"You don't need to sit like you're being forced to be with me Aria," Ethan said as he stepped into the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. His voice was softer than before, but there was still that air of arrogance in his tone.
The room smelled of fresh roses and expensive cologne. The lights were soft and golden, casting a warm glow over everything. A large bed with white sheets and fluffy pillows sat in the middle of the room. There was a small round table by the window with two glasses and a bottle of wine. The curtains were half drawn, letting in a bit of the moonlight.
Ethan looked at Aria. She was sitting stiffly at the edge of the bed, her hands clenched tightly on her lap, her eyes fixed on the floor like she was somewhere far away. She looked so small, so lost, in the middle of the grand room that seemed too big for both of them.
Ethan sighed and walked closer. He tried to sound light, as if he could brush away the tension in the air.
"Really, Aria, you are acting like I dragged you here in chains," he said, trying to tease, but it came out awkward.
Aria did not move. Her eyes stayed on the same spot on the floor. Her body was tense, her shoulders stiff, as if she was bracing for something.
When Ethan opened the door earlier, he had seen her like this, sitting so still that for a second he thought she was a doll left behind in the room. But now that he was near, he could see how her chest rose and fell with quick breaths.
He sat on the bed beside her, keeping just a bit of space between them.
"Why are you so quiet?" he asked, his voice lower now.
Aria turned to look at him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, but there was a strength in them too, a fire that she kept hidden most of the time.
"Just in here you sound so nice, but outside you speak to me like I am a peasant begging on the street," she said, as her voice shaking slightly but still firm.
Ethan leaned back a little, surprised by her words. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped, then gave a small huff and ran a hand through his hair.
"Come on, Aria. Any man would do what I did… wait," he said, then paused, looking at her face more closely.
"Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? I bet you would do the same if you were me."
His words hung heavy in the room.
Aria felt her heart sink deeper, but she held his gaze. How could he say that so easily? How could he speak of her pain like it was nothing?
"You don't have to tell me that to my face. I am… I am a human, Ethan," Aria said. Her voice broke at the end, and she quickly looked away, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room was filled with the sound of their breathing, the soft hum of the air conditioner, the faint noise of cars far below.
Ethan watched her, and something in his chest twisted. He didn't like seeing her like this. He didn't like the tears in her eyes, the way her voice had broken. He hadn't meant to hurt her with words. Or maybe he did, just a little, but now it didn't feel right.
"Come on, Aria," he said gently.
He moved closer, closing the space between them. His hand reached up to her cheek, and with his thumb, he wiped away the tear that had escaped. His fingers were warm against her cool skin. Slowly, he traced the scar that ran down the side of her face, his touch soft as a feather.
Aria froze. Her breath caught in her throat. What was he doing? Why was he being gentle now, after all those cruel words?
"We don't have to do this here today. Not this night, Aria," Ethan said, his voice so calm, so unlike the man who had spoken harshly just moments ago.
Aria stared at him, her mouth slightly open in shock. His face was close now, and she could see the faint stubble on his jaw, the way his eyes seemed softer, less cold. Is this really Ethan? she thought. How can his words cut like a knife one moment, and then his touch feel like magic the next?
Her heart raced, faster and faster. She could hear it in her ears. She felt dizzy from the closeness, from the heat of his body beside hers.
Ethan's finger moved from her scar down to her lips. He circled her mouth slowly, gently, as if learning the shape of it.
Aria felt her whole body shiver. She had never felt like this before. Never.
Ethan spoke again, his voice low, like a secret meant only for her. "You know I told you that I want you Aria. And I really want you. But you would have to do this now."
Aria's eyes dropped to his hand as he reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. Her breath quickened as he pulled out something white. A folded paper.
He opened it slowly, his fingers steady, his eyes never leaving hers.
He placed the paper gently in her palm. His hand lingered on hers for a second longer than needed.
"Sign the paper," Ethan said.