Chapter - 5

The next morning felt… different.

Not because anything had changed in the office.

But because everything had changed between them.

Ava stood in front of the mirror a little longer than usual, staring at her reflection.

Her fingers lightly touched her lips.

And without meaning to—

She smiled.

“Okay… this is new,” she whispered to herself.

When she walked into the office, everything looked the same.

Same desks. Same people. Same routine.

But her eyes… immediately went to one place.

Ethan’s cabin.

As if she didn’t even have to think about it.

And just like that—

Their eyes met through the glass.

For a second… neither of them looked away.

A slow, quiet understanding passed between them.

Not spoken.

But felt.

Ava sat at her desk, trying to focus.

Trying.

Failing.

“You’re smiling at your screen,” Chloe whispered suddenly, appearing beside her.

Ava jumped slightly. “I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I’m working.”

“On what? Your love life?”

Ava shot her a look. “Go away.”

Chloe grinned. “Something definitely happened.”

Ava didn’t reply.

Because if she did…

She might not be able to hide it.

“Miss Thompson.”

Ava looked up.

Ethan stood there.

Not inside his cabin.

Right in front of her desk.

Chloe’s eyes widened, and she immediately stood up. “I have work. Lots of work. Bye.”

And she disappeared.

Ava tried to act normal. “Yes?”

Ethan’s gaze held hers a second longer than necessary.

“Come with me.”

Her heartbeat betrayed her slightly.

But she stood anyway.

The moment the cabin door closed—

The silence felt different.

He didn’t go to his desk.

He didn’t pick up any file.

He just… looked at her.

And Ava felt it.

That same pull from last night.

Stronger now.

Closer.

“Good morning,” she said softly, breaking the silence.

Ethan stepped closer instead of replying.

“Is it?” he murmured.

Ava’s breath hitched slightly. “Depends.”

“On what?”

“On how today goes.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“Then I think it’ll be a good day.”

Before she could respond—

He closed the distance.

His hand gently found her wrist, pulling her just a little closer.

Not sudden.

Not forceful.

Just enough.

Ava didn’t resist.

Didn’t step back.

If anything—

She moved closer.

“Ethan…” she whispered, her voice softer than she expected.

He didn’t answer.

Instead, his hand moved to her cheek, brushing lightly against her skin.

Slow.

Careful.

Like he was still learning her.

Like he didn’t want to rush this.

Ava’s eyes fluttered for a second.

And then—

He leaned in.

This time, the kiss wasn’t hesitant.

It wasn’t just testing the moment.

It was deeper.

Warmer.

Familiar in a way that made her heart race.

Ava’s fingers instinctively held onto his shirt again, pulling him slightly closer.

And Ethan didn’t stop her.

His hand moved to her waist, steadying her as the kiss deepened just a little more.

Not rushed.

Not overwhelming.

Just enough to make everything else disappear.

When they pulled back—

They didn’t move away.

Their foreheads rested together, breaths uneven, hearts louder than they should be.

“This is dangerous,” Ava whispered.

Ethan’s thumb brushed lightly against her cheek.

“I know.”

“And we’re at work.”

“I know.”

“And anyone could walk in.”

A pause.

Then he said quietly—

“Do you want me to stop?”

Ava opened her eyes slowly.

Looked at him.

Really looked.

And shook her head.

“No.”

That one word changed everything again.

They didn’t rush after that.

Didn’t pretend like nothing happened.

Instead—

They stayed close.

Talking.

Really talking.

“You’re different with me,” Ava said softly.

Ethan frowned slightly. “How?”

“You listen.”

“I always listen.”

“No,” she shook her head lightly. “You hear me.”

He didn’t respond immediately.

Because she was right.

And he wasn’t used to that.

“Only you,” he admitted quietly.

Ava’s heart skipped again.

She leaned back slightly, sitting on the edge of his desk, still close enough that the distance between them didn’t feel real.

“You know this won’t be easy,” she said.

“I know.”

“People will talk.”

“They already do.”

“And what if this affects work?”

Ethan stepped closer again.

“It won’t.”

“How are you so sure?”

“Because I trust you.”

The words were simple.

But they meant more than anything else.

Ava smiled softly.

“And I trust you too.”

Another silence.

But this one…

Was full of comfort.

Not tension.

Not confusion.

Just something steady.

Something growing.

Ethan reached for her hand this time.

Not pulling.

Not holding tightly.

Just… intertwining their fingers.

Like it was natural.

Like it had always been there.

Ava looked down at their hands for a second.

Then back at him.

And without overthinking—

She leaned forward.

Kissing him again.

This time softer.

Slower.

Like she wasn’t discovering him anymore—

She was choosing him.

And Ethan responded the same way.

Gentle.

Warm.

Certain.

A soft knock suddenly broke the moment.

They pulled apart quickly—but not awkwardly.

Just… aware.

“Yes?” Ethan said, his voice returning to normal.

The door opened slightly.

“Sir, the client call—”

“Five minutes,” Ethan said.

The door closed again.

Ava let out a small breath, trying not to laugh.

“That was close.”

Ethan looked at her.

Then said quietly—

“Worth it.”

Ava smiled.

“Definitely.”

As she walked out of his cabin a few minutes later, her expression was calm.

Composed.

Normal.

But inside—

Everything had changed.

And this time—

She wasn’t scared of it.

Inside the glass walls—

Two people who once couldn’t stand each other…

Were now learning how to stay.

How to trust.

How to love—

Slowly.

Softly.

And real. .

.

.

THE END

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