Chapter 1 The Gala Night

Lila's Point of View

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‎I struggle to remain calm and straighten my dress with my subtly unsteady hands. The party's guest count includes people wearing fashionable clothes who are at the far end of the room, chatting and joking with one another.

The company gala night is a big night for everyone here, and I'm just the graphic designer, so all this flashing just gets on my nerves sometimes.

I put my dark hair in a bun, and the trial looks good overall, although a few hairs manage to escape through their wrappings and fall onto my face.

I swipe them across my forehead and try to calm myself. The lights are too bright, and the music is too loud; my chest trembles. The beat of my heart hastens.

I stand by the snack table, holding a glass of juice. My best friend, Mia, is across the room, waving at me. Her red curls bounce as she laughs with some coworkers. I smile back, but I feel out of place. I love drawing and making things look pretty for work, but parties like this make me nervous. I sip my juice, hoping no one notices me.

‎Next, Ethan is in front of me. Ethan, My Boss. He's the star power that drives the company's course. He's tall, with mysterious eyes that gaze into the soul and a head of dark hair. He's involved in a deep conversation of some sort with his friends and associates; his attire is superb, and his strength is very evident from the sound of his voice.

When he put the need to listen to good use, everybody–perhaps he–automatically followed their command. I've always been convinced that he's something else. But now, he is far beyond, just a star that I can't reach out to. I am thinking about placing myself lower, looking at the tips of my shoes, and remembering how small I am.

‎"Lila!" Mia's calling broke the noise around. I move towards her, still don't seem to understand. "How about us joining the crowds?" I decide to grab a hold of the party by the scruff of its neck.

‎Negative response. "I'm fine here," I assured Mia. "You better get to work!"

‎Pouty mask, but she doesn't seem angry because of my words. "But you're not having such a great time. Twirls aside and embraces the party. I watch her go with fervour in my eye." If only I was that strong!

‎At this point, the man's question catches me while I am trying to be more attentive. "Lila, it seems that Ethan needs help to make an already-held presentation. He's right. Although not too far from me, I felt weird as his eyes narrowed on mine. My heart skips a beat. I inhale his pleasant fragrance and tentatively feel him Like pine and firewood in a forest. It occurs to me that this camaraderie is unusual, as this time, neither of us betrayed our guard.‎

"Um, yeah, Mister Ethan," I mutter, barely able to hold back laughter. I dry my mouth and follow him. He stops me and introduces me to the rest of the crowd in the corner, and shows me a big screen where he will present. I numb my fingers with anxious thoughts. Why did he even choose me when there were other qualified people for the job?

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‎The remote is handed to me, and he says, "Can you check the slides to see if they are in order?"

‎I nod briskly, sliding through the PowerPoint of the Company's latest symposium I made. The pictures are bright and colourful, and they display our best work. I realize that he is close to me when he does so by my shoulder position. His arm leaves an extremely uncomfortable and cold sensation over mine. My heart is content, as though electric charges can be generated.

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‎"You did a good job, Lila," is what he said in a smooth tone. The tone of his voice was different from the usual chief boss tone. I look up to see that he's not beholding the screen, but with his eyes focused on me. My cheeks turn red. And can it be that he gazes at me like that?

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‎"Thanks," I mutter, clumsily firing the remote control. Fortunately, nothing broke, but the noise rattled my wrists. My head is low with embarrassment for such a careless mistake, but then I realize that Ethan is just as quick on his feet as any athlete. Honestly, the noise of those sparks together is louder than the ones in the orchestra. I find myself staring deep into his eyes and trying to drown myself in them, but when reality kicks in during a song, I help them.

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‎For a split second, I believe he will finally reveal something useful. Hesitantly, one of his lips stiffens before he speaks again. I, almost certainly, can hear my strong heartbeat. Is there a chance for him to erect and lower to kiss me? No, this can't happen. Then it hits me. It doesn't matter what he is, a boss or just a man. His amber eyes are at a close distance, looking into mine, being so warm, just as if he sees only me.

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‎But all at a time, he pulls away. Like a speeding car, his face changes, showing how madly he is condemning himself. "Don't dither, we need to check this," and his words are slow, yet cold. Ethan swivels and wanders back to where all the important people are. In those few seconds, I am alone, my heart dropping in its place. I stay there, gaping questioningly at the ceiling. However, the only remembrance that I can put at my disposal is the stunning look in Ethan's eyes.

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‎The slides are set up, and my hands are still unsteady. The presentation is conducted, and people can clap for it, but I don't hear a thing. However, I keep seeing and re-seeing every expression in Ethan's eyes: so endearing and so intimidating at the same time. Every second, it seemed that he changed, which threw me off. How could I inquire, though, when I am too petrified to do so?

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Mia finds me later, her cheeks pink from dancing. "Lila, you okay? You look upset."

"I'm fine," I lie and force a smile. "Just tired."

She frowns but doesn't push. "Let's get some food. They have those tiny cakes you like!"

I follow her, but I can't get off my mind on Ethan. I see him across the room, he's laughing with a woman. She's tall, with blonde hair, and a tight dress that shows her body shape. She touches his arm, and he doesn't pull away. My stomach aches like I'm jealous. Who is she? Why does it hurt to see them together?

‎And so, the night turns dark, and my step on the dance floor becomes free. I taste the fragrance of dark coffee in the tiny cake that I swallow in two bites and sip some coffee. And still, I can't stop looking at him. Occasionally, I see him giving me a sideways glance. His eyes are so misleading; I mean, they are like 'I am trying to figure out how to deceive' kinds of eyes. I am craving for the Puzzle, yet I know not of what; it is as if I set out on a journey without really understanding the destination.

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‎Ethan signals to me near him, and my heart jumps as fast as my hand is on the door of my car. Something must've(omit) had to incite such odd behaviour. I walk confidently to him, my hair and skirt swishing around as usual. He is alone for a moment, standing idle at the door.

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‎"Lila, it's time for you to take over a new project," he states somewhat formally. It is always the same with him. He is always in the right mood when it comes to work. "It's for an entirely different office, but it's for your good. You decided to take it up on Monday."

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‎He hands me a leaflet wrapped in a gentle, "I did not make a mistake. You did a great job." Even if he still stood there, tears were streaming down my face. There was such a great chasm between us. I kept my gaze fixed on him. I tensed every muscle. I inhale slowly and deeply to clear my throat before I let out, "I'll apply to it."

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‎He doesn't seem to afford me eye contact as he marches straight to where he is going. I don't move for a while, but then the dimming of the party lights and the departure of people bring me back to reality. It is Mia who reminds me that there's something still on at home, but I really can't move my feet yet. I stare at them vacantly without realising that there's a hole in my heart, which was a result of my peeling years.

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‎I don't know it yet, but my life is about to change. I'm hiding something from myself, my secret hints left, only echoes from the past. The start of my "truly telling" Media series and the revealing topping bed written erotica, currently promising to unfold my universe. The start of my impulse decision, which is bound to leave my heart torn apart, making me wish I had done things differently to begin with, is felt as he views me once again, wondering what he is not telling me.

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