Chapter 5

" Yayyy! My friend is in love! " Bella screamed on top of her lungs.

" Hey, are you crazy?! Why are you screaming?? " Ava's eyes widened as she tried to stop Bella .

Bella's voice went calm in an instant " Yeah I'm crazy, this is crazy, Ava! "

Ava rolled her eyes " How? "

" This is literally the first time you took an interest in a guy " Bella explained calmly but the excitement was still evident in her voice. Ava's mouth curved, and a hint of smile appeared. She expected nothing less from Bella.

" The first time? You keep forgetting that I once dated someone " Ava replied.

" Okay okay, first time in a long time " Bella corrected herself, and Ava could imagine her swaying her hand in demonstration.

" But come to think of it, " Bella continued thoughtfully " The guy you dated was a douchebag and I think you dated yourself, not him " She bursted into laughter

Ava rolled her eyes " Shut up, that doesn't change the fact that we dated and I loved him " She said quietly.

Bella seemed to notice the change in her voice and she cleared her throat " Okay, enough about that douchebag. Tell me more about this handsome dude you met "

Ava smiled, her face brightening up in an instant " Yeah, him. I don't know what it is about him that drew me to him. I'm sure it's not because he's handsome. I've met with lots of handsome guys but he's different " She narrated how she felt to Bella while the latter listened intently.

" Well well, if you're fated to be together, your paths will cross again. That, I'm sure of " Bella mused.

" Yeah. He looked familiar though, as if we've met before " Ava said thoughtfully.

" Hmm. Try to remember where you guys met before " Bella suggested.

" That's the funny thing, I don't think I've met him before " Ava replied.

" Oh wow " came from Bella and both were silent for a minute, each occupied with her own thoughts. Ava ended the call shortly after she heard Bella yawn. They said their byes, after coming to a decision to talk more about it when they see. Ava drifted off to sleep, thinking about Bryan.

******************

With the address discreetly relayed to him, Bryan wasted no time in going to her place the next day. His resolve to uncover the layers shielding Ava's inner world only intensified. With a calculated stride, he made his way through the city's labyrinthine streets, guided by the location his bodyguard had shared.

The evening was adorned with the gentle glow of streetlights casting elongated shadows across the pavement. As Bryan navigated through the dimly lit alleys, his mind raced with possibilities. What awaited him at Ava's place? Would she be receptive to his persistence or would she further fortify the barriers she had erected earlier?

Arriving at the designated address, a nondescript apartment building nestled between taller structures, Bryan hesitated momentarily. He didn't wish to invade her privacy or come off as an intruder. Yet, an undeniable urgency propelled him forward, a need to connect with the enigmatic Ava.

He discreetly signaled his bodyguard to maintain a watchful distance as he ascended the staircase, steps deliberate yet cautious. The hallway leading to Ava's apartment appeared deserted, silence shrouding the air. A faint echo of distant voices drifted through closed doors, heightening Bryan's awareness of the delicate situation.

Arriving at her door, Bryan hesitated, his knuckles poised to knock. He wrestled with conflicting thoughts, torn between respecting Ava's privacy and his insatiable desire to see her. He had never felt this way before. Not after Lucy died. There was more to it than just mere attraction he felt towards Ava. Something kept pulling him in, wanting him to erase the flicker of sadness he saw in her eyes the last time.

Just as he was about to retreat, contemplating a more subtle approach, the door creaked open. Ava stood before him, an enigmatic silhouette against the soft illumination emanating from within her apartment. Her expression was a mixture of surprise and guarded wariness.

" Bryan... What are you doing here? " Her voice, tinged with a hint of apprehension, carried an undercurrent of vulnerability.

" I... I'm sorry if this seems intrusive " he began, searching for the right words. " But I needed to say this. Can you grant me thirty minutes of your time? " He asked, his voice sounding genuine.

" How did you find me? " She asked

He scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly " Uh... Well... "

Her eyes widened in shock " You had me tailed??! "

He held out his hands quickly " No no, that's not it. Listen to me "

Ava crossed her arms under her breasts and the action pushed them up. His gaze followed her line of movement and he gulped, feeling his trousers becoming smaller as his d*ck reacted to her small but perfect breasts.

" My eyes are up here, sir " She said when she saw where his attention was.

He seemed to snap out of a daze " Oh! I'm sorry... "

" Were you saying something? " Ava prompted.

She couldn't deny the fact that her body had reacted to the way he stared at her.

Bryan continued " So, I was wondering if you could lend me a few minutes of your time? "

She raised her eyebrows " Thirty minutes is a few minutes? "

Bryan sighed, thinking he was going to have trouble breaking through her facade.

" Can we talk please? " He rephrased

" About? " She questioned.

He sighed again " I can't seem to let you out of my mind, you've taken over my thoughts completely "

Ava's heart giggled . So she wasn't in this alone, she thought excitedly. But she maintained her composure.