Chapter 2 : Sparks In The Quiet

A week had passed since Ava met Ethan’s family, and the glow of that evening still lingered. Ethan had been overjoyed at how well she fit in, how quickly his mother and sister had taken to her. He had been all smiles since that night, sending her sweet texts during work hours, calling her every evening before bed, and kissing her softly whenever they saw each other. To him, everything was perfect.

And for Ava, it almost was.

The only thing she could not shake was the memory of Victor’s gaze. She had tried to forget the way his eyes had followed her, cool yet deliberate, but it replayed in her mind in the quiet moments when she was alone. She hated herself for even thinking about it. Ethan was kind and good, the man she had always dreamed of. But there was something about Victor that unnerved her, something magnetic that tugged at her attention in ways she could not explain.

That evening, Ava had gone to Ethan’s apartment after work. It had become routine to stop by on Fridays. She loved the comfort of his space, the smell of his cologne lingering on the couch cushions, the warmth of his laughter as he teased her gently while she cooked. The two of them had just finished a simple dinner, candles flickering softly on the dining table, when a knock echoed at the door.

“I will get it,” Ava said, wiping her hands on a dish towel as she walked toward the sound.

When she opened the door, her breath caught.

Victor stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, dressed in a fitted dark shirt and tailored slacks that hinted at his wealth without flaunting it. He smiled faintly when he saw her, and for a moment, Ava forgot how to speak.

“Victor, please do come in,” she said finally, stepping aside to let him in.

Ethan’s voice carried from the living room. “Uncle Vic! What a surprise.”

Victor stepped inside, his presence filling the small apartment. “Thought I should drop by,” he said smoothly, his eyes flickering to Ava briefly before focusing on Ethan. “Haven’t seen you all week.”

Ava excused herself, heart beating faster than it should, and slipped into the kitchen to finish washing the dishes. She could hear their voices, Victor’s deep and measured, Ethan’s warm and casual. She tried to focus on the clink of plates under running water, tried not to think about Victor’s cologne still lingering faintly in the air from where he stood moments ago.

When she was done, Ava wiped her hands and peeked into the living room. The sight of Ethan laughing with his uncle eased her tension, but only slightly. “I should get going,” she said softly. “You two catch up. I will call a ride.”

Ethan frowned, glancing up. “What? No. I will take you home.”

She smiled. “You don’t have to. Stay with your uncle. I don’t mind.”

Victor was already shaking his head. “No need for that. I will take her,” he said, his tone firm yet polite. “She’s family now. And we take care of family.”

Ava hesitated, glancing between them. Ethan’s face softened, and he gave a small nod. “Uncle Victor’s right. He will get you home safe.”

She kissed Ethan goodnight, whispering that she loved him, before following Victor out of the apartment.

The air outside was cool, and Victor’s sleek car gleamed under the streetlights. He opened the door for her like a gentleman, and she slid into the leather interior, surrounded by soft luxury.

The drive was quiet at first, filled only with the hum of the engine. Ava felt his presence beside her like a physical weight. Every so often, she could feel his eyes flicker toward her, studying her in silence.

Halfway to her apartment, Victor’s phone rang. He answered briefly, his voice sharp and controlled, and after hanging up, he glanced at her.

“I need to make a quick stop,” he said smoothly. “You don’t mind, do you?”

Ava shook her head, though curiosity stirred within her. The car veered off course, eventually pulling up to a restaurant she recognized instantly. It was one of those exclusive places she had always dreamed of visiting, where tables were booked months in advance.

“I can wait in the car,” she offered quickly.

But Victor opened her door, his expression unreadable. “No. Come with me. It might take longer than I thought, and I would hate to leave you sitting out here alone.”

Ava hesitated but stepped out, following him into the restaurant. Inside, the air was warm, rich with the scent of wine and truffle butter, soft music playing in the background. Heads turned when Victor entered. He carried himself like a man who owned the place, and perhaps he did.

They were led straight to a private area, where Victor dealt swiftly with a situation involving a loud, arrogant patron. His calm, cutting words held authority that silenced the man without effort, and Ava found herself watching him in awe. There was something intoxicating about his composure, his effortless control. She could see now why people respected him, maybe even feared him.

Once the matter was resolved, Victor returned to her side. “Shall we?” he said, offering his arm. She slipped her hand through, her pulse quickening at the warmth of his touch.

He dropped her off at her apartment a while later, once again stepping out to open her door and walking her to her front door. The night air felt charged, like electricity clinging to her skin.

“This is me,” she said softly, clutching her keys.

Victor’s gaze lingered on her, intense and unreadable. Then he leaned in, pressing a kiss to her cheek. It was gentle, almost innocent, but it sent a shiver through her.

“Goodnight, Ava,” he murmured.

She stood frozen as he turned and walked away, her body trembling, heart pounding so loudly she thought the neighbors might hear. The warmth of his lips lingered on her skin long after his car disappeared down the street, leaving her confused, rattled, and longing for something she could not admit.

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