A Night in His Shadow

I swallowed hard, immediately I heard that from Ethan. I thought he would just let me off so easily like that, why would he escort me to the apartment? I wasn’t ready. I didn’t even know what the inside of the apartment looked like. Everything about Solara Height was staged by Marcus Gerry. Yes, I would start living there but that would be in two days, not today. He said I wouldn’t need to actually go inside starting from today, immediately I drew Ethan's attention. That he might send a spy to know where I lived, even if he wants to know the place I live that Ethan would just drop me off. That was the plan. So why was this happening now?

I'm trained already for this, but that wasn't how I planned it would kick off!

My heart started beating so fast, like it was trying to warn me of danger. I looked at Ethan with a soft smile, trying to stay calm even though I was freaking out inside.

"Come on Ethan, I can do that by myself," I said in a playful tone, my voice shaky though I tried to cover it. I added a wide smile to make it look genuine, like I was used to being independent, like I was fine.

But Ethan didn’t even blink. He kept looking at me like he could see right through the mask I was trying so hard to wear. His eyes were deep, still, and unreadable. That made me nervous.

"The city has known about our relationship. It's already known, princess," he said in that calm voice that somehow sounded serious and charming at the same time.

I looked down quickly, because something about staring straight into his eyes always made something stir inside of me, something I didn’t like to feel. It made me weak. I hated feeling weak around a man, especially one I was supposed to manipulate. Especially one, I wanted to bring down by all means. I wanted the Malcovichs to beg and crawl for mercy.

Ethan watched me for a second longer before speaking again. "Good princess, now wait."

Then he gently pushed the door open and stepped out of the plush car. His movement was so smooth and confident, like someone used to having the whole world adjust around him. The Lamborghini door closed with a soft thud, and I was alone in the car for a brief moment.

In that second, I fumbled into my purse and quickly typed a message to Emily: “We’re at Solara Height. I’m hooked!”

I hit send fast and tossed the phone back into my purse, my hands slightly trembling.

Before I could gather my breath again, I saw Ethan walking to my side of the car with his usual relaxed and charming smile. That smile. It was so distracting. He opened the door with ease like a gentleman straight out of a romance movie.

I looked up at him, and I had no choice but to smile back. It was automatic. Like some invisible string connected my lips to his.

I stepped out of the car, and the breeze of the night instantly swept across my face and hair. I inhaled deeply, letting it calm my nerves a little. The air smelled clean and expensive, just like Solara Height.

Ethan’s hand found mine again. He held it gently but firm enough to remind me that I was not alone.

He started guiding me towards the building entrance. People turned to look at us. Some whispered. Some widened their eyes. And others… others looked like they wanted to scream.

Panic bubbled inside me. What if someone recognized me? What if someone who actually lived in Solara Height asked a question I couldn’t answer? What if… what if?

But I couldn’t show it. So I lifted my chin and walked with poise, like this was my home, like I belonged here, like I had done this every day of my life.

I could hear the clicking of heels from women as we passed by, some of them staring at Ethan like he was a walking fantasy. One girl even gasped and said, “That’s Ethan Malcovich… Oh my God.”

I felt his hand grip mine tighter, like he was telling the world I was with him. And those girls? Their smiles dropped. Their eyes shifted. Some looked away in pain or jealousy or both.

A voice inside me laughed. What do I even have to do with this man? I wanted to whisper to them, Girls, you can have him when I’m done.

The automatic glass doors opened for us as we walked inside. The lobby of Solara Height looked like a dream. Tall chandeliers hung from the ceiling like floating stars. Marble floors reflected light like they were polished every hour. A soft classical tune played in the background, probably from hidden speakers. A receptionist behind the gold-trimmed desk smiled, clearly trying to hide her excitement at seeing Ethan.

We didn’t stop. Ethan walked with me straight to the elevator. His stride was confident and proud. Mine was a little shaky but dressed in elegance.

Inside the elevator, it was quiet for a second. I clutched my bag tighter, silently begging it to buzz. I needed Emily to reply. I needed something, a signal, an idea, a lie—anything.

But my phone was silent.

I could feel Ethan’s eyes on me again. That steady gaze that made my spine straighten and my stomach twist.

And then he spoke, breaking the silence in the most casual way.

"What's the apartment number, princess?"

And just like that, my heart nearly stopped again.