arms of another man.
Her eyes widened in panic as she pulled away, guilt flashing across her delicate features. But guilt was useless when trust had already been shattered.
"Ethan, I—"
He hadn't stayed to hear the excuses. He had turned and left, the sound of his footsteps drowning out whatever lies she had prepared.
That night, something inside him had shifted. Love was nothing but a beautifully packaged illusion, a weakness he refused to entertain ever again.
Back to the Present…
A sharp knock at his office door pulled him back.
"Sir, the exhibition is set up, and designers have started arriving," his assistant informed him.
Ethan straightened his tie, his expression unreadable. Tonight mattered. This exhibition wasn't just a showcase; it was a test. A chance for fresh talent to prove themselves worthy of a collaboration with Velvet Vogue.
Among the countless applications, one name had stood out—a woman who had sent too many request letters, too many proposals. Her persistence had been impossible to ignore. His manager would oversee the exhibition, but he would meet her personally.
Was she another desperate designer craving a breakthrough? Or did she have something truly exceptional?
He grabbed his coat, buttoning it up with precise movements, then stepped out of the office. As he walked through the marble hallway of his corporate headquarters, employees straightened their posture, their voices lowering in his presence.
His reputation preceded him. Professional. Cold. Untouchable.
And that was exactly how he wanted it.
As the elevator doors slid open, he stepped into the black, luxurious car waiting for him. The night ahead was business. Nothing more.
What he didn't know was that fate had other plans.
And whether he liked it or not— his past, his beliefs, his entire world was about to shift.
The moment Ethan stepped out of the car, the air buzzed with energy. The grand hall was alive with excitement, filled with top designers, investors, and media personnel. Fashion pieces from different artists were on display, the atmosphere a blend of sophistication and creative chaos.
His sharp gaze scanned the area as he walked in, his presence commanding attention. He ignored the subtle whispers, the way eyes flickered toward him in admiration or intimidation. This was his world, and everyone knew it.
Then, a familiar voice called out from the side.
"Ethan! Finally, you decided to show up."
He turned, his lips twitching slightly at the sight of his best friend, Nicholas Frost—the only person who truly knew him beyond his professional mask. Dressed in a well-tailored suit but with an easy going smirk, Nicholas stood with a glass of whiskey in hand, clearly enjoying the event more than Ethan ever would.
"Nicholas," Ethan greeted with a nod, shaking his hand firmly. "I see you've made yourself comfortable."
Nicholas chuckled. "Of course. Someone has to keep the charm balanced while you glare at everyone like you own the place."
Ethan exhaled sharply, not amused. "I do own the place."
Nicholas laughed, taking a sip of his drink. "Fair point. But tonight's not just about you. I heard there's someone interesting among the designers. Someone who wouldn't take no for an answer."
Ethan's expression remained unreadable, but he already knew who Nicholas was talking about. That woman. The one who had been relentless in her pursuit of this opportunity.
"Let's see if she's worth all the trouble," Ethan muttered, his voice devoid of emotion. But deep down, something in his gut told him—
Tonight was going to be different.
Who was this woman who had sent countless requests? Is she Clara? Then why did Clara fight so hard to be part of this exhibition? Does Ethan's ex-girlfriend still have a role to play in his life? What will Ethan do if his past and present collide in unexpected ways?
~Stay Tuned To Know More....