No escape

Ethan Wen didn’t run from problems.

He confronted them. Shut them down. Erased them before they could become a threat.

And yet—

For the past two days, he’d been avoiding Noah Reid.

It was pathetic.

Every time he passed Noah’s desk, something in his chest twisted.

Every time Noah spoke, Ethan’s pulse quickened.

And worst of all—

Noah knew.

The way he watched him. The way his lips curved in that almost-smirk, as if he was waiting for Ethan to crack.

It was unbearable.

Ethan needed an escape.

But instead—

Fate decided to trap him.

Saturday – 3:00 PM – Private Jet

Ethan wasn’t in the mood for a business trip.

But the deal with Sterling International required in-person negotiations, and Ethan wasn’t about to lose to the competition.

So here he was—boarding a private jet to Chicago.

And of course—

Noah was coming too.

Ethan had half a mind to bring someone else. But Noah had already organized everything—flights, accommodations, schedules—before Ethan could object.

So now, they were stuck.

Together.

For three hours.

Fantastic.

Ethan settled into his seat, rubbing his temples. Across from him, Noah was reviewing notes, unbothered as ever.

The silence stretched between them.

And then—

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

Ethan’s fingers twitched.

He glanced up, expression neutral. “I’ve been busy.”

Noah hummed. “Right.”

Ethan exhaled sharply. “Drop it, Reid.”

Noah smirked. “If you say so, sir.”

Ethan clenched his jaw. Sir.

Lately, it sounded more like a challenge than a title.

He needed a distraction. Something else to focus on.

But then—

Turbulence.

The jet jerked, sudden and sharp.

Ethan’s stomach dropped. His fingers dug into the armrests.

Another jolt. The cabin lights flickered.

And then—

A hand.

Warm. Steady. Noah’s.

Ethan barely processed it before Noah spoke, voice calm. “It’s just turbulence. You’re fine.”

Ethan’s pulse hammered.

Not from the turbulence.

From the contact.

Noah’s fingers were wrapped around his wrist—firm, grounding.

Ethan should have pulled away.

But for some reason—

He didn’t.

Saturday – 6:45 PM – Hotel Suite

By the time they landed, Ethan was on edge.

He needed space. A clear head.

So when they arrived at the hotel, he was more than ready to retreat to his suite—

Until the receptionist frowned at the computer screen.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Wen, but it seems there’s been an issue with the reservations.”

Ethan tensed. “What issue?”

She bit her lip. “There’s only one suite available.”

Silence.

Ethan’s temper flared. “Fix it.”

The receptionist flinched. “I—I’m afraid we’re fully booked. But the suite is spacious! Two bedrooms, separate living areas—”

Ethan turned to Noah.

Noah raised an eyebrow. “Not my fault.”

Ethan exhaled sharply. “Fine.”

It was one night.

He could survive one night.

Right?

Saturday – 11:30 PM – Unwanted Conversations

Ethan had planned to ignore Noah for the rest of the night.

But now, here they were—stuck in the same damn space.

Noah had already made himself comfortable, seated on the suite’s couch with a drink in hand.

Ethan tried to focus on his laptop.

But after thirty minutes of Noah’s presence lingering in the room, he snapped.

“Do you have to sit there?”

Noah didn’t look up. “It’s my suite too.”

Ethan exhaled sharply. “I need to work.”

Noah smirked. “And I need a drink. We all have needs, sir.”

Ethan glared. “You think you’re funny, don’t you?”

Noah finally met his gaze. “Not really. But I think you’re lying to yourself.”

Ethan’s grip tightened on his laptop. “Excuse me?”

Noah set down his glass. Leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “You’ve been acting different.”

Ethan’s pulse ticked up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Noah studied him. “James Carter implied something about you the other night.”

Ethan stiffened.

Noah’s eyes darkened. “And you didn’t deny it.”

Silence.

A slow, suffocating silence.

Ethan’s breath came too fast.

He needed to shut this down. Now.

“I don’t owe you an explanation,” he said coldly.

Noah didn’t flinch. “I never asked for one.”

More silence.

And then—

Noah tilted his head.

A fraction. Just enough.

“I just think,” he said, voice quiet, “that maybe you’re more afraid of the answer than I am.”

Ethan’s chest tightened.

His fists clenched. His jaw locked.

And before he could stop himself—

He stood up.

Walked out.

Left Noah sitting there, the weight of his words still hanging in the air.

Because for the first time in Ethan Wen’s life—

He wasn’t sure if he hated Noah’s words.

Or the fact that part of him agreed.

Breaking the Glass Closet

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***