Chapter 4: The Unspoken Tension

The atmosphere in Luxe Marketing's headquarters had shifted in an almost imperceptible way. The way Rebecca and Ethan interacted was no longer just professional—it was charged, filled with subtle glances, lingering moments, and words that meant more than what was spoken aloud.

Rebecca wasn't blind to it, nor was she naïve. She had spent years learning how to read people, how to recognize emotions buried under layers of control. And Ethan Carter, despite being cold and calculating, wasn't immune to emotions—no matter how hard he tried to conceal them.

The problem was that she couldn't afford to feel anything toward him.

She had promised herself she would never let another man break her the way Noah did. Never again would she allow herself to be vulnerable, to be played like a fool.

And yet, here she was, thinking about Ethan Carter long after their conversations ended.

Rebecca had barely settled at her desk when her email chimed. A new project file had been sent to her—marked as URGENT. She clicked it open, scanning the details.

Her heart nearly stopped.

It was a high-profile campaign, one of the biggest the company had ever handled. And it was being led by none other than Ethan himself.

She barely had time to process it before a notification popped up on her screen.

Meeting with Ethan Carter – 9:00 AM

She checked the time—8:55 AM.

"Damn it."

Grabbing her notepad and phone, she hurried toward the top floor, trying to compose herself before stepping into his office.

When she entered, Ethan was already seated at his desk, reviewing a document. He didn't look up as she walked in.

"You're two minutes early," he noted. "Impressive."

Rebecca rolled her eyes, setting her things down. "If I were late, you'd have made me leave again."

He smirked but didn't deny it.

"I assume you've read the brief?" he asked, finally looking at her.

She nodded. "I have, and I'm honored to be chosen for such a major project."

"You weren't chosen," he replied, folding his hands. "You earned it."

Rebecca blinked. That was probably the closest thing to a compliment she had received from him.

She sat down, trying not to read too much into it. "So, what's the strategy?"

Ethan leaned back in his chair. "This campaign is make-or-break for one of our top clients. If we execute it correctly, Luxe Marketing will solidify itself as the leader in the industry."

His tone was sharp, calculated. He wasn't just interested in winning—he wanted domination.

Rebecca took a deep breath. "So, no pressure."

He smirked again. "Exactly."

The next few weeks were relentless. Meetings, brainstorming sessions, deadlines that seemed impossible—all under Ethan's unyielding expectations.

Rebecca found herself working later and later, often being the last person to leave the office.

One evening, she was finalizing a presentation when a deep voice interrupted her concentration.

"You're still here."

She looked up to see Ethan standing in her doorway, his suit jacket draped over his arm, his tie slightly loosened.

"So are you," she replied.

He stepped inside, glancing at her screen. "How's the project coming?"

"Nearly done."

He nodded, then gestured to the coffee cup on her desk. "When was the last time you ate?"

Rebecca hesitated. She hadn't realized how long it had been since her last meal.

Ethan sighed and, to her surprise, placed a takeout bag on her desk. "I figured you'd still be here, so I got extra."

Rebecca stared at the bag, then at him. "You… brought me dinner?"

"Don't make a big deal out of it," he muttered, sitting across from her.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she opened the bag. "Thank you."

They ate in comfortable silence, the tension between them shifting into something… softer.

For the first time, Ethan Carter didn't seem like an untouchable CEO. He seemed like a man who, despite his hardened exterior, had layers beneath the surface.

And that scared Rebecca more than anything.

Because the more time she spent with him, the more she realized she was beginning to care.

And caring was dangerous.