CHAPTER NINE — The Conference
467 Words
Ava Cole hated public events almost as much as she hated surprises.
So naturally, the universe had combined both — a three-day international business conference and Cassian Hale.
She hadn’t even been in the hotel lobby for five minutes before she spotted him across the marble floor, surrounded by executives and journalists. His navy suit was crisp, his charm effortless, and his attention… divided.
He didn’t see her at first.
Or maybe he did — and simply chose not to look.
Ava wasn’t sure why that small detail made her stomach tighten.
“Miss Cole,” one of the event coordinators smiled, “Mr. Hale will be joining you for your panel session tomorrow.”
“Of course he will,” Ava muttered under her breath.
That evening, there was a formal networking dinner. Ava wasn’t in the mood for small talk, but duty demanded she show up. She arrived late — and found Cassian already seated with a group of CEOs, deep in conversation with a striking woman in a silver dress.
The woman laughed at something he said, lightly touching his arm.
Ava’s throat went dry before she told herself she didn’t care.
She walked past them, pretending not to notice, and took a seat at the other end of the table.
Cassian glanced up briefly. Their eyes met for half a second. He gave a polite nod — nothing more.
That was new.
No teasing. No smirk. No witty comment about her always running late.
Just… distance.
And somehow, it bothered her.
Later that night, she stepped out onto the hotel balcony to get some air. The city below was glowing, alive with movement.
She heard footsteps behind her.
Cassian.
“Nice speech today,” he said casually, leaning on the railing beside her.
She didn’t look at him. “You didn’t stay for all of it.”
He paused. “You noticed.”
“I notice when my co-speaker walks out mid-panel,” she said dryly.
He gave a half-smile, not his usual confident one — something quieter. “Had a call.”
Ava nodded. The silence that followed wasn’t awkward. It was… different.
Unfamiliar.
Then he said, “You know, sometimes you make it really hard to stay.”
She turned sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He looked straight ahead. “Nothing. Just an observation.”
And before she could say anything else, he pushed off the railing and walked away — leaving her staring after him, confused and, for the first time, unsure of her own footing.
That night, Ava couldn’t sleep.
Her mind kept replaying that line: You make it really hard to stay.
She told herself it didn’t matter.
But for some reason, the thought of Cassian Hale finally walking away… didn’t feel like a victory.
- Writer
