The man slid into the seat next to mine with such smooth ease that for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. He had a charming smile that seemed to hold secrets and mischief in equal measure. His scent hit me next, expensive, woody, with a spicy undertone that made my skin tingle. Everything about him screamed luxury. Power. Control. He looked like he walked out of a billionaire catalog, mid-forties, sharply dressed in a suit that fit his broad frame perfectly, and wearing a watch so large and gleaming, screaming old money and precision. It probably cost more than our entire rent for a year.
He greeted the table with a polite nod and gestured for everyone to continue with their meal. A man clearly used to commanding attention. Then he turned to me, eyes sharp yet amused. The others fell silent for a second as if sensing that he was no ordinary guest. His eyes landed on me, sharp and cool, assessing.
"I haven't seen you before," he said, his voice deep and smooth like aged whiskey.
I tilted my head slightly and gave him a small, amused smile. "That's because I only appear when it's worth it."
Ethan choked on his drink. Full-on cough and sputter. A few heads turned. Lindsey grinned so wide I thought her face might split.
"Charmed," the man said, lifting his glass slightly before taking a sip. He didn't pry further, but his gaze lingered, intrigued.
The man chuckled, actually chucked, and extended his hand to me. " Daniell Carter" Oh my God. Ethan's boss.
I reached out, shaking his hand delicately. " I am Tessa."
The tension slowly melted from the room. Conversation resumed. Laughter bubbled from the corners. A smooth jazz tune played softly from the speakers above us, giving the evening an elegant charm. Some couples stood to dance, swaying gently under the warm lighting.
And then she appeared.
Jessica. The Barbie. Her eyes were swollen, red-rimmed like she'd cried the whole day. She wore a tight little dress that was meant to scream confidence, but she looked like a ghost. My eyebrows arched. So, she was still here? Huh.
She made a beeline toward Ethan, eyes pleading, but he abruptly shifted seats to the far side of the table, closer to the bar. Her expression cracked, then hardened. I expected her to slink away. But no. Instead, she turned and walked toward the man seated beside me.
"Mr. Carter," she said, trying to smile.
"Jessica," he said evenly, not giving much away.
Secretary. She was his damn secretary? The tension between them felt layered like something had already gone down.
So Ethan was cheating with his boss's Secretary? I almost choked on my wine.
Jessica's eyes slid toward me with pure venom. If glares could kill, I'd be ash in my heels. She didn't even hide it. The message was clear: Back off, bitch.
I didn't flinch. Instead, I smiled sweetly and adjusted my hair, making sure my perfume lingered in the air between us. Let her stew. She had nothing on me tonight.
Before the air could get any thicker, Lindsey stumbled over with a mischievous glint in her eye and tugged at my arm. "Come dance with me! Come on, let's show them how it's done."
She was tipsy but in the most lovable way.
We swayed onto the dance floor like we owned it. We laughed, twirled, and took two tequila shots handed to us by someone I didn't even recognize. For those few moments, I forgot the drama. I felt powerful. Beautiful. Free. We took two more shots laughing freely without a care in the world.
But I knew my limit. I excused myself before I got too drunk and embarrassed myself.
As I made my way out of the room, I heard Ethan. Calling my name like he used to. I turned slightly. He was chasing after me, stumbling a little, eyes glassy.
"Tessa, please. Just… wait!"
Jessica followed him, crying again. "Ethan! Babe, please!"
He stopped so suddenly that she nearly crashed into him. He turned to her with a fire I hadn't seen in his eyes in months.
"Don't ever call me babe again. It's over. Between us. Over."
She gasped, but he didn't even look twice. Instead, he reached for me, grabbing my wrist like he had a right.
"Tessa, listen to me! Just listen!"
I yanked my hand back. "Let me go, Ethan."
But he held tighter. "You have to hear me out."
I looked into his face so familiar, yet so full of desperation and alcohol. His grip wasn't painful, but it was firm. Too firm. I pulled again.
"Ethan, let go of me."
And then, just as my patience was about to shatter into a thousand sharp pieces, I heard it.
Footsteps behind us.
A calm but commanding voice, filled with authority.
"Ethan. That's enough."
I froze. So did Ethan.
Mr. Daniell Carter stood a few steps behind, eyes cold, voice like ice slicing through the heated air.