The following week at Kingsley Enterprises felt like walking on eggshells. Ava Collins tried to concentrate on her work, but her heart betrayed her every time Liam Kingsley walked into the room. Their connection had grown deeper than either of them anticipated, and no matter how hard they tried to mask it, emotions have a way of sneaking through the cracks.
She found herself smiling at his messages, noticing his gaze linger a moment too long during meetings. And once, when their hands brushed while passing a file, she realized that everyone around them could feel the spark.
Whispers followed her in the hallways now — faint, sharp, and impossible to ignore.
"Did you see how close they are?"
"She's always in his office."
"Wonder what she did to earn that promotion."
Each comment cut deeper than the last.
That afternoon, Liam invited her to join him for a client dinner. Ava hesitated — she knew what others would think — but he gave her that quiet look that always melted her resolve.
"I need someone I can trust," he said softly.
The dinner felt professional, yet once the guests left, something shifted. The restaurant lights dimmed, and for the first time in public, they weren't just boss and assistant — they were two people caught between obligation and desire.
Outside, as rain misted against the streetlights, Liam opened the car door for her. "Thank you for coming tonight," he said.
"You didn't really give me a choice," she replied playfully with a smile.
He chuckled. "You make everything easier, Ava. Even the chaos."
His words made her chest ache — sweet yet painful all at once. She wished life could freeze right there, with him looking at her as if she were the only person in the world. But reality doesn't pause for anyone.
Back at the office the next morning, they slipped back into their roles — polite, professional, distant. But Ava could still feel the memory of his hand on hers and hear his voice saying her name like it was a secret.
And though they pretended everything was normal, both knew the truth — they were already too far gone.
What began as a spark had transformed into a fire neither of them could hide.