Chapter 38

Ava's pov

The taxi ride was short as must people were at work meaning there was minimum traffic. Before I knew it, the taxi had reached my destination in front of my apartment gate. The taxi driver didn't bother coming into the premises and apparently, Mr. Morgan had the expenses of the ride covered so I didn't have to pay a thing.

It was difficult to take the boxes from the front gate and into the apartment complex, but I managed. When I finally got into the apartment building, I decided it was best to leave one box downstairs and quickly make my way upstairs to drop the box I was currently holding.

Once it was safely in my apartment, I went down the stairs to retrieve the next one. As I made my way down the stairs, I was surprised to see Damien holding the box I had left and was about to come up the stairs.

'Damien' I called out in an attempt to get his attention. Upon hearing my voice, he looked up and saw me.

He immediately smiled 'Ava, I was thinking this was yours, so I decided to help take it for you'

'Thank you, Damien. Let me take it off you' I said as I reached out to take the box from his hold.

'That will not be necessary, I've got it'

I left it for him to carry. He followed me as I lead the way to my apartment.

'So, you really did get fired? How is that possible you were the best they had'

During the short journey from the office to my apartment I texted Damien not knowing who else to talk to. I wanted to vent and relieve some of the anger and frustration I felt within.

I texted saying I got fired from my job, but I didn't state why. It took him a while to text back probably because of how busy his schedule is.

As I was taking the boxes inside the apartment building, I got a text which I haven't yet opened but I'm guessing it was from him since he is here now.

'I did. I am still trying to figure out how I went from having a job I was passionate about and looked forward to going to every morning to not having one at all in the space of a couple of hours.

'Care to state what the reason is, as in why you got fired?' Damien asked curiosity getting the better of him.

'They accused me of money laundering. The board of directors made it clear to me that they had proof that I stole money from the business because it was redirected to me' I spoke recalling the very moment they broke the news to me. Which took me by surprise because it was my first time hearing such thing simply because I didn't do it.

'Wow, Ava how is that even possible. How could they possibly think you would be capable of such a thing' Damien spoke in a shocked manner. He too could not believe the reason in why I was made redundant.

I opened my apartment door for him to go through once he did, I locked the door.

He placed the box beside the other one I had previously brought up, on the table in the kitchen. He walked over to where I stood beside the door and hugged me.

'Ava, I'm sorry you had to go through that'

'It's not your fault. You weren't there but do you know who was, Mr. Morgan' I mumbled I could not deny the venom in my voice as his name passed my lips.

'I need to speak to him. CEO to another CEO. He of all people should know you can't do such a thing. He employed you for God's sake not only that but you two have grown to know each other more than just employer and employee' Damien spoke being the only voice of reasoning I have heard all day.

I looked up at him as he also looked down at me. I noticed his eyes kept on flickering from my eyes to my lips.

He leaned in slightly but stopped as if waiting for me to pull away. When I didn't, he continued to lean closer until his lips finally touched mine.

Nothing, I felt absolutely nothing from the impact of our lips touching. I guess I allowed it to happen because I was desperate to distract myself even if it was it was for a short period, but it was in vain.

I withdrew myself from him which caused him to give me a look of confusion. He wanted to say something, but I beat him to it.

'That was a mistake. I don't know what came over me' I explained my voice breaking in the process.

He somewhat looked defeated. In his eyes I could see hurt and something else, dare I say rejection?

'Ava, I'm sorry. It was selfish of me to do that especially when I know you're not in the right state of mind at the moment'

'Let's just forget it ever happened. It was merely a peck. It was a spare of the moment type of thing. It didn't mean anything'

The look on his face changed completely.

'You're right. It didn't mean anything' he exclaimed repeating my words.

Not knowing what else to do. I decided it was best to remove the stuff I brought back from the office to help subdue the awkwardness. I walked into the kitchen where both boxes were situated on my dining table.

Shortly after Damien came into the kitchen. He pulled out a stool and sat down beside me. He copied me as I took somethings from the box and onto the table.

I had to decide on where they should go later.

'What happens now?' Damien asked as we continued to do the task at hand.

'They will probably try and take the legal route. I was warned about it in the meeting. I would just have to prove that I didn't do it' my words came out calmly but inside I was nothing but calm.

I was afraid. I could possibly end up in jail for something I didn't do but was framed for or a simple mistake.

I will have to get a lawyer to defend my case but that would prove to be difficult since I don't have money to waste like most of these people.

