Page 34 of Ethan: The Untouchable CEO

Great.

Just great.

Exactly the title I was hoping for.

One by one, the women ahead of me step out into the lights, each of them confident, playful, their outfits daring in their own way, but still… tasteful.

Still nowhere near this.

My chest contracts with every second that passes, every name called, every step closer to my turn making the reality of what I’m about to do press harder against my ribs.

Until finally… The last contestant returns, subtly breathless, her cheeks flushed as she presses a glittering tiara into my hands with a bright smile before moving past me.

And just like that, it’s my turn.

My fingers tremble as I lift the tiara, placing it carefully on my head, adjusting it out of instinct more than thought, while I force my lips into a smile that feels real enough to pass.

Then I inhale. Deep. Calm.

And step out.

The lights hit me immediately, bright and unforgiving, the metallic chains of my dress catching every beam, scattering reflections in every direction as if my body has become part of the show.

For half a second, there’s silence.

Then… gasps. Piercing, surprised, unmistakable. Followed almost instantly by cheers, whistles, the sound swelling around me as the music pounds louder, syncing with the rhythm of my heartbeat as I start walking.

One step. Then another.

My hips sway naturally with the beat, every movement deliberate, controlled, as I stop at intervals along the runway, shifting my weight, arching my back, tilting my head, letting the chains slide, shimmer, move.

Zayn’s whistle cuts through the noise, loud and unapologetic, and I can’t help the small, playful wink I throw in his direction as I pass.

Theo gets an exaggerated air-kiss, his laughter carrying easily over the music.

And for a moment… it almost feels easy.

Until… my steps falter. Barely noticeable to anyone else. But I feel it. Because at the far end of the hall, near the entrance, partially shadowed by the dimmer lights, it’s Ethan.

Alone.

Watching.

The air leaves my lungs in quiet, invisible rush, my body reacting before my mind even catches up as my gaze locks onto his.

He’s dressed in black, the suit fitting him like it was made for him, the shirt beneath left open just enough to reveal a glimpse of skin that feels far too distracting for my current state of mind.

His hair looks subtly tousled, like he didn’t bother fixing it, and his posture is relaxed, almost careless.

But his eyes are anything but.

They’re fixed on me.

Completely.

Heat floods my face instantly, my pulse spiking, the room fading at the edges until it seems like everything narrows down to that single point of contact between us.

And something in me shifts.