Bills stacked on the kitchen table; she sighed, wishing for a miracle . Her student loans were suffocating her, and her boss was breathing down her neck. Amara rubbed her temples, feeling overwhelmed.
Tobi leaned in. "Hey, Mara, Lola's gunning for your job . Don't let her get you down." Amara rolled her eyes. "I can handle Lola." Tobi nodded, but his expression said otherwise .
They were working late, and Ethan noticed her stressed expression . "Everything okay? You seem distant." Amara forced a smile. "I'm fine, just… tired." Ethan's eyes narrowed, like he didn't believe her .
His brow furrowed. "Are you hiding something from me?" he asked, voice soft . Amara's heart skipped – did he know about her loans? "No, I'm just… stressed about work," she said quickly.
"What if he finds out? I can't afford to lose him…" . Amara pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on work. She couldn't let her past mistakes ruin things.
Lola smirked, walking past. "Looks like someone's getting cozy with the boss ." Amara ignored her, but Tobi shot Lola a warning glance .
Ethan leaned in, voice low. "I want to help, Amara. Tell me what's wrong."
Amara hesitated, unsure how much to reveal . Ethan's eyes were kind, but could she trust him? "I… it's just stress," she said finally.
Ethan didn't push, but his gaze lingered . "I'm here if you need to talk."
As they worked, their legs brushed under the table . Amara didn't move away. Ethan smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear . "You're really beautiful, Amara."
Her heart skipped. "Ethan…" she whispered.
His phone buzzed, breaking the moment . "Sorry," he said, checking it.
The message on his screen made his expression darken . "I have to go. Now."
Ethan leaned in, his lips grazing her cheek . "Tonight. My place. We'll talk."
Amara nodded, breathless .
As she left the office, Amara's phone buzzed: "Ask him about Sarah" . Who was Sarah?!
Amara's mind spun. What was Ethan hiding?
She arrived at Ethan's penthouse, nerves jittering . He opened the door, looking troubled . "Amara, I—"
Amara stepped in, determined. "Who's Sarah?"
Ethan's eyes widened. "How did you…?"
Amara folded her arms. "I got a message. Tell me the truth."
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair . "Sarah was… my ex-fiancée."
Amara's heart dropped. "Ex-fiancée?!"
Ethan stepped closer. "It ended badly. I… I didn't want to hurt you with it."
Amara's emotions swirled – anger, hurt, confusion . "Why didn't you tell me?"
Ethan's eyes locked onto hers. "I wanted you to know me, not my past."
The air thickened. Amara felt torn – trust him or run?
Ethan reached out, his voice low. "Amara, I—"
His phone buzzed AGAIN . Ethan growled, checking it. "It's my sister," he said, answering .
As he talked, Amara wandered to the balcony, city lights twinkling below . Ethan joined her, wrapping his arms around her waist . "Sorry about that."
Amara leaned back into him, feeling a spark
Ethan's lips brushed her ear. "I don't want secrets between us."
Amara turned, her heart racing… what would she say?!