Chapter 5: Second Visit to Le Meurice

Sophie entered Le Meurice, carrying a portfolio under her arm, her heels clicking softly on the white marble floors of the upscale hotel. The venerable Paris landmark exuded timeless class, from its golden ceilings to its magnificent chandeliers. Ethan's penthouse above the building was no less stunning—a statement of his prosperity and exquisite taste.

When the butler pushed open the door, Sophie crossed the sprawling living room, looking over contemporary artworks on walls and the unfettered panorama of the Eiffel Tower beyond floor-to-ceiling windows. It was imposing yet friendly, like Ethan himself.

Ethan emerged from the study, looking tidily casual in blue sweater and rumpled trousers. The unpretentious clothes were more familiar to her, even if his controlling presence didn't diminish.

"Sophie," he said, smiling warmly. "Right on time, as always."

"I try," Sophie replied, holding up the portfolio. "I brought the painting you commissioned. I hope you'll like it."

Ethan motioned toward a sleek mahogany table. "Let's take a look."

Sophie unwrapped the painting slowly, and a swirling abstract in rich blues and silvers appeared beneath the wrapping paper, glowing softly in the light. The work was haunting yet serene, a representation of her own turmoil.

Ethan stood looking at it for a while, his face expressionless. Then he nodded. "It's marvelous. You've surpassed yourself."

Sophie experienced a rush of relief, though she maintained her professional smile. "Thank you. I'm glad you like it."

Ethan pursed his lips. "Like? I'm contemplating doing a series. But first, a drink? You've earned it."

A Dinner Under the Stars

Ethan invited Sophie over later that evening in an offer she had not expected. "Come join us for dinner," he said, his tone casual but assertive. "The terrace boasts the best view of Paris, and the chef is excellent. You won't regret it."

Sophie hesitated, torn between her task and the welcome warmth she had not expected to see in Ethan's demeanor. She consented eventually. "Alright. Just dinner."

The terrace was a vision of understated luxury, with soft lighting, a table set for two, and a panoramic view of the City of Light. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Paris transformed into a sea of twinkling lights, the Eiffel Tower shimmering like a beacon.

Ethan poured her a glass of vintage red wine, his movements unhurried. "You've been quiet," he observed as they settled into their meal.

Sophie fiddled with her fork, feeling the tension between them build. "I'm just…not used to this." She waved her hand loosely over their surroundings.

"This?" Ethan echoed, laughing. "You mean expensive dinners with billionaires?"

She forced a weak smile. "Something like that."

Ethan sat back, observing her. "You're not like the type of people I usually encounter, Sophie. Most are looking for something—status, money, contacts. But you're not impressed by any of this."

Sophie hesitated. "I'm not that easily impressed, I guess."

He grinned. "Good. Neither am I."

Ethan's Stories

As the night wore on, Ethan began telling glimpses of his life—tells that stripped away the layers of his gilded façade.

"My mother was an artist," he answered, his voice lowering to a whisper as he swirled the wine in his glass. "She taught me to notice beauty everywhere. But my father…he didn't understand her. He was all about control, power, and legacy."

Sophie listened with rapt attention, surprised by his candor. "That must have been difficult."

Ethan nodded, a scowl on his face. "It was. They did nothing but fight. When she finally left me, I stayed with my dad, hoping that I could get him to be proud of me. But no matter what I did, it wasn't enough. I think that is why I push myself so hard today—to prove to him, even though he's dead now, that I'm something.".

Sophie's heart ached surprisingly. She had imagined Ethan to be an inaccessible force, a man who walked over people with no qualms. But there he was, vulnerable and human.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

He smiled faintly. "Don't be. It's over now. But it's why I find it difficult to trust people. Most of the relationships I've ever had have been transactional. Surface-level."

Sophie's own feeling of guilt stuck in her chest. She was an imposter, here pretending to be something she wasn't. But for a moment, she wished that she could erase her reasons and be honest with him.

Sophie's Guard Slips

As they conversed further, Sophie was dropping her defenses. Ethan's stories resonated with her in ways she hadn't expected. She told him about her passion for art and how it had helped her survive difficult times, although she did not speak of her father or the real reason she was here.

Ethan listened with genuine interest, his piercing blue eyes never leaving hers. "You're remarkable, Sophie," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "You see the world differently, and it shows in your work."

The compliment caught her off guard, and for a moment, she felt exposed. She quickly changed the subject, redirecting the focus back to him.

"Do you ever get tired of all this?" she asked, gesturing with her arm across the decadence that surrounded them.

Ethan smiled. "Every day. But it's the life I chose. Or maybe the life that chose me."

Sophie bobbed her head, her eyes examining him. "You're not sure."

He breathed deeply, slumping forward. "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to just disappear. To leave it all behind and have a plain life. But I don't know if I'd even be able to.".

His weak words made Sophie's chest tighten. She had come here in search of answers, to uncover the man who had ruined her father's life. But now, she wasn't so sure if she could do it.

Ethan's Growing Fascination

As the evening wore on, Ethan became captivated by Sophie in a way he hadn't expected. She was unlike anyone he'd ever met—honest, unpretentious, and simply free of his wealth.

"You're a mystery, Sophie Clarke," he told her, his voice teasing but earnestly spoken. "And I don't know if I want to figure you out or simply allow you to keep surprising me."

Sophie laughed, though it was a little uneasy. "Perhaps it is safer to leave things unexplained."

Ethan smiled, though his gaze was fixed. "Maybe. But I think you're worth figuring out."

The words sent shivers down Sophie's spine. She was balancing precariously, and Ethan was making it very hard for her to keep her eyes on the prize.

When the evening finally came to a close, Ethan escorted her to the elevator, his hand lightly on the small of her back.

"Thanks for hanging around," he said, his tone warm. "Tonight was…different. In a good way."

Sophie smiled faintly. "Goodnight, Ethan."

As the doors of the elevator closed behind her, she leaned against the wall, her emotions in turmoil. She had set out to destroy him, but Ethan Hayes was proving to be a whole lot more complicated than she had anticipated.

And for the first time, she wasn't certain if she wanted to destroy him—or save him.