chapter 2; A second meeting
400 Words
Ava spent the rest of the day trying to forget about the stranger she had met in the rain.
It should have been easy. She had work to do, bills to pay, and a mother waiting for her at home. There was no room in her life for handsome strangers with charming smiles.
Yet somehow, Ethan Carter kept finding his way into her thoughts.
The next morning, Ava arrived at the publishing company fifteen minutes early. She settled into her desk and began sorting through a pile of manuscripts.
"Ava, the conference room. Now," her manager called.
She quickly gathered her notebook and walked down the hall.
Several employees were already seated around the large table. At the front stood Mr. Reynolds, the company's director.
Beside him stood a familiar figure.
Ava froze.
It was Ethan.
He looked just as confident as he had the day before, dressed in a dark suit that probably cost more than her monthly salary.
His eyes found hers instantly.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Ava looked away.
"Everyone," Mr. Reynolds announced, "I'd like you to meet Ethan Carter. His company will be partnering with us on a major publishing project."
The room erupted into polite applause.
Ava stared at her notebook.
Of all the companies in the city, why did his have to choose hers?
After the meeting ended, employees surrounded Ethan, eager to introduce themselves.
Ava quietly slipped out.
"Running away already?"
She stopped.
Ethan had followed her into the hallway.
"I'm not running."
"Really? Because it looks exactly like running."
Ava sighed.
"What do you want?"
"To say hello."
"You already did that yesterday."
He laughed.
"You're always this difficult?"
"Only when I'm busy."
Ethan studied her face.
Most people tried to impress him. Ava seemed determined to do the opposite.
Oddly, he liked that.
"Then let me make this quick," he said. "Would you have coffee with me after work?"
Ava stared at him.
"No."
His eyebrows rose.
"No?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know you."
"That's usually the purpose of coffee."
A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
For a moment, Ethan saw a glimpse of the woman hidden beneath all her seriousness.
And she was beautiful.
Before he could say anything else, Ava turned and walked away.
But this time, she couldn't stop smiling.
Maybe meeting Ethan Carter wasn't an accident after all.
- Writer
