Chapter 86

" Thank you, Mabel " Ava said appreciatively as she helped herself to a cup of tea.

Mabel settled into a nearby chair, and the three of them shared a cozy moment, chatting and enjoying each other's company. Liam's giggles filled the room, creating an atmosphere of pure delight.

After some time, Mabel leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. " Ava, I wanted to talk to you about something. I've been considering expanding my business, and I could use someone as reliable and caring as you to help me out occasionally, especially when Liam's around "

Ava was taken aback by the offer. " Wow, Mabel, that sounds amazing! I'd love to help out whenever I can "

Mabel beamed. " I thought you might. It would mean a lot to me, and Liam would adore having you around more often "

Ava's heart swelled with gratitude. To have the opportunity to spend more time with Liam and support Mabel was a gift she hadn't anticipated but welcomed wholeheartedly.

Their conversation continued, weaving through plans for the future and shared interests. As the afternoon drew to a close, Ava bid her farewells, feeling a renewed sense of connection with both Liam and Mabel.

Walking away from Jack's place that day, Ava was filled with excitement about the prospect of deepening her bond with Liam and becoming an integral part of Mabel's expanding endeavors.

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

Ava returned to the mansion, her heart still buoyant from the time spent with Mabel and Liam. Finding Alex in the study, she couldn't wait to share the exciting news about Mabel's offer.

" Hey, Alex " she called out, stepping into the room.

Alex looked up from his laptop, a warm smile forming at the sight of Ava. " Hey there. How was your time at Jack's place? "

" Amazing! " Ava replied, unable to hide her enthusiasm. " Guess what? Mabel offered me a chance to help out with her business occasionally! "

" That's fantastic, Ava! " Alex's smile widened, genuinely pleased at her excitement.

" Yeah, I'm really looking forward to spending more time with Liam and supporting Mabel " Ava continued, feeling grateful for the opportunity.

" I noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time with Mabel lately " Alex observed, his tone light but curious.

" She's so cool and fun to be with! " Ava exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she remembered their conversations.

Alex continued typing on his laptop, glancing back at Ava. " Just don’t forget that you’re dating me, not Mabel "

" Whoa! Is that jealousy I hear in your voice?? " Ava teased, playfully nudging him.

Alex tried to maintain a composed expression, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. " Me, jealous? Never "

Ava laughed and lunged forward, tickling him. Despite his efforts to resist, Alex couldn't hold back his laughter, and soon they both erupted into uncontrollable giggles.

Their laughter filled the room, echoing the joy of their relationship. Amidst playful banter and shared moments, Ava knew that despite any teasing, Alex was genuinely supportive of her endeavors and cherished their connection.

As their laughter subsided, Alex pulled her closer, his eyes filled with affection. " I'm happy for you, baby. You're amazing, and I'm glad you'll get to spend more time doing something you love "

" Thank you, Alex " Ava said softly, feeling grateful for his understanding and unwavering support. " You're pretty amazing yourself "

The evening settled in softly, casting a warm glow through the windows of the mansion. Ava and Alex had migrated from the study to the cozy living room, their conversation meandering from Mabel's offer to shared memories of their own.

" You know, I can't believe it's been almost a year since we started dating " Alex remarked, a reflective tone in his voice.

Ava smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at him. " Time flies when you're with someone incredible "

Alex returned her smile, his eyes shining with affection. " You make it easy, Ava "

As the conversation flowed, they found themselves entwined in tales of their earliest days together, laughter punctuating the air, filling the room with a sense of warmth and intimacy. Ava shared stories of her childhood adventures, while Alex recounted amusing anecdotes from his travels.

Their connection deepened as they discovered new layers of each other's personalities, fostering an even stronger bond between them. The ease with which they conversed, the shared laughter, and the genuine interest in each other's lives reinforced the strength of their relationship.

With a contented sigh, Ava leaned against Alex, relishing the comforting embrace. " You're my favorite person, you know that? "

Alex pressed a kiss to her forehead, his voice filled with warmth. " And you're mine "

In that tranquil moment, amidst the flickering candlelight, they found solace in each other's presence, appreciating the simple joy of being together.

The night wore on, casting a serene ambiance around the mansion. Ava and Alex had migrated to the balcony, the stars twinkling above them in the clear night sky. They sat close, wrapped in a blanket, the cool breeze adding a gentle touch to their intimate conversation.

" I've been thinking about the future lately " Ava confessed, her voice soft in the quiet night air.

Alex turned to her, his eyes reflecting a curious glint. " What about it? "

" I mean, not just Mabel's offer, but where we're heading too " she explained, a contemplative look on her face.

Alex nodded, understanding the depth of her thoughts. " I understand. Sometimes it feels like life is rushing by, and we need to figure out where we're headed "

" Yeah " Ava agreed. " I love spending time with Liam and Mabel, but I also want us to have our own adventures "

A comfortable silence settled between them as they pondered the possibilities. The future stretched ahead, unknown yet filled with promise and potential.