Chapter Six.
903 Words
Ava barely slept that night.
She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling while the employment file rested on the small table beside her.
No matter how many times she closed her eyes, Damien's face appeared in her mind.
His question kept coming back.
"Are you sure we haven't met before?"
Ava turned onto her side and pulled the blanket closer.
"Why did he have to ask that?" she whispered.
She knew the answer. He had looked at her that night. He had held her close. She remembered everything, even if he didn't.
Her hand slowly moved to her stomach.
The thought of working with him every day frightened her. What if he remembered? What if he discovered the pregnancy before she was ready to tell him?
She reached for the employment file and opened it again.
The salary was good. Better than anything she had expected. It could give her and her baby the stable life they needed.But money wasn't the only thing she was thinking about.
Damien was.
Ava sighed and closed the file.
"Maybe I should just walk away."
Yet deep down, she already knew she couldn't.She had to think about her baby's future.
Ava looked exhausted when Karen arrived at her apartment the next morning.
Karen dropped her bag on the sofa and looked at her closely.
"You didn't sleep, did you?"
Ava shook her head.
"Not really."
Karen sat beside her. "You're still thinking about the job?"
Ava nodded and picked up the employment file from the table.
"I don't know what to do, Karen. If I accept it, I'll have to see Damien every day."
"And if you don't?"
Ava looked down at the file.
"I'll lose a good opportunity. I need the money now more than ever."
Karen stayed quiet for a moment.
"Think about the baby too. You need something stable."
Ava placed a hand gently over her stomach.
"I know."
"But you're afraid of him," Karen said.
Ava sighed and looked away.
"I'm afraid of myself."
Karen frowned. "What do you mean?"
Ava took a deep breath.
"I'm afraid that being around him every day will bring back everything that happened that night. And I don't want to fall for him again."
Karen reached for her hand.
"Then don't make your decision because of Damien. Make it because of you and your baby."
Ava stared at her friend, letting the words sink in.
She picked up the employment file again and turned to the first page.
Her eyes moved slowly over the details. The salary made her pause. It was more than she had expected, and the benefits were even better.
"This could really help," she said quietly.
Karen nodded. "Exactly."
Ava continued reading. The position came with responsibilities she knew she could handle,managing Damien's schedule, arranging meetings, preparing documents, and assisting him with important business matters.
But one thing bothered her.
She would be around Damien almost every day.
Ava closed her eyes briefly.
How was she supposed to act like they were strangers when she remembered everything about that night?
She opened the file again and kept reading.
The job could give her the financial stability she needed. She wouldn't have to worry so much about rent, hospital bills, or preparing for the baby's arrival.
Ava sat quietly, thinking about everything Karen had said.
She knew accepting the job came with risks. Working so closely with Damien could make hiding the truth almost impossible. One wrong move, one careless moment, and he could discover everything.
But walking away wouldn't solve anything either.
"I've been thinking," Ava finally said.
Karen looked at her. "And?"
"I think I'm going to take the job."
Karen smiled. "Are you sure?"
Ava nodded slowly.
"No, I'm not sure," she admitted. "I'm scared. But I can't let fear decide everything for me."
Karen leaned back against the sofa.
"That's the Ava I know."
Ava gave a small laugh.
"I just need to be careful."
"You will be."
Ava took a deep breath.
"Tomorrow, I would make the call." She said to Karen.
"All right," Karen responded. She stood from the sofa and picked up her bag.
"I should let you rest," she said. "You've had a long day."
Ava nodded. "Thank you for staying with me."
"Of course. Just promise me you'll stop overthinking everything tonight."
Ava gave her a small smile. "I'll try."
Karen walked toward the door, then turned back.
"Whatever happens, you'll be fine."
Ava nodded.
"I hope so."
Karen smiled and stepped out. A few moments later, Ava heard the sound of the door closing behind her.
The apartment suddenly felt quiet.
Ava went to bed, but sleep didn't come easily. Her mind was still filled with questions about Damien and the secret she was carrying.
And then, eventually, exhaustion took over.
The next morning, Ava woke earlier than usual. She remembered the decision she had made the night before.
She was going to accept the job.
After breakfast, she picked up her phone and called Blackwood Group.
"Hello. I'd like to speak with Mr. Blackwood, please."
After a brief wait, Damien's familiar voice came through.
"Miss Carter."
Ava swallowed.
"Mr. Blackwood... I have made my decision."
"And?"
She took a deep breath.
"I'll accept the job."
"Good. I'm glad to hear that."
"When should I start?"
"Monday morning. Eight o'clock."
"Okay. I'll be there."
The call ended.
Ava lowered the phone slowly.
- Writer
