Chapter 7 

When Ava got home, she was very tired and thirsty. She went straight to the kitchen to get some water. She grabbed a glass cup and filled it with chilled water from the refrigerator. She gulped the whole glass down and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator which calmed her nerves and relaxed her a bit. She did a lot of work today and needed lots of sleep and rest.

   She went straight to her room, took a bubble bath and fell on the bed like a log of wood and immediately fell into deep slumber.

**The next morning

She woke up feeling energized and better, she slept for about 9 hours. She took a bath and dressed up. Ava wore a white shirt which had a little black lining along her arm , with a black knee level skirt and a black blazer then sprayed herself with perfume, looked at herself and the mirror and posed, “Perfect” she said.

She just ate a few slices of bread before she grabbed her car keys and left the house on her way to the company which was just 30 minutes away.

She got to the office and the employees noticed she looked better and smelled better than the day before. Bruce walked over to her as soon as he saw her. He wakes with her, “someone looks better than they did yesterday” he said teasingly and they both laughed it off since they both knew the reason why. They got into the elevator to Ava’s office.

They went to her office to begin work for the day. They had a lot of scheduled meetings to attend so they prepared for them. The first meeting they went for was by 9:00 am, it went smoothly but tiring and boring,they had more meetings to attend so they braced themselves. 

By the third meeting Ava looked worn out and extremely tired since she talked and presented along with Bruce in two of the meetings . Bruce looked like he hadn’t done anything which made Ava surprised, “You’re not tired?” She asked as they went to her office, “A bit but I don’t make it look as visible as you do” he replied and she shook her head. They got to her office and she slumped on the chair, “why did I wear heels today” she said with an exhausted tone and Bruce just laughed. She was too tired and hungry to even retort back so she just glared at him. 

It was already 2:00 pm which meant they skipped lunch. “You have another meeting to attend at 2:30 and that’s the last one” Bruce said and she sighed, “How did my life end up like this” she said and Bruce just shook his head. They had 30 minutes more before the meeting started. She grabbed a bottle of water from her bag and drank half of it at a go. “That’s unladylike” Bruce said teasingly and Ava shot him a glare and he zipped his mouth. 

They were at the meeting and Ava looked like she was ready to doze off. Bruce was close to laughing right there and then. Avas mind wasn’t even focused on the meeting , she just wanted to eat since they skipped lunch and she just had a measly amount of breakfast this morning. The meeting ended and everyone went back to their various workspaces. “Today’s schedule has been cleared,done for today” Bruce said, “Finally,” she said and sighed. Avas stomach made a loud growl and she just frowned while Bruce just chuckled. 

Ava was about to leave when Bruce suggested they eat somewhere before going home. They went to a restaurant nearby. Ava ordered Chinese rice with sauce and turkey, Bruce just ordered spaghetti. They sat down and waited for their food, when it arrived Ava dug in and she ate like she hadn’t eaten in days, that’s when she noticed a girl staring at her and she looked away embarrassingly. Bruce just stared at her as she ate and chuckled. 

“What’s so funny?” she asked, “The way that girl looked at you because you have fish sauce on your cheek” he said and he took a napkin and reached out to clean the sauce off her cheek. Because of his gesture she just smiled, “Thank you” she said politely and she continued eating.They finished their meal and paid,  Ava looked full. They left the restaurant and walked a bit to the car. 

He opened the car door for her, “Thank you” Ava said and he winked at her, “Cheeky” she said and he laughed and so did she. He got in and they drove off. “I don’t even know why I was present at the second meeting, it’s not like i said anything” Ava complained, “You have a huge role in the company so you have to be present” Bruce replied and Ava just rolled her eyes.

 “The food at the restaurant was delicious” she said  since she didn’t want the car to be quiet, “it was” Bruce replied. Bruce left the car since he had gotten to his house and Ava took over the wheel.“Goodnight bossand drive safe” Bruce said, “Goodnight and there better be no meeting tomorrow” she said and Bruce chucked and waved his hands before he turned around to get into his house, she waved back and smiled before she stepped on the gas.

She drove off to her house which was just 20 minutes away. It wasn’t late when she got home and she was bored. She wasn’t too  tired since the food she ate a while ago quenched her tiredness somehow so when she got to her house, she removed the heels she wore and her leg ached a bit. She walked around a lot today since the meetings were on different floors. She had a bath, but she didn’t eat since she already ate at the restaurant. She lied down on her bed and slept.

Chapter 8

“Is that your stomach or a trapped animal?”

“Very funny Bruce. You’re such a comedian.” Bruce loved to tease her. He knew she was hungry, and he was too but it seemed she was a tad more so than he was. 

The whole meeting felt like one long blur to her. She had had enough meetings today and couldn’t wait to wrap this one up. The presenter kept on talking and talking and talking. It felt like hell to her.

A hell made personally for her. She imagined how much more enjoyable life would be if she could fast-forward certain moments. She’d speed up this moment in a heartbeat. But as much as she’d like to speed up certain moments she’d love to rewind and relive others even more. 

