Chapter 91
This is book two with Ethan in it.
Freya
I shouldn’t be sitting in this fancy garden eating these AMAZING appetizers. This BBQ party is strictly for Steele Hotels employees, and I’m not one of them. My dad is, but he isn’t here He didn’t want to attend the BBQ party, which is crazy to
- nc.
The atmosphere is great, the people are all friendly, and since I’m too broke to go out much, I just know this is good for my heart and soul. I’m newly divorced and don’t regret telling the guard my dad’s name and employee ID number to get in.
What’s the harm, really? Dad won’t ever know.
1 pop another bacon–wrapped something into my mouth, savoring the taste. As I reach for my third glass of champagne, I hear someone approaching me.
“Are you a new recruit? I don’t remember seeing your face before, and I never forget a face.”
Stunned by the deep voice, I look up and see the most gorgeous guy that I’ve ever had the pleasure to put my eyes on. All yummy and sexy with brown hair, a body to die for, and definitely way too young for me. I’m almost 30, and this dude? He can’t be older than like 20. He is also wearing lime green nail polish on one hand, so…I don’t know. He could be fighting for the other team, so to speak.
“Oh, me? I’m…“I clear my throat. “I’m not new, but I hate attention, so I usually hide in a corner at my
office.”
“You have an office at the hotel? Wow. You must be someone important then,” the young guy says. He has really long eyelashes.
“Y–yeah,” I pick up my glass of champagne and turn around so won’t drown in the young man’s green eyes, “I also wanna meet the big boss who owns the hotel. I’ve never met him, but he is supposedly a meanie with a stick up his ass.” According to my dad, at least.
The guy falls silent, and, at first, I worry he is one of those boring dudes who can’t talk ill about their boss. He looks young and might be scared to lose his first job. But to my delight, he soon chuckles.
“Is it Ethan Steele you’re talking about?”
1 look at him over my shoulder. “Is he the owner of Steele Enterprises?”
I have no idea why the guy looks so amused all of a sudden, but he doesn’t smile. Not quite. “He is.”
Terror r grips me. “Oh no, I know that tone. Ethan Steele is a friend of yours,
“Not really.
“But you know him?”
His lips twitch. “I guess you could say that.”
isn’t he?”
“Shit, is he your enemy then? Do you hate him?” when he says nothing.I sigh, “Either way, I probably shouldn’t talk shit about the big boss to one of his employees. It might come to bite me in the ass in the future.”
1/3
Filmora: Al Video Editor,
Maker
Chapter 91
“It might,” he smiles, but there’s something off about it, as if he trying not to laugh. “Which of the hotels are you working
Ho boy, what do I tell him? I can’t risk him finding out that I’m not actually an employee or that I don’t even have a freaking college degree. I married a football guy after college and practically didn’t have to lift a finger. Unfortunately, he turned out to be a cheater, hence the divorce and why I moved back with rag parents..
My mind races. “LummL actually work at the corporate office say, hoping this vague response will satisfy his curiosity. “Lots of paperwork, not very exciting.”
He raises an eyebrow, his green eyes sparkling with interest. “Is that so? What department?”
I take a large sip of champagne, buying myself a few precious seconds. “Human resources,” I blurt out, figuring it’s a safe bet. “Mostly behind–the–scenes stuff.”
“Interesting,” he says, leaning in closer. “I’m quite familiar with our HR department. Who’s your supervisor?”
What are the fucking odds of him being familiar with the HR department?
Panic is flaring up within me, but I play it cool by taking another swig of champagne. Emerald–eyed dude watches me intently, and I plaster on a smile.
“Small world, isn’t it? But you see, I actually just transferred departments,” I say, forcing a laugh. “Still getting to know everyone. But enough about boring old me. What about you, sweetheart? What do you do here?”
He chuckles, running a hand through his tousled brown hair. “Oh, my job is really nothing too exciting.”
