Chapter 64

Ava was seated in the living room, engrossed in a book. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated her features, casting a serene aura around her. She looked up as Alex entered, a smile spreading across her face.

" Hey " she greeted, setting aside her book. " How was your day? "

Alex crossed the room in long strides, enveloping her in a warm embrace. " Hectic " he admitted, his voice tinged with exhaustion but filled with relief at being back in her presence.

Ava pulled back slightly, concern etched on her face. " Are you okay? "

He nodded, mustering a tired smile. " I am now " And pulled her in for a deep kiss.

He broke it after some minutes and stared deeply into her eyes " Are you okay? "

Her eyes etched in a frown and she looked a little bit confused " Of course I am "

" No sore inner thighs, back pain and all that? " He teased, his eyes twinkling.

She blushed " Oh! That "

Alex nodded " Yeah, that " He confirmed

She covered her face, suddenly feeling shy " I'm fine really "

Alex pouted, feigning sadness and decided to talk dirty with her "And here I was, feeling so proud that I made sure you couldn't walk "

" Alex! " Ava exclaimed. She couldn't believe his bluntness. Her cheeks turned bright pink as she blushed.

"Whoa! The most saucy woman I've ever seen is blushing right before me, wowww " Alex whistled, teasing her endlessly and Ava bursted into laughter.

Their evening unfolded in a quiet symphony of shared glances, whispered conversations, and the gentle comfort of each other's company. Alex found solace in the simple joy of being with Ava, the chaos of the day gradually dissipating in her presence.

As the night wore on, they retreated to his bedroom, the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains. Alex lay beside Ava, her presence a balm to his weary soul. Their fingers intertwined, silent yet profound in their connection.

" I missed you " he confessed softly, his gaze fixed on her.

Ava's eyes sparkled with affection. " I missed you too, Alex "

In that tranquil moment, amidst the tumultuous day that had unfolded, Alex found tranquility in the embrace of the woman he cherished. As sleep beckoned, he closed his eyes, grateful for the sanctuary Ava provided amidst the chaos of his world.

******************

The morning sunlight filtered through the bedroom curtains, gently rousing Alex from his slumber. Reluctantly, he peeled himself away from the warmth of Ava's embrace, his heart aching at the prospect of leaving her side. With a lingering kiss and a promise to return early, he bid her goodbye, a sense of longing clinging to him as he stepped out into the crisp morning air.

The day at the office unfolded like a relentless tempest. Alex was met with a deluge of tasks, each more demanding than the last. The paperwork seemed to multiply, and urgent meetings peppered his schedule. He worked feverishly, his mind oscillating between the pressing matters at hand and the eagerness to return to Ava.

As the clock struck 7 in the evening, Alex finally managed to wrap up his tasks, a faint hope of fulfilling his promise to return home earlier buoying his spirits. He collected his belongings, ready to leave, when the door to his office creaked open, heralding an unexpected visitor.

" Lauren " Alex uttered, his voice devoid of the warmth that typically accompanied his greetings.

She stood at the threshold, a mixture of determination and vulnerability in her gaze. " Alex, I need to talk to you " she began, her voice wavering slightly.

He sighed inwardly, his weariness amplified at the sight of her. " Lauren, it's late. Can this wait till tomorrow? It's about business, right? Let's discuss it tomorrow "

She stepped closer, a determined look in her eyes. " No, it can't wait. It's about us "

Alex's frustration simmered beneath the surface. He had navigated similar conversations with her before, always steering the dialogue away from personal matters. Yet, her persistence seemed unwavering.

" Lauren, there is no ‘ us ’ " he stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Her expression wavered, hurt flashing across her features before being masked by resolve " I know you care, Alex. I just need you to listen "

A pang of guilt tugged at Alex's conscience. He understood her vulnerability but struggled to balance his professional boundaries with her emotional needs.

" I have commitments, Lauren " he replied, his voice tinged with frustration. " Please, let's discuss this another time "

Before she could respond, he moved past her, intent on keeping his promise to Ava and eager to leave the office behind. However, a part of him was weighed down by the unresolved conversation with Lauren, adding to the burden of the day's responsibilities.

Despite his eagerness to leave the office, Alex felt a tinge of guilt gnawing at him. He paused for a moment, reconsidering his decision to brush off Lauren's attempt at a conversation. Reluctantly, he turned back to face her, finding her still standing near the door, an air of desperation about her.

" Alright, Lauren " he relented, resigned to giving her a few minutes of his time. " What do you want to talk about? "

She took a hesitant step forward, her expression a mix of apprehension and hope " I know you think there's nothing between us, but I can't shake off these feelings "

Alex sighed, feeling a pang of empathy for her vulnerability. " Lauren, I'm committed to just one person.

I can't reciprocate those feelings "

" You have a girlfriend? " she whispered in shock.

He nodded in affirmative " Yeah, I have a lady whom I call My Woman " He said with pride. He knew Ava would have his head if she heard that.