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to relive certain moments, especially the ones with Bruce in them. Her mind had wandered off for a moment but hunger pains brought her back to earth. 

Her stomach growled once again and this time it was louder than it was the previous time. 

“Can’t you just adjourn the meeting? I mean the noises your stomach is making are starting to get me concerned,” 

“You’re concerned now? Moments ago you were making fun of my predicament.,”

“I’m sorry.” Ava stared at him and couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t need to apologize but he did. He did care about her. It was nice to have someone make you feel like a priority.

“And with that, our meeting comes to an end.” That was the man who stood in front of a white board. The meeting was over and they could leave. 

She got up and made her way to the door. People inside the conference room tried to stop her and speak to her but Bruce wouldn’t let them. 

“Miss Quinn is currently occupied and will see you all later.” 

She liked that her name sounded like him. ‘Miss Quinn’ he said and she replayed it in her head over a dozen times. Last time he was picked where they ate so it was l her turn to choose. She wanted to take him somewhere nice and maybe far away.

Somewhere they could be away from work and have some alone time. 

“You drive,” she said as she chucked her car keys in his direction.

“I thought you liked to be in control? 

“I do but if I drive in my current state we might die. Does that sound like something you’d want to do huh? Spend your last moments with me?”

As much as it was a joke a little part of her hoped he’d say yes. 

“Fine, fine you don’t have to make a big deal out of it. I’ll drive.” Her hopes had failed her. Still,

she had an entire afternoon alongside him to look forward to. They got a garage and headed and drove out.

“Where to?” Bruce asked as they backed out of the office building. 

“Follow the GPS I’ve put in the coordinates to our location there. As told Bruce followed the GPS and drove west. They were headed in the direction of one of Ava’s favorite restaurants. She rarely went there.

It was her safe space and she didn’t want to overuse it. She had never taken anyone there but now felt so comfortable taking Bruce there. 

One of her favorite parts of the restaurant was the route to it. Ava loved king drives. They were a safe space for her, like a pocket in time. One where the rest of the world seemed to be far away and she could recollect. 

Her head was on the glass as they drove through the city. She loved the sites and the streets. It all culminated in the beauty of the city. 

“We’re here.” His words broke the silence like a knife cutting through the cake. the ride here was faster than she had anticipated. At first, it made her wonder if they were in the right place. Maybe he had gotten the directions wrong. 

All her disbelief was put to rest as soon as she glanced at the sign outside. She stepped out and they went in. It was a casual place, not too fancy, and not lacking class. 

They took a seat at a table in the middle of the restaurant. 

“Good evening, my name is Maxwell and I’m here to take your order. What would you like to eat?”

“I’d like the…”

“Well, both have the special thank you.” Ava cut Bruce’s words short. He shot her a stare raising one of his brows as if trying to imitate Dwayne Johnson. 

“Just trust me,” she said, and trust her he did.

Maxwell came back soon enough with their food. As they satisfied their cravings they dove into conversation. She wanted to know everything she could about him. 

“You seem like the type to break a girl's heart. Tell about a few you’ve broken,” Bruce was stunned. She was so direct and to it.

“You think I’m a heartbreaker?”

“if you aren’t then prove me wrong,”

“well I don’t think I’ve ever broken a heart before, maybe it’s because I’ve never been in love,”

“You mean you’ve never liked anyone?”

“No, I have but that’s not love. Love comes with a certain intimacy and vulnerability that’s hard to mistake. I don’t think I’ve felt that. What about you?”

“I’ve been in relationships but they all ended horribly. You men have a real problem dating women who intimidate you.”

“That makes no sense. Why would anyone want to feel intimidated by the person they're in a relationship with.” Ava was stunned. She’d never seen it from that angle.

“I know you must’ve felt hurt or offended when all those men broke things off with you. But you have you remember relationships are supposed to make you feel happy and not like you’re not enough. So if these men ended things because they didn’t feel good that doesn’t make them bad guys does it?”

“I suppose you’re right but still I’d like a man who wasn’t intimidated by me enough to make the thing work.”

“See it’s not your fault and it’s not there’s. It’s just a matter of compatibility and varying interests,”

“I guess you’re right.”

“As I always am,”

“Cocky much?”

They both laughed and continued to talk. Soon after night had fallen and they went their separate ways.

Ava arrived home and couldn’t stop thinking about Bruce. From his smiles to his choice of words to the way he walked, she loved it all. 

Morning came and she arrived at the office. She was walking towards her office to continue some work when they bumped into each other.

“Hey,” Bruce said.

“Hey,”

“How was your night? Did you get home safe,”

“Yeah, I got by quite alright,”

“That’s good to hear. I just got in should we head in and get to work?”

“Lead the way, mister.” They both walked into her office and shut the door. What they weren’t aware of was the staff who had overheard them and now the tales of their escapades had filled the office.

Chapter 9

Ava came out of the elevator, responding to a few greetings before she began to trudge down the hallway. She was in a beautiful navy blue colour with a hint of shimmer. It was a sleeveless dress with a high neckline and a pleated skirt that fell just above the knee. The fabric was light and airy, perfect for a hot summer day. The dress had a subtle pattern of small white flowers that added a touch of femininity. 

