ALEX

The dimly lit office provides little solace as I sit at my desk, poring over stacks of paperwork. Frustration simmers beneath the surface as my mind relentlessly drifts towards a memory that refuses to be ignored. Ava. Her name echoes through my thoughts, a constant reminder of a night five years ago that I've tried so hard to push aside.

I rub my temples, attempting to dispel the persistent image of her radiant smile and mesmerising eyes. It's maddening how her beauty continues to haunt me, even more captivating than I remember from that fleeting encounter. The memory of her presence lingers, refusing to fade into the depths of my mind.

Glancing at the clock, I notice the hands point to an unthinkable hour. Six in the morning. I curse under my breath, realising I've been working through the night. Fatigue tugs at my body, aching for rest. Yet, amidst the weariness, a persistent thought gnaws at me — Ava.

With a begrudging sigh, I close the files and rise from my chair. As much as I try to convince myself that I don't care, curiosity and a hint of concern gnaw at me, urging me to check on her. The grumpy side of my nature rears its head, annoyed at my own vulnerability.

Descending the stairs to the guest bedroom, I expect to find her sound asleep, her presence in my home a mere afterthought. However, the room is empty, the sheets undisturbed. Irritation prickles beneath my skin, fueled by the realisation that she's not where she should be.

A sense of unease engulfs me as I make my way down another flight of stairs, arriving at the entrance to Ava's apartment. I push open the door with a mix of annoyance and mild concern, bracing myself for what I might find.

To my surprise, the apartment is silent, devoid of any sign of life. A hint of frustration bubbles within me as I take in the empty space. It's then that I hear muffled voices, drawing me toward the living area.

My footsteps lead me to the scene that unfolds before my eyes. Ava, standing in the embrace of my brother, Rowan. Conflicting emotions surge through me, a mixture of annoyance, curiosity, and something I refuse to acknowledge. But grumpiness, that's what I'm good at. It's safer.

Clearing my throat, I interrupted their moment, my tone laced with an air of indifference. "Well, well. Look who decided to make an appearance," I remark, my voice betraying little of the jumble of emotions within me.

Ava's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze shifting from Rowan to me. Rowan releases her from his embrace, taking a step back as he watches the interaction unfold. Ava's cheeks flush, a mixture of embarrassment and something I dare not interpret.

"I... I didn't expect you to be here," Ava stammers, her voice tinged with a hint of nervousness.

"And I didn't expect to find my brother cozying up with a houseguest," I retorted, my words edged with a touch of dry sarcasm. Deep down, a flicker of jealousy dances, but I suppress it beneath a mask of indifference.

Rowan interjects, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Alex, Ava needed someone. She had a rough night and since you're obviously a troll or a robot or both, who doesn't have any regard for other people's feelings, it had to be me." 

I scoff, unwilling to acknowledge the validity of their connection. "That's hardly my concern. I'm just here to make sure she hasn't burned down the place."

Ava's eyes darted between us, hurt flickering within their depths. I can't bring myself to meet her gaze for long, not being able to look at the look of hurt in her eyes. 

Leaving Ava's apartment behind, a whirlwind of emotions swirls within me as I make my way to the office. The weight of Rowan's words hangs heavy on my conscience, urging me to confront the turmoil within.

Arriving at my office, I'm met with the usual chaos of a busy workday. As I stride through the bustling corridors, my gaze sharp and my voice curt, I can sense the nervous energy emanating from my employees. The atmosphere seems to tighten with tension, as if the weight of my anger permeates the very air.

"Is this how you define 'efficient' work?" I bark at a trembling intern, my impatience evident in my tone. "I expect better from you. Get it together."

My words hang heavily in the room, leaving a trail of unease in their wake. The atmosphere becomes palpably tense as I continue to scrutinise each task, my dissatisfaction evident in every furrow of my brow and sharp word that escapes my lips.

The office staff seems to tiptoe around me, a silent dance of caution. Whispers echo through the hallways, speculating about my sour mood and the reason behind it. But I have no patience to address their concerns. 

