Ethan sat at his desk, completely focused, his fingers moving quickly over the keyboard. His office was neat and modern, filled with dark wood and sleek furniture. The large windows let in the soft glow of the setting sun, casting warm light across the room.

He was deep in work, typing away, eyes glued to the screen. His posture was straight, his mind sharp, nothing could pull him away from his task.

Until his phone rang.

The sudden noise made him pause. Exhaling, he picked up the receiver.

"Yes?" He said, not bothering to hide his impatience.

His secretary's voice came through. "Sir, a business associate is here to see you."

Ethan frowned. He hadn't scheduled a meeting. "I wasn't expecting anyone." He murmured, but didn't dwell on it. "Send them in."

Without another thought, he went right back to work.

Minutes later, the office door opened, but Ethan didn't look up. He kept typing, unaware of the visitor stepping inside.

The man was dressed in an expensive suit, a deep charcoal color with a subtle shimmer under the light. The fabric was perfectly tailored, hugging his strong frame. He carried himself with confidence, his sharp features and piercing eyes making him strikingly handsome.

Ethan was too focused to notice. He didn't lift his head, didn't acknowledge the presence in the room.

Not until the visitor stopped right in front of his desk.

Feeling the shift in energy, Ethan finally looked up and his breath caught.

His eyes widened.

"Alex?"

The name barely left his lips, shock tightening his chest.

Ethan pushed his chair back abruptly, standing so fast it almost toppled over. His heart pounded in his chest, anger and disbelief warring in his expression.

"What are you doing here, Alex?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the tense air between them.

Alex crossed his arms, unfazed. "Your father appointed me as your special advisor." He said, his tone calm, matter-of-fact. "He wants me to guide you in the business, teach you a few things as I'm more experienced.''

Ethan let out a short, incredulous laugh. "You're kidding." His amusement faded quickly, replaced by steely irritation. "Get out of my office. You've lost your mind."

Alex didn't so much as blink. Instead, he glanced around the space, as if sizing it up. "You should get ready." He said with a hint of a smirk. "We'll be sharing this office.''

Ethan stepped forward, his frustration spilling over. "Leave. Now."

Before he could press the issue further, the door swung open, and a group of men entered, carrying sleek, luxurious office furniture; an imposing desk, a plush chair, the kind befitting someone of great importance. Ethan watched in stunned silence as Alex casually directed them where to place everything.

His throat tightened. This wasn't a joke.

Without another word, Ethan grabbed his phone, storming past Alex and the workers. His hands clenched around the device as he stepped out into the corridor, his rage rising with every second.

His father owed him an explanation. Immediately.

Alex leaned back against his newly placed desk, watching Ethan storm out of the office with an amused smirk curling at the corner of his lips. This was exactly what he wanted —this reaction, this frustration, this undeniable proof that Ethan had no control over what was happening.

He folded his arms, eyes gleaming with quiet triumph. Ethan could fight this all he wanted, but the truth was simple ; He wasn't going anywhere.

His position in this office wasn't just about business—it was personal.

He made a promise to watch Ethan, and he intends to keep that promise. As long as Ethan was still engaged to his sister, there would be no fooling around with other people.

With a satisfied sigh, Alex turned back to his desk, adjusting the sleek pen holder sitting atop it. He had worked meticulously to make this happen, and now, it was all falling into place.

Let Ethan call his father. Let him rant, resist and rage.

In the end, nothing would change.

Alex was here to stay.

Ethan stormed back into the office, his entire frame tense with fury. His sharp gaze darted around the space—Alex's desk was fully set up, every trace of the workers now gone. The only person left was Alex, sitting calmly at his desk, typing away on his laptop as if nothing had happened.

Without hesitation, Ethan marched over and slammed the laptop shut. The force of it sent a quiet shockwave through the room.

Alex barely flinched, but his lips pressed into a thin line. He looked up, meeting Ethan's piercing glare.

"You planned this!" Ethan spat, his voice low but laced with venom. "You're behind all of this."

Alex sighed, leaning back in his chair with unnerving ease. "I told you, Ethan." He said smoothly. "For as long as you're still engaged to Lily, I'm going to keep an eye on you and make sure you don't misbehave."

Ethan's hands balled into fists. "This is a big mistake you're making, Alex. You have no right to be here. Leave my company!"

Alex titled his head, unfazed. "Not happening. You can call your father a hundred times, rant as much as you want, but I'm not going anywhere."

Ethan exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling in frustration. Alex was unwavering, completely immovable. But if that was how he wanted to play, then fine.

A slow, deliberate smile spread across Ethan's face, catching Alex off guard. The anger that had consumed him just moments ago flickered out, replaced by something calculating.

"Fine." Ethan said, his voice suddenly calm. "Welcome to the company, Alex. I hope you enjoy your stay here."

Alex narrowed his eyes slightly, watching as Ethan casually walked back to his desk and resumed his work like nothing had happened.

Something felt off.

Alex frowned, drumming his fingers on the closed laptop. Ethan was supposed to keep fighting, to keep resisting. Not...accept it.

A silver of doubt crept into Alex's mind, unsettling him. Was Ethan truly fine with this? Or was he planning something?

Alex shook off the thought, convincing himself he was overthinking. Nothing could go wrong. He had control. He was here for his sister's well-being, that was all.

And yet, as he eyed Ethan across the office, that doubt still lingered.

The bass thumped through the club like a heartbeat, reverberating in Ethan's chest as he leaned back against the sleek leather booth. Marcel sat beside him, nursing a drink, but his eyes kept flicking towards Ethan, watching.

