Chapter 10

The Deja-Vu was strong this morning. Again I was woken with a glass of water and the news breakfast was ready. However, when I sat up to get out of bed I knew why I didn't have pants on. Images of the night before skipped through my mind leaving me smiling. Catching my expression, a smile broke on Braxtons face as well.

"None of that or neither of us will be going to work today." He told me, kissing my nose.

"Not so bad for you," I pointed out. "But I could get fired."

The thought halted me in my tracks. Last night had been in complete disregard of the non-fraternization policy. Did I really put my job on the rocks for a guy? Sure, Braxton was unlikely to fire me himself, but the rumour mill at SullTech was active. If anyone found out, I was going to get in the shit.

"Fucks sake," I sighed to myself, sliding on my dress.

"Are you alright?"

"Last night was a violation of my contract."

I felt a little hopeless. I didn't regret last night one bit, but I loved my job. Why did Braxton have to own where I work? Why did I have to get into bed with him? That must go above and beyond sleeping with the boss.

"Your job is safe, Ava." He replied, completely sure. "Eat. I'm going to shower and then we will leave."

Thankfully, this breakfast was nowhere near as hearty as the one on Sunday. Dinner had been huge and with the nerves filling my stomach I was sure I wasn't going to fit much. I managed a few forkfuls of egg, then set to moving them around my plate absent-mindedly. Braxtons home really was something else. So beautiful. So much for just one person. Though I imagine he would have a maid or two, on top of his driver. Maybe even security. They could even be watching me now. Oh god... Could they have seen what happened last night?

Set on ignoring the idea of secret voyeurs, I hummed to myself while I waited for Mr. Man to reappear. It seemed I was pointedly ignoring a fair bit these days. Like how grotty I was feeling without a shower. Or how well I slept cuddled up in Braxton's bed. Or how, if I did not tell Michaela about this immediately, she would kill me when she found out. More sighs. When did life get so annoying?

"Ready?" Braxton called, edging towards the elevator. We were leaving now, it seemed.

The closer we got to work, the more anxious I became. Not because of my illicit night, but because I just didn't know what was going to happen from here. I had mulled over asking him while I showered, but I was embarrassed to be one of those girls. The ones who became demanding after sex. How I wished I could just tuck last night under my belt and carry on as usual.

That wasn't how it was going to be for me. Even as I got ready for work I was mindful that Braxton was sitting in my bedroom. Extra care was put into pinning back my hair. More effort making sure my eyeliner was even. I was ashamed to admit I was planning my outfit in the shower so I could breeze out and make it seem like I just threw on the closest thing and was ready.

Braxton had assumed I would continue my ride with him after my shower. I hadn't needed to mention my absence of car or need to call a cab, because I was going with him. He had given me an odd look when I announced I was ready, before struggling and leading me out. Quietly I was just grateful Stevie was already out.

It was in the car that the tension finally broke. Grasping my hand, he rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

"You are allowed to ask questions, Ava."

"Oh, thank fuck." I sighed, my shoulders slumping. My act was exhausting.

Silence filled the space, and I adjusted my dress.

"I... I don't know what to ask." I admitted sheepishly.

"We'll start with the obvious: don't tell Tom." He began.

"So it's a secret." I continued with best attempt at bravado.

"No," He was cautious. "Just... private."

"If I don't tell Mickle, she will kill me." I informed him, adding. "Michaela. My best friend."

"You are welcome to tell your friends, Ava. I don't want to label anything yet. Let's just get to know each other first, okay?"

"Okay." I say, smiling.

For the rest of the day I wrestled with telling my friend what had happened. The night had seemed so personal and I wasn't sure how ready I was to debunk it with Michaela. I could have kept it to myself, but I know she would be hurt that I didn't trust her. By lunch time I was riddled with guilt. I should tell her. 'This is what girlfriends are for!' She would say. Steeling myself, I pulled out my phone.

Ava:

Girls night?

Mickle R:

On a Weds? What's the dealio girl?

Ava:

I have something to tell you.

Mickle R:

Is it juicy?

Ava:

Maybe...

Mickle R:

I'll bring the ice cream!

Laughing to myself, I logged off and climbed carefully up from my desk. I was in desperate need of caffination. Tom probably was too, so I stuck my head in his office.

"Lunch break, boss. I'm getting coffee, you want?"

