Chapter 74

" Wh... What did you just say? " She asked, her eyes huge.

" Be my girlfriend please " He repeated, staring deeply into her eyes.

" Will you be my girlfriend? " He asked

Ava wasted no time in saying Yes and he hugged her tightly in relief.

As the evening drew to a close, Alex decided it was time to go home because he saw that Ava was tired. They got up and he helped her to the car. Underneath the starlit sky, a comfortable silence enveloped them for a moment, both feeling the weight of unspoken words and emotions.

The mansion was quiet when they got back. He helped a sleepy Ava into her room. In a moment of shared vulnerability, Alex gently cupped Ava's cheek, his eyes filled with warmth and sincerity. Leaning in, he pressed a tender goodnight kiss against her lips, leaving Ava with a fluttering heart and a lingering sense of bliss long after he had bid her goodnight.

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The alarm clock blared its intrusive call at 5:30 AM, shattering the silence in the room. Alex grumbled as he rolled out of bed, careful not to disturb Ava, who was still sound asleep, wrapped in the warmth of their shared blanket.

He tiptoed around the room, gathering his clothes and essentials. With a gentle kiss on Ava's forehead, he scribbled a short note, apologizing for leaving without waking her, and placed it on the nightstand.

The day at work unfurled in a whirlwind of tasks and meetings, each demanding more than the last. Alex barely had time to glance at the clock, let alone think about food. Amidst the chaos, his thoughts drifted back to Ava, her laughter, her quirks, and the way she'd fall asleep with a book in hand.

Lost in these sweet reveries, Emily interrupted his train of thought, dropping a stack of files on his desk with a polite cough. " Don't forget about the trip in three days, Alex " she reminded him, her tone a mix of concern and efficiency.

His mind jolted back to reality. " Oh! " he exclaimed, a pang of guilt tugging at him. He had completely forgotten about the impending business trip, so absorbed was he in the bliss of Ava's presence.

The weight of the forgotten business trip lingered in Alex's mind throughout the day. As the office gradually quietened in the late afternoon, he found himself distracted, his fingers absentmindedly tapping on the desk.

Emily, noticing his distraction, approached cautiously. " Everything alright, Alex? " she asked, concern etched in her voice.

Alex looked up, a faint smile on his lips. " Just lost in thought, Emily. I can't believe I forgot about the trip "

She nodded sympathetically. " It happens to the best of us, especially when the heart's preoccupied " With a knowing smile, she added, " Ava, right? "

He chuckled softly, feeling a blush creep up his cheeks. " Yeah, Ava. She's something else "

Emily leaned in, her voice lowered. " You should probably let her know about the trip. It's better she hears it from you rather than someone else "

He nodded, grateful for her advice. As the office lights dimmed, he made a mental note to call Ava as soon as he got a chance.

The evening descended with a sense of urgency for Alex. Amidst the flurry of pending emails and last-minute tasks, he finally found a brief window to call Ava. He dialed her number, heart fluttering with anticipation.

After a few rings, her groggy voice answered, " Hello? "

" Hey, it's me " Alex said, trying to sound casual despite the unease gnawing at him.

" Alex? " Ava's voice perked up, still heavy with sleep. " Is everything okay? "

" Everything's fine, don't worry " he reassured her. " I just wanted to talk to you about something "

Her curiosity was palpable. " What's up? "

" I, uh, forgot to mention earlier that I have a business trip coming up in three daysb" he confessed, mentally preparing for her reaction.

There was a moment of silence before she replied, " Oh, really? For how long? "

" Just a couple of days " he answered, relieved that she didn't seem upset. " I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It slipped my mind in the morning rush "

" It's okay, Alex " Ava said softly. " I understand. We can catch up when you're back "

He smiled, grateful for her understanding " Thanks, Ava. I'll make it up to you when I'm back, I promise "

" You could have waited till you get home before telling me this, or aren't you coming home? " She asked

" Of course I am, I just thought... " His voice trailed off.

" It's fine, okay? I love you " She assured him and he could feel her smiling.

" I love you more, Mama " He replied and she ended the call.

With a sense of relief, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He made a mental note to make the most of the time they had before his trip.

In the days leading up to his departure, Alex made every effort to spend quality time with Ava. Their evenings were filled with laughter, shared meals, and quiet moments curled up on the couch, lost in each other's company.

On the night before his trip, Alex suggested they go for a walk in the park, a place that held a special significance in their relationship. The park was bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, casting shadows that danced as they strolled hand in hand.

Ava leaned her head against his shoulder, the evening breeze carrying whispers of their conversation. " I'll miss you " she murmured, her voice tinged with both longing and understanding.

He squeezed her hand gently. " I'll miss you too, more than you know "