Chapter Five
928 Words
She lowered her eyes, trying to steady her racing heart. For a few seconds, the office fell completely silent.
When she finally looked up, she forced a small smile.
"Uhm... no," she said quietly. "I don't think we've met before, Mr. Blackwood."
Damien didn't reply immediately. Instead, he studied her face as if searching for something he couldn't explain.
"I see," he said at last.
"I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression."
"It's okay," Ava replied, though guilt settled heavily in her chest.
Damien gave a slight nod. "It's just a strange feeling. Sometimes someone looks familiar even when you've never met."
Ava managed another faint smile, but inside, her emotions were in turmoil.
I'm sorry, she thought. I'm lying to you.
She hated herself for it, yet she couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth.
Not when she had only just discovered she was pregnant. Not when he was about to get engaged to another woman.
Damien stood up from his chair.
"Well," he said, returning to business,and then, he picked up a neatly arranged file from his desk and held it out to Ava.
"Everything you need to know about the position is in here," he said. "Take it home, read through it carefully, and don't feel pressured to give me an answer today."
Ava accepted the file with a small nod.
"Thank you, Mr. Blackwood."
As she reached for it, her fingers accidentally brushed against his.
She quickly pulled her hand back, her heart skipping a beat.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Damien looked at her with a puzzled expression. There was that strange feeling again, the one he couldn't explain.
"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked.
"Yes," Ava answered quickly.
He nodded slowly.
"If you have any questions after reading the file, don't hesitate to contact me."
"I will."
Damien walked with her to the office door and opened it for her.
"I hope to hear from you soon, Miss Carter."
Ava managed a polite smile.
"Thank you again."
She stepped out of the office, clutching the file tightly against her chest. As the door closed behind her, she finally let out the breath she had been holding.She walked towards the elevator and stepped in,the elevator doors closed, leaving Ava alone at last.
The silence inside the elevator was almost comforting after everything that had happened in Damien's office,and then she lean against the wall, she closed her eyes for a moment.
"What have I gotten myself into?" she whispered.
Her thoughts raced from one question to another.
If she accept the job, she would see Damien every day. She would have to pretend they were strangers while carrying his child. She wasn't sure she was strong enough for that.
Without thinking, her hand rested gently on her stomach.
A faint smile appeared on her lips, but it quickly disappeared.
"I'm going to protect you," she murmured softly. "No matter what happens."
The elevator came to a stop on the ground floor with a soft chime.
Ava straightened her clothes and quickly wiped away the tears that had gathered in her eyes.
She didn't want anyone to see her crying.
When the doors slid open, she stepped out with the file still held tightly against her chest, and then she took a deep breath and walked toward the exit.
The moment Ava stepped out of the building, she spotted Karen standing near the entrance. The worry on Karen's face disappeared the instant she saw her.
"Ava!" Karen called, hurrying over.
Without saying a word, she wrapped her arms around her friend in a warm hug.
"I've been so worried," Karen said as she pulled away. "You've been in there for so long. What happened? Are you okay?"
Ava managed a weak smile.
"I'm okay... I guess."
Karen narrowed her eyes. "Don't do that. I know that look. Tell me everything."
Ava glanced back at the towering Blackwood Group building before letting out a tired sigh.
"He didn't call me because of the pregnancy."
Karen looked confused.
"Then why did he call you?"
"He offered me a job."
Karen's eyes widened.
"A job? With him?"
Ava nodded.
"He wants me to be his personal assistant."
For a moment, Karen was speechless.
"Wait... you're serious?"
"Yes."
Karen ran a hand through her hair, trying to process everything.
"This is unbelievable," she said. "The father of your baby just offered you a job, and he doesn't even know you're pregnant."
Ava lowered her head.
"I know," she whispered. "That's what scares me the most.".
Karen gently held Ava's hand and looked her in the eyes.
"So... what are you going to do?" she asked.
Ava let out a long sigh, " I don't know," she admitted. "The salary is more than I could ever dream of. With a baby on the way, I need a stable job."
Karen nodded in understanding.
"But if you work there, you'll see him every day," she said. "Can you hide the truth for that long?"
Ava remained silent.
That was the question she had been asking herself ever since she left Damien's office.
She lowered her eyes and gently rested a hand on her stomach.
"I can't keep running away forever," she whispered.
Karen squeezed her hand.
"Whatever you decide, I'll stand by you."
Ava smiled faintly, grateful to have someone by her side.
She looked up at the building one last time,"I'll go home first," she said quietly.
"Then... I'll decide whether to accept the job or walk away from Damien him.”
- Writer
