Chapter Thirteen

As Ethan left for the meeting, the door clicked shut behind him, leaving Clara in the aftermath of their stolen moment. Her heart still raced, the memory of Ethan's touch lingering like a warm embrace. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the heat of the encounter refused to dissipate.

Clara's mind swirled with thoughts of what had just happened. The office felt both too small and too vast, a sanctuary that had transformed into a battleground of emotions. She could still feel the ghost of Ethan's fingers on her skin, igniting a fire within her that was hard to ignore.

With a determined shake of her head, Clara focused on her work, but the tension in the air was palpable. Each sound echoed in her mind, reminding her of the thrill and the danger of their secret. She knew that once Ethan returned, everything would change again, and the unspoken promise between them would hang heavily in the air.

As Clara tried to immerse herself in her tasks, the door swung open, and in walked Secretary Eva, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. Clara's heart sank a little; Eva had a way of making her presence felt, and today, it seemed, she was on a mission.

"Clara, have you seen Ethan?" Eva asked, her tone laced with urgency, but Clara could detect a hint of something else—an undercurrent of jealousy, perhaps. 

"Weren't you the one who came to remind he of the meeting" Clara thought. "He's in a meeting," Clara replied, keeping her voice steady despite the tension rising in her chest. She could feel Eva's eyes scrutinizing her, searching for any sign of the intimacy that had just unfolded.

Eva's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh, I see. Well, I have some files for him that need his attention right away. Do you think you could call him?"

Clara hesitated, sensing the challenge in Eva's request. "I can't interrupt him right now. It's important he stays focused."

Eva's smile tightened, and Clara could see the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You know, I've always thought Ethan could use a little more... support in his life," she said, her voice dripping with implication. "Maybe I could help with that."

Clara's heart raced again, this time with indignation. She knew Eva had always had a crush on Ethan, and the way she spoke made it clear that she was looking for an opportunity to insert herself into his life, perhaps even to undermine Clara.

"I think Ethan knows how to handle things on his own," Clara replied, her tone firm. The air between them crackled with tension, each woman silently vying for Ethan's attention, but only one of them had shared a moment of genuine connection with him.

Eva's eyes narrowed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Well, if you see him, just let him know I stopped by," she said, her voice overly sweet, as if masking her annoyance.

Clara nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. As Eva turned to leave, Clara couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a rivalry that would test not only her relationship with Ethan but also her own resolve. She returned to her work, determined to keep her focus, but the tension in the air reminded her that this was far from over.