Ava’s POV(Flashback.)It was when my college days. I was working at a coffee shop part-time to sustain the expenses that I had been spending on school, and myself, and a little of my income would go to my family. Every day, starting four in the afternoon until nine in the evening, the peak hours would start. As for me, even though I was only part-time there, I had to help the other baristas there to balance each customer's demand. I also had to memorize some of the orders of every long-time customer already.It was tiring, but for me, it was one of the best jobs in the world.The day was rainy, and fewer customers were going, but the operations were still as usual. The delivery just came and needed someone to move them towards the inventory, so I volunteered. While moving some coffee beans, I did not notice it but I accidentally bumped into someone, causing me to drop a container of the beans while drop to the floor.I rubbed my right backside from the drop and realized that some bea
Ava’s POVI had no energy left to care. The messages were just words, after all, harmless when confined to the sterile confines of our online work platform. George’s snide remarks felt like the hum of an annoying mosquito—persistent but ignorable. His boldness existed only in the digital realm, where he felt safe behind his screen. Face-to-face, I knew he wouldn’t dare.And yet, despite my resolve to let it slide, I found myself dwelling on it. I was exhausted—not just physically but mentally. The constant undercurrents of competition, gossip, and petty rivalries in the office had drained me. Still, I pushed the thought aside. Tomorrow was another day, and I’d deal with it when it came.The next morning, I lingered in the tea room, hoping for a moment of quiet before the chaos of the day. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the chatter of coworkers, their conversations overlapping in a comforting white noise. That’s when George decided to strike.“Oh, Ava,” he said, sliding
Ava’s POVThe hum of the plane’s engines had barely faded when we were whisked off to a sleek, waiting bus. Everything about this trip screamed luxury—first-class flights, private transport, and now a high-end hotel that towered over the city center like a gleaming promise of success. My colleagues chattered excitedly around me, their energy infectious but somehow distant.I should have felt the same way. This was a big opportunity for all of us, a chance to prove ourselves at Blackwood Tech, one of the most powerful companies in the world. But as the bus wove through the crowded streets of the city, my excitement simmered beneath a layer of something else.Mixed feelings. That was the best way to describe it.This wasn’t just any city—it was my city. The place where I grew up.The towering skyline seemed both familiar and foreign. The Twin Towers of Blackwood Tech loomed in the distance, their mirrored surfaces reflecting the soft hues of the setting sun. The driver, a polished man i
Ava’s POVBy the time dinner rolled around, I found myself seated in a private buffet room arranged by Logan’s secretary. The space was as luxurious as one would expect—polished marble floors, elegant lighting, and an array of dishes that could rival a royal feast. My unease about my room assignment still lingered, but the cheerful banter of my colleagues was surprisingly infectious.The food was excellent, and for a moment, I let myself relax. Perhaps this trip wouldn’t be as daunting as I’d feared.As I reached for a glass of sparkling water, Jennifer slid into the seat next to me. She wasted no time starting a conversation.“George has been insufferable today,” she said, her voice low but laced with disdain. “Strutting around like a rooster, bragging about his supposed connections. Can you believe him?”I raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, sipping my drink. Jennifer wasn’t someone I had ever been close to, and her sudden friendliness made me wary.“Honestly,” she continued, rollin
Ava’s POV(Flashback)The morning rush at the coffee shop was a familiar blur of clinking cups and the low hum of chatter, punctuated by the hiss of the espresso machine. By now, Logan had become a regular sight, his broad shoulders and sharp jawline unmistakable even through the busiest crowd. He sat at his usual corner table by the window, scrolling through his phone as sunlight painted his profile in golden hues.The first time he came in, he’d barely looked at me. Now, his easy smile when I brought his coffee felt like a small victory.“Priority customer,” Tom, the manager, teased as he placed a slice of tiramisu on the tray beside Logan’s black coffee. “He’s keeping the place running at this rate. Take this to him, will you? My gift.”I rolled my eyes but picked up the tray. “Don’t let him hear that. He might ask for a shareholder’s cut.”When I approached Logan’s table, he glanced up from his phone, and his expression softened. “Ava. You always seem to know when I’m in need of c
Ava’s POVThe morning was crisp as I slid into Logan’s car, the soft hum of classical music filling the air. The interior smelled faintly of leather and something spicy—his cologne, I guessed. He greeted me with his usual composed smile, and for a moment, I almost forgot the gnawing unease that always seemed to accompany him.As he steered the car smoothly onto the main road, I noticed the glint of his watch under the sunlight. My breath caught as I recognized the design—Marc Chagall’s ethereal strokes etched into a luxury timepiece. Vacheron Constantin Chagall & L'Opera de Paris.“You’re wearing a Chagall watch?” I asked, unable to mask my surprise.He glanced at his wrist, a flicker of pride flashing in his expression. “A little indulgence,” he said lightly. “It felt fitting for today.”I let out a soft laugh, though the knot in my chest tightened. His world was a universe away from mine, each detail—a watch, a car, the perfectly pressed lines of his jacket—serving as a constant rem
