Stolen Moments The charity gala was still in full swing.
Soft music drifted through the ballroom while elegant laughter filled the air.
Couples danced.
Business partners exchanged conversations.
Crystal glasses clinked together beneath the glow of magnificent chandeliers.
Ethan and Ava had just stepped away from another round of introductions.
“I never knew talking could be so exhausting,” Ava sighed, gently rubbing her temples.
Ethan chuckled.
“You handled yourself well.” She looked at him with a playful frown.
“I smiled so much my cheeks are beginning to hurt.” “I noticed.” “…You noticed?” “I notice a lot of things about you.” The words escaped before Ethan had the chance to stop them.
Ava’s steps faltered.
For a brief second, the noise around them faded.
She looked away first, pretending to admire one of the paintings decorating the hallway.
“You really shouldn’t say things like that…” “Why?” “They make my heart beat strangely.” Ethan’s lips curved into the smallest smile.
“I’m having the same problem.” A blush instantly crept across Ava’s cheeks.
“…Mr.
Hawthorne.” “Ethan.” She looked up.
“When we’re alone…” “…call me Ethan.” She stared at him for several long seconds.
“…E-Ethan.” It was barely louder than a whisper.
But to Ethan…
It sounded more beautiful than the orchestra playing in the ballroom.
— Just then, a hotel employee hurried toward them.
“Mr.
Hawthorne, we’re terribly sorry.” “The ballroom’s west balcony lights have suddenly gone out.” “I’ll take a look.” Ava instinctively followed him.
The hallway leading to the balcony was quiet compared to the bustling ballroom.
Only the sound of the distant music reached them.
The evening breeze greeted them as Ethan pushed open the balcony doors.
The city stretched endlessly below, glowing beneath countless lights.
“It’s beautiful,” Ava whispered.
“It is.” Before Ethan could inspect the lights…
The sky rumbled.
Ava looked up.
“…Was that thunder?” Almost immediately…
Rain began to pour.
“Oh!” Ava instinctively stepped back.
The marble floor had become slippery from the rain drifting inside.
Her heel slid.
“Ethan!” Without thinking…
He reached for her.
One arm wrapped firmly around her waist.
The other caught her hand.
Ava stumbled forward…
Until she collided gently against his chest.
Everything became still.
The rain continued falling around them.
Neither of them moved.
Ava could hear it.
His heartbeat.
Steady.
Strong.
Much faster than usual.
Slowly…
She looked up.
Their faces were only inches apart.
She could feel the warmth of his breath.
Ethan swallowed.
“You okay?” She nodded almost absentmindedly.
“I…” “I think so.” Neither of them made any effort to move.
It felt as though the world had quietly disappeared.
Just the two of them.
The rain.
And the sound of their racing hearts.
A loose strand of hair had fallen across Ava’s face.
Without thinking…
Ethan gently reached up and tucked it behind her ear.
His fingertips barely brushed her skin.
Ava’s breath caught.
Her fingers instinctively gripped the front of his suit jacket.
“Ethan…” She had never said his name so softly before.
His eyes drifted down to her lips.
Then back to her eyes.
He leaned forward…
Just slightly.
Ava didn’t move away.
In fact…
She found herself unconsciously leaning toward him too.
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
Just before the distance between them disappeared- “BROTHER!” Lucas’s voice echoed through the hallway.
The spell shattered instantly.
Both Ethan and Ava jumped apart as though caught doing something terribly embarrassing.
Lucas stepped onto the balcony holding an umbrella.
He looked from Ethan…
To Ava…
Then to the rain-soaked floor.
“…Should I come back later?” Ava covered her burning face with both hands.
“N-No!” Lucas grinned.
“I didn’t say anything.” “You didn’t have to,” Ethan muttered.
Lucas laughed.
“Mother is looking for both of you.” He casually turned around and began walking away.
“Oh…” “And Ethan?” Ethan sighed.
“…What?” “You almost kissed her.” “I saw.” Lucas disappeared before Ethan could answer.
Silence settled once more.
Neither Ethan nor Ava dared to look at each other.
Finally…
Ava cleared her throat.
“…We should probably go back.” “…Probably.” They walked side by side toward the ballroom.
Their shoulders brushed ever so slightly.
Neither of them moved away.
Neither of them said a word.
But both of them secretly wished…
Lucas had arrived just one minute later.