Chapter 5 Hidden truth

Emily's eyes widened as she took in the sight of Ethan standing before her, a bouquet of her favorite flowers in his hands. She felt her heart skip a beat as she processed his words.

"Ethan," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Ethan took a step closer, his eyes burning with intensity. "I love you, Emily," he said, his voice low and husky. "You light up my world in ways I never thought possible. You make me feel seen and heard, and you understand and bear with me when no one does we have our ups and downs but I'd rather have my downs and ups with you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Emily felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she gazed up at Ethan. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, and her heart swelled with love for him.

"I love you too, Ethan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan's face broke into a radiant smile, and he pulled Emily into his arms. "Really?" he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear.

Emily nodded, feeling a sense of joy and contentment wash over her. "Really," she replied, her voice filled with conviction.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, everyone else in the bar, excluding Harrison, screamed with amusement, cheering them on.

"Hey, hey, hey! Emily, can I have a bottle of whiskey, please? This is a bar, not a hotel room, you know," Harrison said with a mean tone.

"How nasty can you be now?" Ethan replied, harshly.

"Hey, come on Harrison, don't be a buzzkill," Ethan replied with a chuckle. "Can't you just let us have our moment?"

Harrison raised an eyebrow, his expression unyielding. "A moment? You're practically making out in the middle of my bar. She's got other customers to serve, you know."

Ethan grinned, unfazed by Harrison's grumpiness. "Oh, I think they're enjoying the show," he said, nodding towards the cheering crowd.

Emily blushed, feeling a bit self-conscious about the public display of affection. But Ethan just pulled her closer, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Hey, Harrison, how about we make it worth your while?" Ethan suggested a mischievous glint in his eye. "We'll buy a round of shots for the whole bar if you just let us have this one moment."

Harrison's expression softened, and he raised an eyebrow, laughing. "A shot? What do we look like, poppers?"

Ethan chuckled, grinning at Harrison's sarcastic remark. "Hey, we're willing to splurge for a good cause," he said, winking at Emily.

The lady with Harrison, who had been quietly sipping her drink, suddenly spoke up. "Harrison, that's not fair," she said, playfully scolding him. "Don't be rude to the nice couple."

Harrison feigned innocence, holding up his hands in mock defense. "Who, me? Rude? Never," he said, laughing.

The atmosphere in the bar remained lively and jovial, with the crowd cheering and whistling at the exchange. Emily and Ethan shared a laugh, enjoying the banter with Harrison and the lively ambiance of the bar.

As the night wore on, Harrison glanced at his watch, the soft glow of the screen illuminating his face. He exclaimed, "Well, that's fine, work calls anyway!" His deep voice cut through the din of the bar, turning heads in his direction.

With a gallant gesture, Harrison offered his arm to the lady accompanying him. She smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, and accepted his arm. Together, they made their way through the crowded bar, navigating past patrons and stools.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Harrison hailed at his ride, and they slid into the backseat. The lady leaned into him, her head on his shoulder, and Harrison wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. As they settled into the ride, Harrison's companion turned to him with a sly smile. "Now are you ready to tell me what's between you two?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I can swear the chemistry was hot."

Harrison's expression remained neutral, but his companion's words struck a chord. He couldn't deny the spark he'd felt when he looked at Emily. It was as if time had stood still, and all he could see was her bright smile and sparkling eyes.

His companion's voice broke into his thoughts, and Harrison realized he'd been lost in his little world. "Oh, come on now, what chemistry?" he said, attempting to sound nonchalant despite the flutter in his chest.

But his companion wasn't buying it. She laughed a throaty sound that filled the car. "Don't play dumb, Harrison," she said, her voice teasing. "I've seen the way you look at Emily. There's something between you two."

Harrison shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to brush off the feeling of being caught out. But his companion's words had struck a nerve. He couldn't deny the attraction he felt towards Emily, no matter how hard he tried.

As the ride continued, Harrison's thoughts drifted back to Emily. He wondered what she was doing right now and if she was thinking about him too. The thought sent a thrill through him, and he couldn't help but smile.

His companion noticed the smile and raised an eyebrow. "You're interested in her, aren't you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Harrison hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But as he looked out the window, watching the city lights blur by, he knew he couldn't deny it. He was interested in Emily, and he wanted to get to know her better. After a leisurely ride, Harrison dropped the lady off at her destination, a sleek high-rise building in the heart of the city. He bid her a pleasant goodnight, his voice low and husky, and watched as she disappeared into the lobby.

As he drove home, Harrison's mind began to wander, and he couldn't help but think about Emily. The memory of her bright smile, innocence, and infectious laughter lingered in his thoughts, and he found himself pondering the unexpected encounter.

Despite his initial gruff demeanor, Harrison had enjoyed the lively exchange with Emily and Ethan. He had been drawn to Emily's spark, her energy, and her beauty. A part of him wished he could have stayed longer, could have gotten to know her better.

As he pulled into his driveway, Harrison couldn't shake the feeling that he had missed an opportunity. He sighed, pushing the thought aside, and stepped out of the car. The night air was cool and crisp, and Harrison breathed deeply, feeling the tension in his body begin to ease.

He walked into his house, the silence enveloping him like a shroud. Harrison felt a pang of loneliness, and his thoughts drifted back to Emily. He wondered what she was doing if she was thinking about him too.

As Harrison's thoughts continued to drift, he recalled the time he had called Emily incompetent because she took a little too long to bring him his drink. He remembered how she had remained neutral and polite, never once losing her composure. Her professionalism had left a lasting impression on him.

His mind then wandered to the previous night, and how lovely it had been. He had been surrounded by people vying for his attention, but his thoughts had been consumed by the desire to have another night with Emily. He had told himself it wasn't love, just a sweet private part, a sweet indulgence. But as he snapped back to reality, he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to it than that. He thought of ways he could have another night with her he knew he could of course I am Harrison Grayson one of the youngest billionaires in New York City he said loudly with a smile.

Next morning

The room was a serene oasis, bathed in the warm, golden glow of soft lighting. The walls painted a soothing shade of pale gray, seemed to whisper tranquility, while the plush, cream-colored carpet beneath felt like a gentle caress on bare feet.

In the center of the room, a stunning crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, its delicate facets reflecting the light and casting a kaleidoscope of tiny rainbows across the walls. The air was filled with the sweet, heady scent of freshly cut flowers, arranged artfully in a beautiful, antique vase on a nearby side table.

A comfortable, velvet-covered sofa in a rich, berry-wine color dominated one wall, piled high with an inviting array of plush, matching pillows. Across from it, a sleek, low-slung coffee table in polished, dark wood seemed to glow with a warm, honey-like light, reflecting the soft illumination of the room.

Through the large, floor-to-ceiling windows, the breathtaking view of the city skyline stretched out like a glittering, star-studded canvas, a dazzling backdrop to the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere within. Every element of the room seemed to have been carefully chosen to create a sense of calm, luxurious serenity, a true retreat from the stresses of the outside world.

As Emily's eyes opened, she was met with an unfamiliar room. Groggily, she sat up, taking in her surroundings. The lavish decor and opulent furnishings hinted at a luxurious setting, but her mind was foggy. She wondered if she was still dreaming.

With a growing sense of unease, Emily swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She staggered towards the window, pulling back the curtains to reveal a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. The iconic skyscrapers and bustling streets below told her exactly where she was: the renowned Hotel Number One, one of the most exclusive and expensive hotels in New York.

A jolt of fear coursed through Emily's veins as reality set in. "What am I doing here?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with alarm.