The CEO’s Secret Lover Watched Him Choose Another Chapter 05

The CEO’s Secret Lover Watched Him Choose Another Chapter 05

The meteor shower lit up the group chat. 

From the moment the first one appeared, everyone on the trip was posting photos, but most phones couldn’t capture anything decent, especially from the hotel. 

So when Ethan posted shots from his professional camera, taken from the prime lookout, the chat exploded. 

“Okay, that’s insane. Did he bring that camera just for Sophia?” 

“I saw him using it earlier. That lens alone must’ve cost a fortune.” 

comments. 

Ethan smiled to himself as he read the 

The camera and lens together had set him back a pretty penny. Olivia had asked someone from the photography club to help her pick them out. It was her graduation gift to him. 

If her suitcase had been bigger, he could’ve brought the whole setup and gotten even better shots. 

His thoughts stalled. 

He remembered her suitcase. He’d lifted it before they left. It was heavy… heavy enough that he’d paid an overweight bag fee at check–in. But at the time, he’d 

figured he was going to come clean about them anyway. He’d carry her bags; one suitcase was easier 

than two. 

So he’d shoved his things and the camera gear in 

with hers. She’d struggled to zip it shut. 

Then, at the hotel, Jake had pulled out the drawing. 

Ethan had gone to him, intending to say that he 

and Olivia were together and they should sit this out. 

Before he could speak, Jake had thrown an arm 

around his shoulders. “Dude. Last chance.” 

“When you draw, let Sophia go first. Look for the one with the little bump. I set it up for you two.” 

He’d frozen, something in his chest kicking. 

Jake leaned in. “Sophia already said yes. You know 

what that means, right?” 

“Don’t blow this. If you let it go, you’re looking at 

once a year, maybe. Reunions.” 

Once a year. A year until he saw her again. That was 

too long. 

So he’d reached in, pulled 7, and ended up rooming 

with Sophia. 

Halfway through the trip, he’d gone to Olivia’s 

room and taken his things back. Lighter suitcase. 

Easier for her to handle. 

She’d be fine, right? 

A flicker of unease crossed his mind. He scrolled 

through the group chat. No photos from Olivia. She hadn’t said anything at all. 

Frowning, he pulled up her contact. 

“Did you see the meteor shower? You can see it from the hotel.” 

“If not, check the roof. The pamphlet mentioned it. Or ask the front desk.” 

Before he could send more, Sophia called out, “Ethan, take a photo of me with the meteor shower! My phone won’t do it.” 

He set his phone down and spent the next hour photographing her, then both of them together. When his memory card filled up, he went to find a spare. 

Transferring files to his laptop, he saw the folder, full of Sophia. Full of them. 

Olivia had given him the camera so he could take pictures of the two of them. 

Guilt pricked at him. He stopped the transfer and 

grabbed his phone. 

No reply. 

He typed, [Still nothing? Everyone in the group saw it. Go find Jake, he’s got a good spot.] 

After a pause, he added, [Don’t say I told you to go. Better if people don’t know about us. It’d just make things weird.] 

He sent a few more while Sophia watched the sky. [I’m not hiding us forever. I just think we need to let people get used to it first.] 

[After the trip, we start our jobs. We 

should focus on our careers first.] 

[Once we’re stable, I’ll organize a reunion, tell everyone then. Propose, even. How’s that?] 

He put his phone away and went back outside. 

Sophia pressed close to him. That scent he’d been addicted to since freshman year filled his senses. 

“Ethan, Jake said you got the offer from that big tech company. Is that true?” 

He nodded. “I start the day after tomorrow.” 

Her eyes crinkled with delight. “That company only hires based on merit. You can’t even buy your way in. Ethan, that’s amazing!” 

She leaned into him, tucking herself under his arm. 

“I heard employees can refer family for jobs…. Could you refer me? It’s so close to where I live. It’d be perfect.” 

Ethan stiffened. 

He avoided her eager gaze. “I… I can’t refer 

anyone.” 

“Why not? I checked the website. Even with just an 

offer letter, you can refer someone. It’s just a formality.” Her voice wavered. “Unless… you don’t 

want to help me?” 

“No, no, it’s not that.” 

She looked like she was about to cry. He scrambled 

for words. 

“Someone referred me in. So I don’t have the 

authority to refer anyone else. Maybe look at other options?” 

Sophia pulled away sharply. 

“Who referred you?”