LOGINAva ~~~ The rest of the meeting goes smoothly, and other than Oliver suggesting we use Axion Tech money to build a water park, nothing else crazy happens. “A waterpark is not a necessary business venture, Oliver.” Evie mutters to him, dragging him out of the hall at the end of the meeting. They’re too far ahead for me to hear his response, and even if I could, i’m too happy about today to care. That meeting was good. Great, actually. I can actually lead a company. “Penny for your thoughts?” Leonel wraps an arm around my waist from behind, leaning close to my ear. The throbbing between my legs returns like it never left. I think it should be illegal for a man to turn me on this quickly. I lean into his hard chest, sighing as employees who pass by try hard not to look at us. “You are too rich to be offering me just pennies,” I feel him grin. “plus, I think some of your employees may think the way you’re holding me is unprofessional.” “Our employees.” He reminds me, be
Ava ~~~ Leonel and I enter last. Everyone is seated around the large glass table. My heart pounds as I grasp Leonel’s hand tighter. I’ve met a few of these people online, but mostly through video calls. They’re ten times more intimidating in real life: most are twice my age, and I can basically smell money dripping from their designer suits. “We’re their bosses, remember?” Leonel murmurs. I look at him and find him smiling softly at me. I want to return his smile, but I think I'm going to die of fear. There are two chairs left: one next to Oliver, and the head of the table where Leonel will obviously stay. With an incredible amount of effort, I walk towards the table with Leonel. Our employees’ eyes follow us as I stop beside the chair next to Oliver. “Absolutely not.” Leonel says. Confused, I allow him tug me gently. He doesn’t say a word as he leads me to the only other free chair in the room. The head of the table. My eyes widen as he finally lets go of my h
Ava ~~~ “What do I wear to a meeting?” I ask, frantic as I pull out another dress from my cupboard. It’s a cute satin blouse dress fit that’s sleeveless (which I know Leonel will just die for), but I grimace at the fact that it’s light pink. Surely no one from IronRoot or Axion Tech is bound to take me seriously in pink? I groan, throwing it on the growing pile on my bed as Evie dodges out of the way. “That is the 16th thing from your closet you’ve tried to murder me with,” she exclaims. I eye a blazer I hung up earlier. It looked cuter when I wasn’t this panicked. “Make that 17.” I yank it from its hanger and throw it on the mountain of “not good enough” clothes. Evie laughs, then comes in front of me, both hands on my shoulders. I close my eyes and try to lean into the comfort of her touch. Nope. Nothing. Not even a pinch of relief. “Ava, honey, you need to calm down. You’ve gone for meetings before.” “Yes, Evie, from home. Everything we’ve done has been from th
And that’s a wrap 💕 I can’t believe we actually got here. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my readers!!!! It’s been such a journey, and I truly can’t tell you all how much your support and love means to me. What we started with was by no means what I assumed we’d have today, but the story seemed to write itself. From my first obsessive reader, XXXjto, to my 13 supporters, to my everyday readers and the people who left lovely comments on my book, I just want to say from the bottom of my heart that I couldn’t have done this without you. I’m so blessed to write in the way I do and get all the support I have. I love you 💕 Your first book is never easy, but you guys have made this experience one of the best of my life, and I look forward to doing this for as long as you guys want it. So thats it. Leonel and Ava’s story is done! What was your favorite part? Who was your favorite character? Most importantly, what do you want to see me do next? I have a big project in the wo
Ava~~~I hear a $5,000, then a $10,000. There’s a mass gasp as someone with a pristine moustache cries for $50,000.No one counters it. I’m shocked the price went that high at all“I’m sorry sir,” I start, “this piece is actually not for sale. It’ll be donated to the museumafter the event.” Rather than accept, the man narrows his eyes, and I know he’s one of those rich entitled assholes who thinks he’s supposed to have anything in the world.“$100,000” he says smugly, and everyone gasps.A few years ago, I would have gasped too. Now, I only narrow my eyes back. That's the problem with having such an open invite, I wasn't able to sift out the prideful millionaires.“Sir, I said-” A deep voice rises at the back, “I’ll give you 1 million for it.” The hairs on the back of my neck rise.I know that voice, more than I know my own soul.The man who offered $100,000’s eyes bulge out of his head, and he uses the distracting gossip following this new offer to sit down quietly. Defeated.Who
1 WEEK LATERAva ~~~“Up next, please put your hands together for our incredible sponsor, CEO Ava Allard!”I startle at the roaring applause. Why am I never ready for the announcer to call my name? I’m just glad it's a woman this time, not freaking Riggs.Despite my nerves, I crack a smile. It’s been half a year since the art show that changed my life, and this moment makes me feel like nothing has changed.Well…other than the fact I'm a CEO now, and I own the art show this time. I look down at my outfit; it's a crocheted green dress with Jade and emerald stones across the hem. I wanted something that felt like my $20 knitted dress from the first art show. This was close enough, even though I had it handmade for $3000. But that’s basically the same thing, right?With a deep breath, I step out from behind the curtain. Before I say a word I'm met with thunderous applause. People are on their feet, clapping for me like I just cured cancer. A few whistles go around the crowd and I can







