A Line in the Sand

Ethan Wen was not a man who got distracted.

His entire career had been built on ruthless efficiency, on a mind sharp enough to cut through the bullshit and focus on what mattered.

So why the hell was he thinking about Noah Reid?

It had been three days since that damn conversation in his office. Three days since Noah had casually handed him a sugared coffee and challenged him with nothing more than a few well-placed words.

And Ethan hadn’t stopped thinking about it.

About the way Noah’s voice had dipped just slightly lower. About the way his eyes had glimmered, as if he knew something Ethan didn’t.

It was infuriating.

Worse, it was dangerous.

Because Ethan Wen did not hesitate. He did not second-guess himself.

And yet, here he was, staring at his own reflection in the boardroom’s tinted windows, jaw tight, pulse unsteady, and wondering why the hell it felt like Noah was getting to him.

Friday – 10:45 AM – Weekly Board Meeting

Ethan sat at the head of the long conference table, surrounded by executives. Numbers were being discussed—projections, stock performance, upcoming expansion plans.

He should have been focused.

But his gaze kept flickering toward Noah, who stood just off to the side, tablet in hand, expression cool and unreadable.

Ethan clenched his jaw.

He had never really paid attention to how Noah carried himself before.

The confidence in his stance. The way he never fidgeted, never looked away first when Ethan’s eyes met his.

The way he always seemed so in control, even when standing beside one of the most powerful men in the city.

Noah was… different.

And Ethan hated that he was noticing.

“…Mr. Wen?”

Ethan blinked.

The room had gone silent.

The executives were looking at him, waiting.

Noah, standing beside him, didn’t say a word. But there was something in his gaze—amusement.

He knew Ethan had been distracted.

Ethan exhaled slowly, gripping the pen in his hand just a little too tightly.

“Repeat that.” His voice was steady, even.

The CFO hesitated, then cleared his throat. “We were discussing the proposed restructuring of the sales division. Would you like to review the final model before it’s implemented?”

Ethan nodded curtly. “Yes. Have it sent to my office.”

The meeting continued.

But Ethan could feel Noah watching him.

And for the first time, Ethan wasn’t sure if he was winning this game anymore.

Friday – 7:30 PM – The Elevator Incident

By the time Ethan finally left his office, the building was mostly empty.

He stepped into the elevator, rubbing his temple. His head was a mess—too many thoughts, too many things he didn’t want to analyze.

Then, just as the doors were about to close—

A hand slid between them.

Ethan looked up.

Noah.

Ethan stiffened.

Noah stepped inside, the doors closing behind him. The air in the small space shifted, crackling with something unspoken.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the soft hum of the elevator descending.

Then Noah casually leaned against the wall, glancing at Ethan.

“You’ve been acting strange, sir.”

Ethan turned his head slowly. “Excuse me?”

Noah met his gaze, unwavering. “You were distracted during the board meeting. And just now, you didn’t even hear the elevator open. That’s… unlike you.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “I’m fine.”

Noah didn’t look convinced. “Are you?”

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Are you always this insubordinate?”

Noah smirked. “Only when I know I can get away with it.”

Ethan exhaled sharply. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Reid.”

Noah’s expression didn’t change. “Am I?”

Silence.

A slow, unbearable tension coiled between them.

Then—

The elevator shuddered.

A sudden jolt. A flicker of the lights. And then—nothing.

Ethan frowned. “What the hell—”

Noah sighed. “Looks like the elevator’s stuck.”

Ethan reached for the emergency button, pressing it once. A pause, then a staticky voice crackled through the speaker.

“This is building security. We’re experiencing a minor technical issue. The backup system should reboot in about ten minutes.”

Ethan exhaled. “Fantastic.”

A low chuckle.

Ethan turned his head sharply. “Something funny?”

Noah smiled slightly. “Just ironic, sir. You and I, trapped together in an elevator.”

Ethan ran a hand through his hair. “Of course, this would happen.”

Noah tilted his head. “Is that such a bad thing?”

Ethan gave him a sharp look. “Yes.”

Silence.

The air was too heavy, too charged.

Then, Noah spoke again—his voice quieter this time.

“You really don’t like being around me, do you?”

Ethan clenched his jaw. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

Noah studied him for a long moment.

Then he did something unexpected.

He stepped forward.

Just enough to test the boundary between them.

Ethan’s pulse spiked.

His body tensed, instinct screaming at him to step back—but he didn’t.

Couldn’t.

Noah’s eyes searched his. “You keep pushing me away, sir. Why?”

Ethan exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain still. “You’re my secretary.”

Noah hummed. “That’s not an answer.”

Ethan glared. “It’s the only answer you’re getting.”

The elevator suddenly hummed back to life.

The doors slid open.

Ethan moved first, stepping out without looking back.

Noah didn’t follow immediately.

Instead, he lingered—just long enough for his voice to reach Ethan’s ears.

“I think you’re afraid of something, sir.”

Ethan froze.

Noah’s voice was smooth. Even. Infuriatingly calm.

And then, with one last glance, he turned and walked away.

Leaving Ethan standing in the hallway—jaw tight, fists clenched, heart pounding—wondering if maybe, just maybe, Noah was right.

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