Chapter 4

I see Ethan sporting a navy blue dress shirt that is just partially buttoned as I go towards the sofas. He's sporting a pair of sleek black boots and black trousers underneath. He has a flowy side-swept style with his hair. Every time I go to these events with him, it's unusual to see him outside of work.

Hello, Naomi. I'm delighted you showed up. He motions for me to join him on the sofa by saying.

"Thanks, and who are all of these people?" I sit down and inquire courteously.

"Over here, we have Reggie, the club manager, and his assistant." He says, indicating the two young guys conversing in the corner. "And over there, we have the San Francisco Times and her photographer." A blonde man and lady stand to the right of him, seeming to be attempting to gather their belongings as he waves.

"Well, I believe that the club's attendance is significantly more than expected. When I arrived, the queue had extended around the whole block.

He agrees by nodding. Yes, the evening will be successful. He says with assurance.

Ethan is approached by the reporters and photographer to begin the interview. They start by getting some information and taking some pictures for their piece. There isn't much I can do during his interview, so I approach a neighbouring waiter for a glass of red wine. Later, while I was finishing my drink, I saw the journalist and the photographer walking away. I quickly had Ethan on the sofa with me.

"The club is about to open; do you want to join me downstairs for the ceremony?" I nod in accord as he asks. As we both go into the main corridor, we are met by a throng of photographers eager to take pictures of Ethan. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony and short address, the photographers depart. The club opens to the public a little while later, and soon groups of people are arriving and order drinks left and right.

"Would you like to order a drink from the bar?" He looks my way and asks. I'm first surprised since, when we do get beverages during openings, it's usually all for show.

I reply, "Yeah, it would be amazing. I may not have another chance to have drinks with Ethan.

We go to the bar and take two available chairs that are distant from the dance floor. Ethan orders two glasses of red wine as we take our seats. Numerous people are still purchasing drinks and dancing to the boisterous club ambience, which is quite lively. To converse over the music, Ethan moves in closer to me.

You seem lovely tonight. He pays me a compliment, and his words make me feel good.

Thank you, and you don't look too terrible, either. I grinned as I tucked a flyaway hair out of my face. I seldom ever get compliments from guys, much less Ethan.

He smiles, "I had my doubts that you wouldn't come." he claims.

Yes, I agree, "Yeah, I'm glad I did," I say. Ethan normally brings his wife to these events, so I don't usually attend club openings, but today it seemed like she didn't want to.

I sip from the glass once our drinks are placed in front of us. The flavour of this red wine is different from the other one I left upstairs, I noted. Knowing Ethan, he must have chosen their best red wine just out of convenience.

"I feel like my stupid meetings kept me away from you all day Friday." After taking a sip from his glass, he says.

I respond, "I suppose you may say that, but I was also occupied.

Fortunately, I'm making it up to you. My heartbeat picks up as he smirks.

Three hours later, I've sipped two and a half glasses of wine gently, and Ethan has already had four. At this moment, we are still laughing and conversing about everything at the bar.

So, right before we took off, the pilot had forgotten about Olivia's bags in New York. He chuckles at his narrative, he says. Ethan's behaviour has changed since a few hours ago, I observe. I'm happy to see this unconcerned side of him, and I want to see more of it. I grin as I glance at the clock behind the bar and see that it's getting close to midnight. Without a doubt, the time has gone.

"What's wrong?" you ask. Observing my brief stillness, he asks.

I thought aloud, "Nothing, it's midnight, and we've been sitting here for almost three hours." I seldom speak without first thinking, but for some reason, I do just now. I must have drunk too much wine because of that.

"Really? He continues, taking the last of his wine, "Whenever I'm with you, it doesn't seem like time has passed. I'm left stunned by his statement, but I make an effort not to let it bother me. When the barman returns, I immediately order two glasses of water since I'm a bit tipsy and I think Ethan may need to sober up before going home to his wife.

"How about staying for an additional hour?" While sipping from his glass, he inquires.

