Chapter 26

A strand of her hair fell over her face which made it difficult for him to take in her features properly. Strange enough, he found that annoying so he brushed the stray hair from her face, baring her face completely to his view. He traced her eyelashes with the tip of his thumb and smiled when she blinked, frowning in the process.

Alex found it cute and said so " How can someone look so beautiful and serene while asleep? " He whispered.

Before he could stop himself, he placed a light kiss on her forehead. His warm breath fanned her face and it got Ava excited secretly. So much for the secrecy she thought in annoyance right then, her eyes flew open and she giggled.

Alex drew back in shock " What the hell?! " He cursed yet the second time that morning.

" You were awake the whole time?! " He asked incredulously.

" Uh not really " Ava managed to reply, trying hard to keep her face straight. There was a hint of smile pulling at the corners of her lips though.

Alex pinned her with a death glare for a minute, his mind occupied with the thought that she might have actually heard him.

Ava seemed to know what he was thinking and she stood on her feet, not wanting him to entertain such thoughts.

" I was actually waiting for you and slept off in the process, I'm sorry " She said timidly.

His eyebrows raised in question " Why? "

She shifted uncomfortably " I... It's nothing serious really... "

He cut in " It should be something serious if it was the cause of your unusual appearance here "

Ava sighed, fighting the urge not to let the sassy comeback off her tongue " Mr Alex, will you please allow me to finish my sentence? "

Alex glared at her nevertheless, as though she had said something wrong again.

" What is it? " He barked impatiently.

" Bingo " She snapped her two of her fingers, as if she had been waiting for him to say that.

He frowned slightly, confused " Huh? "

Ava sighed and summoned the courage to let it all out, while praying he didn't shout at her again.

" I wanted to talk to you about this attitude of yours " She started quietly and managed to hold his gaze.

His eyebrows rose even more " My attitude? "

She shook her head quickly " Don't get me wrong... "

Once again, Alex cut her off " That's what you just said. Now, what's wrong with my attitude? " He twisted his mouth like he was irritated.

She held out her hands to stop him from saying more " Calm down and let me explain, will you? "

Alex shoved his hands in his side pockets, his jaw clenched.

When Ava saw that he had no intention of talking, she continued " So while I was waiting for you to return, I slept off " She took a pause and stared at Alex who was also staring at her without a word.

" Why have you been avoiding me? " She blurted out when she had no idea how to construct her words in a reasonable sentence. That was not how she planned the whole thing in her head.

Alex went still, as though he was trying to comprehend her words. Suddenly, he bursted into an uncontrollable laughter.

Ava felt anger surged through her and it was her turn to glare at Alex " I didn't know I said something funny " And she clenched her teeth in annoyance.

Finally, his laughter died down and he stared at Ava for more minutes, his eyes were brighter.

" You seriously think I've been avoiding you?? " He asked incredulously.

" Well, that's what you've been doing. Am I wrong? " She asked

" Totally wrong! " Alex exclaimed and took some steps towards her.

On instinct, Ava took a step back. On seeing that, Alex frowned and halted.

" Look, I don't know who's putting all these thoughts in your head, but it's not true " He explained calmly.

" We both know you've been avoiding me since you returned from the hospital " Ava insisted.

" I had loads of work to return to, you should know that too " Alex reminded her.

" And how will you explain the fact that you come home late every day? Isn't that your way of avoiding me? It seems to me as though that's the least you could do if you can't fire me " She explained everything in one breath and shrugged.

" Stop it Ava, that's enough " He said calmly.

" It's true though " Ava replied quietly.

" It's not true woman, I've got loads of work to do and also make up for those times I was away " He explained and heaved a sigh of exasperation.

" I... I thought... " She started while she fidgeted with her fingers.

Alex cut in " Enough with your thinkings woman, I've been damn busy that's all "

For some unknown reason, he saw a look of pain flashed through her eyes.

In swift strides, he crossed over to her side and they would be touching if Ava buffed out her chest.

He took her hands in his gently " Go on "

Ava looked at him in confusion " Huh? "

He raised his left eyebrow " Were you not about to say something? "

She realized what he meant and an Oh escaped her mouth " I thought you hated the idea of me working here so much that you resorted to avoiding me "

He squeezed her hands " Not at all Ava, hmm? " He reassured her, staring deeply into her eyes.

Ava held his gaze too and none of broke the eye contact for a while and slowly, Alex leaned in and when their lips were almost touching, he took a pause.

" May I? " He whispered and Ava gulped as she felt his warm breath fanned her lips.