Rewriting My Heart's Fate

I didn't accept his offer right away. Instead, I asked, "Mr. Grayson, you aren't solely interested in my work. Am I right?"

Ethan looked a little surprised by how straightforward I was, but he regained his composure very soon. "That's right. Your designs are outstanding, but you've caught my attention." At that moment, I felt as though he could see right through me.

He continued, "You're talented and determined. You're tenacious and resilient. I appreciate that."

I never thought he'd say that about me, and I didn't know how to respond.

"Thank you," I told him. "Pardon my abruptness, but I think things aren't that simple. It's so sudden that you want us to collaborate."

"Oh?" Ethan lifted an eyebrow. "What do you think I have in mind then?"

I took a deep breath, mustering my courage. "You suddenly showed goodwill. Was it because of... our past?"

My cheeks burned when I posed the question. Our past wasn't particularly pleasant, after all.

that I'm trying to get close to you under the guise of

and making my cheek burn even more. He was so straightforward

Ethan with a helpless smile. "It's purely business that I asked to collaborate with you. You don't

in the past now. We

hearing his words. I was beyond the pain and regret I once felt, so I shouldn't be overthinking it. Why should I assume that

case, I happily

pretending to be calm and unperturbed. "I have a

but business between the two of us. I

he gave his word. As impulsive

with you," he said, extending a hand

hesitate. We shook

with a new