The next morning while Ava was still sleeping soundly the ringing of her phone tore her out of sleep like a sudden crash of thunder.
She groaned, burying her face deeper into her pillow, hoping—briefly—that the sound would stop on its own. It didn't. The vibration against her bedside table only grew more insistent. She wanted to avoid it wishing it could just stop on it own. But no it kept ringing, without checking she reached for it in the bedside table and mute it then going back to sleep while buring her self under her fluffy duvet. But the phone ring again ,she groan annoyingly and with a sigh, she reached out blindly, her fingers curling around her phone. Her eyes barely opened as she glanced at the screen.
Rihanna calling.
Ava sat up immediately.
Rihanna never called this early. Ever.
"Rihanna?" Ava answered, her voice hoarse with sleep. "Is everything okay?"
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds. Then a shaky inhale.
"I'm coming to your place," Rihanna said softly. "Can I… stay with you for a while?"
Ava's chest tightened. She swung her legs off the bed, suddenly wide awake. "What happened?" she's scared already cause Rihanna is her friend more like a sister since their sophomore year. They met while checking into their hostel cause they were both lost and couldn't find their way around . After the day's chaos they found themselves again as roommates but different course ,since then they've been best friends.
Another pause. This one heavier. Loaded.
"He cheated," Rihanna whispered. "I caught him. This time there was no denying it."
Ava closed her eyes, anger blooming hot and fast in her chest. She had never trusted him—not with the way he smiled too easily, promised too quickly. She had watched Rihanna forgive him more than once, each time hoping things would change.
"They never do," Ava said quietly, more to herself than to Rihanna.
"I'm done," Rihanna continued, her voice cracking. "I packed my things. I don't want to go back there. I don't even know where to go."
"You come here," Ava said instantly. There was no hesitation. "This is your home too."
Rihanna exhaled shakily, relief bleeding through the pain. "Thank you bestie ,I know you love me the most she said and ava rolled her eyes.I'm already on my way. I'll be there soon." Rihanna said chuckling at the other end, you are the one I always turn to.
Ava glanced at the clock glowing faintly on her nightstand. Too early. Too much all at once. And before Rihanna could end the call she reminded her ..
"I have work today," Ava said gently. "But stay at home, okay? Rest. We'll talk properly when I get back."
"I will," Rihanna promised. "Thank you, Ava. Really."
When the call ended, Ava sat there for a moment, staring at the wall as the weight of the morning settled over her. Life never waited for you to be ready. It simply collided with you and expected you to adapt.
She moved through her morning quickly—showering, dressing, and tidying the apartment with quiet efficiency. She changed the couch sheets, set out tea and snacks, made space the way she always did for people she loved.
By the time Rihanna arrived, eyes red and shoulders slumped, Ava wrapped her in a tight embrace.
"You're safe here," Ava murmured.
Rihanna nodded against her shoulder, holding on a little longer than usual. "I'll be okay. Go to work."
Ava wasn't sure she believed that—but she trusted that time would help.
Rihanna bid her friend goodbye and sat on the chair sighing softly and thinking again to the scene when she caught the bastard of a cheater on the top of another woman. Urrg gross ,I won't this about that for now I'm famished she said while standing up to go to the kitchen. "She doesn't even have food here , she's never had " I don't know how she is surviving without food . Well let's me make do with this snacks , we will go shopping later .
The office building loomed tall and glassy as Ava arrived, its reflective surface catching the morning light. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and stepped inside, instantly sensing something was different.
There was energy in the air.
Not frantic—but alert.
People whispered as they passed each other. Assistants moved faster than usual. Managers stood straighter.
Ava stepped into the elevator just as the doors began to close.
"Wait!" Lena called, slipping inside with Marcus and Jasmine close behind.
"Why does it feel like we're about to be inspected?" Jasmine whispered.
Marcus smirked. "Because we are."
Ava frowned. "What's going on?"
Lena leaned closer, eyes bright. "The CEO is coming today."
Ava blinked. "Ryan?"
Marcus nodded. "Yep. Big boss himself."
Ava's stomach fluttered, though she didn't know why. She had heard of him—everyone had. The mysterious, powerful CEO who rarely appeared on the lower floors.
"I've never seen him in person," Jasmine said. "Apparently he's intense."
"Quiet intense," Marcus added. "The kind that doesn't yell. Just looks at you and you suddenly remember every mistake you've ever made."
The elevator doors opened, and Ava stepped out, trying to shake off the strange feeling curling in her chest.
At her desk, she tried to focus on her tasks, but the atmosphere made concentration difficult. Every few minutes, someone whispered something new.
An email notification chimed.
MANDATORY STAFF MEETING – 10:00 AM – MAIN CONFERENCE HALL
Ava straightened in her chair.
So it was real.
By the time she reached the conference hall, the room was already filling up. She found a seat between Lena and Jasmine, smoothing her skirt as she sat.
The hum of voices filled the room—nervous laughter, speculation, excitement.
Then—
Silence.
The doors opened.
Ryan walked in.
Ava felt it immediately—the shift, the way the room seemed to hold its breath.
He didn't rush. He didn't need to. He moved with controlled confidence, dressed in a dark suit that fit him perfectly, his presence commanding without effort.
His eyes scanned the room slowly, deliberately.
When they passed over Ava, something strange happened.
Her breath caught.
Not because he was handsome—though he was—but because his gaze felt… aware. Like he wasn't just seeing faces, but people.
He stood at the front, hands relaxed at his sides.
"Good morning," he said.
His voice was calm, deep, and steady—no microphone needed.
"I won't take much of your time," he continued. "I wanted to see the people behind the work."
Ava listened closely, surprised by the simplicity of his words.
He spoke about growth, responsibility, adapting to change. About how chaos was inevitable—but direction was a choice.
"We succeed together," he said. "And we fail together. I pay attention to both."
The way he said it made Ava's spine straighten instinctively.
When the meeting ended, the room erupted into murmurs.
"That man is dangerous," Jasmine whispered as they stood.
"In a motivating way," Lena added.
Marcus nodded. "He doesn't waste words. That's power."
Back at their desks, the conversations continued.
"I feel like he looked straight into my soul," Jasmine said dramatically.
Lena laughed. "Same. I suddenly want to reorganize my entire life."
Marcus glanced at Ava. "You're quiet. Thoughts?"
Ava hesitated. "He's… grounded. Not loud. Just present."
She didn't say more. She couldn't explain the lingering awareness she felt—as if something had shifted, subtly but permanently.
High above them, behind glass walls, Ryan stood silently.
Watching.
And though Ava didn't know it yet, chaos had begun to weave their lives together.