The morning wasn't kind to Ethan—cruel, if anything.
He hadn't slept at all the night before.
Yesterday's trip—reviewing the antique items stored in one of Raven's facilities—kept replaying in his mind. Along with every word that man had said.
Arrogant.
Infuriatingly dominant.
A man who looked about his age… yet carried himself like that-- as if money alone had given him the right.
That calm expression. That steady voice.
It made Ethan want to grab his collar—and punch him.
But he couldn't.
Raven stood above him.
More powerful.
A client of his company.
"Morning. You look pissed." Marcus approached, holding a cup of coffee.
"How was the review yesterday? From the summary email, those Ashcroft items looked impressive."
"Of course they were," Daniel cut in as he walked over, dropping into the seat beside Ethan.
"You know he's not just some antique collector, right?"
A brief pause.
"He's Ashbourne Capital Holdings."
Silence fell.
Daniel grinned, nodding.
"He's not an ordinary man. He owns Ashbourne Capital Holdings."
"Under him are Ardent Vale and Eidolon… two massive networks dealing in global investments and high-end antiques."
"And yet… he never appears in public. His face isn't even listed anywhere in company records."
"As if… he doesn't want to exist."
Marcus let out a low whistle.
Ethan loosened his tie.
Defeated.
He really couldn't reach that bastard.
"He's still too young. Probably around my age," Ethan muttered. "Must be inherited."
"Inheritance or not, he's still a giant," Daniel said lightly. "And somehow a man like that chooses to live in a quiet little town in England."
"You went to his shop yesterday, right? How was it?"
"Nothing much," Ethan said flatly.
"Nothing much? He handed us one of the items we wanted right there."
Olivia's voice cut in—she had joined them without anyone noticing.
"Is what you said earlier about Raven true?" she asked Daniel, her eyes glinting.
Daniel nodded.
"Hm… no wonder he's cold and arrogant," Olivia murmured. "But I suppose that can be forgiven… if he's that remarkable."
"You mean filthy rich?" Daniel smirked.
Olivia pulled out her compact, checking her reflection.
"I'm curious why he isn't married yet… and what kind of woman he likes."
A coy smile touched her lips.
"Isn't that obvious? He likes Missy," Daniel said casually.
Ethan and Olivia froze.
Yesterday's conversation echoed in their minds.
"No way," Olivia scoffed, waving it off with a laugh.
"If that's true, Missy's lucky," Emily added as she entered, placing her bag down.
Olivia walked straight toward her.
"You were her classmate in high school, right? What was she like? Poor? Got into college on a scholarship?" she asked, probing.
"Missy was smart. High-achieving. She lived with her mother—her father left when she was young. Her mother's a nurse. That's all I know."
Olivia scoffed.
"So… boring. A bookworm type. Definitely not popular."
Emily adjusted her glasses, looking at her calmly.
"You're wrong. Missy was popular."
"A lot of guys were after her. The basketball team captain, for one."
Ethan's hand clenched without him realizing.
"Oh? So she's not as innocent as she looks?" Olivia sneered.
Emily shook her head.
"She never dated anyone."
Silence.
"She went on dates, yes. But somehow… they all backed off. I don't know how she rejected them, but it always ended well."
"Maybe because she spent most of her time studying and working part-time to help her mother."
Ethan exhaled slowly.
Strangely… he felt relieved.
And something else.
"Tch. So she's just a boring old virgin?" Olivia scoffed.
"What about college?"
Emily shook her head again.
"I don't know. I moved here and started working. A few years later, I was surprised to see her join this company."
"Yeah, she was really happy to see you back then," Daniel added. "You even recommended your old apartment to her."
Emily nodded.
"There's nothing special about her," Olivia muttered, returning to her desk.
"Maybe not before," Daniel shrugged. "But now? She's practically Cinderella."
"Is Raven dating her? Planning to marry her? She's just his employee. Don't exaggerate."
"Didn't you say she sold herself to him?" Daniel shot back.
Olivia clicked her tongue.
"She's just a foolish girl. Low class. I doubt she could handle someone like him. Besides… Raven wouldn't be interested in someone like her."
But there was hesitation.
A crack.
Denial.
"But she's wearing expensive things now," Charlotte added quietly. "She looks… different."
"Interesting gossip," Richard's voice came from behind, Thomas beside him.
"Daniel, Charlotte—prepare for the Ashcroft exhibition."
Daniel lit up immediately.
------
The day passed before Missy even realized it.
The shop was busier than she had expected—orders, shipments, distributions. Far more active than it looked from the outside.
And all day… Raven was nowhere to be seen.
When she woke up that morning, breakfast had already been prepared.
But not him.
At least… that made her feel a little relieved.
After closing the shop, she could retreat to her room without having to face him.
She wasn't ready.
