Empire 210

**Empire 210**

Who could have ever imagined that the relentless workaholic, a man who thrived in the chaos of deadlines and meetings, would transform into a lovesick husband after tying the knot?

Ethan found himself in an unusually buoyant mood. It was a rare sight for Ramona, who had never witnessed such an unguarded smile gracing his lips. He excitedly shared that his work trip was nearing its conclusion. Tomorrow morning would see him participating in a final ribbon-cutting ceremony, and shortly after, he would be on his way back home.

Ramona’s heart soared at the news. “When do you land? I’ll be at the airport waiting for you,” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Ethan hesitated, his expression shifting slightly. “Well, the exact time is still uncertain. There’s a promotional video to shoot in the morning; if everything goes smoothly, I should be back by the afternoon. But if there are any hiccups, it could push my return until late evening. I really don’t want you to wait around for me,” he explained, concern etching his features.

But Ramona would not be deterred. Her voice was firm and resolute. “It doesn’t matter to me. No matter how late it is, I want to be the first person you see when you walk through those airport doors.”

A warmth flickered in Ethan’s eyes at her words, a softness that hinted at the depth of his feelings. Just as he opened his mouth to reply, Ash materialized beside him, clearly eager to discuss something urgent.

Ramona picked up on the cue. “Ethan, it’s getting dark. The mountain roads can be tricky to navigate. You should head back to the hotel,” she suggested, her tone laced with concern.

“Alright,” he replied, but then paused, her name lingering on his lips as if he had more to say.

“What is it?” she asked, her brow furrowing with curiosity.

“Nothing,” he finally said after a moment of contemplation. “Just get some rest tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay,” she responded softly, though a tinge of disappointment crept into her voice.

After ending the call, Ethan shot Ash an irritated glance, the tension between them palpable.

In the distance, Nadia Shepard’s team was already busy setting up for a night shoot. Ethan’s return journey would also require some filming, and Ash had to remind him to wrap things up before it got too late.

Although Nadia was part of the same trip, they had been working in separate spheres for the last two days, and he had yet to see her face. However, she would be unavoidable during the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the interview session scheduled for the next morning.

He had considered mentioning this to Ramona, but the words felt cumbersome and unnecessary. More importantly, he didn’t want to stir any feelings of unease in her heart.

Nadia’s shoot was brief, capturing the crew and the breathtaking mountain scenery under the night sky. Ethan’s convoy was only needed for a fleeting shot, and with the help of her team, they wrapped up in less than an hour.

By the time they finished, the night had fully enveloped the sky, a blanket of darkness settling around them.

Just as Ethan’s car was about to pull away, a knock on the window startled him. Ash rolled it down, glancing back at the man in the rear seat, who had his eyes shut tight. “Miss Shepard? How can I assist you?” he inquired, his tone professional.

“My car is full,” Nadia replied, her voice laced with a hint of urgency. “Could I possibly catch a ride back to the hotel with you? Mr. Jordon, we could go over tomorrow’s schedule in the car. It would save me from having to disturb you in your room later.”

Ethan opened his eyes at the mention of his name and gestured for Ash to let her in. Ash complied, opening the door wide. Nadia made a move to sit beside Ethan, but he interrupted her with a firm command. “There’s a seat up front.”

The van was spacious, capable of comfortably accommodating seven passengers. A flicker of embarrassment crossed Nadia’s face, but she quickly complied, choosing a seat that left a considerable gap between them. “Is this alright, Mr. Jordon?” she asked, her voice carefully neutral.

Ethan didn’t respond verbally; instead, he simply gestured for her to begin. The vehicle glided smoothly along the winding mountain road, illuminated only by a solitary, dim reading lamp that cast a soft glow in the otherwise shadowy interior.

Nadia retrieved her tablet and began to walk him through the schedule for the following day. For the most part, Ethan listened with his eyes closed, only occasionally opening them to pose a curt, precise question.

“…and finally, this part,” Nadia said, turning the tablet toward him to display a diagram. “They’ve added a shoot for tomorrow morning. We need to be at the scenic lookout at dawn…” As she spoke, the car took a sharp turn, causing her to lurch slightly, nearly dropping the tablet.

Ethan instinctively raised his arm, and for a fleeting moment, Nadia thought he was going to steady her. Instead, he leaned back, crossing his arms tightly over his chest as if to create an impenetrable barrier between them, even across the empty seats that separated them.

“You can handle the details, Nadia. The sooner we finish, the better,” Ethan stated flatly, his tone devoid of warmth.

Nadia nodded, sensing the finality in his words, and put away her tablet. With the work discussion concluded, a heavy silence settled between them. She gazed out the window into the inky blackness, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, her mind racing with unspoken thoughts.

Later that night, the car finally arrived at the hotel.

Ash stepped out first, opening the door for Nadia. Despite it being the only decent hotel in the area, Ethan had arranged for them to stay on different floors, a decision that felt deliberate.

Just as Ethan turned to leave, Nadia’s voice cut through the stillness. “Ethan, have you told Ramona the truth about yourself yet?”

He froze, his figure becoming rigid in the dim light, the weight of her question hanging heavily in the air.

Nadia quickly moved to face him, but Ash stepped in between them, a protective barrier. “Miss Shepard…” he began, his tone warning.

“I was wrong before. I didn’t have enough faith in us; I hesitated. But I’m sure now. I love you, and I can accept all of you,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion. “But Ramona is different. If she knew the truth, do you really think she would stay by your side?”

This was her last chance, and desperation laced her every word.

“You’re right, she is different,” Ethan replied, his voice cold and unwavering, yet his posture remained tense. “She would never have abandoned me when I was at my most vulnerable.”

“Then do you dare to tell her, Ethan? Do you dare let her know that the man she’s sleeping next to might be an uncontrollable…”

“Shut up.” Ethan’s voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl, the finality of his command echoing in the night.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.