The hallway was a long and elegant passageway, lined with polished wood panelling and adorned with tasteful artwork. The floor was made of gleaming marble, with inlaid designs of grapes and vines. The ceiling was high and arched, with ornate chandeliers casting a warm and inviting glow on the space. 

Large windows, framed with lush velvet curtains, let in streams of natural light that illuminated the hallway and made the colours of the artwork and tapestries seem even more vibrant. 

The aroma of fermenting grapes and the sound of machinery filled the air as Ava made her way to her office. But today, as she passed by her employees, she couldn't help but notice the hushed whispers and sidelong glances. Something was definitely up, and Ava intended to find out what it was. 

As Ava made her way through the halls, she couldn't help but notice the way her employees were behaving and how taut the atmosphere seemed to be. They were moving about in a hurried, almost furtive manner, their heads down and their eyes averted. 

Their work attire, crisp and professional, was now dishevelled and their faces were filled with worry. She caught snippets of their whispered conversations as she passed by, and it was clear that the rumours about her and Bruce were the topic of choice. 

Ava's anger grew as she watched her employees, the people she trusted, talking behind her back. Her eyes scanned the crowd, as she wondered what was going on. And then she spotted them. A group of three employees, huddled together in a corner, their heads close together as they whispered and laughed. 

Ava could feel their eyes on her as she walked past them, gazing in their direction. The smiles on their faces disappeared and they grew tense, looking around nervously. They knew they were in trouble and they were unsure of what to do next. 

They soon scattered, like birds taking flight. They quickly dispersed in different directions, their heads down and their steps quick. Some of them tried to blend in with other employees, but Ava could still spot them out, their body language gave them away. 

She stepped into her office, and the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of typing on keyboards greeted her as she closed the door behind her. Roxie, her assistant, was waiting for her at her desk. "Good morning, Ava," Roxie greeted her with a smile. 

Ava walked to her desk and sat down, the leather chair creaking under her weight. "Roxie, what's going on? Why are everyone acting so strange?" Ava asked, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of what might be causing the strange behaviour. 

Roxie hesitated for a moment before speaking. "There are rumours going around about you and Bruce Clayton," she said, avoiding Ava's gaze. 

Ava's heart skipped a beat. But how had their relationship become the subject of office gossip?

Ava, after hearing that her employees were gossiping about her relationship with Bruce, felt a wave of anger wash over her. Her face grew hot and she felt the urge to confront each and every one of the employees and put an immediate stop to the gossip. 

She bawled her hands into fists, her nails biting into her palms as she imagined the confrontations. Her mind was filled with thoughts of how to put an end to the rumour and the thought of the consequences if it continues. She felt herself fuming, her body tense with frustration and anger.

Angry, Ava stood up from her chair, the wood floor creaking under her heels as she marched out of her office, determined to put a stop to the rumours and fire anyone who dared to gossip about her. She walked through the halls, her eyes scanning the faces of her employees, trying to find the source of the rumour. The sound of her heels clicked against the floor as she walked. She reached the main entrance, her hand gripping the door knob tightly. 

Gazing down at the floor, she crashed on someone while on her way out. But he caught her before she lost her footing and crashed on the floor. 

When Ava sees Bruce, her mood shifts dramatically. The anger and frustration that had been building inside her began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of warmth and contentment. Bruce's presence has an immediate calming effect on her, his tall frame and athletic build making him stand out from the rest of the employees. 

He was dressed in a tailored suit, the fabric hugging his body in all the right places. The suit jacket was cut to accentuate his broad shoulders and narrow waist, and the trousers are tailored to fit his long legs perfectly. His crystal blue eyes gleam as he meets her gaze, and his thick eyebrows and chiselled jawline give him a striking, almost otherworldly appearance. 

Ava can't help but feel a sense of attraction towards him, she sees him as very handsome and attractive. The way his suit hugs his body makes him look even more attractive and powerful. She can feel her heart racing and her palms getting a little sweaty as she looks at him. He exudes a sense of confidence and charm that makes her feel safe and protected. 

As Ava approaches Bruce, he turns to face her and gives her a warm smile. "Ava," he says, his voice deep and filled with affection. "Where are you rushing to look so annoyed?"

They stood there for a moment, holding each other, and Ava can feel the steady beat of his heart against her cheek.

"It's nothing, just some stupid rumours going around about us dating," Ava said, trying to brush it off, her heart racing. 

"And what do you intend doing?" He frowned slightly, slowly realising what she could have done. 

Bruce's crystal blue eyes searched hers, and he reached out to take her hand. "Ava, there's no need to correct them. Because it's true," he said, his voice soft. Ava felt her heart flutter as she looked into his eyes and saw the truth in his words. She felt herself melting against him, her body tingling with anticipation as he leaned in closer. 

They were like that for some time, lost in their own world, and it was only when Roxie cleared her throat that they remembered where they were.