Chapter 55: Chapter 55
Ava shook her head " It's no big deal " She mumbled and picked at the non existent dirt under her fingernail. It had become a habit.
" Then spill it, what's going on? " Bella asked pointedly, not mincing words.
" This is about Bryan, isn't it? " Bella asked again, searching Ava's face for answers.
Ava nodded slowly " Yeah. "
Bella raised her eyebrows " So what about him? You guys had a big fight? " She asked curiously but Ava shook her head.
" So what is it, Ava? Talk to me " Bella pleaded in frustration.
Ava sighed " We had sex " She simply said like it wasn't a big deal.
Bella's eyes widened in shock " You did what?! " She asked, staring at Ava with eyes so wide that Ava feared they might pop out of their sockets.
Ava rolled her eyes " You heard me Bella, not gonna repeat it "
" You had sex??! " Bella screamed.
Ava shot her friend a glare " Keep your voice down Bella. And yes, we did. "
" Holy shit! " Bella exclaimed and changed her sitting position. She took a seat next to Ava.
" And how do you feel right now? " She asked in sheer curiosity.
Ava scoffed. " Isn't it obvious? "
Bella nodded understandingly " I can see the look of regret in your eyes but don't be sad sweetheart, Bryan is a good man. " She said convincingly.
Ava gave a laugh of self derision " The funny part was, when I left his place, I felt good until I got here. Then different thoughts started flooding and kicking in. "
Once again, Bella nodded in understanding. " I've once been in that situation, so I know how it feels. I understand the feeling of regret which kicks in after the momentarily happiness. " She took Ava's hands in hers and squeezed gently. " Look Ava, don't let this stop you. Remember what I said about Bryan the last time? " She asked, expecting Ava to nod her head automatically but Ava did the opposite as she shook her head.
Bella glared at her. " You don't remember? "
" I do, I do. Go on, ma'am. " Ava said light-heartedly and she waited for Bella to continue, which the latter did after a moment of silence.
" Trust me Ava, Bryan is a good man. He'll never hurt you. " Bella concluded.
" You think so? " Ava asked, eyes shimmering with hope.
Bella smiled softly " I know so, baby. " She added " Now go out there and give love a chance. Of course I'm not asking you to make the first move. All I'm saying is, when he comes to you which I'm sure he will very soon, accept him with open arms. " Bella advised gently.
" I'll think about it Bella, I'll think about it. " Ava replied in a very quiet voice.
Bella nodded " I'm okay with that, honey " and she offered Ava a hug.
Ava hesitated deliberately, cringing up her nose in feigned irritation. Bella threw her a death glare and forcefully pulled her into a hug. The two friends bursted into laughter with Ava throwing up her hands in the air, trying to break free from Bella's tight hug.
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The next morning arrived with a subdued light filtering through the windows of Ava's apartment, casting a gentle glow upon her surroundings. As she stood before the mirror, the reflection staring back at her carried a hint of apprehension in her eyes.
Reluctantly, Ava began the morning routine, the anticipation of facing Bryan weighing heavily on her mind. The uncertainty of their situation loomed over her like a shadow, the unanswered questions and the fear of potential rejection gnawing at her thoughts.
The truth was, she wasn't prepared to confront him yet. What if their last encounter had caused irreparable damage? What if he no longer wished to see her? Doubt and fear mingled within her, threatening to cloud her resolve.
" Stop it, Ava! " she scolded herself aloud, a firm command to halt the onslaught of pessimistic thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her. She refused to let the fear of the unknown dictate her actions, summoning a semblance of determination to face whatever lay ahead.
With a steadying breath, she completed the final touches of her light makeup, attempting to mask the inner turmoil with a composed exterior. Her fingers hesitated for a moment over her bag before she grabbed it, a sense of trepidation lingering in the subtle movements of her hand.
As she made her way out of her apartment, Ava carried herself with a mixture of resolve and apprehension. Each step towards the day ahead felt like a hesitant stride into an uncertain territory, a journey riddled with unanswered questions and the weight of unresolved emotions.
The door closed behind her with a soft click, sealing the sanctuary of her apartment and propelling her towards the outside world. Despite the tumultuous thoughts churning within her, Ava squared her shoulders, steeling herself for whatever awaited her at work, determined to navigate through the day despite the nagging doubts that lingered in the recesses of her mind.
As the morning sun ascended higher in the sky, casting its radiant glow over the city, Ava arrived at her workplace, her steps cautious and deliberate. She navigated through the familiar corridors, her heart racing with the anticipation of an encounter she both longed for and feared.
Determined to keep a safe distance, she buried herself in her tasks, immersing herself in work as a means of avoiding any potential interaction with Bryan. The day progressed in a whirlwind of assignments and meetings, but Ava steadfastly refused to join her colleagues for lunch, preferring the solitude of her office to evade any chance of running into him.
The passing hours weighed heavily on her as she focused intently on her work, the unresolved tension lingering in the air, palpable and suffocating.