Ethan Pierce leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting over the sleek, modern decor of the conference room, but his thoughts were miles away. He found himself lost in the memory of his first meeting with Olivia Carter. It was the day he had walked into that high school classroom, greeted by a chorus of sighs and flirtatious glances. The attention from his new classmates had been overwhelming, every girl in the room seemingly captivated by him.
Yet, amid the sea of adoring eyes, one gaze stood out. Olivia Carter's eyes were different—not filled with infatuation or desire, but with pure, unfiltered admiration. It was the first time a girl had looked at him without pretense or ulterior motive. The moment their eyes locked, he felt an unexpected connection, a glimpse into a soul that was genuine and unadorned.
Despite the many empty seats scattered around the room, Ethan had chosen to sit beside Olivia. When he asked if the seat was taken, her startled response came out in a stuttered, "N... No." Her voice, soft and hesitant, tugged at something deep within him, evoking a rare vulnerability. Her timid nature intrigued him, sparking both his curiosity and his competitive spirit.
But as his smile faded when he saw her maintain a guarded demeanor, he realized that Olivia was not easily swayed. Her high-held head and unyielding stance only fueled his desire to understand her better. His attempts to win her over in various ways were met with unwavering resistance. To her, he was not a charming newcomer but a formidable rival.
This encounter set the stage for an ongoing rivalry. Ethan's dominant nature and refusal to accept defeat ensured that their interactions were marked by competition and conflict. The challenge Olivia presented was not one he could easily relinquish, solidifying their enmity into a lasting, defining aspect of their relationship.
Ethan's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of the door swinging open. A tall, sleek woman, with minimal makeup and sunglasses covering half her face, strode confidently into the room. She was followed by a petite yet bold-looking girl carrying a stack of files. The assistant placed the files on the table and looked at Olivia, who gave her an approving nod. "Thank you, Emma. I'll take it from here. You can leave for now." Nodding at Olivia, Emma shot Ethan a pointed look before exiting the room.
"Jeez, these girls are always so unpredictable," Ethan muttered to himself as he turned to face Olivia. Despite their rivalry, he still longed to understand this enigmatic woman, to read her thoughts through those captivating eyes. The moment their eyes met, both of them froze, their hearts skipping a beat.
"I assume you know the purpose of our meeting," Olivia began, her voice steady but avoiding his gaze.
"Yes, ma'am," Ethan replied, shrugging as he looked away.
"So, you're okay with the marriage proposal?" Olivia questioned, her confusion evident as her heart pounded in her chest.
In a swift motion, Ethan closed the distance between them, his tall frame towering over her as he pulled her closer. His gaze bore into hers as he asked, "Do you think we have any other option, Ms. Carter?"
Startled by his sudden movement, Olivia tried to pull away, but his grip was firm. Instead, she placed her hand on his chiselled chest, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns that sent chills through his spine. A mischievous smile played on her lips as she replied, "Well, no, Mr. Pierce. However, you do understand that this marriage is purely business?"
Recognizing the playful tone in her voice, Ethan smirked and released her. "Yes, I do. Since you agree, let's make arrangements for the wedding."
Olivia nodded in agreement, adding, "Since we are both fashion industry tycoons, the wedding should be exceptional. It should make headlines in every newspaper across the country."
Ethan nodded, and they both sat down to discuss the details of their wedding. Despite the seriousness of the conversation, they couldn't help but steal glances at each other. Ethan admired her expressions, her captivating beauty, and the way she articulated her plans. They finally decided that they would each design the other's wedding attire—Ethan for Olivia, and Olivia for Ethan. But beneath their confident exteriors, both were secretly anxious about how the designs would turn out when they met at the altar.
When the discussion finally concluded, Olivia stood up, gathering her notes. Before leaving, she turned to Ethan and said, "We have dinner plans tonight. Don't be late. We need to start hinting to the world that we're together".
"We?" Ethan questioned, lighting his cigarette, his gaze unwavering as it rested on Olivia. He watched her expression shift from annoyance to disgust as the scent of smoke filled the room—she was allergic to the smell of cigarettes, a fact he was well aware of.
"Of course, 'we.' Who else would I have dinner with in this situation?" Olivia replied, her voice muffled as she covered her nose and mouth with her hand, clearly irritated by his blatant disregard for her discomfort.
Ethan smirked, blowing a cloud of smoke in her direction. "You should have informed me of this earlier, Ms. Carter. Unfortunately, I'm busy tonight," he said, his tone laced with arrogance.
Olivia's irritation quickly turned to anger at both his words and his actions. "Well, I'm afraid you'll need to cancel your plans," she shot back, her voice firm as she turned on her heel and stormed out of the conference room, not bothering to look back.
"What an arrogant girl," Ethan muttered to himself, the urge to pull her back and confront her bubbling up inside him. But another part of his mind, the one that thrived on challenge and control, saw an opportunity. He wanted to push her buttons, to test her limits, and relish the sight of her flustered and angry.
Yet beneath his desire to annoy her, there was something deeper. The girl he had once admired and secretly longed to make his own was now within his grasp. This marriage, though born out of necessity, could be his chance to finally win her heart. He would use this opportunity to break down her walls and make her his, not just in name, but in every way possible—forever.