Chapter 100: Persistent Flames

Ethan and Jeanne had been meeting off and on, in any part of the world. He came running whenever she called. Though he hinted her several times that he would retire, but she hoped he wouldn't.

Ethan was the only person she could be with because she was paying for his time, he was a service. She considered being with another man as cheating.

On Adrian? Or Ethan?

She wasn't quite sure of her emotions.

It had been a while since she called him because she had been so very busy with work. She was frantically working on the merger of Heartstone and Sterling Hotels.

The earlier the two conglomerates were joined, the earlier her fate and Adrian's was sealed.

All efforts to work with Adrian were foiled, so she had to work with his father instead.

She was on her way to Las Vegas for a conference when she called Ethan.

”Jelly Bean!" he exclaimed.

"Hey you," she said sexily. "How have you been?"

"I'm good. You?"

"I'm good."

"It's been a while," Ethan said.

"I've been busy, so busy. I'm about to explode from exhaustion," she complained.

"Sorry about that. Can I make you feel better?"

"Yes, please…I need you, Ethan."

"I'll meet you wherever you are,"

"I'm on my way to Las Vegas," Jeanne said.

"Vegas…nasty things happen in Vegas," Ethan said with a mischievous smile.

"I'm going for work," Jeanne said.

"And I'll be coming for you."

"Where are you right now?" Jeanne asked.

"I'm in LA."

"Right. I'll send a ticket and call the company," Jeanne said.

"I'm not with the company anymore," Ethan explained.

There was an uncomfortable silence. Jeanne became fidgety for a second.

"You're not?" she asked in an almost shaky voice.

"Nope, I left last year."

"Oh," she said.

"I thought you knew. I thought perhaps you called the agency to ask for someone else," he said with jealousy lacing his voice.

"No, I haven't called the company since the last time we met," she explained.

"I thought you did…thought you forgot about me," he said.

"No…I didn't."

How could she?

"Who took my place? You have a boyfriend now?" he asked.

"No, of course not. You know about Adrian."

"Are you guys together now?"

She paused for a second or two.

"No, not yet," she responded.

"Have you been with anyone since we last met," he asked

"No, I told you I've been busy."

"Jelly Bean, text me the hotel you're staying at. I'm coming to you right now," Ethan said, his heart beating hard against his chest.

"But you're not with the company anymore. Isn't it against the rules to remunerate you directly?" she inquired.

"Forgot about that, I want to come to you now," he said and paused. "Do you not need me Jelly Bean?"

"I need you, Ethan, so much."

"Send me your location, and I'll be there," he said, checking the time on his wristwatch. "...tonight."

"Okay, you're sure about this?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," he said.

"Alright, I'll send you my location."

"See you soon, Jelly Bean."

"Looking forward to seeing you too."

She took a deep breath as she ended the call. What was he doing now, if he wasn't working for the company? Modelling?

She hoped nothing would change between them without the involvement of the company.

Meeting him freelance could cause problems for him. For her too? Probably she would have to pay a fine or something.

She tried not to think too hard as she booked for a flight to Las Vegas for Ethan. She sent it to his email and laid her head on the headrest to sleep briefly before landing.

What she needed was a vacation…a long one with Ethan…on a tropical island somewhere…just the two of them. A smile danced on her lips at the thought before she dozed off.

Ethan was on a movie set when he got the call from his Jelly Bean.

Ethan's heart had raced as he heard the familiar ringtone, signaling a call from Jeanne. The nickname 'Jelly Bean' stirred emotions that had been patiently simmering within him.

Despite the time that had passed since their last meeting, his feelings for her were unwavering.

In spite of the demands of the movie set, the mere mention of her name ignited a passionate fire in his chest.

The anticipation painted a vivid picture of his feelings, one that time hadn't dimmed. With every flawless performance, Ethan channeled his eagerness into perfection, avoiding any mistakes for retakes, determined to wrap up the shoot quickly.

All to hasten his journey to see Jeanne as soon as possible.

For Ethan, the movie set transformed into a temporary interlude, a means to an end. Each successful take became a stepping stone toward the moment he could break free and rush into the arms of the woman awaiting him.

His commitment to his craft reflected his feelings for her, and he navigated the scenes with precision, fueled by the promise of their impending tryst.