chapter 120: Everyone knows

---

Chapter 120 – Amara's POV

"Everyone Knows"

I couldn't feel my legs.

I mean, they were still working. They carried me back to my desk, sat me down in my chair, helped me type my password into the computer like everything was normal.

But nothing was normal.

Not even close.

Ethan had just kissed me in front of the entire office floor like we were the leads in some corporate romance movie. In front of my coworkers. My manager. Arya.

The memory of his lips still lingered on mine — soft but sure, confident in the way only Ethan Lantel could ever be. And the way he held my hand, like he wasn't just showing affection but making a statement.

I could still hear the whispers.

"Did you see that?"

"She must have something special…"

"No wonder he always called her into his office."

I didn't know whether to shrink into the floor or smile like a lunatic.

The truth?

I wanted to do both.

My heart hadn't stopped racing since we stepped out of that elevator. I felt like I'd just been tossed into the middle of a spotlight I never asked for.

But somehow… I wasn't embarrassed.

I was flustered, overwhelmed, maybe a little shaky, but not ashamed.

He hadn't kissed me like he was marking territory. He kissed me like I mattered — like I was worth claiming, worth knowing. Like this thing between us wasn't a secret to be buried but a truth to be honored.

I never imagined I'd fall for someone like Ethan Lantel.

And I definitely never imagined someone like him would fall for me.

"Earth to Amara."

The voice snapped me out of my spiral.

Jane, one of the junior designers, leaned over the divider with wide eyes and a knowing grin.

"Yes?" I asked, trying to sound casual even though I was still visibly glowing.

She pointed at me like she had caught me red-handed. "You know you can't just waltz in holding hands with Ethan freaking Lantel and not give me details. Spill. Now."

I blinked, flustered. "Jane, I'm literally working—"

"Working? Girl, you think anyone's actually working after that? You shut down productivity on the entire floor for a full five minutes!"

I covered my face. "Oh my God."

She laughed. "Okay, but for real. Since when?"

I peeked through my fingers. "It just… happened. I don't even know how to explain it. One second we were pretending, and the next—"

"Pretending?"

Oops. Too much.

Jane narrowed her eyes. "Wait. Were y'all already a thing before this?"

"Jane," I said carefully, "he's my boss."

"Exactly why this is so juicy!"

I groaned.

"Alright, alright," she said, finally showing mercy. "I'll stop. But just so you know, I think it's kind of amazing. The way he looked at you? Girl, that man is gone."

I bit my lip, trying — and failing — not to smile.

He did look at me like I was his whole world.

And when he kissed me, I could feel it in my bones.

Still, once Jane moved on and the office settled back into its semi-regular rhythm, I felt that familiar anxiety crawl back in. I'd worked so hard to build my position here. I didn't want people to assume I got here because of him.

Because I didn't.

I'd spent late nights researching, staying ahead on reports, double-checking his schedules, holding the entire executive team together on some days.

Would people forget all that now?

Would they see me as just "the girl who caught the boss's eye"?

I was still stewing in those thoughts when the elevator dinged again.

Arya stepped out.

Her long hair was pulled into a loose bun, artfully messy, and she walked like she owned the building — which, in many ways, she kind of did. Everyone moved aside for her as she came straight toward me.

My heart skipped.

She reached my desk and stopped, folding her arms.

"Hi," I said cautiously.

Arya didn't speak at first. She just looked at me — through me — the way she always did when she was trying to read something no one else could see.

Then, finally, she smiled.

"You look different," she said softly.

I frowned. "Is that… a good thing?"

"Very." She glanced toward Ethan's office, where the door was now closed. "He's never looked at anyone like that before. Not even close."

I swallowed. "I wasn't planning for any of this."

"I know," she said. "But sometimes the best things in life aren't planned. You're good for him. He's… lighter with you. Softer."

Her words warmed me more than I expected.

"Thanks," I whispered.

Arya gave me a small nod. "Just… don't hurt him. He's complicated, but when he chooses someone, it's not halfway."

"I'm not going anywhere," I said before I could stop myself.

She smiled again. "Good."

And then she walked away, just like that — like she'd passed some invisible torch or blessing I didn't even realize I needed.

The rest of the day passed in a weird haze. People still stared. Some congratulated me quietly. Others kept their distance like I'd suddenly become royalty.

But Ethan? He stayed the same.

He texted me from inside his office.

Ethan: I meant every second of that kiss.

Ethan: You okay out there?

Me: Shaken. But in a good way.

Ethan: Good. Because I'm not hiding anymore.

Ethan: Not from them. Not from anyone.

I looked at the screen for a long time, heart full.

I wasn't just his assistant anymore.

I wasn't a secret.

I was his.

And for the first time in a very long time, I didn't feel small.

I felt chosen.

---

End of Chapter 120 – Amara's POV