Chapter 3: Ghosts of the Past

Ava Carter stepped into the restaurant with her head held high. The place was as extravagant as she expected—dim lighting, modern decor, and waiters in perfectly pressed suits. Rafael Torres didn’t do casual. Of course, he would pick one of the most exclusive dining spots in Manhattan for a “business dinner.”

She spotted him immediately. Seated in a private corner booth, Rafael looked completely at ease. His dark suit hugged his broad frame, and his sharp features were illuminated by the soft glow of the candlelight. He stood as she approached, his piercing gaze sweeping over her in a way that made her pulse quicken.

“Miss Carter,” he greeted, pulling out her chair. “Punctual as always.”

“I don’t like wasting time,” Ava replied, slipping into her seat. “So let’s get to it.”

Rafael smirked as he sat down. “You’re always in such a hurry to work. Do you ever allow yourself to enjoy life?”

“I enjoy finishing projects on time,” she said, matching his tone. “And keeping my independence.”

“Independence is admirable,” Rafael said, his voice lowering. “But even the strongest people need allies.”

“And you think you’re my ally?” Ava challenged.

“That depends on how you see me.” He leaned forward slightly, his gaze locking with hers. “Do you?”

Ava opened her mouth to respond, but the waiter interrupted, presenting their menus. As they ordered, Ava couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly Rafael commanded attention. His every movement exuded control, and the way he spoke made it clear he was a man used to getting what he wanted.

---

The dinner conversation began professionally enough. They discussed timelines, potential collaborators, and the integration of NovaTech’s advanced materials into Ava’s designs. But Rafael had a way of steering the discussion into more personal territory.

“You’re remarkably driven,” Rafael observed after a sip of wine. “What motivates you?”

Ava hesitated. She wasn’t one to share her personal life, especially not with someone like Rafael, who could turn vulnerability into a weapon. But his gaze was steady, unrelenting.

“I’ve worked hard to get where I am,” she said finally. “I had to prove myself in an industry that doesn’t take women seriously. That kind of thing leaves a mark.”

“I understand more than you think,” Rafael said, surprising her. “Being underestimated can be… motivating.”

“Somehow, I doubt anyone has ever underestimated you,” Ava said with a small smile.

“Not in a long time,” Rafael admitted. “But that wasn’t always the case.”

Before Ava could ask what he meant, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and froze. **Elliot Chambers.**

Her ex’s name felt like a ghost from a past she’d worked hard to bury. Ava ignored the call, but the disruption had already unsettled her. Rafael noticed immediately.

“Everything all right?” he asked, his tone sharp.

“Fine,” Ava said quickly, setting her phone face down on the table.

Rafael’s eyes narrowed. “Who was that?”

“None of your business,” Ava replied, her defenses going up.

Rafael’s jaw tightened, but he let it go. For the rest of the evening, the tension between them was palpable.

---

The next day, Ava was in her office when Elliot Chambers walked through the door. She hadn’t seen him in years, but he looked almost exactly the same—charming smile, perfectly styled blond hair, and a polished suit that screamed privilege.

“Elliot,” Ava said, her voice cold. “What are you doing here?”

“Can’t an old friend drop by to say hello?” he asked, his tone light.

“We’re not friends,” she said firmly. “So, unless you have a reason for being here—”

“I do.” Elliot raised his hands in mock surrender. “I heard about your new project, and I wanted to congratulate you. It sounds groundbreaking.”

Ava’s eyes narrowed. “How do you even know about it?”

“It’s all over the industry,” Elliot said with a shrug. “Word travels fast. And so does curiosity.” He leaned against her desk, his smile fading. “I wanted to see how you were doing.”

“I’m fine,” Ava replied tersely. “And I don’t need your concern.”

Elliot sighed. “Ava, come on. I know we didn’t part on the best terms, but I’ve changed. I’m not the same person I was back then.”

“Good for you,” Ava said, standing. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

Before he could respond, the door opened again, and Rafael walked in. The room seemed to shrink as the two men sized each other up.

“Am I interrupting?” Rafael asked, his tone deceptively polite.

“Not at all,” Ava said quickly. “Elliot was just leaving.”

Elliot’s smile turned smug as he extended a hand to Rafael. “Elliot Chambers. Ava and I go way back.”

Rafael’s handshake was firm, his expression icy. “Rafael Torres. Ava and I go forward.”

Ava fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Elliot was just leaving,” she repeated, stepping between them.

Elliot chuckled, backing away. “It was good seeing you, Ava. Let’s catch up soon.”

As soon as the door closed behind him, Rafael turned to Ava, his expression dark. “Who is he?”

“No one you need to worry about,” Ava said, brushing past him toward her desk.

“That didn’t look like ‘no one,’” Rafael said, his voice hardening. “Is he your ex?”

“Why does it matter?” Ava snapped, turning to face him. “What I do outside of work isn’t your concern.”

“It is when it affects our partnership,” Rafael said, stepping closer. “He’s trouble, Ava. I can see it.”

“You don’t even know him.”

“I don’t need to. I’ve seen his type before.” Rafael’s jaw tightened. “If he causes problems for you—or this project—I’ll handle it.”

Ava bristled. “I don’t need you to ‘handle’ anything for me.”

Rafael’s eyes locked with hers, and the intensity in them made her breath catch. “You’re stubborn,” he said softly. “But that’s part of why I—” He stopped himself, his expression shifting. “Just be careful.”

Before Ava could respond, Rafael turned and left, leaving her both frustrated and shaken. She hated how easily he could get under her skin. Worse, she hated how much she wanted him to stay.

---

That evening, Ava sat alone in her apartment, staring at her phone. Elliot’s reappearance had stirred memories she’d rather forget, and Rafael’s possessiveness only added to her turmoil.

She didn’t know what bothered her more: Elliot’s unwelcome visit or the fact that a part of her liked how protective Rafael had been. It was dangerous, this pull he had on her. And yet, she couldn’t seem to resist it.

Her phone buzzed with a message. She expected it to be Rafael, but it wasn’t.

**Elliot**: *It was good seeing you today. Let’s talk soon.*

Ava stared at the message for a long moment before deleting it. She didn’t need ghosts from her past complicating her already chaotic present.

But deep down, she knew this was just the beginning.

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