Ava’s POVCassie appeared, her smile bright yet sharp, like polished steel. She was effortlessly beautiful in a black dress that hugged her figure and somehow managed to be understated yet commanding. My scarf suddenly felt like a glaring mistake.Her eyes swept over me, lingering on the scarf with an almost imperceptible arch of her brow. It wasn’t overt, but I felt the judgment all the same. I instinctively adjusted it, feeling suddenly out of place, like a child playing dress-up at an adult’s event."Logan, this year’s exhibition is simply marvelous," Cassie said, her voice oozing approval. She clasped her hands together with a delicate air. "The present was better than ever. Truly, it’s unmatched.""Glad you think so," Logan replied smoothly, his lips curving into that effortless smile that charmed everyone.Wait. The present? I blinked, my gaze flickering between them. Logan didn’t elaborate, and Cassie moved on as if it was common knowledge. A pang of unease settled in my stomac
Logan’s POVThe sound of heels clicking against the stone path drew my attention, and there she was, Cassie, rushing toward me with that ever-confident stride. Only this time, she misstepped.Her heel caught on the edge of the stone, and she stumbled forward, arms flailing. Instinctively, I reached out, but before she fell into me, Leo and Andrew appeared, steadying her on either side.“Careful there,” I said, my tone light but my grip tightening on her.Cassie laughed it off, waving a hand. “Just these damn heels. They’re treacherous.”I stepped back as she brushed herself off, not missing the flicker of irritation that crossed her face. Cassie hated looking anything less than perfect.We piled into the car shortly after. Andrew and I took the front seats while Cassie and Leo slid into the back. The partition between us was down, and I could hear their conversation clearly, as I always did.Cassie started immediately, her voice dripping with disdain. “You wouldn’t believe the people
Ava’s POVThe rain tapped against the window like a persistent melody, filling the quiet space between us. Logan was sitting across from me, his fingers idly tracing the rim of his coffee cup. His demeanor was calm, as always, but there was an edge of curiosity in his gaze—one I couldn’t ignore.I took a deep breath. “Logan, I need your help with something.”He looked up from his coffee, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “What kind of help?”“I need to find someone,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Can you help me find Oliver? He's disappeared.”For a moment, Logan didn’t react. Then he leaned back in his chair, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. “Oliver, huh?”I nodded, unsure of what to expect. Logan always seemed like the kind of person who could find anyone, but the thought of asking him felt daunting.“You’re asking the wrong guy,” he said, shrugging. Logan's expression remained calm, but there was a slight tension in his jaw. "Ava, I wish I could help, but I don't
Ava’s POVAfter that night, Logan became a regular fixture at the coffee shop where I worked. He would sit at a corner table, watching me with a soft smile as I bustled around, taking orders and making drinks. His presence was both comforting and exhilarating, and I often found myself blushing under his gaze."You're doing great, Ava," he would say, his eyes twinkling with amusement whenever he caught me looking flustered."Thanks, Logan," I would reply, my cheeks turning even redder. His support meant the world to me, and I cherished every moment we spent together.Logan was there again, sitting at his usual table by the window. He was pretending to read something on his phone, but I could feel his gaze on me, as steady and warm as the late afternoon sun streaming through the glass.Every time I glanced his way, his lips curled into that easy, knowing smile that made my heart stutter. It was impossible to focus when he was around, but I secretly loved the way he watched me. Sometime
Ava’s POVThe evening air hung thick with anticipation, the dim light casting soft shadows across my face. Logan stepped closer, his movements unhurried, like a predator sizing up its prey, though his expression held nothing but warmth. “You don’t have to be nervous,” he said, reaching out to gently brush a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I swallowed hard, my heart pounding as his fingers lingered, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. “It was my first time. I don’t want to mess this up.”Logan’s lips curled into a knowing smile as he cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing gently against my flushed skin. “Ava, trust me, I’m very good at taking the lead.”My nerves began to melt away as Logan’s confidence enveloped me like a warm blanket. He kissed me passionately as he guided me to the bed. When his hands touched my breast they were warm, and he began to touch my soft skin. This was just the first session and his hands were confident, as his fingertips steadied my shoulder to u
