The Road Back to You

The next morning, Violet walked into the office. She was already dreading the inevitable teasing from Jade.

"Good morning, Picasso," Jade smirked, leaning against her desk. "Or should I say, paint warrior?"

"Not you too. I'm still recovering from the embarrassment," Violet groaned. 

"Oh, come on. You threw paint on the almighty Ethan Sinclair and survived. That's legendary," Jade grinned. 

"Barely." Violet muttered. "I think he was actually amused, which is scarier."

Before Jade could reply, Ethan entered the office, his sharp gaze landing briefly on Violet. Their eyes met for a second, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks heating up. Jade noticed and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Uh-oh, someone's flustered."

"Shut up, Jade."

Before their conversation could continue, the office buzzed with excitement. It was Jade Blackwood's birthday, and everyone was busy preparing a surprise party for him. Violet was helping decorate, climbing a ladder to hang fairy lights near the ceiling.

Unbeknownst to her, Maddie had been watching from a distance, her mind scheming. When no one was around, she subtly loosened the bolts on the ladder, ensuring it would give out when Violet was high enough to fall hard. A broken ankle would keep her away from Ethan for at least a week.

Moments later, as Violet stretched up to secure the lights, the ladder wobbled. Before she could react, it snapped beneath her, and she plummeted to the ground with a sharp gasp of pain.

A sudden hush fell over the office as people turned toward the sound of her fall. Ethan, who had been reviewing sketches nearby, looked up just in time to see her crumpled on the floor, clutching her ankle in agony.

"Violet!" his voice was sharp with concern as he rushed to her side, kneeling beside her.

"I—I swear, I wasn't clumsy this time. It just… broke," tears pricked her eyes as she winced. 

Ethan didn't hesitate. Ignoring the watchful eyes of the entire office, he carefully lifted her into his arms, holding her close. Murmurs rippled through the room, but he didn't care. He carried her straight to his office, gently setting her down on the couch.

"Stay here," he instructed firmly before retrieving the first aid kit. He knelt in front of her, inspecting her injury with a frown. "You should get this checked by a doctor."

"It's not that bad. Just hurts like hell," Violet shook her head. 

Ethan sighed but started wrapping her ankle with careful precision. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending an unexplainable shiver up her spine.

"You're staying here for the rest of the day," he declared. "No arguments."

"Yes, boss," Violet sighed in defeat. 

Maddie was so pissed when she saw that her trick brought Ethan and Violet closer rather than keeping them apart. She left the office in frustration.

Hours later, the office lights dimmed as everyone prepared for Jade's arrival. When he walked in, a chorus of "Surprise!" erupted, and the room filled with cheers. He laughed, shaking his head. "You guys planned this?"

Violet, still seated in Ethan's office, clapped along with everyone. Despite her pain, she couldn't miss Jade's birthday. After the cake was cut and the laughter settled, Jade walked over to her.

"I heard about your little accident," he said, sitting beside her. "I'm sorry, Vi. You okay?"

"I'll survive," she said dramatically, making him chuckle.

"Well, at least you got carried away—literally," Jade smirked, glancing at Ethan, who stood across the room, his eyes still flickering toward Violet.

"Tsk... shut up," Violet nudged him. 

As the night wrapped up, Ethan and Jade were heading out when Ethan turned to Violet. "You're not going home alone."

"I—" Violet blinked. 

"No arguments," Ethan cut her off. "Jade and I will drop you."

Without waiting for her response, he bent down and effortlessly picked her up again. Violet let out a squeak, her hands instinctively gripping his shoulders. The office buzzed with whispers as Ethan carried her out, placing her in the backseat of his car where she could sit comfortably.

"So, should I call you Cinderella now?" Jade hopped in beside her, grinning. 

"I hate you," Violet rolled her eyes. 

Ethan smirked as he started the car, his eyes briefly meeting hers through the rearview mirror. "Rest. You've had enough drama for one day."

Violet sighed, leaning back, her heart still racing….not just from the fall, but from the way Ethan Sinclair had looked at her, as if he actually cared.