Chapter 3

“Ava, are you going somewhere? You look a bit flustered,” Sarah said as she saw me packing up. It was days like this that I hated how attentive Sarah was to me. I was still shaking from the effect, but I couldn't tell Sarah that, at least not in the office.

“Mr. Blackwell… uh, requested that I work outside today.”

“So you did do something,” I heard Mary say.

“You are always acting like Miss perfect, but it turns out you have flaws as well.” 

“Mary, you either shut your trap or I'll help you,” Sarah responded. Honestly, Mary’s voice had that familiar sugar-sweet edge. She’d been picking at me since my first week here like it was a sport she couldn’t quit. Sarah has been my backbone in this company, always protecting me since I forgot to go to school for that aspect of life.

“I was just stating a fact,” she defended herself and walked out.

“You didn’t get into any trouble, right?” Sarah’s eyes searched my face. I could almost feel her worry clawing at me as she knew something was off. I wanted to tell her everything, but not here. Not about him.

“Call me when you get off work,” I said to her, patting her shoulders and left. When I got into my car, I just texted her and told her one thing. 

“The hot devil was Mr Blackwell”

I could already imagine her screaming in the office. The thought made me laugh  maybe too loudly, considering how shaky I still felt.” She was really dramatic but I still loved her.

“Hey Ava, you better stop there right now.” I heard her screaming and running towards my call, but I just drove off waving to her.

As I laid down on the bed, I couldn't stop thinking of him. I wanted more, I needed him so badly. I wouldn't get any sleep today since my panties were still soaked.

I stroked my clitoris a little, moaning as I remembered how he kissed my neck and how his kisses felt. I moved a bit lower, and I put my finger in and stroked, moaning really loudly as I imagined him in between my legs.

I wasn’t sure if I was more angry or needy. Either way, the universe had a cruel sense of timing because that was when the doorbell rang.

“Fuck what nice timing,” I laughed to myself. 

I dressed up and went out, hoping that whatever interrupted me would be important. 

“It's been awhile, Ava,” I heard a familiar voice say as I opened the door. 

“Victor! Last time I checked, there's nothing going on between us, so why are you here?”

“Shouldn’t you be at work? Don’t tell me you finally got yourself fired,” he said, and I could hear him holding back his laughter. Did he really come here to laugh at me like seriously?

“You knew I would be at work and yet, you came to find me here. Are you not the fool here?”

“Fool? I was right after all, you were home, so I am not a fool.”

“What do you want?” I didn't have time for this, I wanted to go back to bed and continue my dreams about my hot boss.

“I will pay you, you know my wife is so rich, I will pay you handsomely.” 

“I really don't understand what you are trying to say, Victor,” I said, getting irritated. 

“Be mine again, Ava  just… off the record.”I know how much you hate working, so you won't have to work anymore. I will provide you with all you need.”

I couldn't help it so I started laughing. I laughed so hard that I was almost crying.

“I am being serious, Ava. I know you still love me, so you can do that. You have nothing to lose. You get both the man you love and money.” 

Better: “I knew Victor was trash, but I didn’t realize calling him that was unfair  to trash.”

“First of all, why do you want me as your Mistress?” 

“It's because Rose is terrible in bed. Last night was our wedding night, and she was so boring that I kept thinking of you.”

His words felt like an arrow had been shot into my heart. I thought probably… I don't even know what I was thinking. A part of me was waiting to hear that he was sorry and that he had chosen the wrong person or that he missed us or all the important stuff I did for him. But all he missed about me was how well I served him in bed.

“Victor, leave my house now,” I said and turned to go inside. He just couldn't let me stay happy at all. 

He held me and said, “Just think of all the money you will make from doing nothing.”

“I swear, Victor, if you touch me again…”

I couldn't finish my words because he yanked me and pinned me against the wall. 

“Ava, did you go sleeping with another man less than a week after I left you? You even let him give you a hickey. You're just a whore” For a second, I almost believed I deserved his words. But that second passed and so did the last piece of me that ever wanted him.

The statement made me furious, and I kicked him right at his balls and slapped him.

“A whore! That's rich coming from a guy who used two girls at the same time.”

“You think you are anything better? The only thing you were ever good at was keeping my bed warm. Why do you think I am the only guy you have ever dated? That's because I am the only one who will ever want you, so stop acting up and collect the cash I am throwing your way!” he shouted while groaning in pain. I didn’t respond to him, I just entered the house and shut the door.

As soon as the lock clicked, I slid down the door. The silence hit first, then the shaking. I didn’t even realize I was crying until the tears hit my hands. 

I don't know how long I cried, but I woke to a text message on my phone from an unknown number. 

“Round two’s waiting, sweetheart. All you have to do is call.”

I smiled through the sting in my chest.

Maybe forgetting didn’t mean healing. Maybe it meant burning it all down  one kiss at a time.