Chapter 10: The Lie Behind the Door

"What? Ethan, you would not escort me into the room, would you?" I asked, with my voice sounding smaller than I wanted it to. My eyes grew wide, almost like a teenager who was about to be left alone with a boy for the first time, not like he hasn't seen enough of me but I'm scared now. My heart was racing, but not because I wanted him inside. It was fear. Fear that I would be exposed. Fear that all my years of planning would crash in just a second. Fear that he would discover the truth.

Ethan tilted his head slightly and looked at me like I had just spoken in a strange language. Then, that annoying smirk of his tugged at the side of his lips. His hands were still in his pocket as if he was trying so hard to look cool and relaxed.

"Come on, Norah," he said, slowly dragging out my name as if it had some special meaning to him. "A few minutes ago, we were all over each other. Now you want to act so shy? So it wouldn't be wrong if I just come in to spend some time with you there."

I blinked several times, trying to hide how nervous I felt. My legs were already wobbling, and my palms had become so sweaty that I had to wipe them on my gown secretly. My mind rushed back to what happened inside his car, inside the rest room, how I had used my charm, my body, my lips, and a whole lot of fake sweetness just to get his attention away from the name that showed on my screen. The name that could destroy everything. Just to make him choose me.

I cleared my throat gently and put on my best childish pout. I jutted out my lower lip and pressed it gently between my teeth like a five-year-old begging for candy. "Ethan," I said softly, almost playfully, "your driver must be waiting."

He rolled his eyes immediately. "What am I paying him for? If he complains one bit, I will fire him," Ethan replied with no emotion in his tone.

I gave a nervous laugh, trying to hide my growing anxiety. That’s the Malcovich in him. Wicked like his father. No mercy. No empathy. No softness in their blood. Ethan was just like Norman. Cutthroat. Rich. Arrogant. Dangerous.

But now, standing in front of this door, the door I had no idea how to open, I knew I had to act fast. If I press the wrong number, the entire lock might jam and make a loud noise or call security. And that would be the end. He would know I was never a resident here. He would know I was lying all along. He would know I had planned to seduce him all along

I forced a little smile as Ethan walked closer to me. I wanted to take a step back, but I couldn’t without looking too obvious. My back was already against the door, and I could feel my heart banging against my ribs.

He slowly lifted one hand and reached toward my cheek. His fingers brushed lightly across my skin. I flinched just a bit, but not enough for him to notice. Or maybe he did, but he ignored it. He leaned closer, almost resting his body against mine. I didn’t move. I couldn’t.

My breath was caught halfway in my throat. I was waiting. Pretending. Hoping. Was he planning to take me here? My heart was beating so fast.

Just then, like a miracle from heaven, my phone buzzed inside my purse.

The sound almost made me scream, but I bit my tongue and acted calm. My body jumped slightly, and I looked down, trying to seem surprised.

Without caring if Ethan was staring or not, I dipped my trembling fingers into my purse. My hands fumbled around as I reached for the phone. My mind raced. What if it was a call from Emily? What if she said something stupid over the speaker? What if it was security asking why I had not entered yet?

But no, it was not a call.

Ethan’s phone buzzed as well, and thankfully, he turned his back to me and picked up.

"Okay, Dad," he said flatly. His voice held a kind of tiredness, like he didn’t want to talk.

My eyes darted to him as he turned back. He looked at me gently. That kind of fake gentleness that makes you feel like he's about to say something sweet but also dangerous. He touched my cheek again, this time more softly, then placed a light kiss there.

My stomach twisted.

I smiled. Not because I felt anything, but because I had to.

He didn’t say a word. He turned around and walked away.

I watched him leave. My legs almost gave out under me. I waited until he disappeared into the elevator.

Only then did I breathe.

I let out the biggest sigh of relief I had ever taken in my entire life. My chest heaved. My knees buckled slightly. I leaned back against the door and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

Then I pulled out my phone and saw the message on the screen from Emily.

"199425 password”