Capítulo 6: Chapter 6- Second chances

Ava's POV

The scent of expensive cologne and leather lingered in the air, the faint smell of paper and ink… I flinched a bit as Scott approached me. He held me by my shoulder and I took his hands off. I couldn't tell what he was up to, the tension was palpable. He pressed his thumb softly on my lips. "I don't like this shade of red," he remarked. I stood still, I couldn't find my words.

"Ava," he cupped my face in his huge and warm hands. My eyes narrowed, confusion written all over my face. I looked up and our eyes locked. His hands moved to my hair and he ran his hands over it. He leaned towards me and I gulped, probably the third time in five seconds.

Then suddenly, I noticed his shoulders drop and he sighed heavily. "These are all shades. I miss you, that's all." He said, staring intently at me, then he dropped his gaze. I just stared at him in amazement. "Wow," I uttered in surprise. "So what's with all these shades you've been pulling?"

"I know it's weird, yeah. That's C.E.O, Scott misses you so much. Did I tell you you looked ravishing?" He enquired, letting out a charming smile. His smile was like the sun peeking through the clouds. It was the first time I saw him smile at me that way, ever since twelve years ago. I wondered what he was up to now.

"No you didn't," I responded, trying to put up a bold front, but my insides were melting. As he drew closer, I feared he could hear my heartbeat. "Ava," he whispered softly into my ears, sending shivers down my spine. "Let's have a dance," he said with obvious pleasure.

"So you called me over, pretending to need coffee, just for a dance." A smile played across my lips as I spoke. He leaned closer, staring intently at me, as though he was searching the depths of my soul and I drowned in his eyes.

I stared in companionable silence as I studied his face, the curve of his jaw, the curl of his hair. I felt something tingly in my belly, as I felt his breath on me. Sweat broke out on my skin.

"A dance-" he persisted. I dropped my gaze shyly, pretending to arrange the files on his table, but he wouldn't stop piercing my eyes with his. I hesitated, fearing to explore what I felt within me. He flung the files off the table, bringing my eyes back to his. "Let's have this dance,"

"Without music?" I chuckled in dismay.

"Come here, I'll show you." He grabbed me by my waist and drew me into his arms. As I nestled against his chest, I realized that even after all these years, he still cherished me deeply. "Ava," for the first time, his lips quivered as he called my name.

"Look I... ," he stuttered, somewhat obviously. "I love you Ava." The silence that followed his confession was deafening, I tried to digest his last words. He set his gaze on me, brushing my cheek softly with the back of his hand.

"You left me-" I began with a broken voice. His eyes became misty. "No, I traveled," His honeyed voice made me feel at ease.

"Please Ava… another chance," he spoke in a hushed whisper. "I want to take you somewhere you've never been before and the heavens cannot stop me. You Ava, just let me. Don't resist." He added immediately.

I withdrew a bit, but I was flushed by his words. I was torn between my doubts and my desire to give him another chance, to explore the connections we once had. I was drawn to him, despite my fears and reservations.