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“I know that has to be difficult, especially trapped alone with him,” Ethan reassured me. His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, easing some of the tension that had been coiled tightly inside me. “But you don’t have to hold it all in. At least not with me. You are allowed to feel scared and vulnerable, Olivia.”
I bit my lip, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “I know, Ethan. And I’m grateful for your support. It’s just… I feel like I’m losing myself in all of this. I’ve never been so unsure of my decisions, and it terrifies me.”
“Olivia, you are an incredibly strong and resilient woman. You’ve faced challenges before, and you’ve always come out on top,” Ethan said. “You have the ability to confront these emotions head-on and make the right choices for yourself. I believe in you.”
His faith in me sent a flicker of warmth through my chest. “Thank you, Ethan.” My voice was rough, but it was laced with gratitude.
“You have so much to offer, Olivia. Your intelligence, your passion, your unwavering determination… all of these qualities make you a force to be reckoned with.”
His words seeped into my skin, and I felt myself slowly beginning to unfurl, like a flower opening its petals to the sunlight after a storm. “Ethan, I’ve been feeling like I’m in over my head lately. Like I’m not enough.”
“Olivia,” he said firmly, “that couldn’t be further from the truth. You’re more than enough. You know it, and I know it. But sometimes we all need a little reminder.”
“Thank you for being here for me,” I murmured, my fingers tracing patterns on the soft fabric of my bedsheets. There was a flutter in my chest, a stirring of something warm and deeply rooted that bloomed with every word he uttered.
“Always, Olivia.”
In that moment I realized just how invaluable Ethan’s support was. He listened intently, offering guidance when needed but never imposing his own opinions upon me. Instead, he encouraged me to find my own path, gently prodding me toward.
“Thank you, Ethan,” I said, filled with gratitude. “For everything.”
“Anytime, Olivia,” he replied softly, a smile evident in his voice. “I’ll always be here for you.”
The final click of the phone disconnecting filled the room, and a wave of determination washed over me. I stood up, my body thrumming with energy, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The city’s pulse reverberated beneath my fingertips as they pressed against the cool glass; every sensation amplified and alive. I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of rain and the electric charge in the air.
Ethan was right; I needed to confront the difficult decisions and emotions that lay ahead, not shy away from them.
I stepped away from the window, my heels clicking on the hardwood floor like a metronome, keeping time with my racing thoughts. Every fiber of my being buzzed with anticipation, desire, and fear, but I refused to let those emotions control me.
As I paced the room, my hands fiddled with the hem of my blouse, twisting the fabric between my fingers. It was a nervous habit I’d had for years, a telltale sign that I was grappling with something significant. And this time was no different.
Chapter Nineteen
Olivia
The silence in our shared suite was suffocating as Alexander and I packed our things. It was our last day at the hotel, and we hadn’t spoken to each other since yesterday’s debacle. He had returned relatively early last night, finding me asleep on the couch. I vaguely recalled being lifted into strong arms and carried to bed—a tender gesture that surprised me coming from him. But neither of us had acknowledged it, and now this oppressive quiet hung between us like a thick fog.
“Did you check the drawers?” Alexander asked, his voice cool and detached, shattering the silence.
“Um, yes,” I replied, avoiding his gaze as I zipped my suitcase shut. The memory of his arms around me still lingered, warming my skin, but I pushed it away. This was no time for fantasies; my heart and career were at stake.
“Let’s go then,” he said, grabbing his own luggage.
We made our way to the car waiting for us outside, the tension between us growing with each step. Once inside, I stared out the window, the passing scenery a blur.
Could I keep working for Alexander and protect my feelings at the same time? My body yearned for his touch, remembering the heat of our previous encounters. Yet, could I truly trust a man who toyed with my emotions like a master puppeteer?
“Olivia, are you okay?” His question caught me off guard, and I turned to face him, searching his eyes for sincerity.
“Fine, just tired,” I lied, averting my gaze once more.
“Get some rest on the plane,” he suggested, his tone unreadable.
“Thanks,” I muttered, and fell silent again.
As we boarded his private plane, those inner demons continued to torment me.
The plane’s engines roared to life, drowning out my thoughts as we took off. As I stole a glance at Alexander, I caught him watching me out of the corner of his eye, but he quickly looked away, ignoring me for the rest of the flight.
