3

Ava's POV

I left.

I didn't know why but my feet obeyed his command instantly, even before my mom would process.

Walking down the hall, my heart was beating more than I could imagine and I could still feel like his lips were on mine. 'Oh Ava, you kissed Liam Carter!'

Words kept screaming back at me. Fuck. No! He kissed me, and it wasn't even a real kiss, but I could feel beads of sweat on my forehead.

I forced a steady breath as I stepped into the elevator. The doors slid shut, stealing me away from that and whatever the hell had just happened.

What was that?

Was that a mistake? A drunken slip? Or did he…… I didn't want to think about it. "Liam Carter couldn't possibly start to fall for me!"

First, I was out of his hundreds of elite ladies who would be a perfect match for him. My reflection in the metal doors showed the slight flush on my cheeks, my parted lips, and my wide, startling eyes. We kissed, and it was nothing somehow; I hated how he had just also walked back to his office, thinking it was nothing. A kiss on my lips meant something to me!

"I will discuss it with him tomorrow, we must clarify something. He is my Boss and I am just his employee!" I muttered as I hit the button of the lobby and walked out.

*

And unfortunately, my night wasn't the best. It was rather worse.

*

The next morning, I arrived at the office early, pretending nothing had happened. I wasn't going to be the weak one, overthinking a stupid almost-kiss. I wanted to feel guilty, but I suddenly remembered I had broken things up with Daniel yesterday night. I sent a short message which stated. "Let's end things," and then blocked him right after.

Jenna, ever observant, waltzed to my desk with a knowing smirk. She was trying to tease Ms.

"You look like you barely slept," She said, sipping her coffee.

She raised her eyebrow. "Then why do you look like you've been thinking about him all night?" She winked.

"Him? Who?" I asked. I knew who she was talking about but I wasn't interested in letting her know I knew.

"The Almighty Liam Carter," She raised her hands dramatically while I shook my head. This girl.

I scowled. "I wasn't."

She grinned. "Whatever you say, Ava."

Before I could snap at her again, the sound of the main office doors opening made everyone straighten their backs and immediately start to work.

Liam Carter strode in, his presence swallowing the whole room.

His expression was unreadable. As always. There were no signs that anything had happened between us that night. No hesitation in his steps. It's just pure, untouchable confidence.

And he didn't glance at me.

It was funny how I thought I could get a reaction about it from him. Funny how I thought he couldn't overlook it like it was just a mere kiss. I should too!

Fine. Good. That was how I wanted it.

I forced myself to focus on work, drowning in spreadsheets and reports.

Things were finally back to normal not until my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.

Meet me in my office now!

I stared at the message, and my pulse quickened. There was no name, but it was obvious who the person was.

Liam.

My fingers tightened around the phone. I should ignore him. I should pretend I never got the message. But my feet had a mind of their own, pulling me towards his office before I could stop myself.

His door was slightly opened, and I pushed it open, stepping inside.

He stood by the window backing me, his hands shoved into his pockets like he hadn't texted me in the middle of a workday.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked, keeping my voice even.

He then finally turned, his gaze locking into mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Yes."

Silence stretched between us.

I folded my arms. "Care to elaborate?"

His jaw ticked. "What you heard last night, forget it."

I scoffed. It's funny how I always brought up some kind of attitude like this, and yet Liam hadn't sacked me. No one dared to behave how I did to him, or maybe the person had been planning to sign his sack letter.

"You already told me that, sir."

His eyes darkened. Maybe because of my attitude or maybe because I had called him 'sir.'

"And yet you are still thinking about it."

I clenched my teeth. "You pulled me into your office to tell me something I already know?"

His lips pressed into a thin line. "No. I called to make something clear."

He stepped closer. My breath hitched, but I stood my ground.

"This…." He gestured vaguely between us. "Whatever it is you think is going to happen. It's not. It won't."

Somehow, a sharp pang stabbed my chest, but I forced a smirk. "Wow! Your arrogance is truly impressive. I never said anything was happening, Liam. Maybe you're the one overthinking it."

His nostrils flared.

"Do you still realize I'm your Boss," He frowned.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I totally forgot for a second. You don't have to worry, Boss; I don't mix business with pleasure," I shook my head, backing away.

His expression didn't change but I caught the slight twitch in his fingers. I turned and walked out, slamming the door behind me.

*

I didn't see Liam for the rest of the day. Probably for the best.

By the time I left the office, the sun had already set. The streets were quiet, the city humming softly under the glow of the streetlight.

I walked to my car, tossing my bag, tossing my bag in the passenger's seat, but just as I slid behind the wheel. My phone rang.

Unknown number.

I frowned but I answered.

Silence

"Hello?"

Still nothing. Just faint breathing on the other end.

My skin prickled. "Who is this?"

The line went dead.

I swallowed hard, feeling uneasy.

Probably the wrong number.

I started the car and drove home. Throughout my drive, I noticed a black Rolls Royce behind me, and I was already getting scared. I stopped but the car had already passed another route as I drove off.

I barely slept.

Everything I closed my eyes to, my mind kept playing a trick on me. Faint footsteps echo in my ear shadows moving at the corner of the hallway and on the top of the building in front of me. I tried telling myself it was nothing.

By the time my alarm went off, I felt like I hadn't even slept at all.

I forced myself out of bed, getting ready. Shower. Coffee. A simple makeup to cover the exhaustion of my eyes.

Luckily, I was able to get to work earlier today. No traffic.

Jenna was waiting at my desk, her eyes lighting up the second she saw me.

"You look even worse today," She observed. Jenna was a sweetheart and someone who knew most things about me, except for Lilia.

I hadn't even heard from Lilia or Daniel for the past 3 days. A silent scoff escaped my lips. She must have been waiting patiently for me to end things with Daniel so she could be with him.

"Good morning to you too."

After a while, she then hugged me while I frowned. "What's up, Jenna?" I asked.

"Can't I hug my friend without having a reason to?" She scoffed. "Okay fine…. I saw Daniel and Lilia together, holding hands and joking together. That doesn't seem right," She frowned, backing off as she itched her hair.

"I was planning to tell you but I didn't want to ruin your relationship," She said while I stayed silent.

"Wait, don't tell me…." She gasped.

"We broke up, I found them together on my bed on my birthday," I told her as I watched her eyes flare up in anger.

"That bitch, I knew right from the beginning that she was a snake. That's why we never both agreed!"

"Well that's it…"

"So sorry Ava, they ruined your 23rd birthday. How sad," She hugged me again.

*

The day dragged on, Liam was nowhere to be seen.

Meetings came and went. Emails piled up

The office buzzed with activity, yet I felt dispatched from all of it. Maybe it was exhaustion.

By lunchtime, I needed some fresh air.

I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the building, the cool air bruising on my skin.

I spotted a quiet cafe on the street and headed towards it. Someone, by mistake,, hit me. "Be careful Ava, he's not good for you." The person said before walking away. He had a mask on, so I could barely even see his face.