Midnight

6. Downpour

I was completely blown away by the elegant entrance hall. Ethan stepped off the elevator and held out his hand to me. "Come on."

"Is this the right floor?" My eyes bounced all around the interior of the room. It was a damn penthouse!

The foyer opened into a dramatic atrium with a breathtaking uniquely architected bronze staircase as its centerpiece. Floor to ceiling windows with an astonishing view of Charlotte's skyline. A beautifully paneled library was in my sight along with a sleek black grand piano.

I was then literally taken off my feet by Ethan lifting me up over his shoulders to get me out of the elevator.

"Yes, Flower, It's my apartment." He said with a set tone. I burst out laughing at his words of downplay.

"Apartment!? This is a damn pent, Ethan!" I bounced back and forth as he continued trailing through the penthouse with me on his shoulders. Majestic proportions of a palace, with a marble and glass fireplace. This was crazy! I was dreaming to even be in such a place.

I received a short tour of his house while upside down and flipped over his back. He walked into the kitchen then placed me on my feet. I attempted to adjust my face to not appear so... unexplored. He disappeared behind his refrigerator door, and I gawked a little more without him watching. Dropping my mouth completely. The entire house was dark in color from black to grey to dark grey to metallic. As I marveled at my surroundings I started to wonder how old is Ethan? He's fucking established.

"How old are you?" I blurted, feeling a tad resentful afterward. He popped his head from behind the door at me, screwing up his face then returning back to the fridge before sitting a bunch of fresh vegetables and a pack of steaks out, shutting the door with his foot.

"37." He said as he arranged the groceries on his stainless steel tabletop. He turned on the faucet and began washing the vegetables. I stepped beside him to assist.

Well, that makes me only shy 11 years of him. I felt a little uncomfortable at the thought of me being an infant when he was in middle school.

"Do you know how old I am?" I asked, closing an eye and narrowing the other. Oh God, this may be a deal-breaker for him, once he finds out, I'm so much younger than him, it's over.

He sighed and pulled a knife from his drawer, "You're 26, Cala."

Oh good, he knows. Wait...

"How do you know that?" I asked. His eyes flicked up for a second.

"I pulled your employee file." He said with the flattest affect. Like he was right to do so.

"WHAT!? How? You can't do that!" I dropped my potato in the sink and turned to him directly with one hand to my hip.

"I did..." He slowed with cutting up his veggies for a second then continued back at his regular pace.

"When?" I was curious. He sat his knife to the side and turned into me. Cursing me with his silver daggers.

"Dr. Baldwin emailed it to me when I asked for it, Cala" He paused as if he was waiting for me to say WHAT THE FUCK. "Back in August...I think..." He turned away and headed for his cabinets. I followed him foot for foot. He turned back around and chuckled a little at the surprise of me.

"We didn't know each other until last week." I folded my arms tight. Cocked my hips and raised a furious eyebrow. He smiled that gorgeous smile.

"You didn't know me, I knew you, Cala...." He leaned his back against the countertop and studied me just so I could look away. Damn it, he's controlling me.