Becky opens up the door with a smile. It's a smile Ava knows all too well.
"Ava there is a really large vase of flowers on my desk for you," Becky says cheerfully.
It's the end of the workday at almost nine o'clock at night. It is a usual workday. Becky's daughter is passed out on Ava's couch.
"Aw thank you, you really shouldn't have." Ava starts to get up from her desk.
"Oh trust me I didn't, but Mr. Guard did." Ava gives her a puzzled look as she walks out of her office to inspect the flowers.
"They're beautiful," Ava says looking at the vase full of vibrant purple roses and violets there's even a purple ribbon tied around it into a bow. Ava smiles at this nice gesture, they are gorgeous, and they smell just as lovely too. She looks a little closer at them and then notices there is a card on the side. Ava takes a deep breath relaxing at the scent of the violets, she picks up the card and looks at the beautiful handwriting scribbled on it.
She picks up a rose and sniffs it. The card is gold. The front of it says "I am sorry for being a dick..." This intrigues Ava, she wants to read on. She laughs at the dick part because it is true, but at the same time, she was being a bitch. She thinks about gifting a bottle of wine or something.
She opens it and says, "I am sorry for what I said, I didn't mean to act that way but you were a marvelous surprise. ~ S.L.G"
Ava pulls out her phone and taps in his phone number using her cell phone, which never gets used unless for work. Again Ava's social life is dead.
He picks up on the third ring.
"Hello? Who is this?" Seth asks, putting the phone right up to his ear. The sound of his voice makes Ava smile.
Becky starts packing up her stuff, with a knowing smile.
"Hello, Mr. Guard, may I call you Seth? This is Ava. Calling to accept the apology from the Asshat that was in my office earlier."
Seth smiles at this comment not many people ever insult him to his ear. Or to his face out of respect for him.
"I hope you know you rented one of my offices. So that makes it mine." Ava smirks at his statement.
"Unless I break any of the rules, which I know by heart. Or forget to pay, which trust me my bank account can handle your charges." Ava says this a little more breathy than actually wanting to.
"So goldie you got my flowers?" He asks wanting to prolong the conversation. Every minute he spends with her keeps his heart racing. Memories of last night dance in his head, how perfect she felt. Now that he knows who she is and how big her heart is. He hopes she will give him a chance.
"Yes, I did they are lovely and I was just calling to see if you had dinner plans tonight? Maybe we could go out or you could come over to my apartment and I can make dinner. That way we can keep the press out of our hair." Even though Ava is really good friends with the press. She helps them out a little, at times so they owe her a lot.
"That would be lovely, just text me your address and right after I am done here, I will call a cab."
Ava's mouth opens in shock, he has a driver, right?
Ava looks at the clock and smiles. Normally Becky would be gone too but her daughter wanted to stay with Aunt Ava.
"You let your driver go home early. You could save yourself a cab fare and just ride to my place. I am still in my office as well." He laughs at her words.
"We are both workaholics, I see," Ava smiles at his comment, her cheeks are tinted pink. If he only knew how hard she has been working herself since the divorce.
"Well if someone would have opened this building on time, then I wouldn't be here so late." She says sarcastically knowing that she is here late every night. It's not like she has anyone to go home to anymore.
"Sorry about that, I had an extraordinary time with a remarkable woman and it took some time to process. Also, she kind of wore me out last night, this morning, and all day while I was thinking about her. I can't seem to get her off of my mind." Ava blushes at this, she has been thinking about him too. His voice, his smile, his warmth, and the way he held her.
"Yeah, it must have made your day hard," Ava says smiling making a bit of a joke.
"That and among other things." That makes Ava shiver in anticipation. Her cheeks now red, might be permanently stained that color.
"Well, Seth Guard I'll be up there to pick you up in a few." Ava hangs up getting the last word in. His office is three floors above hers. He has the pent office, as in the top floor office space.
It's the biggest office in the building and there is a special access code that has to be typed in for every floor. Ava goes back into her office and changes into street clothes. Her outfit is a nice coal-black sundress and she then puts on some flip-flop wedges. She takes her hair down and runs her fingers through it. Then she goes to her bathroom and washes her face. Her skincare products are very important, Ava doesn't want to break out or look gross.
She pats on some moisturizer and then puts on some lip-plumping chapstick that smells like cinnamon.
She locks everything up and grabs Bear and her purse. He snuggles into her and Ava sighs to herself embracing her puppy.
Outside her office door, she gets the text. It's the code for the elevator. Ava calls her assistant to pick up Bear and head home.
She presses the up button and the white marble doors open. She then types in the code and the elevator shoots up.
For some reason, she is happy to go and see him. The doors open to a substantial reception area, where a beautiful redhead sits. She smiles looking up at Ava.
"Ms. Willows, Mr. Guard is waiting for you in his office." Ava gives her a genuine smile.
"Would you mind watching Bear while I go in there, they don't have that great of a relationship yet?" The woman smiles.
"Yeah, of course, I am Deb by the way." Ava shakes her hand and hands her the pup.
"Ava, you can call me Ava my office is two floors down." Deb smiles as she says this.
"I know, I have heard talk that a smoking hot blonde works there. Mr. Guards keeps his top two floors for his employees." Ava nods smiling.
"That's just gossip. Bet it's from the men you work with." Deb smiles nodding at this comment.
"No, even without makeup you are gorgeous. Your eyelashes are gorgeous by the way." Ava blushes at this compliment.
"Well thank you, you have the most gorgeous emerald eyes." Deb smiles, blushing a bit.
"He should be ready to see you now." Ava smiles and walks to the door of his office.