The drive to the office felt like an eternity; each passing streetlight cast an eerie glow across the dash. Zoe's words still echoed in my head. Someone in our team was out to screw everything up-somebody we had trusted with our business. The thought ran a chill down my spine.
I finally managed to arrive and saw Zoe standing by the entrance, her expression showing a mix of frustration and determination. She met me halfway, her phone still in hand.
"They're still in there," she whispered. "I didn't want to confront them alone."
I nodded, feeling a racing pulse, as we directed ourselves towards the office. Inside, with only dimmed lighting, shadows fell across the normally familiar space, and I could see a figure hunched over a computer screen, fingers flying across the keyboard.
The moment the door clicked shut behind us, the figure froze and turned. It was Mia, one of our newest hires, a person Zoe and I both had regarded as talented and hardworking. Her eyes went wide as she saw us, and a flash of panic crossed her face.
"Mia," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Care to explain what you're doing?"
She scanned the room for an exit, but Zoe was already filling the doorway. "I. I was just finishing up some work," Mia stammered, though her voice betrayed her.
"Finishing up work by yourself, in the dark, after hours?" Zoe questioned skeptically.
Mia bit her lip, and her hands flexed on the edge of the desk. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to do it-really, I didn't. But they threatened me."
"Who?" I asked, stepping closer-my curiosity and frustration building.
They know things about me, things I'd rather not get out," Mia whispered, and she looked down. "I tried to stay out of it, but they forced my hand. They've been having me redirect small payments, enough that it would go unnoticed at first. But it kept growing, and I didn't know how to stop.
Zoe and I exchanged a quick glance; the suspicion morphed into a mix of pity and disbelief. "Mia," I said, taking a deep breath, "you should have come to us. Whoever is forcing you into all this will not stop unless faced, and now we are all in danger.
Her eyes welled with tears as she nodded in response. The set of her shoulders slumped. "I know. I'm sorry, I really am. I'll tell you everything I know, but please… I need protection."
I nodded slowly. "We'll figure it out together, Mia. But we're going to need full disclosure. Every detail no matter how small.
Mia took a shaky breath and launched into an explanation of how someone in our network-someone with deep pockets and an anonymous presence-had discovered one of her past mistakes. They'd used it to blackmail her, forcing her to fiddle with our accounts in a way that was really hard to track. She tried at first making little transactions, hoping that would appease them, but they'd grown bolder, making her steal more.
After listening to this, Zoe and I once again exchanged a look. Whoever this was, they were out to bring our business down, it seemed, and they had absolutely no problem with using one of our team members to make the dastardly end they wanted. A surge of anger was rising within me.
Mia," I said, hardening my voice, "for now, this stays between us. But if you want our help, you're going to have to work with us to gather evidence. We'll have to draw them out. You willing to do that? "
She hesitated, then nodded, regret deep in her eyes. "Yes. I don't want to be a part of this anymore.
With a tentative plan hashed out with Mia, Zoe and I walked her out and then locked up the office. We knew we had to tread carefully, but at least now we knew what was happening—and had a plan for who was behind it.
As Zoe and I went our separate ways, exhaustion settled over me like a heavy blanket. Yet, despite everything, my mind turned to Ethan. There was something ironic about it-we worked so hard to get him to open up, and here I was with secrets of my own. If he knew what was going on, would he see me differently? Worse, would he pull away?
***
The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed, ready to put aside the tension from last night. I hadn't had much sleep at all, just thinking about the business and Mia's confession. But much as I wanted to lay in bed, I knew I needed to keep appearances up, not just for our clients, but for Ethan himself.
As I entered the office, there sat a nosegay of small white roses on my desk. Immediately, Zoe came to my mind; she never missed the chance for those small actions that brought a smile to my face. But as I read the note attached to them, my heart just leaped.
*For a woman with incredible resilience and grace. Let's see if I can surprise you again. –E*
I couldn't help the grin that seeped onto my face. Ethan wasn't one for romance, so this was unexpected-even slightly out of character. But then again, perhaps he was changing more than I'd given him credit for.
