Cynthia burst out laughing.
Ethan just looked way too entertained.
Lila covered her face with her hands, groaning. "I hate both of you."
Cynthia, still laughing, lifted her fork in a mock toast.
"To domestic bliss," she said.
Ethan clinked his coffee mug against her fork, completely playing along.
Lila wanted to disappear.
But at the same time…
Even though she was flustered and embarrassed, she couldn’t help but smile.
Because, in its own weird way, this — the teasing, the easy banter, the comfortable atmosphere — it felt… nice.
Really nice.
And maybe, just maybe…
She could get used to this.
They ate in companionable silence, the occasional clink of forks against plates filling the small apartment.
Cynthia, for once, was content, and that was saying a lot considering how loud and opinionated she usually was.
The food was too good to waste energy talking, and she had to admit, having Ethan around wasn’t so bad.
He cooked, he was quiet when needed, and — she snuck another glance at him — he was way too easy on the eyes.
He was like the perfect boyfriend and she couldn’t help but think her roommate lucked out big time, now all he needed to do was to be some Mafia boss or rich guy and they would be set.
Lila, of course, was acting normal again, even daring to sneak a few small touches here and there, brushing Ethan’s hand when reaching for something or pressing her knee against his under the table.
Ethan, for his part, didn’t seem to mind.
He’d just glance at her now and then, a small amused curve to his lips, like he enjoyed watching her squirm.
Cynthia finished her plate and let out a content sigh before standing up and heading to the small refrigerator in the corner of the apartment.
"I’m getting drinks," she announced, throwing the door open.
The cold air hit her face, blowing her hair back a bit and she started navigating through the bottles of alcohol she’d shoved in there earlier.
Not for now, of course. That was for later. It was clear after yesterday’s incident, she didn’t want to bring out the alcohol right now, and besides she had to at least look presentable to him.
Instead, she grabbed a couple of cold sodas and malt drinks before turning back around.
She tossed Ethan a malt.
With zero hesitation, he caught it midair, popping it open in an instant.
Cynthia froze.
’Okay. That was… smooth.’
Her eyes widened slightly, eyebrows raising as she processed what just happened.
His reflexes were insane.
Not just normal guy-who-goes-to-the-gym good, but pro-athlete, been-in-danger-before kind of good.
She narrowed her eyes.
"Nice reflexes," she muttered, cracking open her own drink and taking a sip.
Ethan glanced at her, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Thanks."
Cynthia wasn’t convinced.
She’d seen this face somewhere before.
She was damn sure of it.
The more she looked at him, the more that feeling nagged at her.
Something about the way he carried himself.
The calm, the control, the confidence — like nothing could faze him.
Like he was used to having power.
And then it hit her.
The puzzle pieces clicked together in an instant.
ATLA?
ATOM?
No. Atlas.
The name sat on the tip of her tongue for a second before everything rushed back at once.
’Holy Shit.’
She had seen his face before. Everywhere.
On social media. On news articles. On business feeds.
He wasn’t just some guy.
He was the owner of ATLAS.
Cynthia’s eyes widened further.
And then, without thinking, she blurted out —
"Wait. You’re that Ethan."
Lila, who had been in the middle of taking a sip of her drink, immediately choked.
Ethan sighed, clearly expecting this reaction.
He leaned back in his chair, malt drink still in hand, and looked at Cynthia with mild amusement.
"You’re just realizing that now?"
Cynthia stared at him.
Lila wiped her mouth, still coughing.
"Cynthia, please," Lila muttered, mortified beyond belief.
But Cynthia wasn’t going to let this go.
"No, no, wait — " she pointed a finger at Ethan, completely ignoring Lila’s suffering. "You’re the owner of that resort. The guy with the stupid expensive clothes, the one who basically owns the best resort in the city."
Ethan looked entirely unbothered.
"Something like that."
Cynthia gawked.
And then she turned to Lila.
Her sweet, shy, wouldn’t-hurt-a-fly roommate who had never once mentioned that her boyfriend was one of the richest men in the goddamn city.
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"Lila," Cynthia said slowly. "You’re telling me you’ve been dating a multi-millionaire and didn’t think to mention it?"
Lila sank deeper into her chair.
"I didn’t think it was important," she mumbled.
Cynthia nearly dropped her drink.
"Didn’t think it was important?!" She turned back to Ethan. "Are you hearing this? This girl just casually forgot to tell me she’s dating a man who probably has more security guards than I have socks."
Ethan chuckled, actually chuckled, before taking another sip of his drink.
Lila, meanwhile, was seconds away from jumping out the window.
Cynthia shook her head in disbelief.
She had so many questions.
Like —
How the hell did this even happen?
How did Lila — sweet, soft-spoken, easily flustered Lila — end up with someone like Ethan?
A man who probably made million-dollar deals before breakfast?
Cynthia narrowed her eyes at him.
"Alright, spill. How did this happen?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "How did what happen?"
"You. And Lila." Cynthia gestured between them. "Like, no offense, but you look like you belong at some fancy gala, and she — "
Lila immediately slapped a hand over Cynthia’s mouth.
"Cynthia. Stop talking."
Ethan just smirked.
Cynthia yanked Lila’s hand off her face, not done interrogating.
She turned back to Ethan, still looking skeptical.
"I’m just saying, rich guys don’t usually date normal college girls."
Ethan leaned forward slightly, his smirk never faltering.
"And what exactly," he asked, voice smooth, "makes you think I’m interested in normal?"
Cynthia blinked.
Lila froze.
The room was suddenly way too warm.
Cynthia opened her mouth, then closed it, not sure how to respond to that.
Lila, meanwhile, was practically burning alive in her seat.
"Alright," Cynthia muttered, finally looking away. "Damn. You win this round."
Ethan just smiled into his drink.