I decide to walk back to the office rather than take a taxi. I need to clear my thoughts.
Rose was so certain Ethan went after everything Lucas had. If I follow her logic, Ethan tried to get Rose and failed. And then he came after me.
I could see that happening, but even then, two months ago perhaps. Not so much now.
Not because of my current situation or because of these feelings I have for him, but because of who he is. I’ve seen him. I’ve spent time with him. He’s not that person. Would Rose lie?
Why?
It makes no sense to me.
As I reach the office building, I consider talking to Ethan. But something stops me.
This has no bearing on our life together. When I said the past was buried and done with to him, I meant it. I stare at the glass doors with the company logo on them. Let’s say I believe her. Even if I were to assume Rose was telling the truth about what he did, he cannot be that good of an actor. His feelings for me, the ring his mother mentioned, the lengths he went to get me to give him a shot. Nobody goes that far to play around with a person. Sometimes, one has to take risks.
I decided to risk my heart once again with Ethan. If I get so easily influenced by every outside factor, what kind of partner would I make? I swallow, burying all my doubts somewhere deep inside me. No, I want to go into this relationship with my eyes open. This isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about the child we share together.
Everything I know about Ethan goes against what Rose has told me. He's manipulative, but not like this. And if Rose was single after she broke things off with Lucas, why would Ethan pursue me and not her?
I don’t trust Rose’s version of events. And I’m not going to bring it up to Ethan and jeopardize our still fragile relationship.
Pursing my lips, I walk inside the building, my mind made.
Adjustingto being back in the office is not hard, but fixing the damage Ethan has done takes some time. It takes me two weeks to make sure that all my i’s are dotted and my t’s are crossed.
I have to call in the fired employees, have private discussions with them, and have them sign NDAs and new contracts. All except one eagerly accepted the new terms. The last onedecided to pursue her further studies, and after some discussion with Ethan, we decided to give her a small payout for the unreasonable firing and have her sign a non-disclosure agreement. She was more than happy to sign the NDA in exchange for a handsome sum that would help her pay for her masters.
The situation in the Marketing Department has gotten better. Ethan decided to update the security cameras within the entire building. The consensus was that somebody was definitely trying to get Iris fired. I’ve not had a chance to discuss this with Iris yet.
Two weeks have passed, and while I’ve met Iris when she came to welcome me back, we’ve not had a sit-down. Today, I plan to rectify that.
With just twenty minutes left till lunch, I ask my assistant, coming to stand in the doorway that separates our offices, “Do I have any meetings scheduled for after lunch?”
Layla checks the calendar and shakes her head. “You have a meeting at four with the new finance head.”
“Good. I’m heading out now. I’m taking a longer lunch today.”
I am about to walk out of the office when I hear Ethan’s voice. “A longer lunch? Who are you going to lunch with?”
Layla’s eyes turn wide as I look towards the doorway. Ethan has his suit jacket hanging from his arm, and he looks like he’s getting ready to go somewhere.
“I’m going out to lunch with Iris.”
“Why?”
He takes a step towards me, making me blink. “Did you need something from me, Mr. Wilder? Do I need to share my calendar with you?”
He gives me that wicked, charming smile of his. “I think that’s a good idea. Miss Peterson, send me her?—”
“Don’t you dare, Layla,” I snap, scowling.
Layla is sitting, frozen in place. “Ah?—”
“Go on your lunch break,” I tell her.
“But there’s still time?—”
“Go.”