"Sure. Do you want me to make a call to have your driver come get you? I ask.

No need, I drove here on my own. He claims, which surprised me since typically he gets driven everywhere.

"Oh, OK. What if I drove you home? I also consumed less alcohol than you did. I gesture to my almost empty wine glass and remark. I learned my boundaries throughout my time in college over several years.

"Okay." He says while glancing at his glass below. When I go to his apartment, my one concern is that Olivia won't blow up on me. I've never been inside his house, although I have sometimes gone outside to do him some office work.

He continues to pay for the remainder of our drinks despite my protests that I should pay for my share throughout the hour of small conversation.

"Ready?" After retrieving his suit jacket from the coat check, he inquires.

"Yes," I reply after finding my luggage and coat earlier.

I saw a black Tesla parked in the parking lot's extreme right corner as we made our way outside. Naturally, he drives a Tesla.

Ethan handed me the keys to his vehicle and said, "Here," while he was more or less sober, he had to first demonstrate to me how to spin the wheel. After saying "thank you" for his assistance, I leave the parking lot. It's a good thing I remembered Ethan's address from past visits. He tells me there is a parking structure beneath his building when I approach his street and inquire about parking.

I exit the vehicle after exiting the building and say, "Well, I'll see you Monday. I'm going to see if I can get an Uber to take me home."

Why don't you go upstairs instead? I'm rather certain that your phone is dead. He makes a suggestion, and instantly I see my phone's battery life is at 5%.

I grudgingly reply, "Okay, but I'm afraid your wife wouldn't want me to intrude." I don't like to argue, particularly when it comes to Olivia.

"Olivia? No, she won't return till next week. She is now in Europe doing who knows what. He only states.

I remark, trying to remember when she last left, "Oh, I thought she was home from her previous trip," as I rummage through my memory.

"One might wish she stayed put." He says while glancing at his sneakers below.

As Ethan follows me out of the vehicle, all I can manage to utter is "Oh." We go silently together to the lift that will take us to his apartment. Ethan must enter a code since we are on the top level, and after a few seconds, we are in front of his door. I pass Ethan his keys, and he uses them to unlock the door so I may enter.

I'm shocked when I enter the building. The entranceway inside opens to a sizable living space with a kitchen just across from it. A balcony behind the living space offers a broad vista of the city. There are steps off to the side of the doorway that could lead to other rooms. His apartment is tastefully furnished with blue and grey accents in varying tones.

I mutter under my breath, "Wow!"

"Do you want some water?" he asks while pointing to the living room and grinning. Or food; I'm very certain my kitchen crew can prepare supper for you. He extends.

I reply, walking to the spacious kitchen, "Water is fine with me and let me get it I'm pretty sure you're still intoxicated from early." When I opened the fridge, I saw a variety of bottled foods and beverages. I quickly locate what I'm searching for and turn to return to the living room. Ethan is waiting for me on the sofa, I see.

"I charged your mobile for you." He says while indicating the little charging station next to the couch's right side.

"Thanks," I reply. Although I don't like being in this scenario with Ethan, he is my employer and his kindness is inappropriate for me.

You're aware that Olivia and I don't live together. He acknowledges that I'm uncomfortable.

"I was unaware of it. When she's not here, where does she stay? I have a question.

On the opposite side of town, in another penthouse. I own many other homes, but I like to have this place to myself, he explains. Although I am aware that Ethan and Olivia are married, I had no idea they were living apart. Though I am aware that I would never stand a chance with him, I just wish he wasn't married at all.

Living alone when married is strange. He remarks as he surveys the ground.

"Not really," I hushedly reply, "but I can see in your case why you do it."

He looks at me right away, and before I can respond, I reply, "Sorry, I wasn't thinking." I speak swiftly.

"Don't apologise, and it is true," he claims.

I've always believed that he had wanted to love her, but I'm beginning to understand that's not how he feels about her. Even if it's only a crazy concept, I wonder if there are any emotions for me.