Chapter 23: Chapter 23
Bryan nodded appreciatively. " Great job, Lily. Let's iron out these details, and hopefully, we'll wrap this up smoothly. "
Over breakfast, they discussed the amendments, refining clauses, and making necessary adjustments to the contract. With each tick of the clock, they inched closer to finalizing the deal.
By mid-morning, Bryan and Lily stood up from the table, satisfied with their progress. They shook hands, a sense of accomplishment radiating from both of them.
" We did it, " Bryan said with a smile. " Thank you, Lily. Your dedication and sharp eye made a significant difference. "
Lily beamed. " It's been a pleasure working with you, Bryan. We make a good team. "
As they parted ways, Bryan's mind veered to thoughts of home. He couldn't shake off the growing sense of longing for Ava, someone he hadn't known for long but whose presence seemed to have a profound effect on him.
Upon arriving at his villa, Bryan felt an inexplicable emptiness settling in. The quietness of the place seemed stark after the hustle and bustle of the business trip. The thought of Ava lingered in his mind, making him realize how much he missed her company despite their relatively brief acquaintance.
He paced around the living room, contemplating reaching out to her. However, he hesitated, thinking she might have her own commitments or might not appreciate a sudden call.
Sitting by the window, Bryan watched the sunset, thoughts of Ava tugging at his heartstrings. He mulled over their conversations, the laughter they shared, and the moments that seemed too fleeting.
After a while, he resolved to give her some space, assuming she might be occupied with her own life. Despite the ache of missing her, he decided to wait, wanting to respect her boundaries and not rush things.
With a sigh, Bryan diverted his attention to unpacking his bags, hoping the familiar routine would distract him from the longing that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment. Yet, even as he sorted through his belongings, his thoughts kept drifting back to Ava, leaving him questioning the depth of the connection he felt for someone he had only recently met.
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The next morning arrived with a subtle anticipation that Bryan couldn't quite shake off. Despite his attempts to focus on work, thoughts of Ava persisted, leaving him eager to see her again.
He woke up earlier than usual, feeling a surge of energy propelling him through his morning routine. As he dressed for work, Bryan couldn't help but feel a tingling excitement at the prospect of meeting Ava again after being away for what seemed like an eternity.
The drive to the office was filled with a mix of nervousness and anticipation. His mind buzzed with thoughts of what to say, how to act, and whether Ava would reciprocate the same sense of connection he felt.
Upon reaching the office, Bryan threw himself into his tasks, trying to keep himself occupied and focused. However, his attention kept drifting, and time seemed to crawl as he awaited the moment he could finally see Ava.
The day's tasks seemed to blur in his mind as he found himself constantly stealing glances toward the door, hoping to see her walk in.
Frustratingly, the morning passed without any sign of Ava. Bryan tried to focus on work, but his mind kept drifting, preoccupied with thoughts of her and a growing sense of disappointment at not having crossed paths yet.
Lily, sensing Bryan's restlessness, approached his desk. " Did you need something, Bryan? "
Bryan looked up, a tinge of concern in his voice. " Has Ava arrived? I was expecting to see her today. "
Lily nodded. " Yes, she did come in earlier. Would you like me to call her to your office? "
Bryan hesitated for a moment, contemplating. " No, I'll swing by her department later. Maybe she's caught up with something right now. "
Lily nodded understandingly and returned to her tasks, leaving Bryan to wrestle with his thoughts. As the hours ticked by, he found it increasingly difficult to concentrate, his curiosity about Ava growing with each passing minute.
After lunch, Bryan decided to take a break from his work. He made his way toward Ava's department, trying to mask his eagerness with a composed demeanor. As he approached, he glimpsed Ava through the glass walls of her office, engrossed in a conversation with a colleague.
Bryan hesitated, not wanting to interrupt, but he felt a surge of longing to speak with her. He lingered outside her office, waiting for a lull in her conversation.
Even though Ava was engrossed in the conversation with Bella, a movement caught the corner of her eye. She turned subtly and, to her surprise, saw Bryan watching her from a distance. Her heart skipped a beat, and she sucked in a sharp breath, momentarily taken aback by his sudden appearance.
There he was, Bryan—the man who had been on her mind during the past two days of his absence. Questions had lingered in her thoughts, wondering why he hadn't been in the office, and the unexpected rush of emotions upon seeing him caught her off guard.
Their eyes met, and a mixture of surprise and something else flashed across Bryan's face before he quickly composed himself into a friendly smile. Ava felt a mix of confusion and a fluttering sense of nervousness as she held his gaze, unable to look away.
In that brief moment, a myriad of thoughts raced through Ava's mind. She recalled their conversations, the way Bryan had made her laugh, and the strange pull she felt towards him despite their relatively short acquaintance.
Bryan started to make his way toward her, and Ava's heart thudded louder in her chest. She attempted to focus on Bella, but her attention kept drifting back to Bryan's approaching figure. Bella nudged her lightly and whispered " There he is, your knight in shining armor "
If looks could kill, Bella would be dead on the floor that moment because of the death glare Ava shot her.