Caspian
I gazed at Ava, concern etched on my face. She was staring blankly ahead, her eyes glassy and unresponsive. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her feet were tapping impatiently on the floor. I could sense her agitation, but I had no idea what was causing it. "Ava, what's wrong?" I asked, trying to keep my voice gentle. At first, she didn't respond. Then, in a low, husky tone, she muttered, "Call my brother." I frowned, taken aback by her request. "Ava, I'm here. You don't need to call your brother. Just tell me what's going on." But she wouldn't budge. "Call Marcel," she insisted, her voice rising. "Call him now." I sighed, trying to placate her. I pulled out my phone and dialed Marcel's number, but it went straight to voicemail. I turned to Ava, who was watching me with an anxious expression. "Your brother isn't picking up. Can you tell me what's going on?" She bit her bottom lip, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. I could see the tension radiating from her body, but I had no idea what was causing it. I tried to read her expression, to understand what was going through her mind, but she was a closed book. What the hell was wrong with her? My eyes drifted back to the road ahead, my grip on the steering wheel tightening. "Since you don't have anything else to say, I guess I'll start the car," I muttered, my tone detached. As I began to ease the car forward, Ava's hand shot out, her fingers wrapping around my wrist like a vice. My gaze snapped back to hers, surprise etched on my face. "What?" I asked, my voice tinged with frustration. Ava's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and vulnerability, her bottom lip trembling. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and for a moment, I thought I saw the glint of tears. But then she bit her lip, and her expression hardened into a glare. "I think I'm on my period," she whispered, her voice barely audible. My eyes dropped to the seat, my face paling. "On your period?" I repeated, my voice laced with discomfort. Ava nodded curtly, her jaw clenched. I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to her. "Wait here, let me go get you a pad," I said, my tone softening. But Ava's hand shot out again, her fingers wrapping around my wrist. "You don't know the kind of pad I use," she said, her voice laced with a hint of desperation. My eyes met hers, a flicker of concern dancing in their depths. "What pad do you use?" I asked gently. "What sanitary pad do you need?" Ava told me the name of the sanitary pad she needed, and I nodded, committing it to memory. "I'll be right back," I said, hurrying out of the car. I rushed to the nearest convenience store, my eyes scanning the aisles for the pad Ava had requested. As I reached for it, I noticed a group of girls staring at me, their faces flushed with excitement. But I ignored them, focusing on my task. One even said that I was a responsible partner getting a sanitary pad for his woman. I grabbed the pad and headed to the counter, my mind preoccupied with Ava's condition. The cashier packaged the pad for me, and I rushed back to the car. When I arrived, Ava was clutching her stomach, her face contorted in pain. "What is wrong?" I asked, concern etched on my face. "I already got the pad for you." Ava winced, her eyes closed. "I'm just feeling my menstrual cramps," she whispered. "Can you excuse me? Let me change." I nodded, and left her alone, waiting patiently outside the car. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that Ava needed more than just a sanitary pad. So, I hurried back to the convenience store, grabbing a few more items – tissues, painkillers, and a box of less sugary chocolates. When I returned to the car, I knocked on the window, asking, "Are you done?" Ava looked up, her eyes slightly better. "Yes, I'm done." I nodded, relieved. "But where were you though?" she asked. "I went back to the convenience store," I explained, holding up the bag. "I got some tissues, painkillers, and chocolates." Ava's expression softened, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Thanks, Caspian." I simply nodded and ignited the car and as we drove, I stole glances at Ava, who was quietly savoring the chocolates. It was the first time I'd seen her smile sincerely, and I felt a surge of pride knowing I'd put that smile on her face. We arrived at her place, and I asked, "Your mom is home, right? Can I come see her?" "Yeah, why not?" she nodded, and just as she was about to invite me in, my phone rang, shrill in the silence. I excused myself and answered the call. It was Marcel on the other end. "You called me, is there a problem?" he asked, his voice firm. I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Never mind, I've settled it," I said finally. Marcel's tone turned urgent. "Hmm. Well anyway, you need to come to the office immediately. Some important clients just arrived, and they need to see you before they leave." I sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of disappointment. I'd been looking forward to spending more time with Ava and her mother. But duty called, and I couldn't ignore it. I ended the call and turned to her, who was watching me with an expectant expression. "Ava, I'm really sorry, but I need to leave. I have an important meeting with a few important clients." Ava's face fell, but she quickly masked her disappointment with a neutral expression. "Okay, good luck," she said, her voice flat. I felt quite remorseful, knowing I was leaving, but I had no choice. I nodded, got back into the car, and drove off, leaving Ava still standing alone