Lost in my thoughts, I bury myself in the solitude of my main office, surrounded by piles of paperwork. The weight of my actions settles on my shoulders, and a sense of regret gnaws at my conscience.

But just as I begin to reflect on the turmoil in my personal life, a knock at the door disrupts my reverie. An employee hesitantly peeks inside, their eyes filled with a mixture of trepidation and resignation.

"What is it now?" I snap, my patience fraying at the edges.

The employee stammers, their voice trembling. "Mr. Brooks, there's an urgent matter that requires your attention. It's about the Johnson account."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, suppressing the mounting frustration within. "Fine, send them in."

As the employee retreats, a sense of resignation washes over me. The professional facade I've maintained for years feels like a heavy burden, one that adds to the isolation I've cultivated around myself.

Minutes later, the meeting commences, but my mind remains elsewhere. I offer curt responses and pointed questions, my gruff demeanour creating an invisible barrier between myself and the rest of the room. The Johnson account becomes a blur as my thoughts drift back to Ava, to the tangled mess we find ourselves in.

The meeting finally concludes, and I'm left alone in the sanctuary of my office once again. Just as I start to contemplate my next move, my thoughts are interrupted by the sound of my office door swinging open. Rowan storms in, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. Behind him, my assistant trails hesitantly, her eyes wide with apprehension.

"I tried to stop him, Mr. Brooks," she stammered, her voice barely audible. "But he insisted on seeing you."

Rowan's voice cuts through the air, tinged with urgency. "We need to talk, Alex. Now."

I narrow my eyes at Rowan, irritation bubbling within me. "This isn't the time, Rowan. I have work to attend to."

He shakes his head, his voice firm. "No, Alex. This is important.

Reluctantly, I motion for my assistant to leave, dismissing her with a curt nod. Once she's gone, I turn my full attention to Rowan.

"What is it?" I ask, my voice clipped.

Rowan takes a deep breath, his eyes locking onto mine with intensity. "You need to stay away from her."

My jaw tightens as I listen to his words. I realise he's talking about Ava and for all I care he can have her. And yet, I feel a flicker of anger rise within me, the defensive wall I've built around myself growing stronger. "Stay away from her? You're her friend, not her guardian."

Rowan's eyes blaze with frustration, his voice rising in response. "You don't understand, Alex. Ava has been through so much, and she doesn't need someone like you coming into her life, stirring up more chaos."

The bitterness in his words cuts through me, piercing my resolve. I clench my fists, trying to contain the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. "I never asked her to be a part of my life. It was a one-time mistake."

Rowan's anger intensifies, his voice laced with indignation. "A one-time mistake? Do you even realise the impact you have on her? She trusted you with the most important decision of her life and you left."

His words strike a nerve, and a surge of defensiveness rises within me. "I never promised her anything. We were two consenting adults who made a choice."

Rowan takes a step closer, his eyes blazing with fury. "Choice? Is that what you call it? You think you can just walk away unscathed, leaving behind the wreckage you've caused?"

I feel a mixture of anger and guilt simmering within me. "I never asked for her trust, Rowan. She should have known better than to expect anything more. And anyways, it was five years ago, why are you bringing this up now."

Rowan's voice grows quieter, but his tone remains firm. "Just stay away from her." 

"Fine," I mutter, my voice tinged with resignation. "I'll stay away. It's what she wants, isn't it?"

Rowan lets out a sigh, his frustration mixing with resignation. "I hope you truly mean that, Alex. Ava deserves happiness, and I won't stand by and let you hurt her again."

Without another word, Rowan turns and walks out of my office, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I lean back in my chair, a heaviness settling upon me. I try to push those thoughts aside, reminding myself that Ava deserves someone better than me. Someone who can offer her stability and the love she truly deserves. Besides, I've never been one for emotional entanglements. I'm more comfortable in the realm of work and solitude, where I can control my surroundings and keep my emotions at bay.

Sorry for the delay you guys. Hope you liked the chapter. Lemme know what you think will happen next :)