It was a normal day at work until Ethan decided to show up.

He seemed angry. But this man had mastered the art of hiding his emotions.I knew he was angry because the way his jaw had gone taut.

"What do you think you're doing Skylar?"He looked at me with a scrutinising look , in his normal voice. But I could sense the anger by the way my name left his mouth.

"I am working as usual." I said without bothering to look at him. 

I knew what this was about. Me taking over the project he had been working on for the last year and a half. What he didn't know that Mr.Zane personally asked me to interfere in this.He owned the space and wanted to build his new office building there, he loved my last project and since we're now merged he asked me to influence the finishing structure.

"You think you can just march around as all high and mighty and take over my projects? I have worked on this for the last 18 months and if you think you can just take away all the credit by entering into it the last minute then you're highly mistaken."His voice had gone a pitch deeper, which was much more intimidating and scary than shouting.

"Ethan it's not what you think it is.Mr. Zane came by earlier this month to ask me to look into the finishing touches.I do not want any credit on something that you've worked on for so long."I told him calmly, finally looking at him.

"I do not care. You could've straight out refused him and tell him that since this is my project, I get to be the one to finish it."

"You're telling me that I present myself hostile to someone who just asked for my help? What is the big deal? I'll just look into the plans and add some touches, you're being ridiculously unreasonable right now."

He started moving towards me. I wasn't scared of him. I won't back out.

"You think I'm the one being unreasonable?"He looked me in the eye, his eyes had turned the darkest colour, almost black.

He lifted his hands and tore the building plan he had.I was shocked.

"How about you take the entire responsibility for this one?" He said slowly, while handing me the torn pieces.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?!Those plans took months to be drawn up , not to mention that's your  and mine, both our work down the drain."I glared at him , furiously.

He didn't answer me.

Our faces were very near. I could hear him breath , I hope he couldn't hear my fast pacing heart.He moved close, now only a hair's breadth away.My breaths were coming out ragged now.I almost closed my eyes when he suddenly backed off.

I saw Andrea coming in with some files."Good morning Mr.Carter" He nodded towards her.

"I suggest you get started on this quickly, darling." He kissed my forehead and all I wanted was to strangle him right there.

"Mr. Zane is a very important client, we wouldn't want to disappoint him now, would we?"He cocked his head at me and without waiting for a response walked out.

How dare he come into my office and threaten me?

"Andrea, you can keep the file on my desk." I bit out.

I cannot believe how egoist this man is. I need to set up a meeting with Mr.Zane by tomorrow to ask for more time.I just wish I could tell him that his impulsive architect just went ahead and threw out all the progress.

The rest of the day went by in a blur and before I knew it was 5 pm. I had to go to Dad's today, it was Aunt Eden's surprise party. And it was going to be difficult to act all happy after every bone in body was radiating off anger.

--*--

I reached Dad's place in time and was greeted with Emilia right in the living room.

"Sky, I've missed you." She said as I went in for a hug.

"You don't say. What took you so long there this time?" I asked her accusingly.

"Well, they offered me a permanent position there!"

"Oh wow! I'm so happy for you!" But that would mean she had to leave behind her home and everything, including me.

"But I refused." She said, surprising me.

"What? Why would you do that?"

"Because they gave me another option to stay 3 months a year there and do the rest from here! Apparently, I've become too essential and they won't allow me to quit ."

"Oh my god, that's even better!"

"Sky , honey you're here!" Dad said as he emerged out of the kitchen.

"Yes, Dad. How could I not be?"

"Where's Ethan?" In hell--I didn't say it loud, thankfully.

I hesitated for a moment, "Oh umm, he was really busy this week."

"Nonsense, I called him this afternoon and he told me he was coming." Dad looked at me, suspicion alight in his eyes.

Oh, shit.

"I'm sorry Mr.Evans, I got caught up in something last minute."The velvety voice answered from behind us. There he was. Looking good as ever. With a black shirt, very generously showing off his chest with the upper 3 buttons open.His forearms, a sight for sore eyes, visible with his sleeves folded up.

"Oh no problem son and please call me Elliot."Dad patted his shoulder.

"Hey, Ethan! You made it."Asher came in greeting him with a clap on the shoulder.

What's with everyone being best chums with Ethan Carter? They're supposed to hate him.

"Dad, Ethan here is late because he helped us finally close off that deal with Mr.Zane. Construction will be starting by next month."Asher added happily.

Oh hell no.I cannot draw up his plans in a month.How could they just finalise the deal?

"Now if everyone will excuse me, I still have to greet my wife or I'll pay for that later."He said with a smirk and started striding towards me.

He looked at me with that smirk till plastered on his face and eyes darkened.I glared at him. If he came any closer I'd punch him but he continued until I could feel his entire presence in my vicinity.And then he unexpectedly kissed me. 

On the lips.

