Physical Attraction

Prologue

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"The best thing about the worst time of your life is that you get to see the true colors of everyone"

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Seven years back

LIKE A CAGED CAT, Ethan paced the length of his study in frustration. He glanced at his watch and realized he had only a few hours until his girlfriend, Sophia's birthday, and like every year, he was having a hard time figuring out what he wanted to gift her.

He sighed, recalling how pesky she got the last time he'd 'accidentally forgot' to give her something for her birthday and was not looking forward to her wrath any time soon.

On his flight from Barcelona some hours ago — intending to surprise her — he made an effort to do some research on gift ideas for her, but as he figured, nothing Cosmopolitan recommended was to his taste—it either lacked originality or was overly cheesy.

And he needed something original for Sophia.

Ethan paused in his pacing to peer out the window, thinking perhaps if he stared into the night long enough, an idea might pop into his mind—nothing. He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with the whole situation.

He'd figured he would at least know a thing or two about what women liked for their birthdays. Especially since he was perpetually amongst them most of the time, but never had he felt so clueless and lost before. And he hated it.

Ethan perceived a sound from behind him, and then turned to find his bodyguard, Gareth by the end of the room engrossed in his favorite book, The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald.

He rolled his eyes at Gareth, knowing he had read that book over fifty damn times — if that wasn't the case, he was either somewhere playing Candy Crush or worse taking a nap. Ethan sighed before calling out to him.

"Hey, Gareth, you got a minute?"

Upon hearing his name, Gareth reluctantly looked up from his book and then exhaled. "For you, sir? Why of course," he drawled dryly.

Ethan went straight to the point. He knew Gareth was a connoisseur when it came to women, so he wondered why he hadn't asked him for help this whole time.

"What exactly do women like for their birthdays?" He questioned.

Gareth blinked, stunned by the question he was just asked. Then slowly exhaled and said, "I don't know...perhaps cars?"

Ethan shook his head. "Done that already."

"Jewelry?"

"Too cliché."

"Chocolates?"

"Too cheesy."

"Lingerie?"

"Too—excuse me?"

Gareth stifled a laugh. "How about something meaningful then?"

"Meaningful?"

"Yeah. Like something with significance to it—something that comes from the heart..."

Ethan was tempted to roll his eyes at Gareth, but realized he had a point. It was no secret that Sophia was just as wealthy as he was. Hence, he knew it would be futile to give her something he knew she could easily afford. He ought to give her something money couldn't buy—something meaningful. Just like Gareth said.