Lena arrived at her desk early the following morning—determined to gain a head start on the day. She had spent the night poring over Mira's folders and preparing summaries for Ethan. Exhaustion tugged at her; however, she set it aside, focusing instead on her increasing curiosity about the man for whom she now worked.
The whispers she had overheard in the café concerning the hit-and-run replayed in her mind. Although she tried to dismiss them, the nagging sense of unease persisted. She wondered what secrets lay hidden beneath the surface of their everyday interactions.
This curiosity, fueled by the unknown, urged her to dig deeper, even though she was aware of the potential consequences.. If it had been a deliberate attack, why wasn't Ethan taking precautions? She couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something (because it felt too calculated).
As if summoned by her thoughts, Ethan's voice broke her reverie. "Good morning, Ms. Mitchell."
Lena glanced up to find him standing beside her desk, holding two cups of coffee.
"Good morning," she replied, somewhat surprised. "I didn't expect to see you (this) early."
He extended one of the cups to her; however, she paused for a moment. "Neither did I expect to find my assistant here before sunrise. Impressive."
Lena accepted the coffee, warmth spreading through her at the unexpected gesture. "Thank you, Mr. Grayson. I wanted to make sure everything was ready for the investor meeting later."
"Preparedness is a good quality," Ethan said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Let's review your notes in my office."
She followed him inside, the door clicking shut behind them. Ethan gestured for her to sit across from him, and she quickly pulled up her files on the tablet.
"I've outlined the key points for the investors," Lena began, scrolling through the presentation. "I also included responses to potential concerns they might raise, especially regarding the projections Mr. Harlow questioned yesterday."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. "You've done your homework. That will be useful. Investors respect thoroughness."
Lena hesitated before speaking, her curiosity finally getting the better of her. Mr. Grayson (may I inquire about something)?"
He raised an eyebrow; "Proceed."
"The hit-and-run," she said carefully. "Was it really just an accident?"
The question hung in the air, the light mood in the room shifting. Ethan's jaw tightened (a subtle sign of tension) and for a fleeting moment, she feared he might dismiss her entirely.
"I'm not in the habit of discussing personal matters, Ms. Mitchell," he stated finally, his tone unyielding, yet even. "However, no, it wasn't an accident."
Lena's breath caught. "Do you know who was behind it?"
Ethan's gray eyes locked onto hers, a storm brewing beneath their surface. "I have my suspicions. But until I have proof, there's little I can do."
The weight of his words settled heavily between them. Lena refrained from probing deeper (after all), sensing that Ethan had already divulged more than he had initially planned.
The remainder of the morning unfolded in a haze of preparation; by the time the investors made their entrance, Lena was enveloped in a peculiar blend of excitement and anxiety. She watched as Ethan greeted each of them with his usual charisma, his confidence filling the room.
As the meeting got underway, Lena took her place near the back, her tablet ready. The investors were sharp and inquisitive, probing every detail of the proposed expansion.
Ethan handled their questions with ease, but there was a moment when one of them—a middle-aged man with a sharp suit and a sharper tongue—brought up a concern that mirrored Harlow's from the previous day.
"The projections are ambitious," the man said. "But are they realistic? You've had setbacks before, Mr. Grayson. What makes this any different?"
Lena felt a flicker of tension ripple through the room. Ethan, however, remained composed.
"Setbacks are inevitable in any business," he replied. "What sets Grayson Corp apart is how we overcome them. Our team has conducted an extensive analysis of the data (which I find quite impressive) and I am confident in our capacity to deliver.
The investor, however, did not appear entirely convinced; he nodded, leaning back in his chair (as if contemplating something deeper).Ethan's response had at least tempered the criticism.
Lena made a mental note to revisit the projections later, wondering if there was something more they could do to address these recurring doubts.
As the meeting concluded and the investors filed out, Ethan approached Lena.
"Well done with the notes," he said. "Your attention to detail was evident."
"Thank you," Lena replied, her earlier nerves fading.
Ethan's expression softened, but before he could say more, Mira appeared in the doorway, her face unusually pale.
"Mr. Grayson," she said, her voice low. "There's something you need to see."
Ethan's demeanor shifted instantly, his professional mask snapping back into place. "What is it?"
Mira hesitated, glancing at Lena.
"She can stay," Ethan said, his tone curt.
Mira nodded, stepping forward and handing Ethan a sleek black folder. "This was left at the front desk this morning. No return address."
Ethan opened the folder (his eyes narrowing) as he scanned the contents.
Lena noticed the subtle tightening of his grip on the folder's edge. "What is it?" she asked, her voice laced with caution. Ethan, however, did not respond immediately (the tension in the atmosphere was palpable). Although he seemed to ponder the question, the silence stretched uncomfortably.
This moment, charged with uncertainty, left her wondering what he was thinking. But the weight of the unspoken words hung heavily between them, leaving little doubt that something significant lingered just beneath the surface.Although he seemed contemplative, Lena couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss (because of the way he hesitated).
This silence lingered and both of them were aware of the weight of unspoken words. Instead, he closed the folder and turned to Mira. "Get security on this. I want a full report by the end of the day."
Mira nodded, her expression grim, and quickly left the room.
Ethan turned back to Lena, his face unreadable. "It seems we have some unwelcome attention," he said simply.
"What do you mean?" Lena pressed.
Let us merely state that the hit-and-run may not be the only warning I've encountered as of late," he replied, his voice low. "However, that is not your issue. Focus on your tasks and permit me to handle this."
Lena felt a strong desire to protest, to demand more information, but the look in Ethan's eyes left her speechless. This was a man used to shouldering the heavy burden of existence; for now, he was not ready to share his load.
As the evening wore on, while Lena was collecting her belongings for the day, she could not shake the feeling of being overwhelmed. Ethan's world was far more dangerous than she had understood and uncertainty hovered over her capability to keep up.
Yet, she remembered how he had looked at her earlier— the fleeting glimpse of vulnerability lurking beneath his hardened exterior. Something about him drew her in—to explore the mysteries surrounding him.
She was no longer just an assistant; she was caught up in this now, whether she liked it or not.