Chapter 125 Ice Cold
Ever since Hugo met Margaret, something in him had shifted. He'd found a new kind of resolve, the sort that came with clarity. For months, he had tiptoed around his relationship with Sophie, hiding it from Ethan as though it were something shameful. But not anymore. He was ready to make things official, to tell Ethan himself.
He woke up that morning more determined than he'd been in weeks. Today, he would face Ethan Sinclair head-on.
The drive to work felt longer than usual, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel as he kept repeating under his breath, It'll go fine. He'll understand.
By the time he reached the Sinclair Tower, he'd managed to convince himself that nothing could go wrong. His routine carried him through the lobby, past the familiar greetings, and up to his office on the twentieth floor. He didn't let himself hesitate, he went straight to Ethan's office.
But when he arrived, the door was shut and the desk empty.
He sighed, turning to leave just then a familiar click of shoes echoed down the hallway.
Ethan appeared from the corner, composed as always, one hand tucked into his pocket.
"Morning, Hugo," Ethan greeted smoothly.
"Morning, sir," Hugo replied, polite as ever before adding with a smirk, "You're late today."
Ethan glanced at his watch and gave a faint chuckle. " Please don't fire me."
Hugo laughed. " I might actually enjoy that power."
They both smiled as they stepped into Ethan's office together. Ethan set his briefcase down on the desk, loosening his cuffs slightly before glancing back at Hugo.
"So," he said, "do you need something, or are you just here to critique my punctuality?"
"Actually, yes," Hugo replied, rubbing his palms together. "I was thinking I could take you out for a few drinks after work."
Ethan paused mid-motion, looking slightly surprised. "Drinks? What's the occasion?"
Hugo hesitated before answering, "There's something important I'd like to discuss with you."
Ethan nodded slowly, curiosity flickering behind his calm expression. "Alright then."
Hugo sat down across from him, making himself comfortable in the chair. For a few seconds, he just stared at Ethan with an odd smile that made Ethan raise a brow.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ethan asked, half amused.
Hugo grinned. "I've seen the pictures, you know. The ones from the fundraiser."
Ethan leaned back slightly, frowning. "Pictures?"
"Yeah. They're all over the internet."
Ethan's brows drew together. "What pictures? I don't remember doing anything that would get me trending."
Ethan hadn't picked up his phone since last night. He'd woken up earlier than usual, taken a quick shower, and driven Lena home before heading straight to work. The ride had been quiet, too quiet. She'd thanked him softly when they arrived, and he'd simply nodded, unable to find the right words.
Now, as he sat behind his desk, he had no idea that his silence had turned into something much louder online.
Hugo, meanwhile, was grinning like someone who'd just uncovered a secret. He pulled out his phone and walked over.
"Here," he said, placing the screen in front of Ethan.
Ethan gave it a quick glance, looked away, then did a double take. He snatched the phone from Hugo's hand, his brows knitting as he stared at the image.
It was from the fundraiser, him standing beside Lena. His gaze on her wasn't the kind of look you give to just anyone.
Hugo folded his arms, that teasing smile refusing to leave his face. "You can deny it all you want, but your eyes did the talking."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, the phone still in his hand. His usual composure faltered as he stared blankly ahead.
The image pulled him straight back to last night, the way Lena had looked at him before he lost control of his emotions. How tense she'd seemed when he'd dropped her off. How she couldn't even meet his eyes this morning.
He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled quietly.
"She probably thinks I'm out of my mind," he muttered under his breath.
Hugo sensed that this was a crucial moment, the kind of rare opening where Ethan actually felt something instead of hiding behind his calm exterior. If he pressed just enough, he knew Ethan would spill.
He leaned forward slightly, setting his elbows on his knees. "Look," he said lightly, "there's nothing wrong with that photo. It just shows a man in love."
Ethan's head snapped up at the word love, the muscle in his jaw tightening. That tiny reaction told Hugo he'd hit something real.
For a moment, Ethan said nothing. His gaze drifted toward the window, expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he exhaled slowly and looked Hugo straight in the face.
"I told her I liked her," he said quietly.
Hugo blinked. "Wait... what?"
Ethan's voice was low, controlled, but there was a rare hint of unease in it. "Last night. I told her."
Hugo sat back, stunned. He could feel his own eyes widening, but he tried to reel in his expression, forcing a neutral tone. The last thing he wanted was to make Ethan shut down again.
"Oh," Hugo said carefully, nodding as if it were the most casual confession in the world. "That's... that's not a big deal, Ethan."
Ethan let out a dry laugh that didn't sound like one. "It's a big deal, Hugo. I think I might've spooked her."
Hugo tilted his head, trying to read him. "Spooked her? You make it sound like you jumped out from behind a door."
"I might as well have," Ethan muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. "She didn't exactly look thrilled. She reminded me of the contract."
Hugo raised a brow, half amused, half sympathetic. "Ouch. That's cold."
Ethan gave a slight shrug, but the tension in his jaw betrayed him. "I told her how I felt, and she practically used legal terms to remind me this wasn't supposed to happen."
Hugo chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't panic. You're just... new at this. You know numbers, not love. But it's not a big deal, really. Just show her the man behind the CEO act. If she still doesn't feel the same, then that's okay."
Ethan looked up, his expression suddenly serious. "That's the problem, Hugo. It's not okay."
Hugo blinked. "Meaning?"
Ethan hesitated, then leaned back in his chair. "I don't think I'd do too well if she rejected me."
The quiet honesty in his voice surprised even Hugo. For a second, he didn't know what to say. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at his lips.
"Wow," he said softly. "You're in deep."
Ethan didn't answer. He just leaned his head back, eyes closed, the weight of his own confession pressing heavier than he'd expected.
Hugo was genuinely concerned about Ethan. He'd never seen him this distracted before. All through the day, Ethan had been off, quieter than usual, barely touching his lunch, and zoning out in meetings. Even when he spoke, his words lacked their usual precision.
It wasn't the Ethan Sinclair everyone feared or respected, it was a man clearly struggling to keep his mind in the room.
From his office, Hugo caught himself glancing toward Ethan's door more than once. He'd thought the morning conversation might help, but instead, it seemed to have made things worse.
By late afternoon, he sat back in his chair, debating his next move. Was this really the right time to tell him about Sophie?
The last thing Ethan needed right now was another surprise.
Still, part of him wondered if keeping it a secret any longer would make things worse later.
He ran a hand over his face, muttering under his breath, "Great timing, Hugo. Perfect."