Ethan took Sophia's hand, and they exited the bakery. A wave of relief washed over him as he breathed in the fresh air, the unpleasant encounter with Mia fading from his mind.
"Mr Blackwood, are you okay?" Sophia asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
"I'm fine," he replied, forcing a smile. "I apologize for snapping. I don't know what came over me."
He opened the car door for Sophia with a flourish, and she slid gracefully into the plush leather seat. He walked around to the driver's side, his heart still pounding in his chest, and drove away.
Inside the bakery, Mrs Rose approached Mia, a look of concern etched on her face. "Mia, dear," she began gently, "what was that all about?"
Mia, still fuming from the encounter, recounted the incident, her voice filled with frustration and anger. "That guy is so rude!" she exclaimed.
"You don't even know him," Mrs Rose countered.
"This is our second encounter," Mia explained. "I met him the day I found out my brother died. He was so mean to me, like super mean. Today was no exception. I don't know what I did to him."
Mrs Rose nodded thoughtfully. "He certainly was staring at you way too much," she observed.
"You noticed?" Mia replied, her voice rising with indignation. "I'm sure he was trying to intimidate me."
Mrs Rose shook her head slowly. "The look in his eyes when he looked at you... it was a sign of allure, captivity."
Mia laughed humorlessly. "Captivity? Why would he lay eyes on me when he has a gorgeous and rich girlfriend? That's not possible."
"I don't know how to define that look," Mrs Rose insisted. "I noticed it too. It wasn't just a normal look."
"I'm sure he was just trying to intimidate me. That's all," Mia repeated, her voice firm. She paused, then asked, "Can I help out with the birthday cake order for Sophia?"
"Why?" Mrs Rose asked, surprised.
"Sophia is nice and elegant. I want her to enjoy her big day," Mia explained.
Mrs Rose smiled. "Sure, you can join the servers on her birthday. We need extra hands if you don't mind."
Mia's eyes lit up. "I don't mind at all, as long as I get to make some extra cash. I heard these people from rich families tip with a check," she said with a hopeful grin.
"Well, I can't confirm that rumor," Mrs Rose replied with a chuckle.
"I'll make it happen," Mia said with conviction.
Meanwhile, Ethan and Sophia were driving back to his apartment, listening to music in comfortable silence.
"Dad invited a lot of his business associates," Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sure they're bringing their sons."
Ethan glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to the road. "Can you please make your intentions clear?" Sophia asked, her voice a little stronger now. "What are we doing?"
"We're getting to know each other," Ethan replied smoothly.
"Then what?" she pressed.
"Do you want me?" he asked, his voice low and seductive.
"I like you," she admitted, "but I'm not sure about wanting you."
Ethan abruptly pulled the car to the side of the road. He leaned close to her, their bodies almost touching. Sophia could feel his breath on her skin, the heat of his gaze searing into her.
"Are you sure you don't want me?" he whispered, his voice a husky caress.
Sophia, overwhelmed by his closeness and the intensity of his gaze, could barely breathe. She leaned in, her lips brushing against his. But before the kiss could deepen, Ethan pulled away, his fingers gently tracing the outline of her lips.
"I like my women straightforward," he said, his voice low and commanding. "Tell me what you want, and I'll make it happen."
As Ethan and Sophia pulled up to his building, the city lights twinkling in the distance, Sophia turned to him, her eyes filled with a newfound determination. "Ethan," she began, her voice firm, "I want you."
Ethan smiled,not the calculated smirk he usually wore. He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. "Good," he whispered, his voice a husky caress. "Because I want you too."
As Ethan leaned in, his lips meeting Sophia's in a passionate kiss, a sharp pain erupted in his chest. It started as a dull ache, but quickly intensified into a searing agony that made him gasp for air. He pulled away abruptly, clutching his chest with a grimace of pain.
Sophia looked at him in alarm, her eyes wide with concern. "Ethan, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
"My chest..." he managed to choke out, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "It hurts."
"Let me get help," Sophia said, reaching for her phone to dial emergency services, her voice trembling with worry.
Ethan grabbed her hand, his fingers digging into her soft skin. "Please don't," he pleaded, his voice strained with pain. "If your father knows I'm not healthy, he won't allow me to ask for your hand in marriage. I don't want to lose you."
Sophia's eyes filled with tears, torn between her concern for Ethan and her fear of what her father might do. "But you're in pain," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Ethan gritted his teeth, fighting against the waves of agony crashing through him. "Call Mr Smith," he managed to say. "My secretary. He'll know what to do."
Sophia nodded, relief washing over her as she quickly dialed Mr Smith's number.
"Mr Smith," Sophia said urgently into the phone, "it's Sophia Patel. Ethan is in a lot of pain. I think something is wrong with his heart."
Mr Smith, ever efficient, immediately sprung into action. "Stay calm, Sophia," he said reassuringly. "I'm on my way. I'll bring Dr Martin with me."
Ethan slumped back against the couch, his breathing labored. Sophia held his hand, her touch a small comfort in the face of his overwhelming pain. She tried to soothe him with soft words, but the fear in her eyes betrayed her worry.
Dr Martin and Mr Smith arrived at Ethan's building , their expressions grave as they rushed to his side. Ethan, still clutching his chest, gasped for air.
"Can you please take Sophia home?" Ethan said to Mr Smith, his voice weak and strained.
"Ethan, I want to stay with you," Sophia pleaded, her eyes filled with worry.
"We don't want to make your dad worried," Ethan said, forcing a reassuring smile. "I'll call you the moment I'm fine."
Sophia leaned in and kissed him gently on the forehead. "Get well," she whispered before leaving with Mr Smith.
As soon as they were gone, Ethan turned to Dr Martin, his eyes filled with fear and anxiety. "Am I having complications?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Dr Martin quickly examined Ethan, his brow furrowing in concentration. He listened to Ethan's heart, checked his pulse, and took his blood pressure. After a few tense moments, he looked up, a relieved expression on his face.
"Everything seems fine on my side," Dr Martin said. "The heart is settling in well."
Ethan frowned, his chest still aching. "My chest was burning," he said, his voice filled with frustration.
"What were you doing?" Dr Martin asked, his tone gentle but probing.
Ethan glared at him. "That's none of your business," he snapped. "I need you to explain why my chest is burning."
Dr Martin, taken aback by Ethan's abrupt tone, paused for a moment before responding. "Mr Blackwood," he began cautiously, "while your tests indicate the heart is functioning normally, it's not uncommon to experience some discomfort after a major surgery like this. It could be a variety of things: muscle strain from the procedure, anxiety, or even just your body adjusting to the new organ."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Anxiety?" he scoffed. "I don't get anxious."
Dr Martin chose his words carefully. "Sometimes, even the strongest individuals can experience emotional stress after a life-altering event like a transplant. It's important to be aware of all possibilities."
Ethan remained silent, his jaw clenched. The burning sensation in his chest had subsided, but a lingering unease remained. He didn't like the feeling of being out of control, of his body betraying him.
"I'll run some additional tests," Dr Martin offered, "just to be sure. In the meantime, try to relax and avoid any strenuous activity."
Ethan nodded curtly, dismissing the doctor with a wave of his hand. He was left alone with his thoughts, the silence of his mansion amplifying the unsettling rhythm of his new heart. The encounter with Mia, her tear-streaked face and accusing eyes, flashed through his mind. He shook his head, trying to dismiss the image. It was just a coincidence, he told himself. The heart had nothing to do with his strange reaction to her.
Why was the heart beating for her?