On the stage, a male and female dancer twirled around the pole, their movements fluid and hypnotic, but Ethan wasn't focused on the performance. His gaze was distant, clouded by thoughts he didn't want to entertain.

Marcel noticed. Leaning closer, he raised his voice over the pounding music. "You good, man?"

Ethan snapped out of his trance, offering a quick nod. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Marcel didn't buy it. He studied Ethan for a moment before exhaling and waving it off. "Look, we're here to loosen up. Have fun. Try to relax."

Before Ethan could respond, the female dancer peeled away from the stage, her hips rolling in perfect rhythm to the beat. She approached him, each step slow, international, as she danced in front of him, a seductive invitation.

But Ethan wasn't looking at her. His focus remained locked on the male dancer, the way his muscles flexed with each controlled movement, the way he commanded the pole with effortless grace.

Then, the dancer's gaze flicked towards him.

Ethan's breath hitched as their eyes met, and just for a fleeting moment, he wasn't seeing the stranger— he was seeing Alex!

The memory struck like lightning, sharp and sudden. He blinked, shaking his head, forcing himself back to reality.

Marcel nudged him. "You sure you're okay?"

Ethan swallowed hard. "Yeah."

But the lie sat heavy on his tongue.

He immediately downed his drink in one swift gulp, feeling the burn in his throat but welcoming the distraction. Marcel, now fully engaged with the female dancer, laughed as she twirled effortlessly before him, soaking in the attention Ethan had denied her.

But Ethan wasn't here for distractions, not that kind, anyway.

He stood abruptly, weaving through the crowd until he reached the dimly lit restroom. The music was muffled here, giving him a rare moment of silence. He leaned against the sink, gripping the cold porcelain as he stared at his reflection.

Alex. Why was he thinking about Alex?

He clenched his jaw. "Focus. Stop thinking about him!"

The door creaked open.

Ethan turned, eyes narrowing slightly. The male dancer.

A knowing smile curled the man's lips as he stepped inside, hands casually in his pockets. "I saw the way you were looking at me." He said, his voice smooth, edged with intrigue.

Ethan's breath hitched, but he said nothing.

The dancer tilted his head slightly. "You look tense." He took a slow step forward, then another. "Need help relieving that stress?"

The words dripped with intention. The air between them thickened, charged. Inches away now, the dancer held Ethan's gaze, watching, waiting.

Ethan's body tensed, every nerve screaming at him to shove the man away. But then Alex's voice echoed in his mind: "You'll never have an affair as long as you're engaged to my sister."

Heat flared in Ethan's chest. A fit of rebellion. A challenge to a ghost haunting him.

Without thinking, Ethan grasped the dancer's wrist, yanking him into the stall and slamming the door behind them. His lips crashed against the dancer's, fueled by something more than attraction—anger, defiance, desperation.

They barely had time to get lost in it.

The stall door swung open.

Ethan froze.

Alex stood there, fury burning in his eyes. His voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried enough weight to make Ethan's stomach drop.

"I knew it!"

Before Ethan could react, Alex's hand clamped around his wrist, dragging him out of the bathroom with unrelenting force. Ethan struggled, wrenching his arm, but Alex's grip was iron-tight, fueled by something far beyond anger.

The pounding club music faded as they burst through the doors and into the cool night air. Alex didn't stop until they reached the parking lot, where his car was.

Finally, he let go.

Ethan staggered back, yanking his arm away as he shot Alex a furious glare. "What the hell was that? Did you follow me?" His breath was ragged, fury simmering beneath the surface. Then, with a cold laugh, he scoffed. "You're shameless."

Alex didn't flinch. "I don't care what you think about me." He said, voice sharp, unwavering. "The only thing that matters is that you stay faithful."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "Faithful?" He let out a bitter laugh. "To who, Alex? To her or to you?"

Alex's expression darkened. "Get in the car. I'm taking you home."

Ethan stepped back, shaking his head. "No. You're not ruining my night."

Alex took a step forward. "Don't test me, Ethan."

Ethan held his ground. "I swear, if you try to control me again, you're going to regret it."

Then, in one swift motion, Alex grabbed his wrist once more, this time rougher, more desperate.

Ethan's rage exploded.

His fist connected with Alex's jaw, sending him stumbling back. The impact echoed in the stillness of the lot.

Alex straightened slowly, his fingers grazing the spot where Ethan had struck him. His eyes burned with something dangerous, something final.

Ethan met his gaze, breath steady. "I warned you."

With that, he turned and strode back towards the club, leaving Alex standing alone.

Alex exhaled sharply, licking the taste of blood from the inside of his cheek.

Then, under his breath, he muttered, "Don't blame me for what happens next, Ethan."

He turned and headed back inside.

Ethan pushed through the club doors, the pulse of music washing over him like a wave. He needed to lose himself in the rhythm, in the crowd, in anything that was Alex.

But as he stepped further inside, something felt off.

Marcel was no longer in their booth. The female dancer had vanished too, replaced by a low murmur rippling through the crowd.

Ethan turned his head slightly. His pulse spiked.

Alex was back, and he wasn't alone.

Two men flanked him, their presence sharp, deliberate. They weren't dancers, they weren't club staff. The way their eyes locked onto Ethan sent a chill down his spine.

Alex's gaze never wavered. He lifted a hand, barely a motion, but enough.

The two men moved.

Ethan didn't wait to see what came next.

He bolted.