Chapter 1: Five Years

Ava Bennett stared at the tiny candle flickering on top of the chocolate cupcake and sighed "twenty-four" she was officially twenty-four years old most people her age were probably celebrating with friends, posting pictures online, and making wishes for the future.

Ava was spending her birthday alone in her apartment almost alone, her phone lit up on the kitchen counter a smile instantly appeared on her face when she saw Noah's name.

Noah the call connected immediately "Happy birthday, beautiful." Just hearing his voice made her smile wider "Thank you."

"Did you get my flowers?"

Ava looked towards the huge bouquet of white roses sitting on the table they arrived this morning she said. You like them? he asked her

"I love them." 

"Good."

She could hear people talking in the background he was still at work again a small part of her felt disappointed, but she pushed the feeling away.

Noah was busy Noah was always busy that was what happened when someone became the youngest CEO in the city "Are you still at the office?" she asked unfortunately he sounded exhausted "We're finalizing a merger."

Ava nodded even though he couldn't see her, don't work too hard she told him on the phone then silence settled between them for a moment then Noah cleared his throat "I'm sorry about tonight the disappointment she had been hiding returned immediately.

"It's okay."

Because she didn't want him to feel guilty five years together had taught her that Noah carried enough pressure already "I know how important this deal is once things calm down, I will make it up to you he said.

"Are you mad at me? Ava looked down at the untouched cupcake.

"No."

A lie a tiny one but still a lie "I'm just tired we would have gone out today but I promise to take you somewhere nice this weekend

You promise? "I promise."

His voice sounded sincere enough that she believed him she always believed him that was her problem. After ending the call, Ava sat quietly in the small apartment she had rented three years ago the place wasn't luxurious the couch was old the kitchen was tiny the paint in the hallway was beginning to peel but she loved it because every corner held memories of Noah.

The first coffee mug he bought her the blanket they shared during movie nights the framed photograph from their first anniversary five years half a decade.

Ava had loved Noah Kingston for five years back then, he wasn't famous he wasn't rich he wasn't appearing in business magazines he was simply a young man with impossible dreams and an old laptop that constantly overheated.

She remembered the nights he stayed awake creating business proposals the countless job rejections the investors who laughed at him the moments he wanted to quit and she remembered standing beside him through all of it every single step a knock suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

Frowning, Ava walked toward the door when she opened it, she froze a delivery man stood there holding a large black gift box.

"Miss Ava Bennett?" "Yes?"

This was sent for you her heart skipped Noah sent another gift? the man shrugged "I don't know, ma'am after signing for the package, she carried it inside a small card rested on top.

Happy Birthday Ava am proud of you and Ava smiled trust Noah to keep things simple she carefully opened the box Inside was a stunning silver bracelet her eyes widened the bracelet looked expensive very expensive she immediately picked up her phone the moment Noah answered, she said you didn't have to buy me this.

You opened it already? It's beautiful she said I'm glad you like it he replied Ava sat down slowly.

"Noah..."

"Yeah?"

Do you ever think about the future? The question slipped out before she could stop herself there was a pause a long one long enough to make her nervous.

"What do you mean?"

"You know..."

She twisted the bracelet around her wrist.

"Us."

Another silence followed, her stomach tightened then Noah finally spoke I think about it all the time relief flooded her chest.

"Really?"

"Of course."

Ava smiled maybe she was worrying for nothing maybe everything was fine maybe all the sacrifices would eventually be worth it what she didn't know was that while she sat in her apartment imagining a future with Noah, Noah stood inside a luxurious penthouse surrounded by wealthy investors and socialites and among them was Vanessa Clarke.

A beautiful woman dressed in an elegant red gown she slipped her arm through Noah's and smiled.

You still haven't broken up with her? Noah's expression darkened "Vanessa."

"What?" she asked innocently.

"I'm just saying that a man in your position should be more careful Noah stared at the city lights beyond the window for the first time in years, a small seed of doubt entered his mind a doubt that would eventually destroy everything and neither he nor Ava knew it yet.