Yours, Even If You Deny

 At Clover Hill 

 After lunch, the villa was draped in a quiet, sun-drenched calm.

 Zara sat comfortably on the couch, her slender fingers idly scrolling through her phone. Across from her, Ethan occupied the opposite seat, the coffee table between them buried under a mess of open files, papers, and scattered pens. His brow furrowed in focus as he worked, his presence filling the room effortlessly.

 Zara's gaze lifted from her phone, landing on the chaotic state of the table — and the man behind the mess. Her brow arched in quiet amusement as she turned her head toward David, who stood nearby, ever dutiful.

 "Mr. David," she called, her voice flat but clear.

 Startled, David straightened, his hands neatly folded behind his back."Yes, Miss Luna?"

 Without a flicker of emotion, Zara remarked, "Your boss seems to have a lot of work, doesn't he?"

 David hesitated, unsure where this conversation might lead. His eyes darted nervously to Ethan, who remained engrossed in his papers, pretending not to hear a thing. David stammered, "Ma…maybe, Miss…"

 Zara raised a brow, clearly unimpressed by the vague, hesitant answer.

 Under the weight of her gaze, David quickly corrected himself. "Y-Yes, Miss! Boss has a lot of work."

 Satisfied, Zara turned her gaze toward Ethan, her tone even and calm."Right. Then I wonder… what's the busiest man in the country doing sitting in a small city's living room instead of working in his office? What do you say, Mr. Carter?"

 The amused grin Carter had been wearing as he teased David vanished instantly, as though the words had knocked the wind out of him. He cleared his throat awkwardly."Uh… Miss…"

 Then, as if struck by divine inspiration, Carter straightened and quickly added, "Ah! Boss can easily handle everything from home, Miss Luna! You have no idea how capable he is. He can manage everything from here without a problem!"

 Zara let out a soft, amused hum. "Oh, really?" she mused as she rose gracefully from the couch and made her way toward Ethan.

 She stopped before him, her gaze steady, her voice laced with teasing."That might be acceptable… if Mr. Anderson is only managing Anderson Group. But handling two major corporations while sitting in a small city, far from either of the main offices… that sounds troublesome, doesn't it?"

 Both David's and Carter's jaws dropped, as if struck by lightning. Their eyes met, wide with shock — she knew. She knew more than she let on.

 But Ethan remained unruffled.

 Slowly, he closed the file in his hands and looked up at her, a gentle, amused smile curving his lips. In a soft, doting voice, he asked,"So, what does my dear want me to do?"

 At the word my dear, Zara's lips twitched, the beginnings of a smile she stubbornly tried to suppress. Leaning in slightly, her voice teasing, she replied,"And who exactly do you think 'your dear' is, Mr. Anderson?"

 Without waiting for him to answer, she continued,

 "It would be better if Mr. Anderson returned to his office and handled his businesses properly — instead of wasting his time here in Clover Hill where, as far as I can see, he has no work."

 David and Carter, finally recovering from their shock, took a cautious step back, wisely giving them space.

 Ethan raised a brow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. Before he could offer a clever retort, Zara turned on her heel, intending to leave.

 But she didn't get far.

 In a swift movement, a strong hand caught her wrist and pulled her down, making her land squarely in Ethan's lap.

 Caught off guard, Zara blinked, her balance faltering as Ethan adjusted her against him, one arm circling her waist while his other hand gently tilted her chin upward.

 Her heart thudded wildly in her chest. Up close, too close, she could see everything — the sharp cut of his jaw, the teasing glint in his amber eyes, the warmth of his palm against her skin.

 For a fleeting second, her wide eyes betrayed her — surprise, attraction, something unnamed — her lips parting as if to say something… but the words never came.

 Ethan's chuckle rumbled softly in his chest, the sound low and warm."Looks like I can still use this face for something," he teased, his voice rich with amusement. "What do you say, Lia?"

 Though smitten by the closeness and unable to deny how dangerously handsome he was, Zara composed herself. Her face remained calm, but her ears betrayed her — a faint, telltale shade of pink.

 Leaning in just a little, she replied in a steady, teasing tone,"Maybe you've forgotten whose sister I am, Mr. Anderson."

 Ethan tilted his head as though genuinely considering it, then leaned in closer, his amber gaze glinting.

 "But in this room," he murmured, "siblings don't include Lia. Remember who's sitting opposite you."

 Zara let out a soft chuckle, her fingers pressing lightly against his chest as she pushed him back, though his grip around her waist stayed firm.

 "Oh really? I know very well the person opposite me is Mr. Anderson," she replied coolly. "I don't think there's anything else I need to remember."

 She made to get up, but Ethan's arm tightened, pulling her closer.

 Zara raised a brow in silent challenge.

 "So, Mr. Anderson," she said evenly, "remember what I said. Try to get back to the city as fast as possible. Who knows how many people are waiting for your grand return?"

 Ethan chuckled, leaning in so close that his breath brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

 "No need to worry about it, would-be Mrs. Anderson," he murmured, his voice low and velvety. "You should know by now… being here is far more important than being there. So, have a happy stay with your fiancé, Lia."

 At those words — would-be Mrs. Anderson — Zara felt heat surge up her neck, her face betraying her with a deeper flush despite her best efforts to stay composed. Ethan, already so close, caught every flicker of emotion in her eyes.

 Helplessly, he sighed, leaning closer, his voice low, honest. "Lia… you should be grateful I can't do anything now."

 His lips brushed her ear, his words soft as silk. "You're already mine. But if you still want time… I'll give you that. Just don't forget — you're completely mine."

 Pinching her flushed cheek lightly, he smirked."So, enjoy your time with your fiancé. And if you want… we could always make it more interesting. What do you think?"

 Zara's face turned an even deeper shade of red, but she clung to her last scraps of composure.

 "Uh… remember, Mr. Anderson, I never said you're my fiancé," she shot back, her voice shaky but firm. "I haven't agreed to any of this. So you can keep your interesting ideas to yourself."

 Watching her blush so deeply while stubbornly trying to act unbothered, Ethan let out a soft, genuine laugh. Closing the tiny distance between them, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

 "You can keep denying it, Lia," he murmured, his thumb brushing softly against her cheek. "But both you and I know the truth. Don't think I'm clueless about your feelings just because you won't say them out loud."

 He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear, his voice low and certain. "You're mine, Lia… I'm yours, even if you deny."

 His words lingered between them, heavier than the sunlight spilling through the windows.