4

RYAN

When we arrived at the ship’s dining hall, it was bustling with several activities. Couples sat together, giggling over cups of coffee and plates of pastries, while waiters weaved through the tables with practised ease.

Mr. Langston and Margaret were already seated at a table by the window. They smiled warmly immediately when they spotted us.

“Ava, Ryan,” Langston called, waving at us to come over. “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” we replied, forcing a smile as I guided her to sit beside me.

Margaret gestured to the spread in front of us. “Gregory and I took the liberty of ordering a little bit of everything. Please, help yourselves.”

Ava thanked her and reached for a croissant, trying to stay focused.

“So,” Langston began, his eyes flickering with curiosity, “what are your plans for the rest of the cruise?”

I glanced at her, silently urging her to play along. “We’re keeping it casual,” I said finally, forcing the words out. “Maybe exploring the ship, enjoying each moment that passes by.”

Langston nodded in approval. “That’s the best way to do it. These cruises are meant for relaxation, after all.”

Margaret leaned forward, her expression kind. “And what about after the cruise? Do you two lovebirds have any big plans?”

Ava froze, her mind scrambling for an answer. But before she could speak, I jumped in smoothly.

“We’re taking things one step at a time,” I said, my hands casually resting on hers. “But who knows? The future looks bright.”

Ava forced a smile, but I could sense her unease. It was clear that she was tired of doing this. If she wanted to opt out of this, then so be it.

When breakfast ended, she excised herself, claiming to need space. I caught up with her as she stepped out of the deck, the fresh sea breeze did little to calm the tension.

“Ava,” I called, my voice cautious.

She stopped, turning to face me. “Ryan, I’m done.”

My jaw tightened, but I wasn’t surprised. “You said you would finish breakfast with me. I thought you might’ve changed your mind.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t keep lying,” I said, my voice shaking. “This isn’t who I am. I don’t want to be part of your charade anymore.”

I took a step closer, my expression softer. “I understand….. But Ava…thank you. For everything, I mean it.”

She looked away, avoiding my gaze. “What will you do now?” she asked.

“I’ll figure something out with Langston,” I said. “You don't have to worry about it.”

“I didn’t mean to let you down,” she said, her tone low. 

I shrugged. “You didn’t,” I said. “You’ve done more than enough already.”

She nodded, unable to meet my gaze. “I’ll pack my things.”

I didn’t try to stop her as she walked away but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had grown fond of her and dependent on her to win my client.

Thankfully, Mr. Langston didn’t request to meet with Ava after that morning so it was easier to keep her absence away from him. 

The next meetings we had were mainly about our business expansions and plans for the coming year. These meetings went smoothly without any altercation of any sort.

Two days had gone by and I hadn’t set my eyes on Ava. This kept me wondering and worried about her safety, but I didn’t want to pry into her business, so I stayed away. 

When Langston asked about her, I lied about her dealing with a personal business client and her unavailability to attend our dinner.

“She’s been preoccupied,” I had lied, doing my best to sound casual. “Personal matters, you know how it is.”

Langston had simply nodded, accepting every excuse without question.

The next night, the cruise hosted one of the biggest banquets I had ever attended and elite members were to be in attendance. Mr Langston and his wife, Margaret, had insisted that Ava come along for this banquet. 

At that moment, I lost it. I didn’t know what to do, nor did I know where she had hidden herself. I was left with no choice but to attend alone while I thought of the perfect excuse this time.

The banquet began, and the ballroom shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers. The atmosphere was alive with a soft hum of laughter and clinking glasses. This was the kind of event I handled with ease; mingling with elites, making deals with a well-placed smile or a sharp comment. 

But tonight, I felt so out of place. I was a man on the verge of exposure if things went south. I felt the weight of her absence more acutely. The guests buzzed around me, exchanging pleasantries, but all I could think about was the vacant spot at my side.

“Ryan,” someone said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turned to find Gregory approaching, a glass of champagne in hand and his trademark jovial grin firmly in place. 

“Gregory,” I greeted, forcing a smile.

“You’re alone again,” he said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. “I thought you would bring my dear Ava to join us this night. A woman like her would turn heads in this room.”

I chuckled awkwardly, my mind thinking of the next excuse. “Uhm… she….”

Before I could finish, I felt a sudden warmth at my side and the faint scent of something floral. An arm slid through mine and I turned to find out who it was. It was Ava, standing beside me, her smile calm yet radiant.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said smoothly, her voice soft but steady.

For a moment, I forgot to breathe. She was stunning. Her emerald dress hugged her figure perfectly, the glittering fabric catching the light with every movement. Her hair was swept up elegantly, leaving her neck and shoulders exposed, and her makeup was subtle yet striking.

Mr Langston grinned widely. “Well, there she is! Ryan, you didn’t tell me she would be joining us after all.”