I was shocked for a moment before keeping up the appearance and smiling into his mouth.

He then proceeded to put a hand on my waist and fixed himself beside me. I cannot stand this man. His mere existence is infuriating me. And still I have to look like the world's happiest human.

"Hi! I don't think we've really met. I'm Emilia, Sky's cousin." Em popped out and extended her hand.

"Hello, Emilia. How are you? Sky, here has told me a lot about you."

"I'm good. It was nice to finally meet you." He gave her one of his signature charming grins, which had visibly impressed her already. I grunted softly in frustration before turning to Asher.

"Asher, I need to talk to you.Alone."

"Yeah, sure Sky." He seemed skeptical.

We went out near the pool.

"Asher, the deal that you and Ethan finalised with Mr. Zane today, did you check the plans for it? I mean was he satisfied with them?" My tone was uncertain and testing.

"Oh yeah. I went through them and I must say, good job Sky! Ethan told us that you were working on them real hard and they turned out really well." He patted the top of my head like a dog. It wasn't awkward--this is how he showed affection.

How is that possible? Ethan tore them right in front me. Unless that conniving fox had a copy.

Asher's and my phone buzzed at the same time with a text from Ava informing us that she's here.Asher looked into my eyes searching for permission.

"You should go."I smiled at him and he was off on his way.

I took a swig of my beer. What is wrong with Ethan? One moment he is in my office, fighting with me on taking his clients and the next moment he willingly gives up the credit and closed the deal?I don't care what he did and why he did. He humiliated me and fought with me on something he was going to do anyway.

I'm tired of this hot and cold behaviour.

"If you're thinking why I did it, then you should know that I might have a big ego but I'm not stupid." His footsteps veered closer, "I couldn't just risk our firm's reputation. But I just wanted to let you know that it is not okay for you to interfere with my work ."He was standing behind me. His hot breath fanned my neck, I could feel his expensive pine scent enveloping me again.

I turned around and gave him a furious look.

"I don't care if you're stupid or not but you had no right to talk to me that way. You can take your work and shove it up your ass for all I care. Just know that, I'm very serious about my career and when push comes to shove, I won't back down." I was walking away in anger when I slipped into the pool, almost.

Ethan caught me by my hand and smirked as I leaned closer to the pool. He shook his head before pulling me back up.

"Now, I wouldn't want you to be wet in front of everyone here."I could sense the double meaning in there. I gave him a glare and walked out.

Everyone was getting ready as Aunt Eden could get in here any minute. I opted to hide behind the couch with Emilia.

"Surprise!" Everyone shouted the moment Aunt stepped into the room.

The look of pure shock on her face changed into that of joy. I was happy for her.After mom, she was the one who helped me get back on my feet. She looked after me, encouraged me and provided me with the maternal love I lacked and I loved her for that.

"Oh dear, what a great surprise. Thanks to everyone for making my day a thousand times better." She said with a hoarse voice and a hand on her chest.

The party went on in full swing. Most of the people had left by now, it was 11 pm already. Only the immediate family including , Asher and Ava, Emilia and me along with Ethan were left.

"It's late, I think we should leave." I suggested.

"No , honey." Aunt chirped ,"Look at the weather, the forecast says there will be a thunderstorm tonight.I suggest all of you stay here for the night.Just like the old times.Shouldn't they Elliot?"

"Yes, of course. Everyone has a room in this house, it would be good if you stayed back."

I looked at Asher and he shrugged. This was his way of saying he was too tired to drive.

"I have to go to work tomorrow. Please allow me to leave, Skylar should stay here, if she wants." Ethan said as he got up. 

"No, no one is going anywhere. And Ethan, you're the boss , plus tomorrow's Saturday. You have to stay.And trust me you do not want to miss out on my famous waffles that you'll only get if you stay." Aunt said as she kept her hand on his shoulder.

"Now that waffles are involved, I simply cannot leave." He said sheepishly and took his place on the couch next to me. Urgh.

I heard Asher and Ava giggling among themselves. "I think we'll go to our rooms then, I'm very tired." Asher said and looked suggestively at Ava, she blushed. Eww.

"Make sure the bed doesn't break." Em whispered to Ava and she giggled. 

"Same for you , Sky." She whispered to me.

"Ew, shut up Em."

"What? I've seen the way Ethan has been looking at you the entire evening." She said raising her eyebrows.

I just rolled my eyes and got up to go to my room.

"Sky sweetie , take Ethan with you." Of course, we'd have to share a bed.

"Of course, Aunty. Follow me, honey." I said with a sickly sweet smile.

He got up and we started up the stairs behind me.

The thought of him seeing my room was not well received by me. This was where I grew up, I don't want him to show that. Then again, if I asked him to be somewhere else, everyone including Dad and Asher will be suspicious since they believe we're happy in this marriage together.

Sighing once again, we headed up the stairs.