Ethan Carter's life has been a steady rhythm—work, gym, an occasional beer with friends, and a quiet evening alone. But tonight, everything feels off. As he sits behind his large mahogany desk in his glass office of Carter & Co.
Ethan Carter grew up in the small town of Willow Creek, raised by his single mother after his father walked out when he was just eight years old. Watching his mother work tirelessly to provide for him instilled in Ethan a fierce drive to succeed and never settle for less. From a young age, he displayed a knack for problem-solving and an insatiable curiosity for technology, often taking apart old radios and computers just to see how they worked.
Despite his intelligence and ambition, Ethan always felt like an outsider in Willow Creek. His best friend, Claire Dawson, was one of the few people who truly understood him. They spent countless late nights dreaming about escaping their small-town life—Claire with her photography and Ethan with his tech innovations. But while Claire left to pursue her passion, Ethan chose to stay behind, attending a local university to take care of his mother after she fell ill.
Ethan's break came when he developed a prototype for a smart home device that caught the attention of investors. With relentless determination, he built Carter Innovations from the ground up, turning it into one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the country. Despite the public image of success, Ethan's personal life remained guarded. He threw himself into work, avoiding attachments and focusing solely on expansion and innovation.
Though his company is thriving, Ethan feels a nagging emptiness—one that no amount of business success can fill. Sure, he's tired dating a few women, but none of them every clicked, maybe a few one night stands here and there, but nothing more. All he could remember or think about was Claire, he tried looking for her in every women he dated.
Her effortlessly captivating presence, the kind that turns heads without her even trying. Standing at about 5'7", she carries herself with a quiet confidence that comes from years of chasing dreams across the world. Her wavy, chestnut-brown hair cascades past her shoulders, often tousled from the wind or tucked behind her ear when she's deep in thought. Subtle golden highlights catch the sunlight, a reminder of her time spent in warmer climates.
Her hazel eyes are a striking mix of green and gold, reflecting both warmth and curiosity—always searching, always observing. There's a spark in them, a quiet intensity that speaks of stories untold and places unseen. A light dusting of freckles across her nose adds a touch of youthfulness, hinting at the adventurous spirit that has never quite faded.
Claire's style is effortlessly chic, blending comfort with a touch of wanderlust. She favors soft, flowing fabrics—boho-style blouses, well-worn leather jackets, and jeans that hug her figure just right. A simple silver pendant, a gift from her late grandmother, is always around her neck, a constant reminder of home no matter how far she's traveled.
Despite years of globe-trotting, there's a grounded, down-to-earth beauty about Claire—barely-there makeup, a natural glow, and a smile that feels like coming home. But behind that smile lies a certain wistfulness, the kind that suggests she's still searching for something—or someone—she left behind.
something he could never forget when he first met her. Her laugh is always something that stuck with him, like a reoccurring song stuck on repeat inside his head, one that you just couldn't forget. It was like the soft chiming of bells through a cool summers night, it was calming and refreshing to him whenever he heard it, like a nice cold drink of lemonade on a hot July day.
Ethan was brought back to reality when his Phone beeped, Indicating his secretary was trying to get his attention. He leaned forward and pressed the call button, "yes Cindy?" He asked, his tone dripping with boredom as he stared ahead at the blank pale wall in front of him "Mr. Alex is here to see you" Cindy says softly from the other end of the line. Ethan scrubs a hand down his face, his hand scratching at his five O'clock shadow "Send him in." A few moments later, he sees Alex, his friend from College walk into his office "good man! how've you been?" Alex asks him as he Gives Ethan a hug, Ethan sighs "Bored to my wits end Alex, How's the wife and baby on the way?" Ethan asks him while sitting back down at his desk, Gesturing for Alex to do the same.
