Chapter Four
1177 Words
Ava took a slow, steady breath before stepping into Damien's office. The door closed quietly behind her, making the room feel even more silent. She glanced around, taking in the elegant space. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, allowing sunlight to pour into the office. A large mahogany desk stood neatly in the centre, while bookshelves and framed awards lined one wall, reflecting years of success.
Everything about the office spoke of power and wealth.
"Please, have a seat," Damien said, his voice calm and professional.
Ava nodded and walked toward the chair opposite his desk. She sat down carefully, placing her handbag on her lap to hide the slight tremble in her hands.
Damien remained standing for a moment before taking his seat. He folded his hands on the desk and studied her quietly.
The silence stretched between them.
Ava lowered her gaze, suddenly aware of how loudly her heart was beating.
She could feel his eyes on her, yet she couldn't bring herself to look at him. Being in the same room with him again stirred memories she had tried so hard to bury.
Neither of them spoke.
The only sound was the soft ticking of the clock hanging on the office wall.
Damien leaned back slightly in his chair, his eyes never leaving Ava. There was something strangely familiar about her, though he couldn't explain why. He had felt it the moment she stepped onto the executive floor.
He broke the silence.
"Miss Carter..."
Ava slowly raised her eyes to meet his.
"Have we met before?"
The question caught her completely off guard.
Her heart skipped a beat.
For a second, she forgot how to breathe.
Did he really not remember?
The rain-soaked night, the hotel, had it all meant so little that he had forgotten her face? She thought to herself.
Ava forced herself to remain calm, even though her emotions were threatening to spill over.
"Why do you ask?" she replied softly.
Damien rested his elbows on the desk.
"I don't know," he admitted. "When I saw you outside my office, I had this strange feeling that I'd seen you somewhere before."
Ava looked away, afraid that if she held his gaze any longer, he would notice the tears gathering in her eyes.
"Maybe you have," she said with a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You meet a lot of people."
Damien nodded slowly, but the feeling wouldn't go away.
Something about Ava Carter refused to leave his mind. Then, he reached for a brown file neatly placed on his desk and opened it. His expression returned to the calm, businesslike look everyone knew him for.
"Let's get straight to the point," he said.
Ava nodded, though her heart was still racing from his earlier question.
"I have gone through your résumé,"
Damien continued. "Your academic record is impressive, and you have received excellent recommendations. According to this file, you are organized and hardworking, and you have strong communication skills."
Ava frowned slightly.
"My résumé?"
"Yes."
"I... I don't remember applying for a job at Blackwood Group."
"You didn't."
Her brows knitted together in confusion.
"Then how did you get it?"
Damien closed the file and looked at her.
"A trusted business associate recommended you. He believes you're the right person for a position that recently became available."
Ava blinked, still trying to understand.
"What position?"
"My personal assistant."
Her eyes widened.
"Your... personal assistant?"
Damien nodded.
"My previous assistant resigned two weeks ago, and I have been looking for someone capable of handling the demands of the role. From everything I have read about you, I believe you are qualified."
Ava sat speechless. She had walked into his office, expecting answers about the past.
Instead, he was offering her a job she never saw coming.
Ava sat quietly, staring at Damien as his words echoed in her mind.
Becoming his personal assistant was the last thing she had expected to hear. Of all the possibilities she had imagined on her way to Blackwood Group, this wasn't one of them.
She tightened her grip on her handbag beneath the desk.
How am I supposed to work with him every day? she wondered. How can I look into his eyes knowing I'm carrying his child?
Her thoughts became a tangled mess.
Should I tell him the truth now?
Should I wait until I had confirmed the pregnancy at the hospital?
Or should I walk away before my feelings get even more complicated?
She wondered all to herself.
She stole a quick glance at Damien.
He was waiting patiently for her answer, completely unaware of the storm raging inside her.
The thought made her chest ache.
He was talking about schedules, meetings, and responsibilities while she was thinking about the tiny ceature that is inside her.
"Ava?"
His voice pulled her back to reality.
She blinked and looked up.
"I'm sorry," she said, forcing a small smile. "I... I was just thinking."
Damien noticed the change in Ava's expression. The confidence she had shown when she first walked into his office had faded, replaced by a look of exhaustion.
Her face looked pale, and there were faint dark circles beneath her eyes, as though she hadn't slept in days.
"Miss Carter," he said gently, "are you feeling alright?"
Ava looked up, startled by the question.
"I'm fine," she answered quickly.
Damien wasn't convinced.
"You don't look fine."
She forced a small smile. "It's just been a stressful morning."
He studied her for another moment before standing up from his chair.
Walking to a small cabinet in the
corner of his office, he poured a glass of water and placed it in front of her.
"Here."
"Thank you," Ava said softly, accepting it with slightly trembling hands.
She took a sip, hoping it would calm her nerves for a brief second, she almost told him everything.
I'm pregnant...,But she couldn't bring herself to say them.
She lowered her eyes and placed the glass back on the desk.
"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I think I just need a little rest."
Damien nodded slowly, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Ava was hiding something important.
" I guess I have to go now."She slowly stood up from her chair, holding her handbag tightly.
"Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Blackwood," she said politely. "I'll think about your offer."
Damien nodded. "Take your time. I expect your answer soon."
Ava gave a small nod and turned toward the door. She had barely taken two steps when a wave of dizziness suddenly hit her.
The room seemed to spin around her,and then she lost her balance.
Before she could fall, Damien quickly reached out and caught her by the arm.
"Careful," he said, his voice filled with concern.
For a brief moment, they stood face to face.
Ava looked into his eyes, and her heart began to race.
Damien frowned slightly. There was something about her that felt strangely familiar.
"Are you sure we've never met before?" he asked quietly.
Ava's heart pounded against her chest.
- Writer
