Ava stood outside Finn's office, her heart racing with anxiety. She had heard rumors about the new CEO's promiscuous activities, and she wasn't impressed.
As she entered the office, Finn looked up from his desk, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Ava, thanks for coming," he said, his voice low and smooth.
Ava's eyes narrowed. "What's this about, Mr. Ryder?" she asked, her tone cool.
Finn chuckled. "Please, call me Finn. We're going to be working closely together."
Ava raised an eyebrow. "I doubt that."
Finn's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "I think you'll find that we have a lot in common, Ava."
Ava snorted. "I highly doubt that."
Finn leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I've heard great things about your work, Ava. I think you have the potential to be a key player in this company."
Ava's eyes narrowed. "What's the catch?"
Finn's smile returned. "No catch, Ava. Just an opportunity. Are you interested?"
Ava hesitated, her mind racing with possibilities. But as she looked into Finn's eyes, she saw something there that made her blood boil.
"You're just looking for a new conquest, aren't you?" Ava said, her voice dripping with disdain.
Finn's smile faltered, and for a moment, Ava saw a flash of anger in his eyes. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice cold.
Ava raised an eyebrow. "Don't play dumb, Mr. Ryder. I've heard all about your... extracurricular activities."
Finn's face darkened, and Ava thought she saw a hint of a growl in his throat. "You don't know anything about me, Ava," he said, his voice low and menacing.
Ava stood her ground, her heart pounding in her chest. "I know enough," she said, her voice firm.
Finn's eyes narrowed, and Ava saw a spark of challenge in his gaze. "I think you'll find that you don't know anything about me at all, Ava," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.
Ava's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not interested in playing games with you, Mr. Ryder."
Finn chuckled. "Oh, I think you are, Ava. You're just not aware of it yet."
Ava's face burned with anger as she turned to leave. "This meeting is over."
Finn's laughter followed her out of the office, and Ava couldn't help but feel like she'd just stepped into a whole new world of trouble.
As Ava walked back to her desk, she noticed Sharon watching her, a look of envy on her face.
Sharon quickly looked away, pretending to be busy. But Ava knew that look. It was the same look Sharon had given her when they were friends, before Sharon had stabbed her in the back.
Ava felt a surge of anger, but she pushed it down. She wasn't going to let Sharon get to her.
Just then, Sharon got up from her desk and walked over to Ava. "Hey, Ava, can we talk?" Sharon asked, her voice sweet.
Ava raised an eyebrow. "What do you want, Sharon?"
Sharon smiled. "I just wanted to apologize for what happened between us. I know I wasn't a good friend to you."
Ava laughed. "You think?"
Sharon's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. "I know I made mistakes, Ava. But I want to make it right. Can we start over?"
Ava shook her head. "I don't think so, Sharon. You had your chance to be a good friend, and you blew it."
Sharon's face fell, and for a moment, Ava saw a glimmer of the old Sharon, the one who had been her friend before she had betrayed her.
But then Sharon's expression changed, and Ava saw the mask slip back into place.
"Fine," Sharon said, her voice cold. "If that's how you want it."
Ava shrugged. "It's not about what I want, Sharon. It's about what you did."
Sharon's eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly turned and walked away.
Ava watched her go, feeling a sense of satisfaction. She had finally told Sharon off, and it felt good.
But as she turned back to her computer, Ava couldn't shake the feeling that Sharon was planning something. And Ava was determined to be ready for her.
Meanwhile, Finn was watching the exchange between Ava and Sharon from his office window. He smiled to himself, intrigued by Ava's spirit.