"Miss Lewis,"
Marjorie raised her head from her chair to look at the lovely blond receptionist.
"Mr. Holden will see you right away."
"Thank you, Cecil." She wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt and inhaled deeply before following the secretary to Ethan Holden's office.
As Cecil pushed open the double doors, Marjorie thought it was too late to turn around. She didn't want to contact Ethan for help after breaking up with the man, but there was nothing else she could do. And she was certain her family, especially her brother, Brad, would be furious if they found out she had gone back to her ex-fiancé, but Ethan was the only person she knew who could help.
"Mr. Holden," Cecil announced, "Miss Lewis is here to see you."
Ethan Holden's gaze lifted to Marjorie's familiar face and her body underneath her red surplise dress for a brief second before returning to the papers in front of him. If he was shocked that she came to see him, he didn't show it.
"Thank you, Cecil. That will be all."
His secretary walked out the door, closing it behind her. Marjorie stood in the huge room, unsure if she should take a seat across from him or wait to be seated. She waited for a moment, but when he didn't say anything, she decided to take a seat.
Was he aware of why she was here? They hadn't seen each other in two years. And now, looking at him, she was positive something had changed, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Sitting so close to him, it was impossible not to notice how much more handsome he had grown. Or maybe he'd been this attractive all along, and she just didn't notice it when he was still hers. Although she had noticed it before, when Ethan Holden walked into the room, people stopped and took notice. He exuded an unmistakable authority.
Even before, Marjorie couldn’t deny it.
Yet Ethan Holden had a reputation for being a playboy, which she had assumed would go away once they were engaged. But when photos of him with one woman after another kept circulating, she ended things between them.
However, he hadn't been spotted with a single woman lately.
Perhaps he has changed?
Ethan finally looked at her after what seemed like hours, but was most likely only a few minutes.
"How have you been, Marjorie? You look fantastic."
"I'm..." she paused, clearing her voice. "I'm fine."
"And to what do I owe this pleasure? How is Lindsey?"
"My mom is fine." She instantly rose to her feet.
"Are you all right? Please have a seat."
"No, Ethan. I won't. I can't. Look, I'm not sure how else to put it, but my family is in big trouble. Dad has caused yet another mess, and this time he has dug a rather deep hole," she said, her anger rising with each word.
"You're very upset. What exactly did George do?"
"We're going to lose it all. The business. My life. Everything."
"But how—"
"And I'm furious with my dad. My mom hasn't eaten in days, and Brad is equally furious. He would have murdered dad if it hadn't been for Mom."
"So, it's that serious, huh?" Ethan remarked, leaning back in his chair and giving her his full attention.
Marjorie sat down and ran her fingers through her blonde hair. "I know we haven't actually talked since—"
"Since the day you broke up with me?"
"—since I left your apartment."
"Right."
"But I don't know anyone who could truly help me. I don't want to lose everything my grandparents have worked so hard to build for us." Her voice shook slightly, and she closed her eyes tightly to keep tears from forming.
Ethan sat motionless in his chair. As he waited, he pressed his lips together, judging Marjorie's situation.
"I'm sorry you're upset, Marjorie. And I'm glad you came to see me." His words were gentle and cautious, yet they sliced through her anger.
"I'm sick of having to clean up after his shit, you know? And mom, she's just—I'm not sure. I believe she's so in love with him that she's willing to tolerate every shithole he's dug for this family."
"Sweetheart, what happened?"
"Dad...he...he messed up big time. He gambled on the only business we have left," she muttered, her brow furrowed over her sapphire eyes and her peach-colored lips pursed. As her chest heaved in her tight blue dress, the sound of her breath filled the room.
"Are you sure?"
"What do you think?!"
"Alright. What do you want, sweetheart?"
Her heart was pounding violently in her chest at the question. He had to help her. Surely he would help her. And despite the fact that her family was never fond of Ethan, particularly her brother Brad, they had some pleasant experiences together. And those moments should count.
Oh, please let it count.
"I…"
Ethan smiled. He already knew. "Does Brad or Lindsey know you're here?"
"No," Marjorie replied. "They'd be upset if I came to you with this, but..."
"But?"
"They're not in a position to object."
"I get what you mean. And what exactly do you want from me, Marjorie?"
Marjorie swallowed, unable to stop fidgeting with her skirt's trim. She hated approaching him for help. Especially after all the curses she had hurled at him before throwing her engagement ring at him. However, difficult times require extreme measures.
"I was hoping you might be able to assist us with a loan of some sort. Our company may be struggling right now, but I am confident that we will be able to get back on track."
"Marjorie, do you have any clue how much trouble Pandora's Box is in?"
"Three of our branches closed last year, leaving us with only two. So, absolutely, Ethan, I know. But believe me when I say that this year will be different. We will turn things around this year. We're working on some deals..."
"Guaranteed to close before the end of the month?"
"No, but－"
"You're willing to go to any length to save your company, aren't you?"
She gave a slight nod. She wasn't only mad to ask her ex-fiance, but really desperate, too. But Ethan had the money and the power, and without his help, her family and everything they'd worked so hard for would be gone.
"Right now, we're in a lot of debt. Our firm is collapsing, and it's taking a toll on everyone - Brad's marriage; and mom is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Riley, on the other hand, has been avoiding us. Who knows what that girl has been doing to cope with dad's drinking and gambling problem? My family is falling apart, and if I don't do anything, we will lose our business too.” Marjorie didn't know she'd taken a step forward in front of Ethan's desk until the front of her thighs brushed up against the edge of it.
“I heard your family’s having problem. I didn’t know it was this bad." Ethan muttered. “As your ex-fiance, obviously, I am your last lifeline. Am I right?"
"I wouldn't ask, but there isn't anyone else. I realize I'm asking for a lot, but I have to. When we get the money back, we will repay every penny."
"What if I lend you this money and George gambles on your company again next month?"
"I’ve already come up with a plan."
"How about the payment? What if Pandora's Box doesn't earn enough money this year to cover the interest?"
"I'll come up with another way to pay."
His eyes widened slightly, and she flushed. She hadn't intended it to sound that way.
"Another method of payment?"
"I mean, there has to be some way for me to repay you." You can even double the interest in two years."
"I doubt you'll be able to repay me in five years, Marjorie."
"Well, there must be something you need or want."
Ethan smirked as she blushed at the words that came out of her mouth. Again, Marjorie did not intend for it to sound that way.
He looked at her, wondering what she would say if he told her the only thing he wanted was to have her back in his life. He couldn't deny the effect she still had on him, and if he could go back in time, he'd do anything to rectify the horrible mistakes he made that eventually drove them apart.
"Perhaps you're right," he said as he rose from his chair and approached Marjorie. His grey eyes were calm as he stared straight at her.
Marjorie stood firm. She had always taken pride in being a strong woman, one who couldn't be won over by charisma or a charming smile alone - certainly not by her ex-fiance.
"Shall we then seal the deal?" He took another step and whispered. "Turn around."
"What?"
"Marjorie, turn around and place your hands on the desk."
