9
Ava came out of the elevator, responding to a few greetings before she began to trudge down the hallway. She was in a beautiful navy blue colour with a hint of shimmer. It was a sleeveless dress with a high neckline and a pleated skirt that fell just above the knee. The fabric was light and airy, perfect for a hot summer day. The dress had a subtle pattern of small white flowers that added a touch of femininity.
The hallway was a long and elegant passageway, lined with polished wood panelling and adorned with tasteful artwork. The floor was made of gleaming marble, with inlaid designs of grapes and vines. The ceiling was high and arched, with ornate chandeliers casting a warm and inviting glow on the space.
Large windows, framed with lush velvet curtains, let in streams of natural light that illuminated the hallway and made the colours of the artwork and tapestries seem even more vibrant.
The aroma of fermenting grapes and the sound of machinery filled the air as Ava made her way to her office. But today, as she passed by her employees, she couldn’t help but notice the hushed whispers and sidelong glances. Something was definitely up, and Ava intended to find out what it was.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
As Ava made her way through the halls, she couldn’t help but notice the way her employees were behaving and how taut the atmosphere seemed to be. They were moving about in a hurried, almost furtive manner, their heads down and their eyes averted.
Their work attire, crisp and professional, was now dishevelled and their faces were filled with worry. She caught snippets of their whispered conversations as she passed by, and it was clear that the rumours about her and Bruce were the topic of choice.
Ava’s anger grew as she watched her employees, the people she trusted, talking behind her back. Her eyes scanned the crowd, as she wondered what was going on. And then she spotted them. A group of three employees, huddled together in a corner, their heads close together as they whispered and laughed.
Ava could feel their eyes on her as she walked past them, gazing in their direction. The smiles on their faces disappeared and they grew tense, looking around nervously. They knew they were in trouble and they were unsure of what to do next.
They soon scattered, like birds taking flight. They quickly dispersed in different directions, their heads down and their steps quick. Some of them tried to blend in with other employees, but Ava could still spot them out, their body language gave them away.
She stepped into her office, and the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of typing on keyboards greeted her as she closed the door behind her. Roxie, her assistant, was waiting for her at her desk. “Good morning, Ava,” Roxie greeted her with a smile.
Ava walked to her desk and sat down, the leather chair creaking under her weight. “Roxie, what’s going on? Why are everyone acting so strange?” Ava asked, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of what might be causing the strange behaviour.
Roxie hesitated for a moment before speaking. “There are rumours going around about you and Bruce Clayton,” she said, avoiding Ava’s gaze.
Ava’s heart skipped a beat. But how had their relationship become the subject of office gossip?
Ava, after hearing that her employees were gossiping about her relationship with Bruce, felt a wave of anger wash over her. Her face grew hot and she felt the urge to confront each and every one of the employees and put an immediate stop to the gossip.
She bawled her hands into fists, her nails biting into her palms as she imagined the confrontations. Her mind was filled with thoughts of how to put an end to the rumour and the thought of the consequences if it continues. She felt herself fuming, her body tense with frustration and anger.
Angry, Ava stood up from her chair, the wood floor creaking under her heels as she marched out of her office, determined to put a stop to the rumours and fire anyone who dared to gossip about her. She walked through the halls, her eyes scanning the faces of her employees, trying to find the source of the rumour. The sound of her heels clicked against the floor as she walked. She reached the main entrance, her hand gripping the door knob tightly.
Gazing down at the floor, she crashed on someone while on her way out. But he caught her before she lost her footing and crashed on the floor.
When Ava sees Bruce, her mood shifts dramatically. The anger and frustration that had been building inside her began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of warmth and contentment. Bruce’s presence has an immediate calming effect on her, his tall frame and athletic build making him stand out from the rest of the employees.
He was dressed in a tailored suit, the fabric hugging his body in all the right places. The suit jacket was cut to accentuate his broad shoulders and narrow waist, and the trousers are tailored to fit his long legs perfectly. His crystal blue eyes gleam as he meets her gaze, and his thick eyebrows and chiselled jawline give him a striking, almost otherworldly appearance.
Ava can’t help but feel a sense of attraction towards him, she sees him as very handsome and attractive. The way his suit hugs his body makes him look even more attractive and powerful. She can feel her heart racing and her palms getting a little sweaty as she looks at him. He exudes a sense of confidence and charm that makes her feel safe and protected.
As Ava approaches Bruce, he turns to face her and gives her a warm smile. “Ava,” he says, his voice deep and filled with affection. “Where are you rushing to look so annoyed?”
They stood there for a moment, holding each other, and Ava can feel the steady beat of his heart against her cheek.
“It’s nothing, just some stupid rumours going around about us dating,” Ava said, trying to brush it off, her heart racing.
“And what do you intend doing?” He frowned slightly, slowly realising what she could have done.
Bruce’s crystal blue eyes searched hers, and he reached out to take her hand. “Ava, there’s no need to correct them. Because it’s true,” he said, his voice soft. Ava felt her heart flutter as she looked into his eyes and saw the truth in his words. She felt herself melting against him, her body tingling with anticipation as he leaned in closer.
They were like that for some time, lost in their own world, and it was only when Roxie cleared her throat that they remembered where they were.