Alex was a tall man, with a dark high and tight haircut, he held a air of arrogance around him, he always dressed nice, he also came from money, a little bit of a nepo baby if you will. Alex sat down and chuckled "oh their great, always keeps me on my toes, how's the love life going for you? anybody new and or exciting? or just the same old one night stand cause they aren't her?" Alex asks Ethan with a grin while crossing his arms over his chest, the buttons of his dress shirt tightening across his broad chest, Ethan raises a brow "what's it to you? I didn't take you for gossip" Ethan remarks as he mirrors Alex's pose.
"just curious, I haven't heard from you in a while and just thought I ask" Alex says, Ethan rolls his eyes "Bullshit, what are you really after." Alex holds his hands up in mock surrender "hey, hey, just asking because the wife wanted to know, you know how females are." Alex says. Ethan chuckles and shakes his head "Uhuh sure, well tell her I haven't found anyone yet, especially not like Claire." Alex nods his head and drops the topic, Offers Ethan out for a couple of drinks on Friday, then leaves.
Ethan sighs again, before grabbing his coat and walking out of his office. "Cindy I'm clocking out." Ethan said as he briskly walks down the carpeted hall, Cindy voices her concern before the elevator doors cut her off. Ethan leans against the back of the elevator, glancing at his watch tick down the seconds until he can go home, have a beer, watch a show, cook dinner then go to bed and repeat the day. He briskly steps out of the elevator once it hits the ground floor, clicking his car keys and unlocking his mustang. and slips into the cool leather seats and turns the key in the ignition, the steady thrum of the engine starts up, as well as the heaters, circling the slowly warming air through out the car.
He pulls out of his parking spot on the curb, and speeds off to his pent house, about 30 minutes away. Ethan's penthouse is a sleek, modern sanctuary perched atop one of the most prestigious high-rises in the city. It boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that provide panoramic views of the bustling skyline, which glows with golden lights at night and stretches into a vast blue expanse during the day. The minimalist architecture is a perfect reflection of his meticulous, no-nonsense personality: everything is polished, curated, and perfectly in its place. The living room An expansive open-concept space with a sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance. Plush, gray sectional sofas are arranged around a modern glass coffee table atop a textured rug. A sleek black stone fireplace, controlled by smart technology, provides warmth and style. Art pieces in neutral tones, carefully selected from emerging artists, line the walls without overwhelming the space.
While The kitchen is a chef's dream—though Ethan rarely cooks. Black granite countertops, matte cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances blend function with style. A marble island with high-back stools doubles as a casual dining space for the times Ethan eats at home. Hidden smart lighting adjusts automatically to set the perfect mood. The bedroom Ethan's master suite exudes understated luxury. A king-sized platform bed with crisp white linens is flanked by matching nightstands. The wall behind the bed is adorned with textured dark panels, giving it depth and elegance. Automated blackout blinds retract with the tap of a button, revealing stunning sunrise views each morning.
Office or the Study, heart of Ethan's creative thinking. Dark wood shelves filled with tech manuals, business journals, and a few personal memoirs stretch along one wall. A custom-built desk with a sleek surface houses his cutting-edge work setup, including multiple monitors and ergonomic seating. Smart Tech Integration, Every aspect of the penthouse is connected to the Carter Innovations AI system—climate control, lighting, and security are voice-activated. Even the coffee machine knows Ethan's exact morning preferences. Balcony, Spanning the length of the penthouse, the private terrace offers breathtaking views, complete with modern outdoor furniture and a small, neatly maintained garden of greenery that softens the urban edge.
Though undeniably luxurious, there's a sense of cold detachment in the space. It's beautiful, functional, and immaculate—but lacks warmth and personal touches, mirroring Ethan's solitary life. Ethan sets his keys down in a glass bowl by the door, sighing as he kicks his shoes off and then walks towards the kitchen, grabbing leftovers from the fridge and tossing them into the microwave before reaching into the back of the mini fridge on the counter and grabbing a beer, turning on the TV and grabbing his food before sitting on the couch, watching a few shows that where full of drama that made Ethan felt like his brain was rotting before he called his mom, wishing her a goodnight after catching up a bit, he hangs up and goes to bed, dreaming of the day Claire comes back.