I breathe an internal sigh of relief. For a moment, I actually thought this gorgeous guy was a boss or something. Now that I know better, I don’t mind when he takes the seat across from mine with a cryptic smile.
I grab another appetizer and pop it in my mouth. The guy watches me in silence. Is he worried about eating the food here? Shy or something? Maybe he needs a little push…
1 pick one up for him, offering it. “Say, have you tried these little bacon–wrapped things? They’re to die for.”
“I’m not hungry,” he says. “Just bored…or I was,” his lips twitch. “What’s your name?”
1 probably should lie to him. But the champagne has loosened my tongue, and the guy seems genuinely interested. “Freya Smith,” I blurt without thinking, wincing inwardly when I realize probably shouldn’t have given him my last name.
“Freya Smith…” my name on his lips should be illegal. It sounds like porn. “You know, it’s funny. I was just talking to the head of HR this morning about some recent transfers, but I don’t recall your name coming up.”
1 nearly choke on my champagne. If this guy spoke to HR about recent transfers, then he must be someone important. “Eh, you know how it is with big companies. Sometimes the paperwork takes a while…if you know what I’m saying.” The guy’s eyes narrow slightly at me after I’ve insinuated slackers are working for Steele Hotels, and I feel a bead of sweat forming on my brow. This guy is hard to joke with…
“I suppose you’re right,” he says, his tone suddenly much colder than before. “And which department did you say you transferred from?”
My heart races as I realize I’m trapped. I never mentioned transferring from anywhere specific. I take a deep breath, deciding to come clean. “Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied. The truth is-
19:10 Sat, Feb
Chapter 91
“Ethan! There you are!” A woman’s voice cuts through the tension. We both turn to see a blonde older woman somewhere in her fifties approaching our table. “I’ve been looking everywhere or you. The board members want to discuss the new resort project.”
My blood runs cold. This guy–this impossibly young, gorgeous man–is Ethan Steele? The big hoss I was just trash–talking?
I glance back at the young man sitting across from me, seeing him in a whole new light. The amusement in his eyes, the confident posture, the way he carried himself–it all makes sense now.
“Of course, Mother,” he says smoothly, standing up. “I’ll be right there. He turns back to me, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “It was a pleasure chatting with you, Ms. Smith, daughter of Robert Smith from accounting. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again very soon, seeing there’s another event coming up with free food.”
He picks up a bacon thingie and winks at me. It’s such a checkmate move that I sink lower in my chair, mortification washing over me. I’ve just spent the last fifteen minutes lying to my father’s boss–the owner of the entire company.
But the worst part?
He knew I was lying the whole time.
Since I’m too embarrassed to say, I grab my purse to make a hasty exit. Though, before I can leave, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I spin around to see Ethan Steele towering over me, his green eyes twinkling with mischief.
“By the way,” he says in that infuriatingly sexy voice of his. “I may have a stick up my ass, but at least I don’t crash parties I wasn’t invited to.”
My face burns with embarrassment as he looks down at me, a smirk playing on his lips. He turns to leave but then pauses and looks back at me over his shoulder.
“Oh, and Freya? Next time you want to attend one of our events, just ask your father for an invitation. It’ll save us both a lot of trouble.”
did he really just burn me twice?
with my jaw somewher
I watch him go in the grass. How could have been so stupid? Of course, the young, gorgeous guy at a corporate event would turn out to be the CEO!
My face burns hotter the more I think about it. Also, does Ethan think I’m an idiot after meeting me? Is he mad that I crashed this BBQ? Will he punish my dad for it?
I’m a no–filter person and rarely care what other people think about me, but this is bad–my little lie could wind up getting dad fired. But is it just me, or did Ethan seem more amused than angry with me? Maybe if I talk to him and apologize. he will let my dad stay with his company?
my
Before I can overthink it, I hurry after his gorgeous ass. “Mr. Steele! Wait up!”
AD
