Chapter2
1152 Words
The sound of heels clicking against the polished floor echoed through the quiet office hallway, breaking the tense silence that hung between Ava and her thoughts. She wasn’t sure why her pulse quickened whenever she was near Adrian, but it did. Every time their eyes met, her body seemed to betray her, even as her mind screamed at her to stay composed. Today was no different.
She had managed to avoid him for the last few weeks, keeping her head down and her focus on work. It had been easier than she thought, considering how little interaction they had. Adrian was a man of few words, and even fewer were ever directed at her. But that didn't mean he hadn’t noticed her. She knew he had. His gaze always lingered a little too long whenever they crossed paths, and it wasn’t just the usual disinterested glance he gave to everyone. There was something deeper there, something that made her stomach flutter uncomfortably.
Today, however, her usual strategy of avoidance wasn't going to work. Adrian was waiting for her in the conference room.
She stood in front of the door, hand on the handle, feeling the weight of his presence on the other side. There was a moment of hesitation, a brief moment where she considered walking away, but she steeled herself and pushed the door open.
Inside, Adrian was standing by the large window, his back to her as he gazed out over the city skyline. The room was bathed in natural light, the soft glow of the early afternoon sun spilling across his tall frame, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the intensity in his posture. Even from behind, he exuded power, his presence commanding attention without uttering a word.
“Miss Carter,” his voice broke through the silence, smooth but cold, like the steel that ran through his veins. She shivered at the sound of her name.
“Mr. Storm,” she replied evenly, keeping her tone neutral. She forced herself to look at him, even though it was difficult to ignore the way his presence filled the room, overwhelming everything else. She knew this was part of his charm, the way he made everything feel like it was under his control.
He turned slowly, his sharp blue eyes locking onto hers. There was an unreadable expression on his face, but there was something behind it, something that made her heart race despite herself. His gaze flickered down briefly, as if inspecting her, before settling back on her face. It wasn’t the kind of look she was used to receiving. It was intense, as though he was trying to decipher a puzzle he hadn’t quite figured out.
“Sit,” he said simply, motioning to the chair across from him.
Ava hesitated for a moment before walking over to take a seat. She wasn’t sure why he had called her in for this meeting. She hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary, and her work had been above reproach. Her mind raced with possibilities—had he somehow found out about the twins? Was he going to fire her? The thought made her stomach churn, but she forced herself to maintain her composure.
Adrian sat down at the opposite end of the table, folding his hands in front of him. The room seemed to grow smaller, the tension thickening as he studied her, his gaze unblinking.
“I’ve noticed you’ve been avoiding me lately, Miss Carter,” he said, his voice calm but with an edge of something else—curiosity, perhaps, or suspicion. “I’ve asked about you, and you’ve been keeping a low profile. Why?”
The question hung in the air like a challenge, daring her to answer. Ava could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, but she kept her expression steady. What was she supposed to say? That she was avoiding him because he was the father of her children, the one person she never wanted to see again?
“I’ve been focused on my work, Mr. Storm,” she replied, her voice steady, betraying none of the panic that was building inside her. “There’s nothing to it.”
He didn’t seem convinced. His brow furrowed slightly, and he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, his fingers steepled in front of his lips.
“You’re not one for distractions, are you, Miss Carter?” he observed, his tone thoughtful. “So why the sudden withdrawal? You weren’t like this before.”
Ava’s mind raced. She had to think of something, anything, to divert his attention from what was really going on. She couldn’t let him get too close, couldn’t let him see the cracks in her carefully constructed facade.
“I’m just adjusting to a new role,” she said smoothly, offering a half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Trying to do my best for the company.”
He regarded her for a moment, his sharp eyes never leaving hers. Then, without warning, he stood and walked over to the window, his back to her once more. For a brief moment, the silence stretched between them, thick and oppressive.
“You know, Miss Carter,” Adrian said, his voice lower now, almost contemplative. “You remind me of someone. A woman I met a long time ago.”
Ava’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly suppressed the surge of panic that rose in her chest. She had to keep it together. She couldn’t let him see her fear.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one,” she said, keeping her tone light, even though her pulse was hammering in her ears.
“No, not just anyone,” he continued, his voice almost distant, as though lost in thought. “She was... different. There was something about her—something I couldn’t forget. And now, seeing you here... It’s strange.”
Ava held her breath. His words struck her like a thunderclap, sending a jolt of fear through her. He couldn’t be talking about her, could he? He had no idea. No idea that she was the woman he had shared that night with, the one whose life had been forever changed by their brief encounter.
He turned back to face her, his eyes narrowed slightly, as though trying to piece together a puzzle that didn’t quite fit.
“Do I remind you of her?” he asked, his voice soft, yet there was an underlying intensity there, like he was daring her to answer truthfully.
Ava’s throat tightened, but she forced a smile, even though it felt like the hardest thing she had ever done.
“I’m sure there are many women who remind you of others, Mr. Storm,” she said, keeping her voice as steady as she could.
But inside, her heart was in turmoil, the past crashing back into her with all its fury.
- Writer