Ava’s POVThe warmth in my body was overwhelming, an electric buzz I couldn’t shake. My steps faltered as Oliver’s hand tightened around my arm, his voice blending into the haze around me.“Ava, stay with me,” he urged, his tone edged with something close to panic.I blinked up at him, trying to focus. “What… what’s happening?”Before he could answer, another voice cut through the noise—a voice as cold and sharp as a blade.“Is there a problem here?”I turned, swaying slightly, to see Logan. He was standing a few feet away, his tall frame commanding attention even in the crowded ballroom. His dark suit seemed to absorb the light, and his piercing gaze flickered between me and Oliver.Logan’s presence sent a ripple through the room. People instinctively stepped aside, whispering in hushed tones, but his focus remained locked on us.Oliver stiffened, his face draining of color. For the first time, I saw fear in his eyes.“No problem,” Oliver said quickly, his grip on me loosening. “She’
Ava’s POVThe air seemed to thicken as I looked at Oliver, standing there as if he hadn’t fractured my world years ago. My chest felt heavy, and my throat tightened with the weight of the questions I had buried for so long.Memories I had worked so hard to suppress flooded back, sharp and unrelenting. My father, sitting at the dining table late into the night, stacks of papers and blueprints scattered before him. The excitement in his voice as he spoke of bidding on a property— Ridgewood Estate a deal that could have changed everything for our family.I remember the pride in his eyes when he said, “This is it, Ava. This is our future.”But the future never came.Instead, everything fell apart.I balled my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to steady my breathing. Oliver had been there, right in the middle of it all. As one of the key employees in the company managing the bidding process, he had worked closely with my father. My father trusted him. We trusted him.And th
Ava’s POVI followed Oliver at a careful distance, my heart pounding in my chest like a trapped bird. The dimly lit corridors of the sprawling estate seemed endless, each turn more disorienting than the last. Zara was supposed to be here, but I couldn’t find her. Now, lost in this labyrinth of opulence, I regretted every impulsive decision that had led me here.Just as I was about to give up and retreat, a sound reached me. A faint melody—sensuous, slow, and haunting. It was coming from a room at the end of the hallway. Drawn by curiosity and an inexplicable pull, I approached, the door slightly ajar. Inside, the scene unfolded like something out of a forbidden dream.Zara.She stood in the center of the room, a vision in crimson silk that clung to her every curve. The dress—if you could call it that—was daring, with slits that ran up both sides, revealing long legs adorned with shimmering anklets. The fabric caught the light, giving her an ethereal glow, while delicate chains draped
Ava's POVIt had been a few days since Logan had last reached out to me. A part of me felt relieved—after everything that had happened, I wasn’t sure how to face him anymore. But another part of me, the part that had grown accustomed to his presence, found the silence oddly unsettling.I sat in the corner of a quiet coffee shop, my laptop open in front of me, calculating the mess that had become my finances. It had started innocently enough—just a few unexpected expenses, some overdue bills—but now it was spiraling. Taxes, student loans, rent, and the occasional luxury gift from Logan that I could barely afford. The numbers just didn’t add up."Hey, Ava, are you doing okay?" Zara slid into the chair across from me, her eyes scanning the coffee cup in front of me, half-empty and forgotten.I sighed, shaking my head. "I’m fine. Just trying to figure out how I’m going to survive the next few months."Zara raised an eyebrow. "Survive? Are you serious? You've got Logan—he could solve all o
Logan’s POVThe sound of heels clicking against the stone path drew my attention, and there she was, Cassie, rushing toward me with that ever-confident stride. Only this time, she misstepped.Her heel caught on the edge of the stone, and she stumbled forward, arms flailing. Instinctively, I reached out, but before she fell into me, Leo and Andrew appeared, steadying her on either side.“Careful there,” I said, my tone light but my grip tightening on her.Cassie laughed it off, waving a hand. “Just these damn heels. They’re treacherous.”I stepped back as she brushed herself off, not missing the flicker of irritation that crossed her face. Cassie hated looking anything less than perfect.We piled into the car shortly after. Andrew and I took the front seats while Cassie and Leo slid into the back. The partition between us was down, and I could hear their conversation clearly, as I always did.Cassie started immediately, her voice dripping with disdain. “You wouldn’t believe the people
Ava’s POVCassie appeared, her smile bright yet sharp, like polished steel. She was effortlessly beautiful in a black dress that hugged her figure and somehow managed to be understated yet commanding. My scarf suddenly felt like a glaring mistake.Her eyes swept over me, lingering on the scarf with an almost imperceptible arch of her brow. It wasn’t overt, but I felt the judgment all the same. I instinctively adjusted it, feeling suddenly out of place, like a child playing dress-up at an adult’s event."Logan, this year’s exhibition is simply marvelous," Cassie said, her voice oozing approval. She clasped her hands together with a delicate air. "The present was better than ever. Truly, it’s unmatched.""Glad you think so," Logan replied smoothly, his lips curving into that effortless smile that charmed everyone.Wait. The present? I blinked, my gaze flickering between them. Logan didn’t elaborate, and Cassie moved on as if it was common knowledge. A pang of unease settled in my stomac