The morning rush was in full swing. More guests poured into ATLAS, their excited chatter filling the air as they moved toward the different areas of the resort.
The restaurant was already packed.
Ethan observed from a distance, watching as waiters and staff navigated the space with practiced ease.
The restaurant had been designed with two distinct areas — one for regular guests on the ground floor and one exclusively for VIP custors on the upper level.
The difference was clear.
Downstairs, the atmosphere was lively but refined, with long communal tables and cozy booths where guests laughed and enjoyed their als.
The nu here was premium, but not extravagant — high-quality ingredients crafted into elevated comfort food.
Upstairs, however, was a whole different world.
The VIP dining area was all about exclusivity.
Private booths with velvet seats lined the walls, and sleek glass tables were arranged near the balcony overlooking the resort.
Luxury dishes were plated with artistic precision — steak cooked to perfection, seafood delicacies, imported wines, and handcrafted desserts.
The view from up here alone was worth the price of the VIP package.
And Ethan?
He found himself seated at one of the best tables in the VIP lounge, staring at a plate of food that had just been set down in front of him by one of the resort's butlers.
Across from him, lissa smirked.
"Looks like I still got my date," she teased, propping her chin up on one hand.
Ethan rolled his eyes but didn't bother correcting her.
lissa was persistent — that much he had learned over the past few weeks. She was always flirting, always pushing boundaries just to see how he'd react.
And today was no different.
"We should talk," she added, picking up her fork.
Ethan took a slow sip of his drink. "We are talking."
lissa narrowed her eyes at him. "You know what I an."
He sighed, setting his glass down. "Alright. About what?"
lissa leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table.
"About what happens after today."
Ethan's expression didn't change, but he already knew what she was getting at.
"ATLAS is officially open," she continued. "The launch was a success. Investors are already paying attention. So, what's next for you?"
Ethan exhaled. It was a fair question. A big question.
He'd spent so much ti focusing on making sure the resort's launch went perfectly that he hadn't allowed himself to think much further ahead.
lissa, however, wasn't one to let things slide.
"You're not the type to sit back and let things run on autopilot," she said. "You're already thinking of your next move, aren't you?"
Ethan tapped his fingers against the table, considering his words carefully.
"You could say that," he admitted.
lissa smiled. "See? I know you too well."
Ethan shook his head. "You think you do."
She just grinned. "I do."
Ethan didn't argue. Instead, he glanced out over the balcony, watching as more guests arrived at the resort.
The excitent was still growing, and if things continued at this pace, ATLAS was going to beco one of the most talked-about luxury resorts of the year.
The atmosphere between them gradually shifted.
Ethan had initially expected this conversation to revolve around business, maybe so playful banter from lissa about their 'date,' but surprisingly, she took a different approach.
"So," she began, twirling her fork idly, "we've talked enough about ATLAS. Let's talk about sothing else."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, cutting into his steak. "Sothing else?"
"Yes," she said, propping her chin up with one hand. "Sothing personal."
Ethan paused mid-bite, then smirked slightly. "You trying to pry into my private life, lissa?"
"Obviously," she admitted without hesitation. "It's only fair. You know a lot about my business life, but you don't know much else about , do you?"
Ethan didn't argue. Instead, he gave a casual shrug.
lissa took that as a cue to share a little about herself.
"I have two brothers," she said. "One you already know — Adrian. The other… well, he's halfway across the world in Africa."
Ethan blinked, montarily caught off guard. "Africa?"
lissa nodded. "Yeah. He's setting up a business over there. Says he wants to learn more about foreign markets, different cultures, that sort of thing. He always had a thing for adventure."
Ethan hadn't expected that. He had only ever heard about Adrian Sinclair, the powerful businessman, but not about a third sibling.
"You close with him?" he asked.
lissa hesitated for a second before giving a small nod. "Yeah, I'd say so. We talk when we can, but with the ti difference, it's not easy."
Ethan could hear a slight fondness in her voice when she spoke about him.
She then playfully tilted her head. "Your turn. You have any siblings?"
Ethan smirked and leaned back in his seat. "Not falling for that, lissa. You think I don't know what you're doing?"
lissa feigned innocence, a mischievous glint in her eye. "What? I'm just making conversation."
"You're fishing for information," Ethan corrected.
"And?" she teased. "Is that a cri?"
Ethan shook his head, unable to stop the slight chuckle that escaped. He had to admit — lissa had a way of pulling people into her pace.
The conversation continued in a lighter, more personal tone.
lissa talked about her childhood, how Adrian had always been the protective older brother, and how she used to get away with things because she was the youngest.
At so point, Ethan was genuinely intrigued, not just by what she was saying, but by how casual and natural this conversation felt.
Then, mid-sentence, lissa suddenly stopped, her eyes flicking to the corner of his mouth.
"You got sothing there," she said.
Ethan instinctively raised a hand, but before he could wipe it off, lissa leaned forward slightly, pulling out a handkerchief from her pocket.
"Stay still," she murmured, dabbing the small smudge away with surprising gentleness.
Ethan froze for a fraction of a second.
Her touch was light, her expression amused yet focused, and if Ethan wasn't mistaken, there was a slight smile playing on her lips.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Ethan muttered.
lissa grinned, pulling the handkerchief away. "Just a little."
Before Ethan could say anything else, the mont was abruptly interrupted.
A presence entered the room — one that instantly changed the entire atmosphere.
Adrian Sinclair had arrived.
Ethan didn't have to turn around to know. He could feel the weight of that presence.
When he did look up, there Adrian stood — towering, poised, and distinctly unamused.
His eyes weren't scanning the resort or admiring the setup. No, his attention was fixed entirely on one thing.
Ethan.
More specifically, Ethan sitting across from his younger sister.
Ethan barely resisted the urge to sigh.
'Great.'
He swore he could feel daggers being stared right into his skull.
Reviews
All reviews (0)