Chapter 12

Was Ethan dating her?

I couldn’t help but wonder as the news host carried on about a speculated relationship between Ethan and Sarah.

Luckily, the work was quick, and I went home to search for more information about Sarah. I started the search online, hoping that it would reveal something.

For starters, she was unreasonably gorgeous. Her family and Ethan’s family had been well-connected for years before he left his parents’ pack. She was, apparently, the daughter of the alpha of the Red Star Pack, and had long been helping her father run his business.

Which made her an incredibly important person in the business world.

On top of it all, she was extremely well-liked, both in person and online. Thousands of fan accounts posted photos and edits of her online, and she had a large fanbase.

Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if she and Ethan were dating. They were perfectly suited for one another considering how perfect they both were.

My heart only sunk further as I read. I tried to shake bitter thoughts from my mind, but it proved harder than it seems.

So what if Ethan was dating Sarah? He and I had a contractual relationship, nothing more. He didn’t owe me anything - not time, not answers.

Ethan had done more for me than anyone else. He took care of my mother when I couldn’t. After everything he had helped me with, the least I could do was be happy for him.

So, if he found love, I would offer him nothing but support.

I went to work a few hours early the next morning. I wanted to get ahead to make sure that absolutely nothing could go wrong when setting up the meal for the company’s afternoon tea.

My team helped me make everything that I had chosen for the menu, and the waitress gathered plates and utensils to supply.

We waited to leave the restaurant until just after the lunch rush. Then, I had them follow me to the building next door with trays full of assorted desserts and drinks.

We stepped through the glass doors and were met with a pure white lobby. The entire interior was sleek and cold, it was a stark difference compared to the warm, comfy atmosphere of the pastry shop.

All of the employees I saw walking through the halls held an air of superiority as they went from one room to the next, shoulders back and chin up. It was all so intense, I stuck out from the crowd like a sore thumb in my plain, kitchen clothes. My brown trousers and black clogs felt out of place surrounded by pencil skirts and slacks.

I wondered if it was too late to change into something nicer.

No wonder Ethan didn’t think my pastry shop was such a big deal if this was where he was everyday.

Speaking of, I saw Ethan soon after entering the building. He was surrounded by an entourage of businessmen and women chattering in his ear. Ethan caught my eye as he walked by, giving me a short glance to acknowledge me, before resuming listening to his secretary’s words.

I had never seen him look so professional. Sure, I’ve seen his nice suits and he always had an air of sophistication around him, but I never witnessed how commanding he is. He took control of the environment he was in and ran into it.

It’s no surprise to me how he became both CEO and alpha. It’s just who he is. I looked back down at the flour smudge on the toe of my shoe and my practical, brown work pants, and realized just how far above me Ethan truly was.

Shortly after getting everything prepared for the start of the company’s lunch breaks, Ethan’s beta came over to me and introduced himself.

“Ava?” He said politely. “I’m Tristan, Ethan asked me to escort you to his office to have lunch with him.”

I grabbed two portions of the meal for myself and Ethan, and trailed after Tristan to the top floor of the building. The elevator doors swiped open to reveal Ethan's office.

I stepped off the lift and into the room, mouth open in a silent ‘o’. The ceiling reached high in a dome shape and the walls consisted of windows almost exclusively.

“Ethan will be here shortly.” Tristan said before leaving me alone. I set the food down on a coffee table in the corner and sat on a sofa while I waited. I continued to look around the room. It was cold like the lobby downstairs. But, I could spot a few momentos scattered around that gave it personality.

Ethan arrived only a few minutes later, looking a little tired but not any less perfect.

“Ava,” He smiled and came over to where I was sitting. “Thank you for joining me.”

I giggled, gazing up at him. “Thank you for hiring me to cater your lunch.”

He sat down on the couch beside me. I handed him his lunch and dug into my own. Excitedly, I grabbed half the sandwich I packed and started eating it giddily.

Ethan watched me, eyes narrowed with curiosity. I paid him no mind as I continued to eat, but he reached over his own food and plucked the other half of the sandwich from my plate.

I froze as he took a bite of my sandwich.

“What are you doing?” I asked, astonished. “Your food is in front of you.”

Was this some rich person's tradition? Or did he just not care that he was taking my food?

“I just wanted to see what made you enjoy this specific sandwich so much.” He chewed slowly, as if he was trying to identify every flavor.

“Oh,” I shrugged and looked away a little bashfully. “I just really like to enjoy what I’m eating when I eat.” No one had commented on my eating habits before, I felt a little shy at the observation.

“Why’s that?” Ethan’s brows furrowed. Every ounce of his attention was on me as he listened.

It made my heart skip a little bit, having him watch me so intensely.

“When I was younger, I didn’t get to eat a lot - or eat anything very flavorful. Hellen, my father’s wife, only allowed me to eat enough to keep from getting sick. She wanted to make sure Dora wouldn't have to share with someone like me.” I picked at the threads on my clothes as I spoke.

I never told anyone this before, I’m not sure why I was telling Ethan.

He listened attentively as I spoke. Prodding me to continue with a sorrowful expression.

“So, when I was able to start buying my own food, eating became a passion of mine. I really enjoyed learning what flavors worked well together and what different ingredients could create in the end. My favorite things to make were desserts. I found out I liked sweets the most.” I tilted my head to the side and shrugged like it was no big thing.

I was afraid to look at Ethan. I didn’t want him to see me in such a vulnerable light.

He only nodded his head and opened his own lunch box. He reached in, placed half of his own sandwich on my plate, and resumed eating the half of my sandwich he took.

“I will always share my food with you,” He smiled, comfortingly. My breath hitched at his words.

I bit my lip as a genuine, wide smile cracked across my cheeks. Ethan never failed to make me feel appreciated in some way or another. Even in the short time I’ve come to know him, he’s been a kind friend.

Ethan and I ate our lunches in comfortable silence for a little bit. I’d never witnessed Ethan eat so much before, usually his meals were small and never finished. I wanted to attribute it to my cooking, but the rational part of me knew that he probably just ate more at work than at home.

I started thinking about all the things I didn’t know about Ethan and was struck with the memory of the picture I saw last night. Without much forethought, I piped up.

“So, are you dating anyone?” I tried to sound nonchalant. “I heard that you and Sarah Silvers from the Red Star Pack are supposedly a couple.”

Ethan’s eyebrows shot up.

“The contract stipulates that we don’t bother with each others’ affairs,” Was all he said.