outside her house.AvaAfter Caspian's car disappeared from sight, I took my phone from my pocket and glared at it, angry that it was dead. If it hadn't been, I wouldn't have had to endure the embarrassment of Caspian buying me sanitary pads.I entered the house, still feeling a bit flustered. My mom was sitting on the couch, taking her medication."Mom, are you okay?" I asked, concern etched on my face."I'm fine, dear," she replied, smiling weakly. "Just taking my meds. Don't worry about me, Ava."I bit my lip and nodded, still feeling a bit worried. My mom's health had been a concern for me lately and thank goodness that Caspian already promised to make things easier and better for her.I still can't wait to tell her the good news about her stopping work. At least, she would get some breathing space and focus more on her health."By the way, you slept over somewhere last night?" my mom asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes. I stayed with Caspian at his pare
CaspianI was stuck in a never-ending meeting, my evening slipping away from me. One meeting had led to another, and now I was running on empty - both physically and mentally. I hadn't even had a chance to grab a bite to eat.As I sat across from my colleague, trying to hash out the finer points of a business deal, my phone started ringing. I silenced it, handing it to Marcel, who was hovering discreetly in the background."Please check who it is, Marcel," I whispered, not wanting to disrupt the meeting. "I'm a bit busy right now."Marcel took the phone and checked the caller ID. "It's Ava," he whispered back, a slight frown on his face. "But don't worry, I don't think you guys need to talk."I guess he's still upset that his sister and I have no choice but to be together, considering how quickly he turned off my phone. It felt really awkward."Just keep your attention here," Marcel said, slipping the phone into his pocket.I nodded, my focus still on the meeting.Throughout the meeti
Ava My heart raced as I watched my brother's friend, Caspian, leaning casually against the staircase railing, looking every bit like a model. He was deep in conversation with a young woman, and I couldn’t help but feel jealous as she playfully touched him and flashed a flirtatious smile I bit my bottom lip, desperately wishing she would stop her amorous advances and let him be. Caspian Wright. A name everyone knows. The most handsome and desirable man on earth, the ideal type for anyone, and the youngest billionaire CEO of Wright Enterprises. It's no wonder he's admired and adored by so many. I gulped down my last of strawberry drink and scanned the bustling party, reaching for another beverage. Just as I grabbed a glass of beer, Marcel, my older brother and the birthday boy, appeared out of nowhere, snatching the filled glass from my hand. This annoying brother of mine also happens to be Capian's best friend and his personal assistant at work. "Oh, come on!" I groaned, p
Ava5 YEARS LATERAccording to my research and conversations with friends, the quickest way to move on from a crush is to open yourself up to someone new, replacing the old object of your affection with a fresh connection.And that's why I accepted Patrick into my life, a man who loves me dearly.A year and some months have passed, but the memory of our first meeting still feels incredibly fresh. I had stopped by my brother's workplace to drop off a document he'd left at home, and that's when I accidentally bumped into Patrick. That fateful encounter sparked our love story.As I sipped my afternoon coffee to the soothing melody of a slow song, I stared at my laptop screen, editing the first draft of my poem, which I was supposed to submit before the day ended.My phone suddenly beeped, interrupting my work. It was a message from Patrick: "Let's meet tonight at my place.""Okay, sweetie," I replied, brushing off the unusual tone of his message. Normally, he would call me those cheesy,
Ava"Calm down, Marcel. I... I can explain," I stuttered, instinctively stepping back, knowing my brother’s fiery temper all too well."But aren't you dating Patrick or whatever his name is?" my mother inquired from behind us."I broke up with him," I confessed, biting my bottom lip nervously. "He had a fiancée... he has been using me the whole time.""What the hell! I swear I'll deal with that jerk, but only after I'm done with Caspian," Marcel seethed, his breath heavy with anger."You don't have to worry about them," I sighed."I will because you're my sister. Anyway, you're coming with me!" Marcel growled, grabbing my hand and leading me out."Where are we going to?" I asked, trying to keep up with his pace."Shut up, Ava!" he snarled, shooting me a glare that sent me quiet instantly.Marcel hailed a taxi, which dropped us off at his company building. The scene that awaited us nearly made us retreat: swarms of reporters, armed with cameras and microphones, alongside obsessive fang
AvaCaspian flashed a brief, satisfied smirk and nodded. "Good decision, Ava. Now, come with me," he said, approaching me and taking my hand."Where are we going?" I asked, glancing between him and my confused brother, who wore a scowl of irritation."Don't you want the reporters gone?" Caspian asked, furrowing his brow. "They're obviously waiting for us, and they won't leave until we give them a statement."I pulled my hand free from his. "You don't need to hold my hand through this. We're not exactly a couple, so there's no need to pretend to be the perfect boyfriend."I left before he could respond, my brother following closely behind. As we stepped into the elevator, Caspian joined us, adjusting his tie with a practiced gesture, his poker face unwavering. When the doors slid open next, my eyes met Patrick’s."Hold my hand," I whispered to Caspian, taking his calloused yet warm hand and intertwining our fingers."Good day, sir," Patrick greeted, offering a respectful bow as his eye
