Ethan's POV
She walked into our room in a hurry, her steps quick and determined. There was something urgent about the way she grabbed her purse and slipped on her flats.
"Where are you going?" I asked, watching her from the couch.
"I'm going out to have dinner," she replied without pausing.
"Can I come with you?" I asked, standing up.
She looked at me for a moment, then shook her head. "No. You won't like it. It's not a five-star meal or some exclusive reservation. It's for us—normal people. Not for billionaires born with a golden spoon in their mouth."
I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I'd like to join the 'normal people' for once."
She hesitated, then shrugged. "Okay then. Come. But we walk."
We walked down the narrow streets, lit with strings of glowing yellow bulbs hanging above tiny shops and food stalls. The scent of grilled corn, spicy noodles, and sugar-roasted peanuts filled the air. Ember seemed in her element—eyes sparkling, hair bouncing with each step, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
She stopped at a vendor selling spicy skewers and ordered two. Then she dragged me to another stall for sweet fried dough balls.
"You sure you can handle this?" she teased, watching me struggle with the spicy food.
"I've survived boardrooms with million-dollar deals. I think I can handle this," I grumbled, fanning my mouth.
She laughed—really laughed—and that sound was better than anything I'd heard in days.
When we were done, she reached into her bag to pay.
"I got it," I said.
But she held up a hand. "No. This one's mine. You always pay. Let me do this."
She paid the bill..
As we walked back toward the resort, Ember laughed at something I said—her face glowing under the streetlights, eyes soft and carefree. For a moment, I forgot everything else—Veronica, the scandal, the plan. It felt… simple. Right.
We reached the resort's entrance, still laughing, when I noticed her—Veronica. Standing on the terrace with a drink in her hand, eyes locked on us.
Her expression? Cold. Stiff. But her clenched jaw and the way her fingers tightened around the glass told me everything.
I gently placed my hand on Ember's lower back, guiding her through the entrance. She didn't notice Veronica—or if she did, she didn't react. Maybe she was too lost in the warmth of the night, or maybe she had learned not to show pain.
Veronica's gaze followed us until we disappeared.
We sat on the small balcony outside our room, the sea breeze cool against our skin. Ember was shivering slightly, arms wrapped around herself.
Without a word, I handed her a bottle of beer. She took it, hesitated, then gave me a nod before sipping. I took a drink from mine too. Silence settled between us, not uncomfortable—but loaded.
The alcohol slowly dulled the tension of the day, blurring the lines between what was real and what was pretend.
I glanced at her—her face flushed slightly from the beer, hair tousled, eyes hazy but clear enough to hold something unspoken.
"Ember," I said quietly, unsure if I should even say it. But the words came anyway. "Can I ask you something?"
She turned to me, curious. "What?"
I hesitated, then asked, "Would you ever consider… just sleeping together? No strings attached. No pretending. Just us, for one night. For satisfaction. For comfort. I want to forget everything even if for one night"
Her lips parted slightly, blinking in surprise.
"I don't usually do that," she said after a pause, her voice low. "I've never done something like that casually."
I nodded, already regretting saying it, ready to apologize—when she added softly, almost more to herself, "But with you… maybe I could."
My heart thudded unexpectedly at her words. She looked up at me again, searching my eyes.
"Just… not to feel so alone tonight," she whispered.