55

I skimmed through the many pages until I finally got to her file. Without thinking twice, I opened her file and read the first two lines.

Ava Mason was born on July 18, 1998 in North Carolina.

Residing at Gladehills, 267 XXX Street, as of 10/14/2020

I immediately put her file back on my table and made my way there. I knew this area and I didn't like that she lived there at all. It was a dangerous area. Sometimes only criminals and drug dealers lived there. One was even shot in the open street. I would make sure that she moved out of there as soon as possible. She probably couldn't afford anything bigger and safer, after all she'd only recently moved here. Just a few days. She probably moved away because of the internship. The guilty conscience plagued me. There had to be a reason why she didn't like me. Her name sounded pretty familiar to me, even her beautiful eyes I'd probably seen before. If we know each other, it had to be before I turned 18. birthday happened. Before I was able to recognize her as my mate. Maybe I got confused with someone. That seemed to me the only logical explanation.

I parked my vehicle a little further away. I didn't particularly want someone scratching it on purpose. I got out of my car and made my way to her apartment. I was there in a few minutes, all I had to do was cross the street. But before I could take a step forward, I felt that feeling again. She just left her apartment and a second time I was speechless. She was wearing loose clothing, but what bothered me was her top. It emphasized her bust size and her neckline left a lot of imagination.

Jealousy swept over me and I automatically clenched my hands. I had to pull myself together. I would have loved to have rushed to her and given her my black leather jacket. Or better yet. I would carry her in and wrap her in ten blankets.

"Hey dude! You don't stand a chance with her!" I heard a male voice. My head snapped to the side and I glared at the guy who was doting on my girl.

"Why do you think that?" I asked, trying not to attack him.

"She's been staying here for a few days. Many have already hit on her, but so far she won't let anyone. I would love to see her in my bed."

It was enough. Those words and his mischievous grin were the last straw. Without thinking further, I hit him in the face with my fist. He staggered back and clutched his bleeding nose. Just as I was about to swing back, I felt my mate pull away from me. I gave the guy one more hateful look before turning back to Ava. I followed her at a safe distance for a few minutes and could only laugh at myself. I had to look like a sick stalker. But I didn't want her to go away again.

She entered a coffee shop and I saw her hugging another girl. I could describe to you what she looked like, but let's be honest! Why would I look at another woman when I was only interested in one?

I stopped outside on the other side street and lit a cigarette. Thanks to my exceptionally good hearing, I could understand everything.

"Ava, I can't believe it. I never thought you would move back here. After everything that happened!"

I just blew out the smoke and look over in wonder. What did she mean by that? Had you already lived? When did she move away?

"Well, I would never have moved here either, Lela."

"I know. But tell me, how did the first day of your internship go?"

She lowered her head and sighed. I would have loved to have put my arms around her and cheered her up.

"Ava? Why are you so quiet? Oh no. Please don't tell me you were late again!"

I chuckled at the smile. So it wasn't her first time that she came so late. So my soulmate was a little clumsy.

"Oh well. Also. But that wasn't the reason."

"Then what was the reason? Did you not like it? You won't get a chance like that again."

"That's not it. I was even offered a job as executive secretary, but I stormed off."

"Wait, WHAT? did you fall on your head How can you let such a chance fall? You go right back and take the job."

"You do not understand it. It wasn't just anyone who offered this to me. It was Kian."

Her friend gasped and I was speechless too. Why did it bother her so much? How the fuck did she know me?

"What? Why is he offering you a job like that?"

"I don't know it. At first I thought he was doing it out of pity. Because he feels guilty, but the worst is yet to come. He doesn't know me anymore. He had no idea who I am. He always manages to hurt me."

A guilty conscience plagued me. Did I hurt her then? I wanted to run to her and ask for forgiveness. For whatever reason she hates me. I would definitely find out very soon.

"But Ava. That's the chance. If he doesn't know you, you can still take the job. Pretend you don't know him. At least you haven't slept together, so there won't be such a weird situation between the two of you."

Ava looked down. She played with her hands.

"No, right? Did you sleep with him?"

"I know I was stupid and naive. I regret it too. But I can't undo it now."

My fag fell out of my hand in horror. I had something with her? We slept together? Why the hell couldn't I remember? Kian, you have some things to make up for. But what the hell have you done? I'm a goddamn idiot.