Chapter 5: The Past Catches Up
Ava's past came flooding back as she stood outside Ethan's office building. She had tried to keep it locked away, hidden from prying eyes. But now, it seemed like the past was determined to catch up with her.
As she entered the building, she was greeted by the familiar sight of Ethan's assistant. "Ava, Mr. Blackwood is expecting you," she said with a smile.
Ava nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. She made her way to Ethan's office, her mind racing with thoughts of what could happen.
When she entered the office, Ethan looked up from his desk. "Ava, thanks for coming," he said, his voice low and husky.
Ava smiled, her eyes locked onto his. "Thanks for having me," she replied, her voice cool and confident.
As they sat down, Ethan's expression turned serious. "Ava, I think it's time we talked about the past," he said, his voice filled with a sense of determination.
Ava's heart skipped a beat. She knew that she couldn't avoid the past forever. "Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know about your father," he said, his voice low and gentle.
Ava felt like she had been punched in the gut. She hadn't expected him to know about that. "What do you know?" she asked, her voice tight with emotion.
"I know that he was a difficult man," Ethan said, his voice filled with understanding. "I know that he pushed you hard, and that you felt like you had to prove yourself to him."
Ava felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. How did he know? "Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers. "Ava, I want you to know that I'm not like that," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "I don't want to hurt you. I want to help you."
Ava felt a lump form in her throat. No one had ever offered to help her before. Everyone always seemed to want to hurt her, to use her for their own gain.
But Ethan's words touched something deep within her. She felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're welcome," he said, his voice low and husky.
As they sat there, Ava felt a sense of connection with Ethan that she hadn't felt before. It was as if they had crossed a threshold, and were now standing on the same side.
But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. It was a look of desire, of attraction.
And Ava knew that she felt the same way.