After the meeting, Sophia was left alone in the conference room, reviewing some notes. Her mind was spinning, torn between the professional boundary she had to maintain and the private feelings she was still processing. What was Ethan's game? Did he see her as just another employee?
A knock at the door broke her thoughts. Ethan stepped in, a faint smile on his lips.
"Miss Lane, I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable in the meeting. I didn't mean to," he said, his tone softer now, though there was still an edge of authority in his voice.
Sophia stood, her heart beating wildly in her chest. "Mr. Carter, I—"
"Ethan," he interjected with a small grin, his eyes locked on hers. "When we're not in a boardroom, I'd prefer you call me Ethan. We're past all that formal nonsense, don't you think?"
She hesitated, "I… I didn't know you were the CEO. I didn't know you worked here."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, the smile not leaving his face. "I guess that's the thing about this company—sometimes, people don't know what's right under their noses."
There was a pause. Then he stepped a little closer, his presence commanding. "Look, I won't pretend that this won't complicate things. But I want to keep seeing you, Sophia. If you're open to it. We'll figure out the boundaries—professionally and personally."
Sophia swallowed hard, her heart pounding. This was not what she had expected. But it was happening.
"I'm… not sure what to say," she admitted.
"Then don't say anything. Just think about it," Ethan said, his voice calm yet insistent. "I'll leave it up to you, Sophia. But I'm not backing off."
With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Sophia standing there, her mind spinning.