CHAPTER 014
AVA’S POV
Finally, it was Alex who broke the intense eye contact between me and Jason
“Ava, are you enjoying your meal?” he asked, looking up from his plate and glancing at me.
The simplicity of his question startled me, and for a brief second, my gaze faltered.
I blinked, trying to shake off the tension that had settled in my chest, but I couldn’t deny the unease that still lingered in the air.
I gave a quick, forced smile. “Yes,” I answered, pushing my plate aside a little. “I’ve always had a weakness for
Italian food.”
Alex smiled back, his posture relaxed as he picked up his wine glass, “Good to hear,” he said, his eyes glancing down at his plate before returning to mine.
Before I could gather my thoughts, the sound of footsteps drew my attention, and I looked over to see Jason approaching from across the room.
My heartbeat pace kept increasing with each step he stood.
“Hey,” Jason said casually as he reached our table, his eyes flicking between me and Alex.
“Good day, Mr. Campbell,” I replied, doing my best to sound professional, though it wasn’t easy.
“This is Alexander Grey. He’s the CEO of Grey Empire, the company we’ll be working with on his new upcoming jewelry launch.”
Jason’s gaze lingered on Alex for a moment longer than necessary, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Finally, he extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.
Alex shook his hand, unaffected by the quiet tension in the air. “The pleasure’s mine,” he said calmly, his voice polite yet reserved.
He didn’t seem to mind the unspoken competition between them. That was just one more reason I respected him. He could handle himself with grace in a situation like this.
I tried to keep my composure, but the conversation between the three of us felt strained.
Jason leaned against the table, his eyes still flicking from Alex to me.
I could feel the weight of his gaze, and I could almost hear the thoughts running through his head, even though he said nothing aloud,
“We just wrapped up discussing the final details for the dresses that will be worn by the models during the jewelry launch,” I said, trying to fill the silence.
Jason’s expression shifted slightly, and I couldn’t tell if it was genuine interest or just an attempt to keep up appearances. But I didn’t care. I wasn’t here for him. I was here to talk business with Alex.
“So, you’re both done with the project?” Jason asked, his tone lighter now, as though trying to bridge the gap
between us.
“Yes,” I replied. “We’re just finishing up here.”
Jason smiled faintly and then turned to the waiter who had been hovering nearby, placing an order for more
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CHAPTER 014
drinks. “Well, since you two are done, why don’t I join you both for a while? We could make it a group thing.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. It was like he was acting as if everything was fine, as though nothing had changed
between us.
But I couldn’t ignore the tension that had built between us over the last few weeks. He was acting like he still had some sort of claim on me.
I glanced over at Alex, feeling a strange sense of discomfor His eyes met mine, and there was a quiet understanding in them.
We were both here for business–nothing more.
I forced myself to remain calm, about to decline his request by telling him Alex was busy and we were about to leave, but Alex spoke before I could.
“Okay.”
“Great,
“Jason said, leaning back in his chair as if he owned the place.
We sat in an awkward silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging over the table.
A few minutes later, I saw Laura walking back from the direction of the restroom. I couldn’t help but notice the way she looked around, her eyes scanning the room before landing on our table.
Jason immediately stood up, gesturing toward the waiter. Can you show that lady over there where we’re sitting?” he asked.
The waiter nodded and left to lead Laura to where we sat.
Laura’s eyes shifted, confusion evident on her face as she walked over. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Alex sitting there, her gaze locking on him in surprise.
I noticed the shock in her expression, a flicker of something almost like recognition–as her eyes darted between him and Jason.
For a brief moment, it seemed like she wanted to say something, but instead, her mouth closed, and she took a hesitant step back.
A thought crossed my mind: Did they know each other?
I barely had time to process before Alex’s deep voice broke the silence. “Long time no see, Laura.”
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