The next morning started like any other.
He was in his office, reviewing stock reports when Charlie called again. Ethan's heart gave an unexpected lurch when he saw Charlie's name on the screen.
Odd. He was always happy to hear from the goofball.
"Dude, you won't believe it," Charlie's voice crackled through the phone. "She's engaged."
Ethan blinked at the words, feeling an almost physical jolt in his chest. Engaged. The word felt like a punch to the gut.
"Who?" Ethan croaked, even though he knew exactly who Charlie was talking about.
"TheWittyOne88," Charlie said casually, like he was talking about the weather. "Yeah, she posted a video this morning—she's got a huge rock on her finger, man. It's official."
Ethan's mind raced as he opened TikTok without thinking. There she was.
The video opened, showing the same balcony, but now she was sitting with her back to the camera, still wearing the hat and sunglasses.
"Hey everyone," she said, her voice a bit more casual than in her scripted videos. "I don't usually do these, but I've got some news to share."
Ethan leaned forward, intrigued.
"So, I've been pretty quiet about my personal life, but something major happened yesterday, and I'm still processing it." She paused, and Ethan could hear the smile in her voice. "I got engaged."
Ethan felt like he'd been punched in the gut. Engaged? TheWittyOne88 was engaged?
"I know, I know," she continued, responding to the flood of comments. "It's sudden, and totally out of character for someone who makes fun of romantic comedies for a living. But sometimes life surprises you, I guess."
She turned slightly, revealing her profile, though still mostly obscured by the hat and glasses. "Anyway, I won't be sharing any details because, you know, privacy and all that. But I wanted to let you all know since it might affect my content schedule for a bit."
Ethan's thumb froze on the screen. The video continued, but it felt like the world had slowed to a crawl.
She was engaged. It wasn't supposed to matter. He didn't even know her. So why did he feel like he'd just been hit with a bucket of ice water?
He watched it again. And then again.
Her sarcasm was still there, but there was something new in her eyes. Something that spoke of genuine emotion. Maybe it was the fact that her tone was more vulnerable than usual, like she was trying to convince herself that everything was okay.
Ethan closed the app, feeling strangely hollow. Why did he care? He didn't even know this woman. They had never spoken. She was just some internet personality who made funny videos.
And yet, he couldn't shake the sense of loss. It was absurd, but he felt like he'd missed his chance at something important.
He felt a sharp pang in his chest. Why am I feeling this way? It was irrational, crazy, and utterly ridiculous. He didn't even know her. She was just some funny woman on the internet.
But the more he thought about it, the more he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe—just maybe—she was someone who could change everything for him.
His phone buzzed with another text from Charlie: Did you see it yet? She's engaged!"
Ethan didn't respond. Instead, he stared out his office window at the city below, wondering why he was so affected by the relationship status of a woman he'd never met.
Her face had been bright with excitement, but he couldn't help but notice there was a strange undertone to her voice, as if she was already second-guessing the announcement.
He stopped himself. This was pathetic. He was acting like a teenager with a crush, not a 35-year-old billionaire who ran one of the most successful tech companies in the country.
He pulled out his phone, determined to delete the app and end this ridiculous obsession. This was getting out of hand. He needed to get a grip.
"Your take on corporate America's desperate attempts to seem relatable is spot-on. As someone who works in tech, I can confirm it's even more absurd behind the scenes."
He hit send before he could talk himself out of it, then immediately regretted it. What was he thinking? She probably got hundreds of messages a day. She'd never respond. And even if she did, what then? He was Ethan Grant, CEO of GrantTech. He didn't have time for... whatever this was.
****
"You need to get out more," Charlie declared, slamming a shot glass down on the bar.
It had been a week since TheWittyOne88's engagement announcement, and Ethan had been in a mood. Not that he'd admit it had anything to do with her. He was just... busy. Stressed. Normal CEO things.
"I get out plenty," Ethan replied, nursing his whiskey.
"Board meetings don't count," Charlie retorted. "When was the last time you went on a date?"
Ethan shrugged. "I don't have time for dating."
"But you have time to watch TikTok videos all day?"
Ethan glared at him. "I don't watch them all day."
"Your assistant says otherwise."
"Ugh, that woman talks too much."
Charlie leaned forward. "Look, I know you're hung up on this TikTok girl—"
"I'm not hung up on anyone," Ethan interrupted.
"—but she's engaged, man. Time to move on."
Ethan took a long sip of his drink. "There's nothing to move on from. I was just entertained by her content. That's all."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "So why are you still checking her profile every day?"
"I'm not—" Ethan stopped himself. There was no point in lying. "Fine. I find her intriguing. But it's not like I thought something was going to happen. I'm not delusional."
"But you are disappointed," Charlie pointed out.
Ethan didn't respond. Was he disappointed? Yes, but not because he had expected anything. It was more that he'd felt a connection, as ridiculous as that sounded. Like she understood something about the world that he was just beginning to grasp.
"Have you watched any of her new videos?" Charlie asked.
Ethan shook his head. "No. She hasn't posted since the announcement."
"Actually, she posted one today," Charlie said, pulling out his phone. "Here, watch."
Before he could stop himself, he clicked on it.
"So, life update," she said, her face obscured as always, this time by a large sun hat and oversized sunglasses. She was sitting on what looked like a balcony, the city skyline behind her. "I got the most hilarious DM the other day. Some guy trying to impress me by saying he works in tech. Newsflash: everyone works in tech. My grandma works in tech. She can't figure out how to change her Facebook password, but technically, she's in tech support since she calls me every time her computer doesn't work."
Ethan's stomach dropped. Was she talking about him? He replayed his message in his head. He hadn't explicitly said he was trying to impress her, but it might have come across that way.
"Anyway," she continued, "speaking of tech, let's talk about the absurdity of dating apps. The audacity of these algorithms thinking they know what I want better than I do..."
She wasn't talking about him. Relief washed over Ethan, followed immediately by disappointment. She hadn't even mentioned his message specifically. It was probably just one of many she received and ignored.
Ethan found himself smiling despite himself. She was still her, still sharp and witty. But there was something off about her tone, something he couldn't quite place.
"Anyway," she continued, "on a completely unrelated note, does anyone know how to tactfully ask if your fiancé is only marrying you for your TikTok fame? Asking for a friend."
Ethan frowned. That didn't sound good.
"Is it just me, or does she not seem happy?" he asked.
Charlie shrugged. "Hard to tell with her. Everything's a joke."
Ethan watched the video again. There was definitely something off. Her usual confidence seemed forced, her jokes a little too self-deprecating.
"I think something's wrong," he said.
Charlie rolled his eyes. "You don't even know her."
"I know her content," Ethan countered. "And this isn't her usual style."
"Maybe she's just adjusting to being engaged," Charlie suggested. "Not everyone loves planning a wedding."
"Maybe," Ethan conceded, but he wasn't convinced.
Ethan wasn't the type of guy to give up easily.