Ava stood in the elevator, her face still flushed from the jog and the unexpected encounter in the flower-filled garden. The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. She stepped out—and halted.
Dominic was standing right in front of her.
He leaned casually against the opposite wall, arms crossed, but his sharp eyes raked over her the moment she appeared. From the firm set of his brows to the subtle flicker in his gaze, it was clear he'd been waiting.
Ava blinked, slightly breathless—not from the run, but from seeing him this suddenly and this intently.
His eyes drifted over her form, lingering briefly on her flushed face and slightly messy ponytail. She saw his brows narrow with concern.
Without a word, he stepped forward, raised his hand, and gently placed the back of it against her forehead. The touch was firm, cool, and direct.
Ava stilled.
He let it linger for a moment, studying her expression as he checked her temperature. His voice was low and smooth when he finally spoke.
"You still feel warm," he said, not accusingly, but with a depth of concern that was impossible to ignore. "But not like before. Feeling refreshing?"
She nodded slowly, struggling to hold back the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah."
Dominic didn't respond right away. His hand lowered, brushing lightly against her temple as it fell. He looked like he wanted to say something more, but instead, he stepped back and straightened.
"Let's go have breakfast," he said.
Ava looked at herself—sweaty gym clothes, her shoes muddy from the garden path—and cleared her throat. "After I freshen up."
Dominic nodded. "I'll wait."
She shook her head immediately. "No, you should go ahead. You haven't eaten either, have you? I'll come after getting ready."
He didn't argue. Instead, he paused, as if trying to judge whether she was really okay, then said in his deep tone, "Alright I'll be in the breakfast hall."
He turned to enter the elevator.
Ava stood still for a moment, watching the doors close behind him, a strange warmth blooming in her chest. His hand had felt cold compared to her still-heated skin. But there was a different kind of heat too—the kind that made her feel safe… and something else she didn't want to admit yet.
She shook off the thought and turned toward her suite.
....
The scent of fresh coffee and warm pastries hit her the moment Ava stepped into the breakfast hall. The atmosphere buzzed lightly with the sound of cutlery and soft conversation, but her eyes instinctively scanned the space—only to land on him without effort.
Dominic Vale sat at a corner table by the window, sunlight spilling in and casting shadows across the tablecloth. His posture was as composed as ever, one hand holding his phone, his eyes scanning the screen with calm precision. But something told her… he wasn't really reading.
He was waiting.
And he hadn't had a single food on the table.
Ava exhaled softly, a barely-there smile tugging at her lips as she turned towards the food counter.
She picked out his usual—boiled eggs, toast with no butter, black coffee—and added a few things for herself. Even without meaning to, she remembered what he liked. It wasn't hard. Dominic Vale was the kind of man who left an impression, whether you tried to remember him or not.
She returned with both trays, placing his plate in front of him without a word. The movement made him look up, first at her, then at the plate, and his brow arched ever so slightly.
A questioning eyebrow. A silent tease.
Ava simply shrugged, her expression unreadable, and took the seat opposite him.
"I didn't know you paid attention to me," Dominic said, a low chuckle escaping him as he wrapped his hand around the coffee mug.
Ava paused mid-bite, her fork hovering in the air, then met his gaze across the table. "You're my boss," she said with a shrug, a playful glint in her eyes. "I should know my boss's preferences."
The smile in Dominic's eyes faded—not completely, but it sharpened. The way she emphasized boss made something flicker behind his obsidian gaze. She was reminding him—drawing a line. He didn't like it, but he didn't comment.
Instead, he took a slow sip of coffee, letting the moment stretch before finally saying, "Our work here is done. We'll be flying back tonight."
Ava nodded, chewing thoughtfully.
"We have the whole evening free," he added, his tone light. "Would you like to come with me? See some of the local sights before we leave?"
She stilled.
The question wasn't sudden. It wasn't even unusual.
But something about the way he asked it—not as a command, not as her superior, but simply as man—made her heart skip once.
Ava tilted her head, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do I have to?"
Her tone was half-relaxed, but behind it was a real question. She wasn't sure what they were anymore—boss and assistant, reluctant allies, something almost like friends—or something deeper she wasn't ready to name.
Dominic leaned back slightly, his arms folding lazily across his chest as he studied her. "You don't have to do anything, Ava," he said, voice low but clear. "It's just a walk. Around a new place. I thought it might clear your head."
A beat passed.
Ava lowered her gaze, stirring her spoon in her coffee absentmindedly. "And what if I say no?"
Dominic didn't answer immediately. His fingers tapped lightly on the edge of his cup.
"Then I'll go alone," he said eventually. "But I won't enjoy it half as much."
That made her look up.
He wasn't smiling this time. He wasn't teasing. His face was quiet, calm—but entirely sincere.
Ava let out a soft sigh, her lips twitching. "You really don't give up, do you?"
Dominic smirked, finally taking a bite from his toast. "Not when I want something."
She rolled her eyes, but the tension in her shoulders eased. For the first time in a long while, she felt oddly… relaxed.
Maybe a walk wouldn't be such a bad idea.