Ava felt a wave of relief wash over her as she connected with Chloe on a video call. Sarah, ever-present and perceptive, settled beside her, a comforting presence amidst the turmoil."Hey girl!" Chloe's cheerful face filled the screen, her bright smile momentarily easing Ava's anxiety."Hey Chloe," Ava replied, her voice a mix of excitement and apprehension. She glanced at Sarah, who gave her an encouraging nod.Taking a deep breath, Ava launched into a recount of the previous night's events. She described the gala, the pink drink, the embarrassing recording, and finally, the phone call with Liam and the incredible offer from Mr. Henderson.Chloe's reaction was a mix of shock and elation. "Oh my god, Ava! That's amazing! Your own company? This is huge!"Sarah chimed in, "I told you that pink drink was trouble! But hey, look at the bright side – you got a major investor out of it!"Ava managed a weak smile. "Yeah, it's pretty incredible. But..." her voice trailed off, her expression clouding over.Chloe, ever attuned to her best friend's emotions, noticed the shift. "But what, Ava? What's wrong?"Ava hesitated, then blurted out, "I think Liam's rejecting me."Chloe's eyebrows shot up. "Rejecting you? What do you mean?""He didn't say a word about my confession," Ava explained, her voice laced with disappointment. "He just... ignored it. Like it never happened."Sarah frowned. "That's odd. Liam isn't usually one to avoid difficult conversations.""Exactly," Ava agreed. "That's why I'm so confused. Maybe he doesn't feel the same way. Maybe this whole business proposition is his way of letting me down gently."Chloe pondered for a moment. "I don't know, Ava. It's hard to say. Maybe he's just processing everything. Or maybe he's trying to protect you, or your professional relationship."Ava sighed. "I don't know what to think. And now I'm not even sure if I should accept Mr. Henderson's offer. What if it drives a wedge between Liam and me?"Sarah and Chloe exchanged a look. They both knew how much this opportunity meant to Ava, but they also understood her fear of jeopardizing her relationship with Liam."Ava," Chloe said softly, "this is a huge decision. You need to do what feels right for you, both professionally and personally. Don't let fear dictate your choices."Sarah nodded in agreement. "Listen to your gut, Ava. And if you need to, talk to Liam. Clear the air. Communication is key."Ava took a deep breath, their words resonating with her. She knew they were right. She needed to confront her feelings, talk to Liam, and make a decision that aligned with her dreams and her heart."Thanks, guys," she said, a glimmer of determination returning to her eyes. "I needed to hear that."As the call ended, Ava felt a renewed sense of clarity. She had a lot to figure out, but she knew she wasn't alone. With the support of her friends and the courage to face her feelings, she would navigate this challenging chapter and find her way forward.