Chapter 86

Chapter 86
Ava’s pov

It was a new week and I had to resume work at work and work with Dale. I didn’t want to deal with him, especially with the way he had treated me last night, but there was no excuse.

It has barely been two months since I began working at the company and I didn’t want to give the impression that I was enjoying a lot of privileges because my aunt was the CEO at the company.

So against my better judgment, I dressed up and went to the office. I arrived earlier than Dale and I was happy for the peace and quiet that his absence provided me with.

Hours later, he finally walked into the office and I immediately set up a wall around myself.
“Good morning.” I greeted curtly and kept my head down.

I could be professional even when angry. Dale was not going to take that away from me.
“Good morning.” He nodded and took his seat.

Work for the day began and everything just seemed mechanical. There was a weird strong tension in the air, one that I was certain could be touched and felt. When he asked for his schedule for the day.

When he asked that I shift a few meetings. When he gave me a new task. It was all just stiff and weird, but I was not about to break it off. He had brought this upon himself and he might as well face the repercussions of his actions.

After about three hours of working, he let out a grunt and banged his table. My head jerked up as I shot him a glance wondering what the hell was wrong with him. Worry and concern for him washed over me when I saw him looking all worked up and uncomfortable.

There was a hollowness about him and it made my heart break. As soon as the emotions washed over me, I quickly pushed them away, really in no mood to break the resolve that I had made last night.

He got up from his desk and I quickly returned my gaze to my work. He could always handle himself. I did not have to worry about him.

His tall frame cast a shadow beside me when he appeared by my side. I know I should raise my head and face him, but I was so scared that if I did that, it would undo all the resolve I had made last night. With him so close to me, I was bound to be shaken.

“Can I help you with something?” I asked, trying to remain calm and professional.
I still didn’t raise my head to look at him.
“Yes, you can. Can you please tell me what it is that is going on between us?” He asked and my head immediately shot up, causing our eyes to meet and my resolve immediately melted like butter that was put into a hot pan.

“What is going on between us? Well, for your information, what is going on between us is that we are over. You said so last night. This is not working out and there is no point in making myself miserable just because of you.” I bit out at him.

He stared at me for a few seconds and I could see the regret in his eyes. Well, it was too late for that now. We could never be together.

“I am sorry for everything that I said last night. It was selfish of me, please forgive me.” He apologized.

I looked at him, surprised that he was really apologizing. The Dale I knew had a pride that was larger than the sky itself.

“It is too late for an apology Dale. It is not going to fix a thing.” I promised.

“Oh, trust me, it would fix a lot.” He said and grabbed my hand.

A wave of heat washed through my body. I tried to drag my hand away from his, but his grip was sort of tight.

“I am so sorry, Ava. Things have been a mess with me since I woke up and honestly, it is because of our fight last night. I hate to say it, but my life is a mess when it is without you.” He said.

There was something sweet about hearing him confess to the fact that he didn’t feel good without me, but it didn't solve the real problem between us and that was his selfishness.

“Dale, you can be sorry all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that we can not work out. You can not limit my life but live yours however you like. Things don’t work that way.” I said.

“I know and I am not arguing about that. That is why I said that I was being selfish and I apologize for it.”

I stayed silent for a few seconds, not knowing what to say. A part of me wanted to throw myself at him and weep and tell him how much I missed him even though we hadn’t just talked for a night.

However, the other part of me wanted to hit him so hard and yell at him never to come close to me ever again.

“You can be with any man you want to be with, Ava and it would be wrong for me to try and limit you, but I can not just bear to see you with Justin. Any man but Justin.” He pleaded.

“Why not Justin? What do you have against him?” I demanded.

“A lot of selfish things but most importantly, it is because I want to be the only illicit affair that you have.”

I kept mute, still not certain of how to handle things, when he wrapped his arms around my shoulder.

“Please say yes, Ava.” He begged.

I stared at him for a long moment and whatever that was left of my anger dissolved away.

“Fine, whatever,” I said, and then he squeezed me tight in excitement.

“Thank you for forgiving me.” He said and dropped his lips down on mine.

I was enjoying every bit of the kiss when the door buzzer went off, pulling us out of our kiss, and much to my annoyance, it was Vanessa at the door.