CHAPTER SIX
605 Words
On interview day, Ava chose her best outfit—a simple black blouse and a pencil skirt she borrowed from a friend. Her hair was pulled back neatly, though a few strands escaped around her face.
As she stepped into the gleaming office building, the sterile smell of fresh paint mixed with faint coffee aromas hit her senses. Ava felt out of place, like a small fish in a vast ocean.
A friendly receptionist guided her through the maze of desks and cubicles. The hum of keyboards and murmured conversations filled the air.
In the conference room, a woman in business casual waited—a soft but firm presence. Claire introduced herself and smiled warmly.
“Thank you for coming, Ava. I see from your resume you have customer service experience?”
Ava nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I worked at a small boutique last year. It was my first real job.”
Claire leaned forward, fingers steepled. “How do you handle stressful situations?”
Ava thought of the last few months—the uncertainty, the loneliness, the growing fear—but forced calm. “I take a deep breath, prioritize what needs to be done, and tackle one thing at a time. I’m used to managing difficult situations without losing focus.”
Claire smiled again, impressed. “Good answer. This role requires organization, communication, and flexibility. How comfortable are you with learning new software?”
“Very,” Ava replied, glancing at the neat desk nearby with a computer. “I’m a fast learner, and I’m eager to improve.”
The interview continued with questions about teamwork, punctuality, and availability. Ava answered honestly but held back on mentioning the pregnancy. She worried about judgment or rejection.
As the interview wrapped up, Claire stood and extended her hand. “We’ll be in touch soon, Ava. Thank you for your time.”
Ava shook her hand, feeling a flicker of hope she hadn’t dared to feel in weeks.
---.
Liam’s POV
Liam sat alone in his sleek, glass-walled office, high above the city skyline. The late afternoon sun poured in, casting golden rays across his desk—but his mind wasn’t on the view.
He was staring at a printed résumé. Her résumé.
Ava collins.
He hadn’t expected to see her name again—not this soon, not on a job application. Not after that brief, haunting encounter at the hospital where she had looked him in the eyes and pretended like he was a stranger.
His jaw clenched.
“What game are you playing, Ava?” he murmured, flipping through the pages again. Her handwriting was tidy, her tone humble—desperate, even. But what rattled him more was the attached cover letter: honest, simple, with no hint of manipulation.
He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin. He remembered how pale she looked at the hospital. How guarded. And now… pregnant. Very pregnant.
Coincidence?
He didn’t believe in coincidences.
His intercom buzzed. “Sir, about the assistant role—HR has a strong candidate. Ava Collins.”
“I’ve seen it,” Liam replied flatly. “Schedule her first day.”
“Yes, sir.”
He ended the call and stood, walking toward the massive windows. Below, the world moved on, unaware of the chaos unraveling inside him.
Was the baby his?
She never told him. Never called. And now she was here—on his turf, walking into his building like fate had dragged her back into his orbit.
He didn’t know whether to be angry… or intrigued.
All he knew was—he wasn’t letting her walk away again.
- Writer
