Chapter 9

Violet's day started with the familiar scent of paint and the soft hum of chatter in her art class. She adjusted her apron, smearing a bit of blue on her cheek as she focused on her canvas.

"You know, you could actually try painting on the canvas instead of your face," Liam teased, leaning against the table beside her.

"It's her artistic process, Liam. Don't question the genius at work," Kathy chuckled from her seat. 

"Genius? I like the sound of that," Violet rolled her eyes but smiled. 

They continued painting, talking about everything and nothing. It was a moment of calm—something she had been craving lately. But as much as she tried to focus, her mind kept drifting back to him. Ethan. The way he had lingered in her thoughts since that evening, refusing to leave.

Shaking the thought away, she wiped her hands and picked up her phone, dialing Sophia's number.

"Soph! You won't believe the day I'm having."

"Let me guess," Sophia's voice came through, amused. "You made a mess, forgot your lunch, and tripped over something?"

"Wow, rude. But also… kind of accurate." Violet sighed dramatically. "But listen, I got the job! Officially employed."

"That's amazing! And?" Sophia gasped. 

"And… my boss is broody, infuriating, and impossible."

"Ah, the classic tale of hate-at-first-sight," Sophia commented.

"I do hate him. He's arrogant, always serious, and acts like emotions are a foreign concept," Violet huffed. 

"Yeah, right. You hate him so much that you've been talking about him nonstop since you started," Sophia chuckled. 

"That's—" Violet hesitated. "That's not true!"

"Maybe it's not hatred. Maybe it's the beginning of something else?" Sophia sighed dramatically. 

"Ugh, no! It's definitely hatred."

Before Sophia could tease her further, a glance at the time sent Violet into a frenzy. "Crap, I'm late! Office time. Gotta go, love you, bye!"

Rushing through the crowded streets, she barely managed to reach the building on time. As she approached the lift, she saw the doors beginning to close.

"Oh no, no, no! Hold the lift!" she called out, hurrying forward, arms full of papers and coffee. She barely squeezed in before the doors shut, exhaling in relief.

Then she turned. And froze.

Ethan was standing right there, hands in his pockets, watching her with that unreadable gaze.

Silence stretched between them, heavy and charged. The air felt different, thick with something unspoken. Violet shifted awkwardly, gripping her coffee cup like it was her last lifeline.

"You always in this much of a hurry?" Ethan finally spoke, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Only when life decides to trip me up," she cleared her throat. 

"Seems like life has a habit of doing that to you," his lips twitched, almost forming a smile. 

"Are you implying I'm clumsy?" she narrowed her eyes. 

"I'm not implying anything," he said, tilting his head slightly. "Just… stating an observation."

Violet huffed but couldn't stop the small smile creeping onto her lips. The lift chimed, signaling their floor. The moment was slipping away, and she wasn't sure if she was relieved or disappointed.

As the doors slid open, she stepped out first, pausing only for a second before glancing back at him. "Well… see you around, I guess."

"Yeah… see you around," Ethan nodded, his gaze lingering. 

The office day passed in a blur of emails, meetings, and deadlines. Violet found solace in her usual routine, but every time she looked up, she felt Ethan's presence. It was subtle, fleeting glances, his focused demeanor, the way his fingers tapped rhythmically against his desk when he was thinking.

By evening, she found herself in the breakroom with Jade, their coffee cups steaming as they chatted.

"I swear, the moment I step into this office, I forget how to breathe properly," Violet groaned, stirring her coffee absentmindedly.

"That's corporate life, my friend," Jade chuckled. 

They continued talking, sharing stories, and laughing. It felt good—normal, even. She let herself relax, enjoying the moment.

Across the room, Ethan had paused near the doorway, unnoticed. His gaze lingered on her, watching as she laughed so freely. Something about it was unsettling. He wasn't supposed to notice her like this. And yet, he did.

For the first time in a long while, he smiled. But as quickly as it came, the realization hit him like a wave—why did she affect him this much?

By the time Violet left the office, the city had settled into the quiet hum of the night. She stood by the road, struggling to find a cab.

The streetlights flickered, and a small group of men nearby exchanged glances before approaching her.

"Hey there, all alone?" one of them smirked.

"I-I'm just waiting for a cab," Violet's heart pounded. 

"Maybe we can keep you company," another one chuckled. 

She took a step back, unsure of what to do. But before panic could fully settle in, a voice cut through the tension.

"She's not alone."

Violet turned to find Ethan standing there, his jaw tight, eyes cold and dangerous. The men hesitated, glancing at him before deciding they didn't want trouble. They muttered curses and walked away.

"Ethan… you—" Violet exhaled shakily. 

"Come on," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "I'll drop you home."

She nodded, still processing what had happened. As they drove through the quiet streets, neither of them spoke. But in that silence, something shifted.

By the time he pulled up outside her building, she finally found her voice. "Thank you."

"Be careful next time," Ethan met her gaze, his expression unreadable. 

She nodded and stepped out, but even as she walked away, she could still feel his presence lingering.

And for the first time, she wondered—maybe Sophia was right.