“I….” I stammered, still stunned to speak.

She squeezed my arm lightly, grounding me. “Plans changed,” she said, her tone casual. “I couldn’t let Ryan face the evening alone.”

Langston and Margaret laughed heartily. “He’s a lucky man.”

“Of course, he is.” she turned to me, her smile teasing but her eyes impassive. “Isn’t that right?”

I managed a weak nod, still trying to process how she had appeared so effortlessly as if she hadn’t vanished for days.

Langston excused himself to mingle with other people, leaving me and Ava alone for a moment.

“You’re here,” I said, my voice low. 

“Observant as always,” she replied, her tone dry but kind.

“I thought you wanted nothing with this,” I said, searching her face for answers.

She sighed, her eyes softening. I thought so too, but then I realised that I couldn't leave you to face this alone. Not after everything.”

“Everything?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re not the one who benefits from this arrangement, Ryan,” she said. “Pretending to be with you has given me some kind of strength I didn’t expect. And after Ethan…..I needed this more than I realized. 

I nodded, understanding but still surprised. “So this is about closure, right?”

“Something like that,” she said with a shrug. “And maybe a little bit of guilt for bailing on you.”

I smiled. “You didn’t owe me anything.”

“Maybe not,” she said, her voice softer now. “But here I am.”

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of conversation and champagne. She was as charming as ever, her quick wit and easy laughter drawing people to us like moths to a flame.

“She’s incredible,” Langston said to me at one point, his eyes filled with admiration. “You’ve really found the special one, Ryan.”

I nodded, forcing a smile, but the weight of his words pressed heavily on my chest. The line between the truth and pretence was blurring and I wasn’t sure where it would lead.

When the banquet came to an end, I and Ava stepped out onto the deck, the cool night air a welcome difference to the warmth of the ballroom.

“Langston seems more convinced now, she said, leaning against the railing, her eyes fixed on the dark expanse of water. “I bet you’ll be getting this deal sooner than expected.”

“Convinced doesn’t even begin to cover it,” I said, standing beside her. “He’s practically ready to write me into his will.”

She laughed, the sound of her laughter light and genuine. “See? I’m good for business.”

“Good for more than that,” I said, before stopping myself.

She turned to look at me, her expression curious. “What do you mean?”

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. “You’ve surprised me, Ava. i didn’t expect you to show up for me. You’re not just kind, your strength is overwhelming.”

“Ryan,” she said, but whatever it was she was about to say was cut off by the sound of footsteps approaching us.

Langston approached us, his grin wide. “There you are. I just wanted to thank you again for coming out tonight. It’s been a pleasure seeing you together.”

“Of course,” Ava said, her voice steady as always.

Langston nodded, clapping me on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it, then. Enjoy the rest of the evening, lovebirds.”

As Langston headed back, her expression changed, more guarded now.

“I should head back,” she said softly.

“Wait,” I said, my hand reaching out to hers. “Thank you, Ava. for tonight.”

She gave a small smile, but her eyes didn't smile in return. “Goodnight, Ryan.”

As she turned to leave, she looked over her shoulder and it immediately ignited a fire I couldn't ignore.

“Ava,” I called, my voice soft and calm.

She paused but didn't turn around.

Without thinking, I closed the distance between us and gently took her hand. She looked up at me, her expression impassive. But then, driven by something powerful and unspoken, I pulled her into my arms.

I leaned down and kissed her.

It wasn’t rehearsed, not like the kisses we had shared for the show. This was raw, driven by an ache I hadn't realized earlier. For a moment, I thought she might push me away, but to my surprise, she didn't.

She responded.

Her hands slid up my chest and gripped my shirt, pulling me closer. The tension that had been building inside me from the moment I met her snapped, leaving nothing but heat and urgency in its wake.

Her lips were soft and warm, moving in perfect rhythm with mine. The sound of the waves, the faint murmur of voices from the ballroom faded into nothing. There was only one person, Ava, her scent, her touch, the way she melted into me as if she had been waiting for this moment like I had.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless. Her eyes searched mine, wide with surprise and vulnerability.

“Why did you do that?” she asked, her voice barely audible.

“I don't know,” I admitted, my voice hoarse. “I just…. I couldn’t let you leave like that.”

“Ryan, this is complicated,” she said, her fingers still clutching my shirt.

“I know,” I said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I don’t care. I want you.”

She exhaled shakily, her lips curving into a small smile. “This isn’t part of the deal.”

“I know,” I agreed, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “But maybe we can look past the deal we’ve made.”

She leaned in, her lips brushing mine in a kiss softer, slower, but no less intense. It was as though she was testing the waters. 

When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed and a hint of a smile played on her lips. “Goodnight, Ryan,” she said calmly.

And then she walked away, leaving me standing on the deck, dazed and completely undone.