Chapter 14: unwelcome attention
1234 Words
The afternoon sun poured through the tall windows of the Hale mansion, filling the main hall with warm light.
Ava stood near the large table in the sitting room, reviewing the final details for the charity event scheduled for the weekend. Papers and notes were neatly arranged in front of her as she carefully read through the planner’s updates.
Everything had to be perfect.
Events like this were important to Leo’s company reputation. Many of his business partners and investors would be attending, and Ava had long taken responsibility for making sure every gathering hosted by the Hale family ran smoothly.
She adjusted one of the documents and made a small note with her pen.
“Ava.”
She looked up.
Jed stood near the doorway, watching her.
She was beginning to suspect that he had a habit of appearing exactly when she least expected him.
“Yes?” she asked calmly.
“You’ve been sitting there for almost an hour.”
Ava glanced briefly at the clock on the wall.
“Someone has to make sure everything is organized.”
Jed walked into the room and leaned against the edge of the table.
“You take these events very seriously.”
“They’re important.”
“To Leo.”
The way he said Leo’s name made Ava pause slightly.
“To the family,” she corrected.
Jed studied her for a moment but didn’t argue.
Instead, he picked up one of the papers on the table.
“What’s this?”
“A guest list.”
Jed scanned the page briefly.
“That’s a lot of people.”
“It’s a charity event,” Ava replied. “The more guests we have, the more support we receive.”
Jed nodded thoughtfully.
“Looks like Leo’s business partner will be attending.”
Ava glanced at the paper he was holding.
“Yes. Daniel Carter.”
Jed raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Carter?”
“You know him?”
“I’ve met him a few times.”
Jed placed the paper back on the table.
“He’s… persistent.”
Ava frowned slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Jed shrugged.
“He’s the type of person who likes attention.”
Before Ava could ask more questions, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway echoed faintly through the house.
Both of them turned slightly toward the window.
A few minutes later, one of the staff members entered the room.
“Madam, Mr. Carter has arrived.”
Ava blinked in surprise.
“Already?”
“Yes, madam.”
She stood up quickly.
“I wasn’t expecting him this early.”
Jed crossed his arms casually.
“Looks like you have a visitor.”
Ava smoothed down her dress slightly.
“Please show him to the sitting room,” she told the staff member.
The staff nodded and left.
Ava gathered the papers on the table and placed them neatly into a folder.
As she turned toward the door, she noticed Jed still watching her.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
“You look like you want to say something.”
Jed shook his head slightly.
“I’m just curious.”
“About what?”
“How will this meeting go?”
Ava raised an eyebrow.
“It’s a normal business discussion.”
Jed smiled faintly.
“I’m sure it is.”
A few minutes later, Ava entered the main sitting room.
A tall man in his early thirties stood near the window, looking out at the garden.
When he heard her footsteps, he turned around immediately.
“Mrs. Hale,” he greeted warmly.
“Mr. Carter,” Ava replied politely.
Daniel Carter had an easy charm about him. He wore an expensive suit and carried himself with the confidence of someone who was used to being welcomed everywhere.
“I hope I didn’t arrive too early,” he said with a friendly smile.
“Not at all,” Ava said.
“Please have a seat.”
They both sat down across from each other.
“I came to discuss a few ideas for the charity event,” Daniel began.
“I thought it might be helpful if we finalized some details before the weekend.”
“That sounds good,” Ava replied.
For the next several minutes, they discussed the event arrangements.
Daniel leaned slightly forward as he spoke, clearly engaged in the conversation.
“You’ve organized everything very well,” he said.
Ava smiled politely.
“Thank you.”
“I must say,” Daniel continued, “Leo is very lucky to have someone as capable as you handling these things.”
Ava nodded slightly.
“I simply help where I can.”
Daniel studied her for a moment longer than necessary.
“And you do it very well.”
Before Ava could respond, a calm voice spoke from the doorway.
“She does.”
Both of them turned.
Jed stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe.
Daniel’s expression shifted slightly as he recognized him.
“Jed Hale,” he said.
Jed nodded.
“Daniel.”
Ava glanced between the two men.
“You know each other?”
Daniel chuckled lightly.
“We’ve crossed paths before.”
Jed stepped further into the room.
“Business circles are small.”
Daniel smiled politely, but there was a hint of tension beneath the surface.
“I didn’t realize you were staying here.”
“Just visiting for a while.”
Daniel nodded slowly.
“Well, it’s always good to see family spending time together.”
Jed didn’t reply.
Instead, his gaze briefly shifted toward Ava.
She suddenly felt aware of the subtle tension in the room.
Daniel stood up.
“I should probably let you get back to your schedule, Mrs. Hale.”
Ava stood as well.
“Thank you for coming.”
Daniel smiled warmly again.
“I look forward to seeing you at the event.”
As he walked toward the door, he paused briefly beside Jed.
“It was good seeing you again,” he said.
Jed gave a small nod.
“You too.”
Once Daniel left the room, silence settled again.
Ava turned toward Jed.
“You didn’t have to interrupt.”
“I didn’t interrupt.”
“You walked in during the conversation.”
Jed shrugged lightly.
“I live here.”
“That’s not the point.”
Jed watched her carefully.
“You seemed comfortable.”
Ava frowned slightly.
“It was a business meeting.”
Jed nodded slowly.
“Of course.”
The tone in his voice made Ava narrow her eyes slightly.
“Why do I feel like you’re judging the situation?”
“I’m not.”
“Then why are you still standing there?”
Jed smiled faintly.
“Because I was curious.”
“About what?”
“About him.”
Ava folded her arms.
“You barely said anything to him.”
“I didn’t need to.”
She stared at him for a moment.
“You’re strange.”
Jed chuckled softly.
“And you’re very patient.”
Ava sighed.
“I deal with many personalities.”
Jed leaned slightly closer to the table.
“Yes,” he said quietly.
“I noticed.”
And for some reason, the way he said those words made Ava feel as though the conversation had shifted into something deeper again.
Something she wasn’t ready to explore.
- Writer
