after Julian's departure. She had always known that Julian was

ghts and doubts. What if she accepted Julian's offer? Would she be

ce, Emily was waiting for her

Emily asked, as Ava flo

r hair. "Julian made me an offer," she sa

widened. "What

eal. But something about Emily's kind and

partner," Ava said, wa

ise. "That's a big decision," she

rtainty wash over her. "I don't know," she a

erstanding. "Well, whatever you d

riend's support. She knew that she coul

omputer screen, Ava couldn't shake off the feeling th

epted Julian's offer? And wha

to unwind with a fun night out. They left the off

nd his offer," Emily declared, as they sipped on co

se of relief wash over her.

avorite tunes, laughing, and dancing together. Ava

sh air outside. The cool night breeze felt wonderful on Ava's skin, a

, as they leaned against the railing o

ng with friendship. "Anytime, A

IAN

is office, gazing out at the city skyline. His mind was sti

e hadn't expected her to be so... intriguing. There was something about

everie. He walked over to answer it, his eyes narr

aid, his tone crisp and authoritative. "Take

ack to Ava. He wondered what she would decide, w

determined to come out

and headed home. The meeting had been a necessary evil, but

nto the floor. His assistant, Rachel, had already sent him a summary

elf a glass of scotch and walked over to the floor

ts. The marketing team had presented their latest campaign, and

k to Ava, wondering what she was thi

quid slide down his throat. He was usually a man who go

p but feel drawn to her,

ll overlooking the city. The house was a masterpiece of modern architectu

r and the soft hum of the house's automated systems. He dropped his briefcase onto

said, giving her a

mom replied, smilin

the liquor cabinet and leaned against the co

interest. "I'm sure you're doing great,

is mom. She had always been his biggest supporter,

lian asked, referring t

ied. "Emily is loving college, and Jack

"I remember thos

ou do, sweetie. You were al

pdating Julian on the latest family news. Julian listened intently,

g that something was missing. He thought about Ava, about the

oing right now, whether she

ling that Ava was somehow connected to his future. He tried to brush i

o work off some steam. As he lifted weights and ran on the treadmi

him in? Was it her intelligence

ind racing with questions and doubts. But one thin

d to shower, Julian's phone buzzed wi

n Ava Anderson," the text read. "

as he read the text. He couldn'

w morning," Julian typed back, his mi

s office, eager to meet with Rachel and

ulian's office, a stack of file

smiling. "I've got some inte

is eyes locked on Rachel.

Richard Anderson, founder of Anderson Industries. She's 25 years old, graduated from Har

ts, taking in every detail. "What

information available on her personal life, Julian. But I did find

usy igniting within him. Who were these g

Rachel. "I want to know everything

ng her things. "I'll ge

of excitement and anticipation. He was determined to learn more ab

e feeling that he was playing with fire. Ava was a force to be reck