I returned to Mark with the memory card. He
grinned. “Good work, Anna. You’re quick!
–
Perfect timing — there’s a dinner tonight. I’ll
introduce you to some people. Networking is
key in this business.” I thanked him.
When we arrived, I froze. In the parking lot was
a familiar black Rolls Royce. “Mr. Hayes… is he
here tonight, too?”
Mark winked. “That’s the dinner I’m taking you to! Don’t underestimate your old pal Mark’s
connections.” Too late for regrets. I followed
him inside.
Thankfully, the room was huge. Small–time
reporters like us weren’t even at the same table
as Ethan. Mark introduced me to several senior
reporters. “This is Anna Taylor, our newest recruit. Smart kid. Anna, say hi to everyone.”
Being the newbie, I had to make the rounds with toasts. By the end, I was dizzy. Muttering an apology, I rushed to the restroom.
I rinsed my mouth, splashed cold water on my face, and stepped out. The hallway lights were dim. A familiar figure stood by the window in
the shadows. My heart pounded. I tried to slip
past unnoticed,
“Anna. Taylor,” Ethan’s low voice stopped me.
I froze, swallowing hard, hearing his footsteps
approach, I closed my eyes. The footsteps
stopped in front of me, a familiar scent drawing
closer. I opened my eyes to his deep, dark gaze,
“…Mr. Hayes.” My throat was tight. “How do
you know my name?”
He was silent for a moment, then straightened.
“Your mentor was introducing you while you
were making toasts. The whole room knows
your name.” Thinking of Mark’s booming voice,
I blushed. “I’m sorry. He’s very… enthusiastic. If
we disturbed you, Mr. Hayes, I apologize.” I
stammered, afraid of getting Mark in trouble.
Ethan remained silent studving me with a faint
<
Ethan remained silent, studying me with a faint
smile. “Do you think I’m someone who holds
grudges, Ms. Taylor?”
I mumbled, “That’s not what I meant.”
A gold–embossed business card was offered. “You’re still an intern, right? Interested in a job
opportunity?”
- 6.
I returned to my apartment, still lightheaded. Mark grabbed me. “You okay, Anna?” I rubbed my stomach. “Sorry, Mark. I had surgery on my
stomach a while back. I can’t handle much
alcohol.” He frowned, then noticed the business
card. His eyes widened. “Is that Mr. Hayes’s
personal card?!”
I nodded, remembering the encounter. It was
the legendary, almost mythical, direct line to
Ethan Hayes himself. Uneasy, I asked, “Why
would Mr. Hayes give such a valuable
opportunity to a nobody reporter like me?”
He’d smirked “Maybe he likes you.” That
sounded like Ethan. As we grew closer, he’d
show his rebellious aide especially in certain
moments. I’d gril my teeth, stifling moans,
ging his hair. “You can’t see, stop moving ”
In the dim light, he’d till his head, his soff
bangs brushing his unfocused eyes. He’d lick
his lips, his fingers lightening around r
1990
“Everywhere else is fine 50, be louder. Let me
hear you.”
I snapped back, making up an excuse for
Mark.
The next day, my boss called me in. “Anna, we
need you on that popular live relationship talk
show as a guest commentator. Prepare
yourself.” Later, I found out the next episode’s
quests were Ethan and Chloe. Their
engagement had been trending since the
interview, a publicity stunt for the show. Fans
were going crazy online. “Overcoming hardship
<
3:35
together, now reaching the peak of success. True love!” “Apparently, the Williams‘ family business was dying, but with Hayes Corp’s support, it’s thriving again.” “Power couple!
Must ship!” I skimmed through it, closing the
comments.
Daisy, the host, was reviewing the script,
chatting with me. “If we can dig up the story of
Mr. Hayes and his fiancée during those two
years, the ratings will skyrocket.” I gripped my
pen, quietly agreeing. I knew every detail of
those two years, but I couldn’t say a word.
- 7.
With Hayes’s resources, Chloe was now an A-
list actress. The livestream began, millions
tuning in. Under the spotlight, Daisy began: “We
hear wedding bells are ringing for you and Mr.
Hayes. Can you share your journey?”
Chloe smiled at Ethan. “I never believed the
rumors and accusations against him. He’s
always been the one I love.” She gazed at him
<
3:35
Ethan chuckled. “…Liar. Have you forgotten how much you despised me when I first went blind?” Chloe froze, glancing at me with venom. On
camera, she forced a smile. “I don’t really
remember. I guess as our love grew, I only
remember the sweet parts.” I glanced at the live comments scrolling by: “So sweet!” filled the
screen.
I put down the script, gripping the microphone, addressing Ethan. “It seems you two have differing opinions. Is there more to the story? Perhaps you could share how you two worked through it?” I didn’t expect him to answer. But
after a pause, he spoke.
“When I first lost my sight, I was depressed,
angry at the world, and I didn’t like her. She
worked long hours, and still took care of me.
One day, she was so tired, she left fish stew on
the stove, went downstairs to buy salt, and
forgot to turn off the heat.” “By the time she
came back, the kitchen was on fire.”
My throat tightened. I was back in that moment,
the heat of the flames lingering in the air. 1
dragged Ethan out of the room, grabbed his
collar, and slapped him. “Are you trying to
die?!” I yelled, my whole body trembling, He
didn’t fight back. After a long silence, he
croaked, “Wouldn’t it be better if I died?
Wouldn’t it be a relief for you?”
In that moment, I realized the once–arrogant
Hayes heir was now a broken, insecure puppy. I
shoved him into his room. The walls were
blackened by the flames. I unbuttoned his shirt.
“I missed dinner. You owe me.”
He seemed to understand. “Are you sure
I silenced him with a kiss. “Ethan, you’re not a
burden to me.”
That night, the world spun, leaving only us.
Now, he recounted this story with Chloe, his
supposed soulmate, by his side. The world
believed it was their memory. A suffocating
sadness bloomed inside me. Ethan’s familiar
<
3:35
yet distant scent enveloped me, overwhelming,
yet no longer mine.
He paused, then finished, as the audience applauded, “I’ll never forget the moonlight that night. It was bright enough to see everything. I couldn’t see, but she talked to me all night.” I clutched my pen, looking down, my eyes
stinging.
