Chapter Seven
1022 Words
Monday morning came faster than Ava expected.
Her alarm rang at six, and she slowly opened her eyes. For a few seconds, she stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling. Then she remembered.
Today was her first day at Blackwood Group.
Ava finally got up and headed to the bathroom. She took a quick shower and then stood in front of her wardrobe, wondering what to wear.
She didn't want to look too dressed up, but she also wanted to make a good first impression.
After going through several outfits, she settled for a simple blouse and a fitted skirt.
She brushed her hair, looked at herself in the mirror, and took a deep breath.
"Just a job," she told herself.
And then she remembered who her boss was.
Damien Blackwood.
The father of her unborn child.
Ava quickly pushed the thought away.
She grabbed her handbag, checked that she had everything she needed, and then left the apartment.
Outside, the streets were already busy.
Cars moved along the road while people hurried to their different destinations.
Ava checked the time and walked faster.
She couldn't afford to be late on her first day.
And then she saw it.
Blackwood Group's huge glass building stood ahead of her.
Ava stopped for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Here we go."
Then, she walked through the glass doors, when she stepped into the building and immediately felt out of place.
The lobby was huge. Shiny floors stretched across the room, and people in expensive suits moved around quickly, some talking on their phones while others carried files in their hands.
Ava tightened her grip on her handbag and walked toward the reception desk.
"Good morning," the receptionist greeted her with a polite smile.
"Good morning. I'm Ava Carter. I'm here to see Mr. Blackwood."
The receptionist typed something into her computer and looked up.
"Yes, Miss Carter. Mr. Blackwood is expecting you."
Ava nodded.
"Thank you."
"Take the elevator to the executive floor.
Ava thanked her and walked toward the elevators.
When the doors opened, she stepped inside and pressed the button.
The doors slowly closed, and she was alone again.
A nervous feeling settled in her stomach.She looked at her reflection in the shiny elevator doors and straightened her blouse.
"Don't panic," she whispered.
The elevator began moving upward.Floor after floor passed.
Ava took a slow breath.
And then the elevator finally stopped.The doors opened.
She stepped out of the elevator and looked around.
The executive floor was quieter than the lobby.
A few employees sat behind their desks, busy with their work.
A woman in her early thirties approached her with a friendly smile.
"You must be Ava."
"Yes," Ava replied.
"I'm Rachel. I work with Mr.
Blackwood's office. Let me show you around."
Ava smiled. "Thank you."
Rachel showed her the small office beside Damien's. It had a desk, a computer, a phone, and a few shelves filled with files.
"This will be your office," Rachel said.
Ava looked around. "It's nice."
"You'll get used to it."
Rachel handed her a folder.
"These are some of the things you'll be handling. Damien likes everything done on time, so don't leave anything until the last minute."
Ava nodded.
"I'll remember that."
Rachel gave her a knowing look. "And don't worry. He looks intimidating, but you'll survive."
Ava laughed softly.
"I hope so."
Rachel smiled and walked away.
Ava sat behind her new desk and looked around.
And then she heard his office door open.
Ava's smile disappeared.
Damien stepped out.
Their eyes met.
Her heart immediately began to race.
Damien looked at her for a moment before speaking.
"Miss Carter, come into my office."
Ava quickly stood.
"Yes, sir."
She followed him inside and closed the door behind her.
Damien walked to his desk and picked up a folder.
"This is your first assignment," he said, handing it to her.
"I need these documents arranged before the meeting this afternoon."
Ava opened the folder and glanced through the papers.
"Alright. I'll have them ready."
Damien nodded.
"You'll also need to check my schedule for the rest of the week. There are several meetings that need to be moved."
Ava took out her notebook and began writing.
"Anything else?"
Damien paused.
"For now, that's all."
Ava nodded and turned toward the door to leave.
"Miss Carter."
She stopped and looked back.
"Yes?"
Damien studied her face for a second.
"You seem nervous."
Ava's fingers tightened around her notebook.
"I'm just trying to make a good first impression."
"You don't need to be nervous around me," he said. "I expect you to do your job. Nothing more."
Ava forced a small smile.
"Understood."
She opened the door and walked out.
And then she finally released the breath she'd been holding.
Ava returned to her desk and sat down, trying to focus on the documents in front of her.
She read the first page twice but couldn't remember a single word.
Her mind was still on Damien's question."You seem nervous".
She shook her head and forced herself to work.
Through the glass wall of his office, Damien was still at his desk. He looked busy, but every now and then, his eyes moved toward her.
Ava noticed it the third time.
She looked up, and their eyes met.
Damien didn't look away.Neither did she.
For a few seconds, they simply stared at each other.
Then Damien suddenly looked down at the papers on his desk.
Ava turned back to her computer, her heart beating faster.
She tried to concentrate again, but something felt strange.
Inside his office, Damien leaned back in his chair.
There was something about Ava,her face, her voice. Even the way she looks at him.But he couldn't explain it.
And then, without warning, a faint image flashed through his mind.
A dark room.
Soft music.
A woman's laughter.
Damien frowned and closed his eyes.
The memory disappeared as quickly as it had come.
He opened his eyes and looked toward Ava's desk again.
"Where have I seen her before?" he whispered.That was when Damien knew that something was not right.
- Writer
