Chapter 3 The adventure

The stranger's words echoed in my mind, "You don't know what you've gotten yourself into." I felt a chill run down my spine, a sense of foreboding. Ethan's grip on my arm tightened, as if he sensed my unease.

"Let's get out of here," he whispered, leading me back into the ballroom. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was walking into a trap, a trap of my own making.

As we made our way through the crowds, I caught glimpses of the stranger, his eyes always on me, his expression unreadable. I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't understand, a game where the stakes were higher than I could ever imagine.

And then, just as we were leaving the gala, the stranger appeared beside me once more. "Remember, Ava," he whispered, his breath hot on my ear. "You have no idea what you're up against."

Ethan spun me around, his eyes blazing with anger. "That's enough," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Leave us alone."

The stranger smirked, a cold smile that sent shivers down my spine. "Oh, I'm just getting started," he said, his eyes glinting with a hint of malice.

And with that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving me feeling like I was trapped in a web of secrets and lies. Ethan's grip on my arm tightened, his fingers digging into my skin like a vice.

"Let's get out of here," he repeated, his voice dripping with urgency. "We need to talk."

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation. What secrets was Ethan hiding? And what did the stranger's ominous warnings mean?

As we sped away from the gala in Ethan's sleek black car, I felt like I was hurtling towards a destiny I couldn't control. The city lights blurred into a kaleidoscope of color, my mind reeling with questions.

What had I gotten myself into? And how could I escape?

Ethan's driver, a stern-looking man with a granite jaw, eyed me in the rearview mirror. I felt like a prisoner, trapped in a world of luxury and deceit.

As we pulled up to the penthouse, Ethan's grip on my arm tightened. "We need to talk," he repeated, his voice low and urgent.

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation. What secrets was he hiding? What lies had he told me?

As we entered the penthouse, I saw a figure waiting in the shadows. Rachel, Ethan's assistant, her eyes gleaming with a knowing look.

"Ava, welcome," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see you're getting comfortable in your new role."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. What did she know? What had Ethan told her?

Ethan led me to the living room, his eyes burning with an intensity that made my skin crawl. "Ava, we need to discuss our arrangement," he said, his voice cold and detached.

I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't understand, a game where the stakes were higher than I could ever imagine. And I knew I had to play along, or risk losing everything.

Ethan's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through me. "You see, Ava, our marriage is not just a union between two people. It's a business deal, a merger of two empires."

I felt a chill run down my spine as he spoke, his words dripping with calculation.

"You bring the artistic talent, the creativity. I bring the resources, the connections. Together, we'll build a brand that will dominate the art world."

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog. "But what about love, Ethan? What about feelings?"

He laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Feelings are for the weak, Ava. In our world, it's all about power and profit."

I felt a surge of anger, a spark of defiance. "I won't be a part of this, Ethan. I won't be a pawn in your game."

But he just smiled, his eyes glinting with triumph. "Oh, but you already are, Ava. You're already mine."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he spoke, his words dripping with possession. I knew I had to think fast, to come up with a plan to escape this gilded cage.

"I need some fresh air," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "May I step out onto the balcony?"

Ethan's eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "Of course, my dear. But don't get too close to the edge. I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

I forced a smile, my heart racing with fear. As I stepped out onto the balcony, I felt a sense of freedom, however fleeting. The city lights twinkled below, a reminder of the world beyond this penthouse prison.

I took a deep breath, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. And then, I saw it - a glimmer of hope, a chance to break free from Ethan's grasp. A helicopter, hovering in the sky, its searchlight scanning the rooftops.

Without hesitation, I waved my arms, shouting at the top of my lungs. The helicopter swooped down, its rotors whirring as it landed on the rooftop. I didn't hesitate, dashing towards it with all the speed I could muster.

As I climbed aboard, I felt a sense of liberation, a sense of freedom. I was finally escaping Ethan's grasp, finally breaking free from his web of deceit.

But as the helicopter soared into the sky, I knew I wasn't safe yet. Ethan would stop at nothing to get me back, to keep me trapped in his world of luxury and lies.

I had to find a way to expose him, to reveal the truth behind his empire of deceit. And I knew just the person to help me - the stranger, with his piercing green eyes and his warnings of danger.

I called the stranger, my heart racing. "Ava, where are you?" he asked, concern etched in his voice. "In a helicopter, away from Ethan's penthouse," I replied. "I'll meet you at the landing site," he said. I felt relief, knowing I had an ally in this dangerous game.