'I want to help. If there is anything, I can do I will' Damien reassures

'I have extremely good lawyers working for my firm as well as personally. If it becomes a situation where a lawyer is needed, I will be there to provide one for you' Damien exclaimed trying his absolute best to reassure me and let me know that I am not alone in this.

All I could do was cry, I cried out my frustration asking myself where I went wrong. Who did I possible offend.

Could Miranda be behind this? But why?

'This is not the last you will see of me' her voice echoed in my head as I recalled the very day, she threatened me at the office at games night with similar words.

Could she really be the one? I haven't seen or heard from her since that night and that was weeks ago.

'We will get through this I promise' Damien continues to reassure.

There was a knock on the front door.

Who could it possibly be. I looked at the time to see that it has been hours since I came back from the office.

I didn't realize we had been in here for that long. All I've been doing was crying in disbelief.

I looked at him, as he too wondered who it was at the door. My neighbor from across the hallway. Mary most have heard my crying and was probably concerned.

'I will go see who it is' Damien spoke as he let go of me and made his way towards the direction of the door.

I heard him unlock the door 'I don't think it's a good idea' I heard him say.

Who was it that could cause him to say such a thing. Could it be Aiden?

Curious to find out I stood up from where I sat and walked to where Damien stood.

I felt rage boil inside of me when I saw that it was indeed Aiden.

'What are you doing here? Haven't you done your worst or are you here to do more' I exclaimed getting more angered by the second.

'Ava, I did not come here to add to your pain. Trust me Ava, I was not involved with what occurred this morning' he tired sounding sincere but all I heard was someone desperately trying to appear as the nice guy in all of this.

'I don't want to hear it Aiden. It was made pretty clear at the office. Why are you here?'

'There are a few things you are not aware of Ava and I had to at least come directly to talk to you'

'come in' I gave in. If he can at least give me some more information to aid me in getting out of this situation than I will take it. It doesn't mean we are friends we are just going to act in a civilized manner.

Damien moves to one side to make way for Aiden to come in. Once he was in Damien locked the door behind him.

I walked over to the kitchen while the two men followed behind me.

I sat in my originally seat and so did Damien. Aiden found another seat which was across from where I sat on the other side of the table.

'Speak' I ordered not caring if it came out rude or not. I was beyond caring at this point.

I stared at him as his face showed signs of shook from the way I spoke to him.

If he didn't before I'm sure he now knows I am beyond angry. During my time of employment with him I have not once spoken to him in such a way.

I would either speak to him in a respectable way or jokingly never have I said anything in an intent to be malicious.

Well today is different.

'Well, I came here to inform you that I have no hand in this. I was called to the meeting this morning minutes after you walked in. The board of directors had already known about this previously, I was told most members found out yesterday' he explained finding the words to speak

'The ones that knew yesterday were also shown the supposed proof of the accounts and how it relates to you. I was shown it this morning, and so were a few other board members. I did not have the time to fully process the sudden news or even double check myself. As all the members in the board favored that you be removed immediately, I automatically have no say in the matter. That's how serious decisions like this are made' Aiden continued to explain. His explanation sounded genuine, but I couldn't let my guard down.

'Why didn't you at least speak up if you felt differently' my voice cracked as I uttered those words.

'I am sorry for not being more vocal at the meeting. I was truly confused and still trying to process the accusations that was told to me minutes, before you walked in. Please Ava forgive me' he begged. I could hear my inner voice screaming for me to forgive him, but I just couldn't get myself to at that very moment.

'I can't' I uttered bluntly.

Damien sat on his seat watching this all play out. He did not say a word, only observed.

'I need time to process everything. It's all just too much for me. I can't even think straight anymore. I think you should leave before I do something I would regret'

'If there is anything you need contact me. I have more that I would like to speak on but for now I will do as you ask' Aiden exclaimed as he slowly and hesitatingly got up from his seat.

Damien also got up. He walked ahead to escort Aiden out of my apartment. The sound of both men's shoes hitting the floor was the only thing that could be heard through the apartment.

That changed when Damien unlocked the door allowing Aiden to leave the apartment.

'Take care' I heard Aiden's voice for the last time before Damien slammed the door close.

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Hey everyone, I am back with another update. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. Ava truly can't find it in her to forgive Aiden. And I guess Damien is back in the picture? What did you guys think of the kiss? Was Damien seeing Ava's state of mind as an opportunity to win her heart? Let me know what you think. If you haven't already, please check out my youtube channel where I talk about different things as well as a range of other things such as hair and lifestyle. Channel name is IgboQueen Ify. If you'd prefer a link its in my bio. Thank you stay bless and talk to you all in the next chapter.