Caspian"You're quite dressed up for a fake girlfriend, don't you think?" I asked, my gaze traveling over Ava's stunning, sparkling black dress that featured a tasteful side slit and matching black heels.She rolled her eyes, reluctantly taking my outstretched hand. "I'm just trying to impress your parents, that's all. Don't read too much into it."We quietly made our way inside. My parents were seated, my mother enjoying a slice of apple while my father scrolled through his phone."Oh my goodness!" My mother chuckled, standing up and rushing toward Ava. "You're here!"She smiled brightly, nodding her head. "Yes, Mrs. Wright.""Nonsense!" she laughed. "Call me 'Mother.' You look really beautiful, dear."Ava's expression shifted slightly, but she simply murmured a thank you and allowed my excited mother to lead her away. My mother seemed more excited to see Ava than her own son, whom she hadn't seen in person for two months."Ava Thompson?" my father asked, observing her."Yes, sir," A
Ava Standing beside Mrs. Wright, I couldn't help but stare at the mesmerizing dance of her knife as she chopped the vegetables with precision and ease. The smooth, fluid motions were a testament to her years of experience in the kitchen. I, on the other hand, was struggling to dice the onion, my eyes already stinging from the pungent fumes. As our eyes met, Mrs. Wright gave me a warm, gentle smile. I quickly looked away, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. The silence between us stretched, and my awkwardness grew with each passing moment. "You seem to be having trouble chopping the onion," she observed, her voice kind and non-judgmental. My eyes dropped to the onion, and I was surprised to see that I had only managed to chop a small portion of it. My eyes were already watering, and I felt a sense of relief at the prospect of finishing the task and escaping the awkwardness of the moment. I just stood there, feeling utterly useless. Mrs. Wright smiled kindly and said, "Don't worry
CaspianI was stuck in a never-ending meeting, my evening slipping away from me. One meeting had led to another, and now I was running on empty - both physically and mentally. I hadn't even had a chance to grab a bite to eat.As I sat across from my colleague, trying to hash out the finer points of a business deal, my phone started ringing. I silenced it, handing it to Marcel, who was hovering discreetly in the background."Please check who it is, Marcel," I whispered, not wanting to disrupt the meeting. "I'm a bit busy right now."Marcel took the phone and checked the caller ID. "It's Ava," he whispered back, a slight frown on his face. "But don't worry, I don't think you guys need to talk."I guess he's still upset that his sister and I have no choice but to be together, considering how quickly he turned off my phone. It felt really awkward."Just keep your attention here," Marcel said, slipping the phone into his pocket.I nodded, my focus still on the meeting.Throughout the meeti
AvaAfter Caspian's car disappeared from sight, I took my phone from my pocket and glared at it, angry that it was dead. If it hadn't been, I wouldn't have had to endure the embarrassment of Caspian buying me sanitary pads.I entered the house, still feeling a bit flustered. My mom was sitting on the couch, taking her medication."Mom, are you okay?" I asked, concern etched on my face."I'm fine, dear," she replied, smiling weakly. "Just taking my meds. Don't worry about me, Ava."I bit my lip and nodded, still feeling a bit worried. My mom's health had been a concern for me lately and thank goodness that Caspian already promised to make things easier and better for her.I still can't wait to tell her the good news about her stopping work. At least, she would get some breathing space and focus more on her health."By the way, you slept over somewhere last night?" my mom asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes. I stayed with Caspian at his pare
CaspianI gazed at Ava, concern etched on my face. She was staring blankly ahead, her eyes glassy and unresponsive. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her feet were tapping impatiently on the floor. I could sense her agitation, but I had no idea what was causing it."Ava, what's wrong?" I asked, trying to keep my voice gentle.At first, she didn't respond. Then, in a low, husky tone, she muttered, "Call my brother."I frowned, taken aback by her request. "Ava, I'm here. You don't need to call your brother. Just tell me what's going on."But she wouldn't budge. "Call Marcel," she insisted, her voice rising. "Call him now."I sighed, trying to placate her. I pulled out my phone and dialed Marcel's number, but it went straight to voicemail.I turned to Ava, who was watching me with an anxious expression. "Your brother isn't picking up. Can you tell me what's going on?"She bit her bottom lip, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. I could see the tension radiating from her body, but I