"Someone has an admirer," Zoe teased, stepping into the office and noticing my expression.
Oh, quiet," I replied, my cheeks flushing as I set the flowers down on the edge of my desk. "He's just… practicing, you know?"
"Practicing or not, it's a sweet gesture. Maybe you're getting through to him more than you realize.
Her words stayed with me, that small spark of hope amidst the chaos. Maybe Ethan and I might have something more than client and matchmaker in our future, but I could not afford to entertain such a thought for very long. I needed to keep things professional-for his sake and mine.
Daytime was busy; I focused on work and put whatever nagging doubts about our business out of my mind. Evening approached and then I got a text from Ethan.
*I know it's last minute, but I have an extra ticket to a charity gala tonight. I could use a coach to keep me in line. Interested?
This was one too-good-to-pass-up proposition-the opportunity to see Ethan outside the matchmaker sessions was, actually. And perhaps this would be a good way to test his progress, as it were, in a real social setting.
*I'm in, sure,* I replied, feeling instantly an excitement and nervous rush.
***
I stood outside the ballroom that evening, opulent and fancy amidst a stew of anticipation and trepidation. Ethan had arranged for a car to pick me up. Stepping inside the grand venue, I was able to catch sight of him standing near the entrance, looking every bit the powerful CEO in his sleek black tuxedo.
"You made it," he said; his gaze warmed as he took me in.
"Couldn't resist the opportunity to keep you in line," I said, trying to sound offhand.
As we entered the gala, I could feel Ethan's nervousness, even though he did a good job hiding it. He was obviously used to running a boardroom, but the social niceties of milling around people who hankered after him for his money or power seemed to put him on edge.
By nighttime, I had subtly coached him into opening up and speaking to others. And, surprise, surprise, he did, showing this charming approachable side of himself. Every smile, every laugh, felt like deeper connections were made.
We were alone once on a balcony, overlooking the city lights. He looked out over the view, an unusual vulnerability in his expression.
"Chloe, have you ever felt like everything you've built could disappear in an instant?"
The question struck a chord, the truth lurking behind his words. I thought about how much to disclose and then gave a hesitant response. "Every day," I finally conceded, my voice barely above a whisper.
He turned to me then, his eyes piercing. "Then why do you keep going? Why risk it all?"
"Because if I don't, it'll haunt me forever. The what-ifs, the regrets-they're worse than any risk I could take," I replied with a sense of the weight in my own words. "What about you?"
He was quiet for a moment, then looked away. "Maybe I just needed someone to remind me of that.
Before I could utter a word, we heard the sound of footsteps approaching. A tall, keen-eyed woman stepped out onto the balcony, her eyes resting on Ethan with an air of familiarity that raised my hackles.
"Ethan," she acknowledged him with a knowing smile, "it's been far too long."
Ethan's face hardened, and I watched his body language change; even his confidence seemed to falter. "Carmen. I wasn't expecting you here."
Carmen laughed, the sound sharp as glass. "Oh, I always turn up when you least expect it."
Something about her made my stomach twist. Whoever she was, it was clear she had a history with Ethan—and that she wasn't pleased to see him with someone else.
"I see you've brought a date," she said, her gaze sweeping over me with barely concealed disdain.
I swallowed as she eyed me like an undeserving interloper in her world.
"Chloe's my. consultant," Ethan returned; his voice was guarded.
She smiled wryly. "Consultant? How quaint. Well, I wouldn't keep you two from your. business."
She nodded once and then turned to head back inside. Another silence fell between us-a tense one. I couldn't help but feel Ethan's unease, a maelstrom of emotion beyond the surface calm.
"Who was that?" I whispered, hoping he would open up.
Ethan's jaw flexed. "Someone I thought
was out of my life. But it would appear the past never truly disappears."
Standing there, the tension between us becoming palpable from all that wasn't said, I knew I wasn't just helping Ethan face his fear of romance-I was about to uncover a part of his past that might change everything.