AVA

Chapter 8: Unexpected Intrusions

The weekend arrived, and with it came a sense of freedom and lightheartedness. Rowan and I found ourselves in my living room, a bottle of wine and glasses before us. The stress of the week melted away as we indulged in laughter and shared stories of our escapades.

"Alright, Ava," Rowan slurred slightly, his words punctuated by a giggle. "We need to talk about your love life. It's time to put yourself out there."

I chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, really? And how do you suggest I do that?"

Rowan's eyes gleamed mischievously as he fished his phone out of his pocket. "We're going to create your dating app profile, my friend. Get ready to find some potential suitors!"

We spent the next hour crafting the perfect profile, highlighting my passions, quirks, and aspirations. It was all in good fun, a way to let loose and explore possibilities. Little did I know that this playful act would soon lead me to someone unexpected.

A few swipes and matches later, my eyes landed on a profile that caught my attention. Dr. Ethan Matthews, a charming and compassionate doctor from the same hospital. Intrigued, I messaged him, and to my surprise, we hit it off almost instantly. Our conversations flowed effortlessly, filled with shared interests and an undeniable connection.

As the days passed, my confidence waned. Doubt crept in, questioning if I should cancel the date. But Rowan wouldn't have any of it.

"Ava, you've been given an opportunity. Don't let fear hold you back," Rowan urged, his voice full of encouragement. "You deserve happiness, and it's time you take a chance on it."

With his words echoing in my mind, I mustered the courage to go on the date. After my shift at the hospital, I hurried home, only to find Rowan already waiting, a mischievous smile on his face.

"What's all this?" I asked, gesturing to the stunning black dress displayed on the couch.

Rowan shrugged, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Just a little something to make sure you look fabulous for your date. Consider it a gift from your number one wingman."

Rolling my eyes, I headed to the shower to freshen up. As I slipped into the dress, its soft fabric hugging my curves, a sense of empowerment washed over me. I was ready to take on the night, to embrace whatever lay ahead.

I emerged from my room, feeling like a new woman, and found Rowan waiting with a smirk. "Now that's what I'm talking about! You look stunning, Ava."

With a grateful smile, I thanked him, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement building within me. After bidding Rowan farewell, I headed out to meet Ethan, my heart pounding with anticipation.

The date surpassed all expectations. Ethan was charismatic, attentive, and genuinely interested in getting to know me. We dined at a cozy Italian restaurant, our conversation flowing effortlessly as we shared stories, dreams, and laughter. Time seemed to slip away as we lost ourselves in the moment.

As the evening drew to a close, we found ourselves standing outside my apartment building. A gentle breeze swept through the air, carrying with it a sense of possibility. Unable to resist, we leaned in, sharing a sweet and tender kiss.

But just as the moment became sweeter, fate intervened in the form of Alex. He materialized out of nowhere, wearing a pained expression, and began weaving a tale of our supposed engagement, casting doubt upon my character. Flustered and frustrated, I tried to explain

the truth, but my date, caught off guard, retreated awkwardly, leaving me standing there, bewildered and angry.

Turning to face Alex, my voice trembled with a mix of indignation and frustration. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Alex? Spreading lies and ruining my chances at happiness?"

Alex feigned innocence, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Oh, Ava, don't pretend like you didn't enjoy that little display. It's clear you can't stay away from me."

Alex's words hung in the air, his smugness gnawing at my patience. I turned on my heels, ready to storm away from him when he suddenly grabbed my arms, his grip firm and unyielding. My heart raced as his eyes darkened, and a mix of fear and anger surged through me.

"Let me go!" I exclaimed, my voice laced with desperation. I struggled against his hold, my hands pounding against his chest, trying to create distance between us.

But Alex remained relentless, his face inches away from mine. He lowered his lips to mine, and I felt a mixture of confusion and disbelief. A muffled question escaped my lips, a plea for understanding amidst the chaos.

"What are you doing?"

His response sent chills down my spine, his voice laced with possessiveness and a twisted sense of entitlement. "I'm erasing the touch of that man, Ava. I want to be the only one whose kiss you remember."

His possessiveness sent a shiver down my spine, and a part of me couldn't deny the twisted thrill it brought. But this time, things were different. I wasn't going to let him have that power over me anymore.

A smirk curled on my lips as I mustered up the courage to taunt him. "Jealous, Alex? Catching feelings, are we?" I teased, trying to mask the lingering hurt beneath my bravado.

He ripped himself away from me, his eyes burning with a mixture of anger and frustration. "Please, Ava," he retorted, his voice laced with a bitter edge. "Your kisses were never that great to begin with."

My heart clenched at his dismissive words, but I refused to let him see how much they affected me. Instead, I mocked him, throwing his own words back at him. "Oh, really? Funny, because if I recall correctly, it was you who couldn't keep your lips off of mine all those times before. Seems like my kisses were more than enough to keep you coming back for more."

He shrugged, "You need practice." My eyes narrowed at his words, pouting as I did. I tilted my head to the side and wondered if he meant it. I took a page out of his book and shrugged before replying. 

"Oh, really? Well, let me tell you something, Alex," I retorted, my voice laced with a newfound confidence. "That date of mine? He gave me a kiss that made me forget what it's even like to be kissed by you."

His eyes widened for a split second, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. But he quickly recovered, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Is that so? Well, then it seems like I have some competition to live up to."

I laughed, a genuine sound that carried a mix of amusement and liberation. "Competition? Please, Alex. You're nowhere near close to his level. Besides, I'm not interested in playing games anymore."

With that, I turned on my heel, leaving him standing there with a mix of bewilderment and intrigue. I made my way back to my own apartment, relishing in the feeling of reclaiming my independence.

As I walked through the door, I couldn't help but smile to myself. It was a small victory, but an empowering one. I had finally stood up for myself, refusing to be caught in the tangled web of his charm and mixed signals any longer.

I leaned against the door, savoring the sense of freedom that washed over me. The journey of healing and self-discovery had just begun, and I was determined to embrace it fully. Whether it meant finding love or finding myself, I knew that I was on the right path.

As the echo of my laughter filled the empty space, I whispered to myself, "No more looking back, Ava. It's time to move forward."

And with renewed determination, I set forth on a new chapter of my life, ready to embrace the unknown and discover what truly mattered - my own happiness.

An extra early ch because I'm probably not gonna update for two ish weeks. I have tests and they are really imp😭😭 and I haven't started studying soo. Yeah anyways lemme know if there's anything else y'all would like to see happen.