The screen had long since moved to other stories, but Naya's gaze was still on her. Gentle. Curious. A little hesitant.
"Ma'am…" Naya's voice was soft.
It brought Avery fully out of her thoughts.
She turned toward her assistant and met her gaze.
"Yes?"
Naya shifted a little in her seat, glancing down and then back up.
"Did you know… what was going to happen?" she asked again, her voice a little more insistent now, yet still cautious.
Avery's shoulders rose slightly with her inhale, then fell with a quiet exhale.
Her gaze softened. She didn't answer right away.
And maybe that was the answer.
Because the truth was, she hadn't known exactly what would happen.
"I didn't exactly know that all this was going to happen," Avery said calmly, her voice steady, measured. "But I had a doubt… so I thought, why not be prepared?"
