The days after Claire's family dinner were a whirlwind of feelings. She felt guilty about letting her dad down. She was frustrated with the pressure to succeed. And she was unsure about Ethan and the deal she signed. Everything felt like it was moving too fast for her.
She tried to push her doubts aside, but they stuck around. Ethan was a puzzle to her. He seemed charming and confident. He looked like a great partner who could boost her career. But the more she saw him, the colder he felt.
Their meetings became a routine. They shared information without really talking. Ethan kept his personal life private. He was all about business, and there was no warmth or friendly chat. It was clear this was just about the deal.
Her family had warned her. They told her to watch out for Ethan. They feared he would use her. But Claire hoped there was more to him than that. She wanted to find some real connection. Instead, she felt like just another part of his plan.
The latest meeting was no different. Claire arrived at Ethan's office, a sleek space with big windows and a great view of the city. But that view couldn't help the knot in her stomach as she sat across from him. Ethan was already typing on his laptop, totally focused and not looking up.
"Claire," he said finally, still not meeting her eyes. "I went over the proposals. We need to tweak some things before we proceed. Let's talk about them."
It felt like a regular business meeting. No chit-chat, no recognition of their time together just days earlier. Claire tried to concentrate, but the tension was hard to shake. Ethan felt far away, and she couldn't do anything about it.
"I've looked at the proposals," Claire replied, trying to sound calm. "I think we're in a good spot. The changes should be small."
Ethan looked up, his face unreadable. "Minor or not, the details matter. We can't afford mistakes, Claire. Every choice we make influences the results. I trust you get that."
His tone was sharp. Claire felt the weight of his words. She wondered if it was just the deal's pressure or if he was testing her. He seemed colder now, more distant.
"I understand," Claire said, keeping her cool. "I'm not undermining the deal's importance. I believe we're on the right path."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, studying her. "You're not undermining anything," he replied, his voice now softer yet firm. "But I need you to know I'm not here to hold your hand. You're here because I believe you can manage this. If you can't handle the pressure, we need to talk."
That possibility hung in the air. Ethan was giving her a chance, but she had to keep up with his pace. Claire knew that if she stumbled—even a little—he would drop her. That was how he worked.
Claire tightened her jaw. She refused to back down. She couldn't risk it. Not when so much was at stake. She had fought hard to get here.
"I'm ready," Claire said, her voice steady. "I can handle the pressure. Let's get this right."
Ethan nodded and returned to his laptop, his expression unreadable again. The rest of the meeting went by in silence. Claire tried to speak up when she could, but Ethan was all business—no small talk, no warmth. She felt like she was working for him, not with him.
As the meeting ended, Ethan stood up, still fixated on his screen. "I'll have my team send over the revised documents by day's end. Review them closely. We'll meet again tomorrow."
Claire stood, her mind racing. She wasn't sure if she should be mad or relieved. This was not the partnership she had imagined when she signed the deal.
"I'll review them," Claire replied, calm but frustrated. "Thanks for your time."
Ethan didn't answer. He just nodded and turned back to his work. It felt like she was just another worker in his relentless world—not much more.
Walking out of the office, Claire felt mixed emotions. On one hand, she was proud of herself for standing her ground. On the other, she felt increasingly alone. She had wanted a connection. A real partnership. But Ethan seemed set on keeping things strictly business.
The drive home was long and quiet. Claire couldn't stop thinking: Was this the right choice? Was this partnership worth it? She had always wanted success and recognition. But was this the way to get there?
When she finally got home, she was worn out. The stress from the deal, her family's worries, and her cold meetings with Ethan were exhausting. She flopped onto the couch, staring at the ceiling, trying to piece it all together.
Then her phone buzzed. Hoping for a distraction, she grabbed it and saw a message from her mom.
"How was the meeting? Are you okay?"
Claire paused, feeling overwhelmed. Her mom had always been her rock. Claire wanted to keep her family out of her struggles, but now she realized how much she needed their support.
She quickly typed back.
"It was fine. Just a lot of pressure. I'm handling it."
She hit send before she could rethink it. But as she set her phone down, she still felt like something was missing. Normally, she trusted her gut, but with Ethan and all the stress, she wasn't so sure anymore.
The future felt unclear. Claire had no idea what would happen next, but it was clear that her dynamic with Ethan was changing. Whether that was good or bad, she didn't know. But she would soon have to decide if she could keep up with his cold, calculating world or if it was time for a change.