He was on the phone. Crap – my bad. Tom rarely cared about silly things like being professional though, so with a dramatic wave of his arms and massive smile, he blew a kiss my way.

"Ahh kiddo, cross my heart, I would die without you!" He gushed.

"You're such an egg," I laughed as I left.

I was feeling significantly better with coffee on the horizon. That an my decision to break the news. Embracing my good mood, I set to scrolling the web for funny pictures while I waited. With the ding of the elevator, I made sure to check who was on before I entered. It had been a daily thing recently – checking the lift. The last thing I wanted was to accidently bump into Vivienne. Nathan would be nice, however. I owed him a piece of my mind. As it was, the carriage was clear. Bouncing on, I returned my focus to my phone. It vibrated with a text.

Mickle R:

Mint or double fudge?

Ava:

Both...?

Mickle R:

Genius!

I ordered the coffees from my favorite cafe. It was an extra block away, but it was well worth the trip. The barista on at the lunch shift was gifted. Sitting while our coffees were made, I picked at the muffin I had just brought. Typically I was more of a shove-it-towards-your-face-and-hope-it-fits kinda girl, but it seemed inappropriate given my current surroundings.

While pressing to get our presentation ready in the month before, I would come here and sit by the window when I needed to clear my head. There was something relaxing about watching the world carry on, even when it felt like it was resting on your shoulders. The bustle of every working man and woman in the city trying to rush in a lunch break without derailing their lives always reminded me that life would carry on. And I found that comforting. Progress – I like it.

Coffees in hand, I made my way back to the office. I knew I hadn't been gone long, but Sully Tower was big. Trying to get in or out during the beginning or end of lunch was impossible. It was much less stressful to pop out briefly right in the middle, when everyone was as far away as they could manage.

Had I foreseen who would have employed the same method, I would've risked the wait. I must have thought of Viv a little to hard earlier because there she was, disembarking the elevator as if she owned it. Oh come on! I was too far in to make a subtle retreat now. And I shouldn't have to. I have every right to be here – I work here!

The way her face contorted gave away that she had spotted me. Glorious. Coming to a stand still in front of me, she stared down her nose.

"I hear your leaching off a new man now." She sneered, opening her mouth to continue the insults. Before she could get any more out, I scoffed.

"Fuck off, Vivienne."

Now was not the time for a domestic. Or would it be an ex-domestic, seeing as I wasn't living with her anymore? I didn't know or care. I just wanted to get the fuck away from her. Walking a wide berth around her, I kept moving to the lifts, hoping beyond hope one would be here soon.

"You're nothing but a gold digging little slut, Ava!" She yelled. "A sick, twisted, man hungry little whore. Getting rid of you was the best thing we ever did!"

Feeling my face flame, I completely ignored the sound of an arriving cart.

"I reckon Nathan might disagree when he sees sense and dumped you haggly old ass!" I spat back.

"So you can go crawling back?" She laughed. "He never wanted you! Nobody wanted you. Your mother ran, your father killed himself! You even pushed your grandparents into an early grave! Do everyone a favor and disappear, Ava."

I could feel my eyes burning as I fought the tears. How could she? And in such a public place. It was my fault, really. One night after one too many drinks I had confided my secret fear to her. That it was my fault any one who ever cared about me died. I loaded the gun she was shooting, and I had no defense.

"Enough!" Rang a voice from behind. I didn't need to look to know who it was. "You will not speak to anybody that way in my building. Nathan, please escort your wife off my property."

Frozen as I had been, I saw my uncle scurry past to latch on to his wife. She was glaring at me, clearly blaming me for her embarrassment. Nathan shot me an apologetic glance before pulling her from the lobby.

It didn't realize I was shaking until a hand pulled the coffee from my own. With his other arm around my waist, Braxton led me to one of the couches. I couldn't tell you if I was angry, ashamed, or upset. I had no clue. Pulling a napkin from the carry case of the coffee, Braxton wiped the coffee from my hands. Left behind were ugly red splotches. Maybe getting the coffee extra hot was a bad idea.

He didn't speak. Instead he took my purse from me, collect the coffee, and guided me to the elevators again. I couldn't say anything. If I spoke, I would break. Not just from the episode in the lobby, but the realisation that my family had well and truly rejected me. My brain was absent, keeping my heart at bay, so I didn't notice that Braxton had keyed in my floor. I didn't notice the other people in the cart. I didn't notice the tears falling down my face.