Chapter 19: THE FLIRTATION

Ethan was sitting in his cabin, engrossed in reading his files when the receptionist called to inform him, "Sir, Miss Adriana has arrived."

"Please seat them in the conference room. I'll be there shortly," Ethan replied before hanging up the phone. He called James into his cabin and handed over his files, then made his way to the conference room. As he stood in front of the door, James opened it for him. Inside, Adriana and her associates were already seated. As soon as Ethan entered, Adriana's eyes scanned him from head to toe.

Having seen Ethan once before at an official party and followed him on social media, Adriana's heart raced upon seeing him. Ethan approached her formally and shook hands.

Adriana, flirtatiously, said, "Hi, Mr. Blackwood! You're exactly as I heard—tall and handsome."

Ethan withdrew his hand and asked, "What do you mean?"

Adriana continued in a flirtatious manner, "You're incredibly handsome!"

Ignoring the comment, Ethan said, "Shall we start the meeting? We're already running late."

"Sure!" Adriana took her seat and the meeting commenced. Throughout the discussion, Adriana's gaze remained fixed on Ethan. James, who was standing nearby, smiled at the sight. In his mind, he thought, "Doesn't she know the risk she's taking with Mr. Blackwood?"

Ethan invited James to join the meeting, and they proceeded together. After about an hour, the meeting concluded, and with the deal finalized, Adriana suggested, "Mr. Blackwood, we should celebrate our partnership. What do you say?"

Ethan glanced at James and asked, "James, do we have time for a celebration today?"

Understanding what he was implying, James replied, "No, boss. We don't have time. You have another meeting after this."

With a smile, Ethan said to Adriana, "I'm afraid I'm very busy today, Miss Adriana. Let's celebrate another day." He shook hands with her and left the conference room.

Adriana's thoughts lingered, "That's why he's still single. It may be difficult, but not impossible to win him over."

Meanwhile, James followed Ethan back to his cabin. He asked, "Sir, you didn't want to go with Miss Adriana, did you? That's why you asked me that question?"

"Don't overthink it. Go and arrange my next meeting," Ethan replied, dismissing James.

Back at home, Amelia was exhausted. As she was putting Charlotte to sleep, her own eyes began to close. She fell asleep before Charlotte did. When Charlotte noticed Amelia sleeping, she started stroking her head, just as Amelia used to do when putting her to sleep.

Charlotte nestled her head against Amelia's and fell asleep. That night, Amelia dreamt of Ethan. In her dream, she opened the door to Ethan's room, finding it shrouded in darkness and filled with mist. As she entered, she saw a luxurious and inviting bed. She lay down on it, spreading her arms wide, feeling the soothing comfort. But her peace was disrupted when Ethan came and lay down on top of her. Although Amelia was sleeping in Charlotte's room, she felt as if someone was holding her hands. Even in her sleep, she muttered, "Let me go! Let me go!"

When she opened her eyes, she realized that Ethan was indeed holding her hands, and Charlotte was no longer there. It was already 8 in the evening. Ethan touched Amelia's hand, noticing that she had been mumbling in her sleep.

Amelia met Ethan's gaze and asked, "So, that wasn't a dream? You were genuinely trying to force yourself on me?"

Angry, Ethan replied, "Are you out of your mind? Say whatever you want. Do you really think I am capable of such things? I came here to pick you up, but when I saw you restless in your sleep, I was trying to wake you up." Ethan tried to convince Amelia of his intentions.

"Why are you holding my hands for this?" Amelia said angrily, pointing to her hands, which were actually held by Ethan.

"Because I already tried so hard to wake you up. Wait a minute! What did you say you were seeing me doing in your dream?" Ethan asked, raising his eyebrows while looking at Amelia.

Amelia pushed him to the side of the bed and got up, starting to leave. But before she could leave the room, Ethan ran and held her in his arms. Amelia grew angrier at Ethan and exclaimed, "Leave me! What is this coercion?"

"I will leave you! First, answer my question. What did you see in the dream that you told me I was forcing myself on you?" Ethan demanded.

Amelia bit Ethan's hand with all her might, causing him to release her in shock. Ethan was now getting very angry at Amelia. Through gritted teeth, he said, "You will have to come to the room. I will see you then."

Amelia rushed downstairs, panting heavily, and was taken aback when she saw Mrs. Thompson and Emily sitting at the dining table. She was breathing heavily as if she had come running from a distance.

Mrs. Thompson asked her, "Amelia, why are you panting so much? And where is Ethan? Didn't he go to pick you up?"

Amelia coldly replied, "He will come! You guys have your food." As she spoke, Amelia went and sat near Emily, starting to feed her with her own hands. After what she had just done to Ethan, she was scared to even face him. She knew that Ethan would surely seek revenge. She had bitten him today.

When Amelia saw Ethan coming down, she avoided making eye contact with him. There was anger in Ethan's eyes. Mrs. Thompson sensed that something must have happened between the two of them and grew worried about their constant fights.

Amelia quickly finished feeding Emily and, after making a roll for herself, went to her room with Emily. She had thought that she would sleep in Emily's room that night. At least there, she would not have to face Ethan's wrath. She had bitten off more than she could chew.

She laid Emily down on the bed and positioned herself on the side to prevent Ethan from lying there. She surrounded the rest of the bed and lay down, putting Emily to sleep. She knew that Ethan would come to see Emily before going to sleep.

When she heard the door opening, Amelia closed her eyes in fear. Ethan understood that Amelia was deliberately avoiding him to escape his questions and anger. But Ethan was not one to give up easily.

Ethan made Emily lie on his chest and lay down on her bed. He whispered to Amelia, "I know you're not sleeping."

Amelia continued with her act. Ethan placed his hand on Emily's head and said softly to Amelia, "I told you that you have to sleep in my room, not here. What do you want? Should I take you by force?"

Amelia finally started speaking, "What if I say I don't want to sleep in your room?"

Ethan replied angrily, "Well, you have no other option. I don't want Sarah to use all these things to strengthen her case. You can sleep on the bed tonight, and I'll sleep on the sofa. I'll leave."

The same dream that Amelia had seen while napping in the evening was still haunting her mind. Ethan said, "Okay, if you want me to carry you in my lap, then I will." After speaking, Ethan made Emily lie down comfortably on the bed, kissed her forehead, and covered her with a blanket.

As Ethan moved towards Amelia, she immediately got up and quickly made her way to Ethan's room.