Not yet.
She assumed he wouldn't return soon—or perhaps not at all that night.
And indeed… even as evening fell, he hadn't appeared.
Missy had just finished drying her hair after a refreshing shower.
She spent some time relaxing, watching a movie on her laptop. She hadn't gone out after closing the shop.
Just ordered dinner.
Simple.
Quiet.
But her thoughts kept drifting back.
To his words.
Was she really special…
Or was it just the bond between them?
She sighed softly, shaking her head as she stepped out of her room and headed toward the kitchen.
And then—
She stopped.
Raven stood there.
Shirtless.
Drying his damp hair with a towel, turning casually after closing the refrigerator.
He set a bottle of cold water on the counter.
Then his eyes met hers.
"I… I thought you hadn't come back yet," Missy murmured.
Unbothered, he poured himself a glass of water.
"You've been back long?" she asked.
"A few hours. Just finished working out."
Missy blinked.
This was the first time—truly the first time—she saw him like this.
Tempting.
The man who was always composed and immaculate… now stood before her bare, his hair slightly messy, a towel draped loosely around his neck.
She couldn't speak.
Even when she was with Ethan… she had never—
No.
She had never seen a man like this before.
"You… haven't forgotten we live together, right?" she whispered without thinking.
Raven glanced at her.
A faint smile.
"No."
Simple.
But it sounded… different.
He lifted the glass, taking a slow sip.
Missy's throat went dry.
Her gaze dropped—
His Adam's apple moved.
Slowly.
Up and down.
She couldn't look away.
"Hungry?" his voice pulled her back.
"H—huh? Thirsty," she stammered.
Flustered.
"I mean—I already ate. I just couldn't sleep, I was watching a movie, I just— I thought— I was going to—"
She stopped.
Raven smiled faintly.
Amused.
Satisfied.
He took a container of fruit from the fridge and walked toward her.
"Even if tomorrow's a day off, don't stay up too late, Hart."
There was something teasing in his tone.
He placed the container in her hands.
His fingers brushed her skin.
Light.
Brief.
His gaze lowered to her face.
And lingered.
Satisfied again… at the blush blooming on her cheeks.
Missy couldn't breathe.
The scent of his soap—fresh, masculine—wrapped around her.
Was it his shampoo… or his body… so close—
Or—
"Don't forget to get dressed. You'll catch a cold," she murmured, still staring.
Too close.
Far too real.
She startled, quickly looking away.
"I—I mean… thank you. Good night."
She turned, flustered.
Her heart racing.
Hot.
Too hot.
What is wrong with me?
Blam.
The door shut a little too hard.
Raven let out a quiet breath—then smiled.
"Cute."
A pause.
"And dangerous."
He murmured it softly before heading back to his room.
Behind her own door, Missy slid down slowly.
Her cheeks burning.
"Yeah… he's... definitely a man," she whispered.
-------
Meanwhile…
Ethan stood still beneath the shower, inside his bathroom.
It had been thirty minutes since he let the cold water pour over his body.
He needed it.
His body burned—boiling every time he recalled that man's words… and the way he spoke to Missy.
"Who the hell do you think you are…" he growled under his breath.
He turned off the water and stared at his reflection in the mirror.
He was handsome. Well-built.
He had everything a woman could ever want.
And now… he had money too.
If he didn't care about his image, he could've taken any path—he knew he'd still end up rich.
But he couldn't.
He was an icon.
A star. Popular since his teenage years.
He couldn't let himself fall. Not like that.
Even if… he wasn't as clean as people thought.
He grabbed a towel and stepped out of the bathroom, drying himself carelessly before dropping onto his bed.
"Missy…" he whispered—like a forbidden prayer.
His chest ached.
Now, every corner of his apartment only reminded him of her face.
Back when that innocent girl was still under his charm.
His.
He hadn't even touched her beyond that…
Because she was perfect.
Perfect to become his partner—once he was done with everything.
With the women.
With building his wealth.
Once he no longer needed any of it.
His grip tightened on the sheets as he turned, imagining her lying beside him.
If everything were over…
Could he hold her again?
Ethan closed his eyes.
He remembered her lips.
The soft blush on her smooth skin.
The quiet breaths… the faint, trembling sounds she made whenever he brushed against her neck… her ear…
But then—
The image shifted.
That man appeared beside her.
Doing the same.
Ethan's breathing turned ragged.
No.
Don't touch her.
Don't touch Missy.
She's mine.
"Damn it!" he snapped, his voice breaking through the silence.
For the first time—
He felt it.
That sharp, unbearable ache in his chest.
Loss.
He shook his head.
No.
Not yet.
He could still fight for her.
He wasn't just any man.
He was Ethan.
He had charm.
Slowly… his determination began to rebuild itself.
***