The moment Ethan shut the office door behind them, the rigid CEO mask he wore in public cracked just a little. He turned to Sophia, arms crossed, but the intensity in his eyes was different now—softer, more familiar.
"You were brilliant in that meeting," he said, his voice lower than before.
Sophia smirked, setting down her tablet on his desk. "You say that every time."
"Because it's true," he murmured, stepping closer.
Sophia sighed and leaned against his desk, arms folded. "We need to be careful, Ethan. People are starting to notice how often you call me in here."
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "They just think I'm a demanding boss. Which, to be fair, I am."
Sophia rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "One of these days, someone is going to put the pieces together. I heard Lisa from HR saying she thinks you have a secret crush on me."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what did you say?"
"That you barely tolerate me," she teased.
Ethan smirked. "That's believable."
She laughed, but then her expression turned serious. "Ethan, if people find out, it could ruin everything we've built. You know how these things go—people will say I only got this position because of you."
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. "I know. And I hate that. You're here because you're brilliant, not because of me."
She reached for his tie, adjusting it like she had done a hundred times at home. "Then we keep playing our roles. CEO and Marketing Director. Just colleagues."
Ethan caught her wrist gently. "And when we're not in the office?"
She smiled, her eyes full of warmth. "Then you're my husband, Ethan. And nothing else matters."
A knock on the door made them both step back instantly.
"Come in," Ethan called, his voice sharp once more.
The door opened, and Nathan, his assistant, poked his head in. "Sir, Mr. Donovan from the board is here to see you."
Ethan nodded. "Give me a minute."
Nathan glanced at Sophia. "Oh, sorry, didn't realize you were still here, Miss Grant."
Sophia smiled coolly. "Just wrapping up." She grabbed her tablet and gave Ethan a professional nod before striding out of the office as if nothing had happened.
Ethan watched her go, suppressing a smirk. No one had figured it out yet.
But how much longer could they keep up the act?
—
To be continued…