Semua Bab With You : Bab 21 - Bab 30

AVA The office floor was steady with movement with keyboards tapping, printers whirring, and quiet conversations floating between desks. Ava sat at her workstation, jotting notes in her slim notepad, eyes shifting between her screen and the printed forecast beside her. She was so focused, she didn't hear him approach. A slim file dropped lightly on her desk. Ava blinked and looked up. Luke stood there, one hand still resting on the file, the other tucked in his pocket. “Your forecast on the Raymond pitch,” he said, his voice low and even. “There’s a figure on page three that doesn’t add up.” Ava’s fingers stilled on the keyboard. She reached for the file. “Thanks,” she said softly, not quite meeting his gaze. “I’ll recheck it.” Luke gave a short nod and walked back to his desk. Ava’s eyes trailed after him for a moment, then darted back to her screen. But not before Nelson, sitting a few desks away, caught her pause. He grinned over his monitor and raised a brow. When she glan

LUKE He had only driven a few blocks before the unease started to settle like a rock in his gut. It was ridiculous. She was probably halfway home by now, maybe already curled up on her couch. She always took the bus. She didn’t need help. She hadn’t even asked. Yet, an unexplainable feeling itched at him. A quiet nudge in his gut. Irrational, maybe. Still, his hands moved on their own, steering the wheel into a turn. It didn’t take long to spot her and Luke cursed silently. He had been right. With her head bowed, she walked briskly along the sidewalk, the street dim and nearly empty. She looked… small and vulnerable. He eased the SUV to the curb and parked beside her. She slowed, startled. The window slid down. “Get in,” he said simply. Ava stopped, clutching her bag tighter. Her eyes met his, wide and unsure. She hesitated, and he saw her glance behind her. Somewhere down the road, voices echoed in the distance. That was all it took. She pulled the door open and slipped in. She

AVA Ava didn’t know when it started. The quiet pull toward Luke that had settled somewhere between friendship and something else. She had tried to deny the feeling but wasn't successful. She liked Luke. More than she ever thought was possible. His confidence was magnetic, his blunt honesty refreshing, and yet beneath it all was a gentleness that made her heart race in ways she couldn’t explain. He had this way of making her feel alive, like she was seeing parts of herself she never knew existed. But she wasn’t delusional. They had an unspoken understanding as friends, maybe, but competitors first. The coveted team leader position was still up for grabs, and this pitch was everything. Winning would finally earn her the respect she’d fought so hard for. The fact that Luke might feel the same was a dangerous thought, one she didn’t allow herself to entertain. He was polite, easygoing, sweet even, but nothing more. With the pitch just days away, they needed one last run-through. she

AVAThe day of the pitch had arrived. Mr. Graham Wright and Mr. Raymond Steele, CEO of SteeleForce Automotives, sat at the head of the boardroom table, engaged in a quiet discussion. Other investors and attendees were seated, waiting for the presentation to begin. The room was filled with a sense of anticipation, the polished oak table and rows of cushioned chairs a backdrop for the potential deal that could redefine Wright AutoTech Motors. Ava stood near the long table, her tablet in hand, fingers clenched tight. The last few days had been a blur with sleepless nights, frantic rehearsals, and an ongoing inner war about Luke. She had avoided him for the past few days and he seemed to get the memo because stopped approaching her. It made Ava feel worse but she had a pitch to focus on.Ava’s heart pounded in her chest as the team finished setting up. She hadn’t seen Luke since yesterday, but now, as he approached, suit sharp, eyes steady, her breath caught."We need to talk," he said

LUKELuke watched, amused, as Ava’s eyes widened in shock. Her lips parted slightly, like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.“Don’t say that,” she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her cheeks flushed redder than before, and she glanced down at her lap.He chuckled. “I’m just being honest.”She gave him a quick glare, but it lacked any heat. “Still,” she muttered, “a little warning would’ve been nice.”Just then, the waiter arrived with their meals, placing the plates in front of them and asking if they needed anything else. Ava was grateful for the interruption. She quickly reached for her cutlery and focused on her food like it was the most interesting thing in the world.Luke started eating too, but his eyes kept drifting toward her.She noticed. “You’re staring,” she said without looking up.“I know,” he replied.Ava shook her head and took a sip of her drink. “It’s making me self-conscious.”He grinned. “I’ll try to stop.”They finished their