Ava's POVRelief washed over me as Liam agreed to keep our relationship private. Explaining my concerns hadn't been easy, but his understanding and willingness to prioritize my needs filled me with a warmth that extended beyond the burgeoning love in my heart.With the weight of that conversation lifted, I could finally focus on the exciting journey ahead. Building my own company, leading a team, bringing my game ideas to life – it was a dream I was determined to make a reality. I wanted to prove to the world, and to myself, that I was more than just a scholarship student who got lucky.Lost in my thoughts, I busied myself with preparing a late-night dinner. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the comforting sizzle of garlic in the pan provided a soothing backdrop to my contemplations.Suddenly, the sharp ring of the doorbell pierced through the quiet apartment. I glanced at the clock – almost 11 pm. A flicker of apprehension ran through me. Who would be visiting at this hour?Caution overriding curiosity, I grabbed a heavy pan from the stove, clutching it like a shield as I approached the door. Peering through the peephole, I saw a shadowy figure, their features obscured by the dim hallway light.With a deep breath, I unlocked the door, pulling it open a crack. Before I could even register who it was, a figure barged in, startling me. Instinctively, I reacted, swinging the pan with all my might.A loud yelp echoed through the apartment, followed by a heavy thud as the intruder collapsed onto the floor. Horror washed over me as I realized the pan had connected with its intended target."Oh my god!" I gasped, dropping the pan with a clatter and rushing to the fallen figure. "Liam! Liam, are you okay?"Liam groaned, clutching his head, his face contorted in pain. "Ava," he mumbled, his voice muffled, "what was that for?""Liam, I'm so sorry!" I cried, my voice laced with panic. "I didn't know it was you! I thought you were an intruder!"Liam slowly sat up, his eyes blinking open, a dazed expression on his face. He winced as he touched the growing bump on his forehead. "An intruder with a key?" he questioned, his voice laced with amusement despite the throbbing pain."I... I didn't think!" I stammered, mortified by my impulsive reaction. "I was scared, and I just reacted!"Liam chuckled, a low rumble that vibrated through his chest. "Well, your aim is certainly impressive. I'll give you that."He reached for my hand, his touch gentle despite the lingering sting of the pan's impact. "It's okay, Ava. I'm fine. Just a little bruised, that's all."Relief washed over me, replacing the panic that had gripped me moments before. I sank to my knees beside him, my fingers tracing the outline of the bump on his forehead."I'm so, so sorry, Liam," I repeated, my voice filled with remorse. "I could have seriously hurt you."Liam leaned in, his lips brushing against my forehead in a tender kiss. "You did hurt me," he whispered, his voice husky, "but it was worth it. Just to see you again."His words, laced with love and forgiveness, melted away my remaining anxieties. I leaned into him, my head resting against his chest, the steady beat of his heart a comforting rhythm against my ear."I was so worried about you," I confessed, my voice muffled against his shirt. "When you didn't answer my calls, I thought something terrible had happened."Liam tightened his arms around me, his warmth enveloping me like a protective shield. "I'm sorry, Ava. I should have called. I just... I needed some time to think, to process everything."He pulled back slightly, his gaze searching mine. "I wanted to surprise you, to show you how serious I am about this, about us."He gestured towards the doorway, where a bouquet of lilies of the valley lay abandoned on the floor, a casualty of my panicked attack. "I even brought flowers," he added, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.I couldn't help but laugh, the tension finally broken, replaced by a wave of affection for the man who had braved a pan to the head just to see me."You're lucky I didn't use the cast iron skillet," I teased, my fingers tracing the outline of his jaw.Liam chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Duly noted. No more late-night surprises. At least, not without a warning text first."We shared a smile, the warmth of our connection radiating through the small apartment, a beacon of love and laughter amidst the lingering chaos of the day. The pan incident, though initially terrifying, had only served to strengthen our bond, a testament to the resilience of their newfound love.