Chapter 33: Awkward Encounters and Personal Revelations
Chapter 33: Awkward Encounters and Personal Revelations
After Eric left, Emily headed to the restroom.
She splashed some water on her face, trying to shake off the lingering buzz from the wine and the irritation from earlier. Looking up at the mirror, she realized her makeup had almost completely worn off. The thin foundation and red lip gloss had faded, revealing her natural, dewy pink lips and a hint of blush on her cheeks. Without makeup, her skin looked even more fresh and natural.
Perhaps it was the effect of the wine, but her eyes also had a slight red tint. As she glanced at herself, her almond-shaped eyes shimmered with a hint of water, adding a natural allure.
Emily lowered her lashes, her gaze falling on her feet under her dress, and her expression wavered with irritation.
Ethan!
She had delicate feet, with slim ankles and defined tendons, obviously not much to grasp. Ethan's strong grip had left her ankles red after he let go. The redness had faded, but the tingling, slightly painful sensation remained…
Emily pouted, awkwardly shifting her leg and grabbing her handbag as she headed out.
As she exited, she bumped directly into a warm chest. The scent of fir tree cologne enveloped her as she staggered back, her shoulder caught by someone.
"Be careful," a deep, smooth voice said.
Emily looked up to see Ethan staring at her, holding a bottle of water.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, "Drunk?"
Emily pushed his hand away. "No."
"Feeling unwell?" Ethan asked, offering her the water.
Still irritated, Emily snapped, "Yeah, I'm not feeling well, especially seeing you!"
She glared at him, "Chairman Harrison, have you finished your oysters? Would you like some more?"
Ethan's expression changed subtly, but before Emily could react, he grabbed her slender arm and pulled her toward him. She found herself being led into a nearby empty room. Ethan turned her around and pressed her against the door, locking it smoothly.
Emily was stunned, trying to process what just happened.
She leaned against the door, Ethan's broad shoulders closing in on her, trapping her in the small space. His proximity was overwhelming, creating a palpable sense of pressure.
"Need more?" he whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her earlobe. "Are you sure you can handle it?"
Emily was taken aback, "…!"
Is he drunk or just acting out?
While others get drunk and act crazy, Ethan seems to just get flirtatious!
Emily tried to push him away, but he remained immovable. He even raised one arm and rested it next to her head, watching her struggle with amusement.
Emily glared at him, noticing his arm against the wall. The smoke-gray sleeve was slightly wrinkled, revealing a solid, pale wrist.
That's it, that's the hand!
The same hand that had been all over her under the table!
Emily narrowed her eyes and bit down hard on his wrist.
Ethan's arm stiffened for a moment but didn't pull away. He remained still, letting her bite.
Emily bit down with real force, feeling a slight metallic taste as she broke the skin, mixing with the fir and faint tobacco scent from his sleeve.
Ethan's hand didn't flinch. He remained silent, even as she drew blood, a small cut now bleeding on his wrist.
Eventually, Emily's teeth grew tired, and she relaxed her grip. Ethan lightly touched her cheek and hairline with his fingers, soothing her like a pet.
Emily was utterly surprised. She straightened up abruptly, pushing his hand away with a fierce look.
Ethan examined his wrist, a clear ring of teeth marks visible. One of her teeth had made a deep cut, and blood was oozing out.
"Feeling better?" Ethan asked quietly.
Emily remained silent, glaring at him. A noticeable red spot on her lower lip might have been his blood.
Ethan chuckled, "Still upset?"
He raised his injured wrist, gently resting it on his other hand. With a slight click, he removed his watch.
"Here," Ethan extended his wounded hand toward her, "Keep biting."
Emily: "..."
Are you crazy?!
She frowned, pushing him away with a look of disgust. "I don't want to, it's too rough!"
Does he think his hand is a chew toy?
Ethan smiled, his voice soft. He put the watch back on, showing an elegant, measured grace as he fastened it.
Despite the watch's smooth operation, Emily found Ethan oddly captivating in his meticulousness.
"Let's check out the studio together tomorrow when it opens," Ethan suggested, looking at her.
Emily turned her head away. "I'll go by myself. No need to trouble Chairman Harrison."
As she reached for the door, Ethan called out, "Why don't you want me to come? Are you afraid of something?"
As Emily opened the door to leave, she heard Ethan's amused voice behind her, "Don't worry, I won't impose any rules on you."
Emily: "!"
…Just go away!
**
By the end of the month, the studio officially opened. Celebrities who had collaborated with Emily sent their congratulations and flower arrangements. Olivia and Ryan attended the opening, and a wave of media coverage followed.
Olivia had another schedule and left after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but Ryan stayed for the entire event. Despite the recent gossip about him and Emily, it was previously agreed that he would come to support her opening.
Before arriving, Ryan asked Emily if she was comfortable with his presence, considering the timing.
Emily thought about it and decided there was no need to avoid it.
She wasn't a star who relied solely on fan attention. If Ryan didn't mind, neither did she. The entertainment industry was full of rumors and discussions, and avoiding them only made it look more suspicious. The most important thing was—
Her idol was personally supporting her!
Why should she care about others?
She was thrilled beyond words!
The media likely remembered Creston Media's "360-degree legal warning," so the reporters at the event tactfully avoided mentioning any rumors. The atmosphere was cheerful and harmonious.
After the ceremony, once the media left, Emily thanked Ryan. He, in turn, apologized again for the previous paparazzi incident. He explained that the hotel was supposed to be for the crew only, and the paparazzi were likely sent by a rival.
"I'm really sorry for the negative impact it had on you," Ryan said sincerely. "I thought you might not want to see me again after that."
Emily shook her head immediately.
Every time she faced Ryan, she tried to maintain her composure.
But with his face right in front of her and his tone like that of his character on screen—
She couldn't stay calm!
Emily kept her cool on the outside, smiling calmly. "If you're not bothered, why should I be?"
Ryan smiled, his youthful laughter ringing clearly.
"I don't mind at all," he said, his eyes crinkling with a playful glint. "I'm actually honored to be your rumored boyfriend."
Emily: "!"
No girl can handle a top idol's flirtatious gaze. Emily quickly looked away, focusing on her camera.
Ryan noticed her discomfort and changed the topic.
He pointed at Emily's camera and recognized it immediately, "Is that a 5D series?"
"Yes," Emily replied, surprised. "You know about it?"
Ryan nodded, "A lot of people use the 5D for filmmaking now. I've seen it on set. I actually like this model you have; it has some useful features, like remote shooting and touch screen…"
"Yeah, I've been using this series for a while," Emily said, amazed. "You really know your stuff!"
Ryan laughed and shook his head. "I'm just showing off a bit in front of you."
He paused before continuing, "I've always loved photography, even before I started in the industry."
Emily gasped, "Good thing you became a star; otherwise, you might have taken my job!"
"If I could be a photographer, I wouldn't want to be an artist," Ryan said, his tone not entirely clear if he was joking. He took Emily's camera and cloth, wiping it gently.
"My family was poor. My dad was the only one working, and there wasn't money to buy a camera for me to learn photography." He lightly cleaned the lens with the cloth. "Later, I worked and saved up to buy a compact camera, but just as I got it, my dad broke his leg. I had to sell the camera to help out."