BUTTERFLIES IN HER BELLY

Avery’s eyes fluttered opened the next morning and memories from last night began flooding her mind.

She was tightly wrapped in Nathaniel's arms. Avery slipped quietly out of his arms, sitting upright. Her eyes settled on his peaceful face as she carefully scanned through, tracing every perfect line of his features.

"Get yourself together, Avery. Just… leave before you regret this," she muttered to herself, getting the blanket out of her body.

She tiptoed out of the bed, packing her suitcase as she dressed up. She couldn't bring herself to face him, not after what happened last night. A flush rose up her cheek as the memories came flooding in.

"Oh, Shit." Avery smacked her head lightly, snapping herself out of her thoughts.

She quietly approached the doorstep, and for a moment, she stopped by the door. A part of her still craved what she felt last night. The feelings, the intense gaze, and the butterflies in her belly. It was beyond chemistry. She had never felt this way, even though she loved Ethan.

She sneaked back to the room, folded a piece of paper, and set it on the nightstand, her number scrawled on it.

Her hand hovered for a second. “Just in case.” She shrugged, whispering to herself as she made her way out.

****

A few weeks passed, and Avery hadn't heard from Nathaniel. Each buzz of her phone sent her heart pounding, only to be met with disappointment.

One day turned into days and days into weeks until it finally sank in. Nathaniel wasn't going to call. All her anticipation had been futile, and she had to accept that. After two weeks of false hope, Avery moved on with her life.

She convinced herself it wasn't that deep; it was just a fleeting moment of pleasure. But deep down, Avery knew it was all a lie. Her heart still longed for him, for his touch.

She carried on with her day-to-day activities, forcing Nathaniel out of her mind. She couldn't waste her life thinking about a man who didn't give a damn about her.

Not when her mother was laying in a hospital bed, her once vibrant voice reducing to strained whispers while her body grew weaker by the day.

It had all started barely a week ago.

At first, it was just fatigue. Her mother had complained of being unusually tired, brushing it off with a smile and a wave of her hand. Then came the fainting spell in the kitchen.

The memory of that morning still clung to her, the way the doctor had hesitated before speaking, the tightness in his expression that said more than his words ever could.

Avery had walked out of the hospital that day with a numb mind and a single thought— to look for money, so she threw herself into action.

Avery had prepared her CV, sending it to a series of companies. After days of anticipation, she finally bagged a job at a big marketing company as a junior marketing officer.

On a Monday morning, Avery stepped into the sleek glass apartment. She wore a pink sleeveless top and a long slitted skirt, her hair made into a ponytail. Her muscles tightened as she stepped into the HR office, anxiety creeping in.

"Good morning. My name is Avery Cole. I'm one of the newly employed workers."

"Oh! Miss Cole. You're highly welcome. Let's proceed to the conference room." Avery took a deep breath as the HR directed her into the conference room. She couldn't afford to look tense, not today. Her mother's life was on the line.

She walked into the conference room with her chin high, back straightened, and her steps measured.

At the centre of the room was a polished mahogany table, stretching across the conference room. A series of high-backed leather chairs was standing neatly along the lines, each facing the other.

Notepads, pens, and bottles of water were neatly placed at the front of each chair. Whispers and nervous coughs that seemed to be coming from the newly employed candidates lingered.

She forced a smile, clutching her folder to her chest, but then, her heart stopped. The smile gradually disappeared, replaced by tremor. She stood frozen.

At the far end of the table was Nathaniel, cool and collected while sitting like an alpha. His gaze was sharp and dangerous.

Not like the one she saw in the hotel room. Memories of that night came flooding in. The champagne, the giggles, the gaze, and the intense kisses.

The last thing she had expected was being in the same office space with Nathaniel, but here she was, standing right in front of him. Standing before the man who had triggered a spark in her.

Nathaniel’s gaze swept across the room before settling on her. Avery’s heart skipped the instant it did, his gaze intensifying every single second.

Then, just as quickly, he shifted his attention back to his laptop, like nothing had happened. His aura was different, colder, and more dangerous.

She let out a sigh, catching her breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.

"Please take your seat, Miss Cole," the HR said, pointing to one of the vacant chairs.

"Oh, thank you." She hurriedly took a seat.

The HR clapped her hands as she walked towards the front desk. "Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to HALE MARKETING FIRM. We're so happy to have you on board. Many applied, but few were chosen.”

This year, we had no choice but to select just three candidates out of the multitude that applied. Those three qualified people are Peter Lawson, Enid Scot, and Avery Cole. You will be meeting our CEO, Mr.. Nathaniel Hale, who will address you shortly. "

Avery's heart skipped the moment she heard Nathaniel's name. Her boss? How could she end up in this messy situation?

Avery watched him walk to the podium, his steps calculated. He wore a navy double-breasted suit, a crisp white shirt, and a deep burgundy tie.

His black shoes were neatly polished, and on his wrist was a silver watch that complemented the dress.

"Each of you was selected because you showed potential. Here, we admire not only your potential but also your support towards the growth of this firm. To achieve this, you will have to prove yourself through your results." He stated, his gaze sweeping across the room.

"That's the only language we speak here, and if you succeed, rewards will follow." He added, pausing briefly on Avery. His gaze lingered for a moment, deeply, intensely, and deliberately, then towards each of the candidates.