Chapter 5: Avoidance Game

05

For the first time ever, I wasn’t looking forward to the weekend.

But maybe that’s why it flew by so damn fast.

This week, Ethan was super busy.

I only bumped into him once at the company café downstairs.

I pretended to answer a call, my pulse pounding as I stared at the fake home screen.

During Friday lunch break, I got a text from Ethan.

[Where this week?]

We met somewhere different every time.

Sometimes a hotel, sometimes his car.

Sometimes, for the thrill, even outdoors.

I whipped out the excuse I’d prepared ahead of time.

[Sorry, Mr. Carter, I have to go home for my mom’s birthday this week.]

Ethan: [Alright.]

[Didn’t we agree to keep work and private life separate? When it’s personal, just call me by my name.]

Heaven help me, there’s no way to keep things separate now.

Especially after seeing him in the morning meeting, coldly grilling the team leader next door:

“Did you pull this plan out of a hat?”

The atmosphere was icy enough to freeze someone solid.

The other team leader didn’t dare say a word.

When it was my turn to report, I was trembling, walking on eggshells.

After I finished, Ethan commented: “This plan is all for show. Did you consider if it’s actually doable?”

Me: “……….”

Who gets this feeling?

And now I’m supposed to sleep with him?

I choose abstinence.

I chewed the inside of my cheek as I watched him eviscerate my coworker’s proposal. That man in the sharp navy suit was a far cry from the one who’d nuzzle my neck and laugh against my skin. Some people switch masks; Ethan flips whole identities.