Looking into those amber eyes — eyes filled with a softness and warmth that clashed starkly with the teasing words — Zara found herself momentarily unsettled. She didn't know if what she felt was love, not yet, but one thing was undeniable: Ethan Anderson was different from anyone else in her life.
Tilting her head slightly, she remarked coolly, "You really do have a way with words, Mr. Anderson."
"Had to learn," Ethan replied with a teasing smirk, his gaze never leaving hers, "for my fiancée, after all."
Zara nodded, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. But then, as if struck by a sudden thought, her eyes sharpened. Raising her voice just enough to carry across the grand room, she called out calmly, "Mr. Carter. Mr. David."
The two men, who had respectfully turned their backs to give their boss some space, froze mid-breath. They exchanged quick, confused glances, unsure whether to turn around or pretend they hadn't heard. But their instincts kicked in, and they answered in perfect unison, "Yes, Miss Luna."
Zara kept her tone light, but the sly glint in her eyes was unmistakable. "I'm curious about something. Would you both like to enlighten me?"
"Of course, Miss Luna," they chorused, cautious but curious, already sensing danger.
Ethan raised a brow, the amusement in his face plain. He had a good idea what she was up to now.
Without sparing him a glance, Zara posed her question smoothly, "In all these years, how many women have been after your boss?"
Both David and Carter visibly stiffened, as though struck by lightning. They didn't know whether to answer or stay silent. Their boss was right there, holding the lady in question on his lap — and she was asking that.
Caught squarely between a rock and a hard place, the two men exchanged a final desperate glance. Ethan, thoroughly entertained by the predicament, smiled lazily and spoke. "Answer her."
Zara shot him a smug look before turning her attention back to the two men.
Left with no choice, David and Carter gulped and stammered out in unison, "Many, Miss Luna."
Zara raised a single eyebrow at Ethan, her expression clearly saying, 'So, this is it.'
Then, with a slight smirk, she turned her head just enough for David and Carter to hear and spoke lightly, "So it seems Mr. Anderson's smooth talking was well-practiced… with all those women."
The poor men nearly choked. This wasn't what they signed up for.
"No, no, no, Miss Luna!" David blurted out, his face pale.
Carter jumped in quickly, desperate to correct the impression. "Miss Luna, many women may have been after Boss, but we never let any of them near him, as—"
"It's fine," Zara cut in smoothly, silencing them with a flick of her hand. "No need to speak up for Mr. Anderson."
Ethan chuckled, utterly loving every second of this little game she was playing — both with him and his secretaries. He knew her well enough by now. She wanted to get under his skin, but little did she know, he enjoyed it.
Tightening his arm around her waist, he drew her a little closer and murmured, "You don't have to try so hard to agitate me, Lia. If you want to know something about me, just ask. I'll tell you everything you want to know."
His gaze softened, a teasing light glinting in his amber eyes. "You're curious about the women who chased me, aren't you?" he asked with a smirk. "But what can I say? I never cared about them. Didn't even bother to notice if there were any. But…"
His voice dropped a little, and the playful glint in his eyes deepened. "Do you want to know about the girl I was after?"
Zara blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. Before she could respond, Ethan continued softly, "Many years ago… there was a little girl. Cute, beautiful, and so full of life that I couldn't help but chase after her. I used to create excuses just to stay near her, play with her, and talk to her. Every chance I got, I made it happen. But then… I had to leave for my studies. I lost contact. And when I came back… everything had changed."
As his story unfolded, realization dawned in Zara's eyes — a flicker of recognition, her heart skipping a beat. She knew exactly who he was talking about.
Seeing her reaction, Ethan smiled gently, his voice dipping into a quiet tenderness. "So, my dear Lia… have you figured out who that girl was?"
Hearing his words and thinking back to those years — those beautiful, carefree days filled with laughter and innocence — Zara felt a strange happiness bloom in her heart. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"Uh… Mr. Anderson, there's something I'd like to tell you."
Ethan raised his eyebrows, genuinely interested. "Hmm? Go ahead."
Zara shifted, attempting to rise from his lap, but Ethan tightened his hold around her waist, settling her more comfortably. "I'd prefer you tell me while staying like this, Lia."
For a second, she considered it — then exhaled, steadying herself. "Alright, fine…" she began, but just as she opened her mouth, the doorbell rang.
Though there were plenty of people in the villa to answer it, the sound still shattered the fragile moment between them like glass. Zara sighed in quiet frustration.
"Forget it. I'll say it later. See the guest."
Seeing her sigh, Ethan inched closer, his tone gentle, almost coaxing. "Don't let others get in your head, Lia. Just say what you wanted to."
But this time, Zara's playful veneer faded. She looked him square in the eye, her voice calm and steady, carrying none of her usual teasing.
"Let me down."
Her clear, firm gaze told him she wasn't in the mood for games now. Ethan sighed, his amber eyes searching hers for a moment longer before releasing her, watching as she stood, smoothing her clothes before turning away.
Without another word, Zara walked back toward her room, leaving Ethan behind — still sitting there, staring after her until she disappeared from view.
Once she was gone, Ethan's expression darkened. His voice dropped, cold and sharp, slicing through the air.
"Whoever that is, better have a good reason."
David and Carter, having approached quietly, heard their boss's chilling words and exchanged nervous glances.
'Who's the poor fool walking into the lion's den now?' they both thought, shaking their heads in silent pity.
The butler appeared at the doorway, bowing respectfully.
"Young Master, Mr. Edward is here."
At those words, David and Carter let out a visible breath of relief, their shoulders dropping slightly.
'Oh, it's Mr. Edward… thank god,' they thought in unison.
But Ethan's expression only darkened further. His voice was a cold blade as he snapped, "Throw him out."
David and Carter exchanged a look, already shaking their heads with a knowing sigh.
'Poor guy, here we go again.'
Before anyone could act, a loud, familiar voice rang out from the entrance.
"Hey!! Man!!"
Mason strode in, feigning hurt like a drama king, arms thrown wide. "Just because I asked politely to come in, you want to throw me out?"
Without waiting for an invitation, Mason flopped down onto the couch, crossing one leg over the other in that casual, signature way of his. He made himself at home like he owned the place.
Ethan didn't bother hiding his irritation, his face still cold as ever. His lips curled into a sharp, sarcastic smirk as he pointed at Mason.
"This is your so-called politeness?" he said, gesturing at Mason's posture, one eyebrow raised.
Mason grinned, completely unfazed as he looked at David and Carter and said. "Well, you can call it confidence. Or charm. I'm flexible like that."