AvaI felt a shiver run down my spine as Caspian's eyes seemed to burn with an inner intensity. His voice was low and husky, sending tremors through my body. I tried to maintain my casual tone, but my heart was racing so fast and hard that I could hear and feel it against my chest."What are you warning me against, Caspian?" I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I could feel the tension between us building, like a spark waiting to ignite.Caspian's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in a tight line. "Don't play games with me, Ava," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "I'm not in the mood."I felt a surge of anger at his words, but I pushed it aside, trying to understand why the hell I was feeling like I was drowning in the depths of his eyes? Those beautiful gray-colored eyes.I bit my bottom lip, trying to process the mix of emotions swirling inside me. I couldn't believe I was feeling this way after all these years? I thought everything had changed so what was this forc
Ava Standing beside Mrs. Wright, I couldn't help but stare at the mesmerizing dance of her knife as she chopped the vegetables with precision and ease. The smooth, fluid motions were a testament to her years of experience in the kitchen. I, on the other hand, was struggling to dice the onion, my eyes already stinging from the pungent fumes. As our eyes met, Mrs. Wright gave me a warm, gentle smile. I quickly looked away, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. The silence between us stretched, and my awkwardness grew with each passing moment. "You seem to be having trouble chopping the onion," she observed, her voice kind and non-judgmental. My eyes dropped to the onion, and I was surprised to see that I had only managed to chop a small portion of it. My eyes were already watering, and I felt a sense of relief at the prospect of finishing the task and escaping the awkwardness of the moment. I just stood there, feeling utterly useless. Mrs. Wright smiled kindly and said, "Don't worry
Caspian"You're quite dressed up for a fake girlfriend, don't you think?" I asked, my gaze traveling over Ava's stunning, sparkling black dress that featured a tasteful side slit and matching black heels.She rolled her eyes, reluctantly taking my outstretched hand. "I'm just trying to impress your parents, that's all. Don't read too much into it."We quietly made our way inside. My parents were seated, my mother enjoying a slice of apple while my father scrolled through his phone."Oh my goodness!" My mother chuckled, standing up and rushing toward Ava. "You're here!"She smiled brightly, nodding her head. "Yes, Mrs. Wright.""Nonsense!" she laughed. "Call me 'Mother.' You look really beautiful, dear."Ava's expression shifted slightly, but she simply murmured a thank you and allowed my excited mother to lead her away. My mother seemed more excited to see Ava than her own son, whom she hadn't seen in person for two months."Ava Thompson?" my father asked, observing her."Yes, sir," A
AvaCaspian flashed a brief, satisfied smirk and nodded. "Good decision, Ava. Now, come with me," he said, approaching me and taking my hand."Where are we going?" I asked, glancing between him and my confused brother, who wore a scowl of irritation."Don't you want the reporters gone?" Caspian asked, furrowing his brow. "They're obviously waiting for us, and they won't leave until we give them a statement."I pulled my hand free from his. "You don't need to hold my hand through this. We're not exactly a couple, so there's no need to pretend to be the perfect boyfriend."I left before he could respond, my brother following closely behind. As we stepped into the elevator, Caspian joined us, adjusting his tie with a practiced gesture, his poker face unwavering. When the doors slid open next, my eyes met Patrick’s."Hold my hand," I whispered to Caspian, taking his calloused yet warm hand and intertwining our fingers."Good day, sir," Patrick greeted, offering a respectful bow as his eye
Ava"Calm down, Marcel. I... I can explain," I stuttered, instinctively stepping back, knowing my brother’s fiery temper all too well."But aren't you dating Patrick or whatever his name is?" my mother inquired from behind us."I broke up with him," I confessed, biting my bottom lip nervously. "He had a fiancée... he has been using me the whole time.""What the hell! I swear I'll deal with that jerk, but only after I'm done with Caspian," Marcel seethed, his breath heavy with anger."You don't have to worry about them," I sighed."I will because you're my sister. Anyway, you're coming with me!" Marcel growled, grabbing my hand and leading me out."Where are we going to?" I asked, trying to keep up with his pace."Shut up, Ava!" he snarled, shooting me a glare that sent me quiet instantly.Marcel hailed a taxi, which dropped us off at his company building. The scene that awaited us nearly made us retreat: swarms of reporters, armed with cameras and microphones, alongside obsessive fang
Ava5 YEARS LATERAccording to my research and conversations with friends, the quickest way to move on from a crush is to open yourself up to someone new, replacing the old object of your affection with a fresh connection.And that's why I accepted Patrick into my life, a man who loves me dearly.A year and some months have passed, but the memory of our first meeting still feels incredibly fresh. I had stopped by my brother's workplace to drop off a document he'd left at home, and that's when I accidentally bumped into Patrick. That fateful encounter sparked our love story.As I sipped my afternoon coffee to the soothing melody of a slow song, I stared at my laptop screen, editing the first draft of my poem, which I was supposed to submit before the day ended.My phone suddenly beeped, interrupting my work. It was a message from Patrick: "Let's meet tonight at my place.""Okay, sweetie," I replied, brushing off the unusual tone of his message. Normally, he would call me those cheesy,