Loving the enemy

Chapter 16

Ava’s pov

The elevator ride felt like it would never end. With every ding taking me closer to the top of Vance Holdings where Liam’s office was. I could feel my heartbeat but I ignored it, this is something I had to do. This morning, Liam had casually mentioned he had a noon meeting. That was all I needed,a small opening, a chance.

By the time the elevator doors opened on the top floor, my palms were sweaty. The USB in my purse felt heavy, like it carried more than just files, it carried the truth. Project Phoenix. If it was connected to my family’s ruin, I had to find out.

The floor was quiet, I glanced around searching for Liam’s office.

“Mrs. Vance?” a voice called.

I turned and saw a woman sitting behind a black desk, smiling sharply at me. Liam’s secretary. She had perfect posture, flawless nails, and watchful eyes that noticed everything.

“Yes,” I said smoothly, forcing confidence into my voice. “I’m here to see Liam.”

Her brow arched just slightly, polite but on alert. “He didn’t mention you were stopping by today.”

My heart skipped, but I kept my face steady. I gave her a small smile and lowered my voice like I was sharing a secret. “I just wanted to surprise him. He’s always so busy, so I thought I’d catch him in between.”

Her face softened, curiosity flashing in her eyes. She leaned in a little. “That’s nice of you. Most people wouldn’t dare bother him while he’s working.”

I tilted my head and gave a small laugh like I wasn’t here to dig up his darkest secrets. “Well… I am his wife.” The word still felt strange but it was necessary.

That seemed to do it. She relaxed. “Of course. Go right in. He should still be in his meeting down the hall, but you can wait in his office.”

“Thank you,” I said, my smile steady even though my pulse was completely different.

As I walked past her desk, her strong, expensive perfume stayed in the air. She started typing again, but I could feel her watching me for a moment, like she still wasn’t fully sure.

I held my bag tighter, the USB inside feeling like a heavy secret at my side. This was my chance. Ten, maybe fifteen minutes before Liam came back. If Project Phoenix was in his office, I was going to find it.

And I had to before anyone else realized why I was really here.

The door to his office shut with a soft click behind me. I glanced around the room, the black interior design really suited him. Black like his heart. I giggled to myself at that thought.

I didn’t waste time. Crossing to his desk, I slid into his chair. My pulse thumped in my ears as I tried drawer after drawer as well as contracts, reports, the usual corporate clutter. But nothing labeled Project Phoenix.

I exhaled through my nose, moving to the bookshelf. File boxes lined the bottom row, white labels scrawled with dates and numbers. My fingers traced along them. Nothing, I found nothing. Where could it be? Wasn’t he aware of the project?

A sound froze me.

Footsteps. Voices. Liam’s voice—deep, steady, just outside, finishing a call. My chest tightened as the sound grew closer.

Putting everything back to its rightful corners, I straightened , heart racing, smoothing my dress with shaking hands. By the time the office door opened, I was laid casually against the edge of his desk, trying to look like I belonged.

Liam stepped inside, surprise on his face. His tie hung slightly loosened, phone still in his hand. “Ava?” he said, brows lifting. “What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you.”

I forced a smile, light and warm. “I know. That was the point. It’s lunchtime, and since you woke up, we haven’t gone on a proper lunch date. Like we used to.”

His expression shifted—surprise melting into something brighter. A boyish grin tugged at his mouth, easing the hard lines on his face. “A lunch date, huh? And here I thought you only came here to remind me how much paperwork I’m behind on.”

I rolled my eyes, playing along. “Don’t tempt me. I’ve seen how messy you keep things.”

He chuckled, dropping his phone onto the desk and moving closer. “You sneak into my office, insult me, and then demand lunch. You know, most people would be fired for less.”

I tilted my chin, feigning confidence while my heart still hammered. “Good thing I’m not most people.”

That made him laugh—deep and real, the kind of sound that sent warmth through me even when I didn’t want it to.

He leaned against the desk beside me, close enough that I could smell his cologne. “Alright, Mrs. Vance. Lunch it is.” He turned his head toward the door, raising his voice slightly. “Claire?”

The secretary appeared almost instantly, like she had been waiting. “Yes, sir?”

“Clear the rest of my schedule. I won’t be back this afternoon.”

Her gaze flicked from him to me, sharp but unreadable. “Of course.” She closed the door again.

The room felt quieter after she left, only the silence and my racing thoughts filling it. Liam was still looking at me, that relaxed grin on his face, like my small lie had just changed his whole day.

And I smiled back, though underneath, my mind was still spinning with two words that refused to let go.

Project Phoenix. I felt so disappointed that I couldn’t get anything.

Liam picked up his jacket from the back of his chair and slipped it on in one smooth move, then turned to me with that same playful grin still on his face.

“Lunch,” he said, gesturing toward the door. “But not the kind where we sit in this building and eat something delivered in a box. You’re kidnapping me for the afternoon.”

“Kidnapping you?” I arched a brow, following him toward the door. “You make it sound like a crime.”

He shot me a sidelong look, a teasing glint in his eyes. “With you, Ava, I’m learning it usually is.”

I forced a laugh, ignoring the way my stomach twisted at his words. He didn’t know how close to the truth that really was.

We walked past Claire’s desk, and she glanced up, her eyes flickering between us. Liam gave her a quick nod, the kind that dismissed everything else in his orbit. “You have the office, Claire. Don’t call me unless the building’s on fire.”

“Yes, sir,” she said smoothly, though her gaze lingered on me a second longer than necessary.

Liam guided me toward the private elevator, his hand hovering near the small of my back without actually touching. “So, where to?” I asked, forcing lightness into my voice.

He leaned against the elevator wall once the doors slid shut, his hands in his pockets, studying me with a half-smile. “I was thinking…” he drawled, “shopping.”

I blinked at him. “Shopping? That’s your idea of a lunch date?”

“Not just shopping,” he corrected, eyes glinting with mischief. “We’ll eat, sure. But I want to see you try things on. Dresses. Shoes. Jewelry. I want to spoil you properly, Ava. Whatever we get today you will wear on another date with me.”

Heat rushed up my neck, and I looked away, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

He leaned in closer, his voice low, teasing. “Admit it. You like the idea.”

My heart pounded, and I smirked, meeting his eyes again. “Maybe I like the food part. The rest is questionable.”

He chuckled, the sound rich and warm, filling the enclosed space. “We’ll see. Lunch first, then shopping. My treat.”

The elevator opened to the lobby, and the cool autumn air from the glass doors met us as we walked out. Liam’s driver was waiting, the shiny black car rolling up right on time.

He opened the door for me like it was nothing, his hand lightly touching my back—just enough to send a spark through me. “After you, Mrs. Vance.”

I got into the car, trying to keep my face calm even though my mind was racing. Project Phoenix. Secrets. Lies. But Liam’s presence was hard to resist, his charm constant, and as he sat beside me in the back seat, I knew this lunch wasn’t just a distraction.

It was another test. Another battlefield.

And I had to play the perfect wife—while staying one step ahead.