Chapter 12: Unspoken awareness
1015 Words
The morning sun filtered gently through the tall windows of the Leo’s mansion casting soft golden light across the marble floors.
Ava was already awake.
She had barely slept the night before.
Every time she closed her eyes, her mind replayed the moment in the library. The sudden loss of balance. Jed catching her. The closeness between them that had lasted just a second too long.
It shouldn’t have mattered.
It was a simple moment.
Anyone would have helped someone who was about to fall.
Yet somehow, it refused to leave her thoughts.
Ava sighed softly as she walked into the kitchen, tying her robe tighter around herself.
The house staff greeted her politely.
“Good morning, madam.”
“Good morning,” she replied gently.
She poured herself a glass of water and sat at the small breakfast table near the window. Outside, the garden looked peaceful, the early sunlight resting on the neatly trimmed hedges and flowers.
Moments like this reminded her why she loved quiet mornings.
But even in the calm, her thoughts felt restless.
“You look like someone who didn’t sleep well.”
Ava froze.
She turned slowly.
Jed stood by the kitchen entrance, leaning casually against the doorframe.
Her first reaction was annoyance.
Her second was something she couldn’t quite name.
“How long have you been standing there?” she asked.
“Long enough.”
Ava looked away and took a sip of water.
“You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.”
Jed shrugged lightly and walked further into the kitchen.
“I wasn’t sneaking. You were just lost in thought.”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Jed sat down across from her at the table.
“You know, you say that a lot.”
“Because it’s usually true.”
He studied her face for a moment.
“You didn’t sleep well.”
Ava frowned slightly.
“You’re very observant for someone who should mind his own business.”
Jed smiled faintly.
“Maybe.”
One of the staff approached the table.
“Breakfast, sir?”
“Yes, thank you,” Jed replied.
Soon a plate was placed in front of him.
Ava tried to focus on the garden outside instead of the man sitting across from her.
But his presence was impossible to ignore.
“So,” Jed said after a moment.
“What’s the plan for today?”
Ava raised an eyebrow.
“Why are you asking me?”
“You seem to run the entire house.”
“I don’t run the house.”
“Then what do you call it?”
“Managing things.”
Jed nodded thoughtfully.
“Well, Manager Ava, what’s today’s schedule?”
Ava rolled her eyes slightly.
“I’m meeting with the event planner later this afternoon.”
“For another charity event?”
“Yes.”
“You really enjoy those.”
“I enjoy helping people.”
Jed took a bite of his breakfast.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Ava looked at him.
“Then what did you mean?”
Jed leaned back slightly in his chair.
“I think you enjoy having something meaningful to do.”
The comment caught her off guard.
She didn’t answer immediately.
Because deep down, she knew he wasn’t wrong.
Jed watched her quietly.
“You don’t like sitting still,” he continued.
“It makes you think too much.”
Ava’s gaze hardened slightly.
“You assume a lot about someone you barely know.”
Jed smiled.
“I know enough.”
Silence settled between them again.
Ava stood up from the table.
“I should get ready for the day.”
Jed didn’t stop her.
But as she reached the doorway, he spoke again.
“Ava.”
She turned slightly.
“Yes?”
His voice was calmer now.
“You don’t always have to avoid me.”
Ava blinked.
“I’m not avoiding you.”
Jed raised an eyebrow.
“You left the library pretty quickly yesterday.”
“That’s because I had things to do.”
“Of course.”
The faint amusement in his voice made Ava sigh.
“You’re impossible.”
Jed chuckled softly.
“And yet you keep talking to me.”
Ava didn’t respond.
She simply shook her head and walked out of the kitchen.
But as she walked down the hallway toward the staircase, she couldn’t ignore the small smile forming on her lips.
Later that afternoon, Ava stood in the garden reviewing the arrangements for the upcoming event with one of the planners.
“Yes, the lighting should be placed around the trees,” she explained.
“It will make the evening look more elegant.”
“That sounds perfect,” the planner replied.
As they continued discussing the setup, Ava noticed someone standing near the balcony overlooking the garden.
Jed.
He wasn’t doing anything.
Just watching.
Again.
Ava sighed softly.
It is becoming a habit now.
After the planner left, she walked toward the stairs leading to the balcony.
Jed noticed her approaching.
“Are you supervising the entire property today?” he asked.
“Someone has to.”
“You’re very dedicated.”
Ava folded her arms.
“Is there a reason you’re watching me?”
Jed shrugged.
“You’re interesting to watch.”
Ava groaned quietly.
“You’ve said that before.”
“And it’s still true.”
She stared at him for a moment.
“You know, most people would find that unsettling.”
“Do you?”
Ava hesitated.
Because the honest answer surprised her.
“No.”
Jed smiled slightly.
“I didn’t think so.”
For a moment, they stood there in comfortable silence, the afternoon breeze moving softly through the garden.
Then Ava spoke quietly.
“You should find something better to do with your time.”
Jed looked at her thoughtfully.
“Maybe I already have.”
Ava frowned slightly.
“What does that mean?”
Jed simply smiled.
“You’ll figure it out.”
And somehow, that answer made Ava’s heart beat just a little faster.
- Writer
