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Chapter 104 – Amara's POV
"Where Are You, Ethan?"
The office was unusually quiet this morning.
No confident footsteps echoing down the hallway. No faint sound of jazz music drifting from the glass-walled corner office. And most of all… no Ethan.
I frowned as I walked through the glass doors of the Lantel Marketing building. Everyone seemed to be going about their usual routines, but something felt off.
He was always here early.
Always.
Ethan Lantel didn't just run this company—he owned every inch of it. His presence alone was like a magnet. Loud. Sharp. Unapologetic.
And now? It felt like the center of the room was missing.
I greeted a few coworkers on my way to my desk and tried to shake off the weird feeling settling in my chest. Maybe he had an early meeting off-site. Maybe he slept in. Though, knowing Ethan… that was unlikely.
I dropped my bag on the desk and sat, opening my laptop and clicking into my inbox. Dozens of emails. A scheduled marketing pitch review with him later in the afternoon.
But still—no message. No text. No call. No Ethan.
I glanced at my phone, then back at his empty office across the floor.
Stop it, Amara. You're overthinking.
But I couldn't help it.
This was the same man who once texted me "Don't forget lunch at 1 PM. And don't even think of skipping it like yesterday."
Now, silence?
I bit my lower lip, trying not to spiral.
The weird thing is—if this had happened months ago, I wouldn't have cared this much. I might've even been relieved to get a day without his sarcastic smirks and probing eyes that always seemed to read me too easily.
But now?
Now my heart raced like something was missing.
I opened my messages.
Me
Are you okay? You're not in yet. Everyone's asking.
I stared at the message for a minute.
Then I deleted it.
Too worried.
I tried again.
Me
Are you coming in today?
That sounded better. Normal. Casual. Not emotionally attached in any way.
Except… I was.
I sent it and waited.
And waited.
Still no reply.
---
I spent the next hour reviewing the marketing report we were supposed to go over together. I checked his calendar again—nothing marked as out of office.
I tapped my fingers against the desk and finally stood up, walking to his office. Maybe I could leave the files on his desk and get some air.
But when I stepped inside, I froze.
His suit jacket was still slung over the back of his chair.
His mug—his favorite one with CEO, not your boyfriend written in bold letters—still sat half-full on the corner.
He had been here yesterday. Clearly.
He hadn't packed up anything.
Something wasn't right.
A strange chill ran through me as I stood in the middle of his empty office.
I sat down in his chair, needing a minute to calm the storm in my chest. I looked around, taking in the small things. A photo of Arya and Liam in a silver frame. A book left open on his desk about leadership and trust. His signature cologne lingered faintly in the air.
Why did I feel like I missed him this much?
Maybe because I did.
Being with Ethan wasn't always easy. He was charming, then moody. Distant, then suddenly protective. But through all the unpredictability, he had slowly, steadily made space for himself in my heart.
And I hated how true that had become.
I stood up quickly, not wanting to dwell on the ache pressing down on my chest.
---
Back at my desk, I tried to focus. I truly did.
But I kept glancing at my phone.
Still nothing.
I stared at the screen, debating if I should call him. Would I sound desperate?
No. I was just… concerned. It was normal, right?
I pressed the call button before I could stop myself.
One ring… two… three…
Voicemail.
I didn't leave a message.
Instead, I stared at the screen, my heart tight.
Maybe he's fine. Maybe something came up. Maybe he needs space.
But deep inside, I knew something had shifted.
It wasn't just about whether Ethan was fine.
It was the fact that I wasn't.
Not without him.
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The door behind me opened and I snapped upright, turning quickly.
It wasn't Ethan.
Just one of the junior executives walking by with a folder.
I sighed and leaned back, feeling foolish for how wound up I was over a man I once thought I could keep at arm's length.
But now?
Now, the distance was unbearable.
And it made one thing crystal clear.
I was in love with Ethan Lantel.
Not the billionaire. Not the boss.
Just the man who knew how to make me laugh. Who bought my favorite snacks without asking. Who remembered the little things. Who fought for my forgiveness even when I was determined to hate him.
He wasn't perfect.
But he was mine.
And if he didn't show up soon… I was going to his house.
Because waiting like this?
It hurt more than I expected.
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End of Chapter 104 – Amara's POV.