Chapter 4: Comeback
834 Words
The room was quiet long after the argument had ended.
Ava lay against the pillows, her damp hair spread across the sheets while Ethan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.
The city lights painted silver reflections across the glass.
For several moments, neither spoke.
It wasn't uncomfortable.
They had always been like this.
Able to sit in silence and still hear everything the other wasn't saying.
Ethan loosened his tie and stared out at the skyline.
"You've become difficult."
Ava laughed softly.
"Coming from you, that's almost a compliment."
The corner of his mouth lifted.
Almost.
She watched him from across the room.
Five years.
Five years apart, and somehow she still knew every expression he made.
Every shift in his voice.
Every silence.
The dangerous thing wasn't that she'd remembered.
The dangerous thing was that she hadn't forgotten.
Ethan finally turned.
"What are your plans after the fashion show?"
"Back to Paris."
"Immediately?"
"My schedule's full."
His expression darkened slightly.
"You're always busy."
"Some of us actually have jobs."
That earned her a look.
A look that said he knew exactly how hard she worked.
Perhaps harder than anyone else.
Ethan walked back toward the bed and sat beside her.
The mattress dipped beneath his weight.
Ava instantly became aware of how close he was.
Annoyingly aware.
"You could stay longer."
The suggestion was casual.
Too casual.
Ava knew him well enough to hear what lay beneath it.
Stay.
Not in the city.
Not for the fashion show.
Stay with me.
She looked away first.
"I have a life overseas."
"And no reason to come home?"
His question hit closer than she liked.
Ava forced a smile.
"Depends on whether there's anything worth coming home for."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Neither of them moved.
Neither looked away.
Eventually Ethan leaned back.
"You saw Sophia tonight."
"There wasn't much choice."
"What do you think?"
Ava laughed.
"What am I supposed to think?"
"Everyone assumes we're together."
"Are you?"
His gaze settled on her.
Steady.
Unwavering.
"No."
The answer came immediately.
Without hesitation.
Without doubt.
Something inside Ava relaxed before she could stop herself.
Unfortunately, Ethan noticed.
He noticed everything.
A smug look appeared on his face.
"That's an interesting reaction."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course not."
Ava grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
He caught it effortlessly.
Arrogant man.
The grin that followed made her want to throw another one.
A heavier one.
The next morning, Ava arrived at breakfast to discover half the restaurant staff waiting for her.
A line of servers stood beside an elaborate spread of food.
Croissants.
Fresh fruit.
Coffee.
Traditional local dishes.
And enough pastries to feed a small army.
Ava stared.
Then slowly looked at the restaurant manager.
"What happened?"
The manager beamed.
"Mr. Sterling requested that breakfast be prepared specially for you."
Claire nearly choked on her orange juice.
The rest of the team exchanged amused looks.
Ava closed her eyes.
Of course he had.
The manager continued enthusiastically.
"Mr. Sterling has also arranged for all accommodation and hospitality expenses during your stay to be covered."
Silence fell over the table.
Then everyone turned toward Ava.
Simultaneously.
Claire pointed her fork.
"You need to explain."
"No, I don't."
"You absolutely do."
One of the designers laughed.
"Most powerful businessman in the country. Luxury hotel owner. Personal breakfast."
Another joined in.
"And he's apparently paying all our expenses."
Ava calmly sipped her coffee.
"They're exaggerating."
"No, we're really not."
Claire leaned forward dramatically.
"So who exactly is Ethan Sterling?"
Ava considered the question.
Then answered honestly.
"A very annoying man."
The table burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, several floors above, Ethan entered his office looking unusually relaxed.
Employees noticed immediately.
The entire executive floor noticed.
People whispered.
Speculated.
Wondered whether wedding bells were finally approaching for the nation's most eligible billionaire.
His assistant was particularly alarmed.
A happy Ethan Sterling was far more frightening than a grumpy one.
Nobody knew why.
They just knew it was true.
Around noon, the office doors opened.
A man strode inside without knocking.
Liam Carter.
Ethan's oldest friend.
The only person in the city who could get away with entering uninvited.
Liam dropped into the chair opposite the desk.
"You look pleased with yourself."
Ethan continued reading a report.
"Maybe."
"That bad, huh?"
A smirk appeared.
Liam immediately became suspicious.
"Okay, what's going on?"
Nothing.
Silence.
Which was even worse.
Liam narrowed his eyes.
"Please don't tell me this is about Sophia."
Ethan lowered the report.
"No."
Liam looked relieved.
Then Ethan casually added,
"Ava's back."
The room went silent.
Completely silent.
Liam's expression froze.
For several seconds he simply stared.
As though he'd misheard.
Then he sat forward.
"What did you say?"
"Ava's in Ravenport."
The color drained from Liam's face.
Because unlike everyone else...
He knew exactly what that meant.
And if Ava Bennett had truly returned after all these years, then some very carefully buried secrets might not stay buried for much longer.
- Writer
