ONE YEAR WITH HIM

CHAPTER FOUR

The next day, Ava walked through the towering glass doors of Knight Global Holdings with a spring in her step. Her heels clicked confidently against the polished floor, a rhythm that matched the excitement beating in her chest.

Today was different. Today, she had dinner with Damon.

It had been far too long since she’d shared a meal, a conversation, a laugh, with anyone, especially someone like Damon. Someone confident, warm, and impossibly good-looking. She felt almost giddy, savoring the thought as she made her way to her desk.

From his office, Sebastian observed her. He noticed the subtle sway of her hips as she walked, the way she arranged her desk with precision, the faint smile she wore even when buried in work. Something about her happiness felt off to #him as though he didn't want to see her happy.

He watched her from behind the glass of his office, hidden but unable to look away.

Ava moved with effortless grace, her fingers flying across the keyboard with precision, yet there was something undeniably alluring in the way she leaned slightly forward, the soft curve of her neck exposed as she concentrated.

Her hair fell in dark waves around her shoulders, catching the light with every subtle turn of her head. The line of her back, the confident sway of her hips as she reached for files, the gentle tilt of her jaw as she muttered softly to herself ;it all drew his gaze, though he hated that it did. Even the faint sparkle in her eyes when she smiled at a small victory made his chest tighten in a way he didn’t understand.

She was competent, radiant, and beautiful in a way that demanded attention, and yet he was infuriated by it, annoyed that someone like her could exist in his carefully ordered world, someone so effortless, so… captivating.

Hours passed in a blur of calls, emails, and meetings. Finally, as Ava gathered her things to leave, a shadow fell across her desk.

“You’re not leaving,” Sebastian said, his voice low and sharp.

Before Ava could respond, he dropped a heavy stack of files onto her desk with a loud thud. The papers scattered slightly, demanding attention. “These need to be finished before you leave. No excuses.”

Ava’s eyes widened. “I… I can finish these tomorrow. I have something I need to do tonight—”

He tapped the desk sharply, making her flinch slightly. “Do you think this job is negotiable? I expect these to finished before you leave. No exceptions. Is that clear?”

Her stomach twisted, but she didn’t argue further. She nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes… Sir.”

Without another word, he turned and strode out, leaving her frozen, the weight of his anger and the stack of files settling heavily on her shoulders.

A few minutes later, the door opened. Damon stepped in, eyebrows raised. “Hey, you still here?”

Ava jumped slightly, then smiled apologetically. “I… I’m so sorry I have to stay late tonight to finish up these files," she said, pointing at the mountain of files before her.

"It's not a big deal, let me help you finish up."

Ava’s eyes widened in surprise. “You… you’d help me with this?”

Damon chuckled lightly. “Of course. I’ve handled work like this before. I’m better at it than you might think.”

Ava’s lips curved into a small, grateful smile. “Well… in that case…” She pulled out a chair beside her, gesturing for him to sit.

“Better,” Damon said, rolling his chair closer. “You know what???… let dinner come to us.” He waved at his phone, ordering pizza with a few taps.

The office transformed into a cozy little haven. Pizza boxes were stacked neatly, drinks chilled, and work was spread across the desk, still needing their attention. But Damon made it easy, sitting close enough to help without crowding, teasing and laughing with her, making the work feel lighter.

“So… where did you go to school?” Damon asked casually, leaning on one elbow.

Ava laughed softly. “Here in the city. But I had to move around a lot when I was younger.”

They talked about trivial things, favorite foods, childhood memories, even silly office stories. Ava laughed freely, the tension of the day melting with every smile. Damon noticed the little things....the way she brushed her hair behind her ear, the sparkle in her eyes when she was proud of something, the confidence and elegance in her gestures that she barely recognized herself. He couldn’t stop looking at her. She was beautiful, charming, effortless, and utterly captivating.

For Ava, Damon’s presence was comforting. She felt relaxed, as though she could finally breathe, as though the walls she kept around herself could come down for just a little while.

Then, without warning, Sebastian stepped back into the office. He had forgotten a file. At first, he simply froze.

Ava and Damon were laughing, leaning close, sharing stories as if they had known each other for years. And Sebastian’s chest tightened painfully.

Ava noticed him immediately. “Mr. Knight! I—”

He didn’t respond. Instead, he walked straight to his office, retrieved the file he’d forgotten, and lingered behind the glass wall. He observed them silently, a twinge of jealousy curling in his chest, though he didn’t know why. Ava wasn’t his, but seeing her with someone else; he couldn’t explain the tightness in his stomach, the ache he felt watching her smile at Damon.

After a few long minutes, he finally walked out.

Ava’s shoulders sagged in relief. Damon reached over, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

“Don’t worry about him,” Damon said softly, his gaze steady and reassuring. “Sebastian isn’t going to do anything. You have nothing to fear. Any company would be fortunate to have someone like you.”

Ava blinked, caught off guard. “You… speak as if you’ve known me for years—or as if you can see right through me.”

A faint, knowing smile curved Damon’s lips. “Trust me, I have a knack for reading people. And you, Ava… you’re remarkable.”

For a long, suspended moment, their eyes met, and the world outside the office seemed to vanish. Warmth bloomed in Ava’s chest, a strange, intoxicating mix of comfort and something she couldn’t quite name.

Almost instinctively, she lowered her eyes, breaking the connection. It’s just a dinner, she reminded herself. He’s being kind ,that’s all. Nothing more. She straightened her shoulders, a small, controlled smile playing on her lips.

They returned to the pile of work, and before they knew it, hours had passed. The files were meticulously organized, spreadsheets reconciled, and the daunting stack of work had been completely cleared.

Damon leaned back in his chair, stretching. “I’d say we make quite the team.”

Ava allowed herself a small, genuine smile. “Yes… We do.”

He extended a hand to guide her to the door, and she accepted it, stepping into the evening air. The tension of the office seemed to melt away, yet Ava could not shake the memory of their lingering glance;the unspoken understanding that had passed between them, delicate yet undeniable.

When they got to the entrance, Ava paused and turned to Damon, a genuine smile lighting up her face. “Thank you,” she said softly, her eyes sparkling with joy, and before he could respond, she hugged him unexpectedly. Damon laughed lightly, pleasantly surprised, feeling happy that he had been able to lift some of the weight off her shoulders.

For a few quiet moments, they stood there, the lights of New York shimmering around them, the evening breeze rustling gently. The city hummed softly in the background, and for that brief moment, everything else faded away; the work, the stress, the deadlines....and all that remained was a simple, shared sense of relief and contentment.

Ava smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe and appreciated.