the Castle on the Hill

Chapter 3

Ava made her way to the employee lounge. Chloe, another assistant, was in there, scanning her cell phone for something. She glanced up when she saw Ava enter the room. 

“Hey. How is Enzo treating you?” She asked. 

After taking a sip of water, Ava shrugged. 

“He’s a little odd I guess. But he’s my boss so maybe that’s normal. I haven’t had a boss in forever so I’m not sure what it’s supposed to be like.”

“Oh you haven’t worked?” She asked. 

“Not a job. I was a housewife for the last four years.” She said as she took a seat opposite Chloe. 

“Oh damn. Kudos to you, I would never be able to be a housewife.” 

Ava chuckled. 

“It’s ok. I enjoyed it for awhile.” She said. She wasn’t lying. The beginning with Seth was everything fairytales were made of. Flowers, wine, laughter, s*x. Lots of s*x. But then there were expectations and anger. 

A whiff of cologne she was getting used to crept up on her. 

“Ladies.” She turned around to see Enzo entering the lounge. 

Chloe gave Ava a look, one of confusion and laughter. 

“I was just getting ready to head to the meeting Mr Monticelli.” Ava said as she stood. 

“You’re good. Call me Enzo.” He said as he took a drink of water, his rich Italian accent sendi butterflies flying in her stomach. 

Chloe stood and informed us that she would be heading to the meeting, leaving Ava and Enzo alone. Ava twiddled her fingers. The only man she had been alone with for the last four years had been her ex husband. Comparing Enzo to him made her stomach drop, she didn’t know this man but she knew he could never be like the man her ex husband turned out to be. 

“So how are you liking it here?” He asked. 

“It’s great so far.” Ava said, glancing at his searing gaze. He looked as though he could see straight through her. 

“Seattle is a huge difference from San Diego. I’ve only been once but that heat is no joke.” He sat across from her. 

How did he know she was from San Diego?

“I do a background check on all my assistants.” He said as if reading her mind. 

“Oh. Um, yeah it is definitely different but that’s what I wanted.” 

“Do you usually get everything you want?” He asked through a hoarse voice, his eyes searing into hers

She glanced down, breaking the stare.  Normally the hoarseness in his voice would cause her to tense. But today, it sent electricity coursing through her veins. 

“Yes.” 

“Sometimes what we think we want turns out to be our worst nightmare.” He said. 

“Yes. It can be.” She said as a million questions raced through her mind. Enzo glanced at his watch.  

“Time to go.” He stood and led her to the conference room.

Walking into the large conference room, Enzo sat next to Cathy, sharing a warm smile with her. Ava made her way to sit next to Chloe towards the back of the room. She had no idea there were so many people working for this law firm. The idea that Cathy was responsible for so many people made Ava’s head turn. She didn't think she would ever be able to handle that amount of pressure with such grace and understanding as Cathy did. 

The smell of the salad bar and deli sandwiches made Ava’s stomach growl. She could not wait to dig into the salad. Enzo whispered something into Cathy’s ear, making her giggle. They seemed to know each other very well, he seemed relaxed around her. His eyes seemed to dance and the walls fell down. Maybe they had been involved at one point? 

Ava dismissed the idea as soon as it entered her mind. Number one, it was none of her business as they were both her bosses, she shouldn’t be thinking those things. Number two, Cathy was much older than Enzo, and she wore a wedding band around her ring finger. 

Enzo glanced back and caught Ava’s eye. Blush creeping over her cheeks as she felt the same electric shock as before, this time it coursed all the way to her core. She looked down, fiddling with her skirt hem. She could feel his eyes wander towards the front of the room. 

Why did that keep happening? He was her boss, her very gorgeous boss, nonetheless she shouldn’t be allowing those thoughts to be creeping into her mind. Besides, if her past relationship taught her anything it was that she wasn’t loveable. 

Her stomach churned as that thought popped up. She was not to blame for his actions, she kept reminding herself of that all throughout the meeting. She knew she should be taking notes or something, but she couldn’t concentrate on the things being said. Something about quotas and supporting our clients at every turn, she assumed just basic lawyering things. 

Chloe nudged her. 

“Time to eat! I am starving.” She said. 

Ava followed her to the line forming behind the table. She hoped there would be enough by the time she got to the salad, she was starving. Enzo came over to her, his tie loose around his neck. 

“Can I talk to you in my office?” He practically growled at her.

Ava really wanted to say no, she was so close to the salad she could almost taste it. Knowing she could only say yes, she followed him. She looked back at Chloe who had picked up Ava’s plate. She hoped Chloe would make her a plate. 

Ava followed Enzo into his office. 

“Shut the door.” He said. She hadn’t heard his voice this low before. He didn’t seem like the chatty type, but she knew he showed his emotion through his tone of voice and his eyes. 

“Is everyth--” Ava began.

“You didn’t take any notes.” He stated, looking down at his desk. 

“I uh, I didn’t know what to be doing. This is my first job, I am so sorry. I can write down what I-” 

He flashed his eyes in her direction. They were a darker honey color now. He was upset. 

“This is the number one corporate firm in Seattle. I am one of the best attorneys in this office. My assistant has to be the best assistant in this office. This can not happen again.” 

Ava could tell he was trying very hard not to yell at her. 

She nodded. 

“I apologize. I will write down everything I remember from the meeting.” She said. 

His eyes seemed to soften at that. 

Suddenly his office door opened. Ava looked over her shoulder and saw a beautiful woman parading in. 

Enzo gave a half smile. 

“Sofia.” He said. 

“Babe I missed you. You haven’t called. Who are you?” She asked, her eyes following me up and down. 

“Hi, I am Ava.” She held out her hand. 

“Ava is my new assistant. She was just leaving for lunch.” Enzo said.

“Sofia is my girlfriend.” He seemed to explain. 

“Nice to meet you. I will let you two talk.” Ava said as she left his office. 

Wowzers. Sofia was gorgeous. Her long black hair almost reached her butt. The way her dress hugged her every curve, it seemed like a glove instead of a dress. When she walked in the room, her presence demanded attention. She was exactly the type of woman Ava could see Enzo with. Not that she knew him well, but a man as beautiful as Enzo would only ever have a girlfriend that could be a supermodel. 

A familiar pain struck Ava in her chest. The pain of not being enough.  She just didn’t understand why she was feeling it. She was his assistant. Nothing more. 

She would never be more.