Chapter 2 The invite

Nick,wake up..."

Nick groaned, rolling over and pulling her closer.

Ava huffed, pushing against his bare chest. "Nick, get up and take a shower! You stink."

He groaned childishly. "But I showered this morning, and I still smell fine."

"No, you don't." Ava wrinkled her nose. "Now, move."

With great effort, she shoved him off the bed, making him stumble towards the bathroom. "Ugh, you're so mean," he whined, dragging himself inside while she chuckled.

Shaking her head, she headed to the kitchen to make dinner. As she was stirring the pot, her phone rang. The screen flashed Mom.

"Hello, Mom."

"How are you, my daughter? How was work?" her mother's warm voice filled her ears.

"Tiring, but fine."

Before her mom could reply, an excited voice shrieked in the background.

"Ava! Ava! I need a new pair of shoes for school!" Audrey, her younger sister, yelled over the phone, clearly struggling to take the phone from their mother.

Ava chuckled. "Okay, Audrey. I'll send the money to Mom, alright?"

"Yay! Thank you, sis! Love you,muah!"

Her mom sighed. "Ava, don't worry about it. I can get her the shoes next week."

"It's fine, Mom. It's just a pair of shoes," Ava reassured.

Before she could finish her sentence, another voice interrupted.

"Baby, what's for dinner?"

Ava froze.

Her mother's voice turned sharp. "Ava, don't tell me that was that useless boyfriend of yours!"

"Uh... Mom, I'll call you later." She quickly hung up before her mother could continue.

Nick walked into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Spaghetti Bolognese, just the way you like it," she answered.

After dinner, they curled up on the couch. The evening felt peaceful until Nick broke the silence.

"Babe..."

"Hm?"

"I need a favor."

Ava sat up, instantly wary. "What kind of favor?"

Nick scratched the back of his head. "I need a loan. There's this business I want to start, and I'm short on funds."

Ava stared at him, realization dawning. So this was why he came back.

"Nick," she said slowly, "was this why you returned after ghosting me for a month? You needed money?"

"No! Ava, it's not like that-"

"I've given you money before, and it was always a waste. I'm done. I'm not your personal bank."

Nick's face hardened. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, Nick. I'm done."

A heated argument erupted between them, voices rising in frustration.

In the end, Nick stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Ava exhaled shakily, feeling a mix of anger and relief.

She had loved Nick, but she finally saw the truth.

It was time to move on.

Far Away in the City of Emerald

The grand penthouse was dimly lit, scented with the soft aroma of expensive cologne and fresh linen. A man emerged from the bathroom, steam rising behind him as he stepped into the room.

He was tall, effortlessly graceful, with an air of quiet power. His broad shoulders, sculpted abs, and defined jawline made him a breathtaking sight. A white towel hung loosely around his waist, droplets of water trickling down his toned chest.

Tyler Alexandra.

The man who carried the weight of the Alexandra name yet sought to make his own mark in the world. Unlike his siblings, Tyler didn't depend on his family's wealth he was a self-made CEO with his own thriving empire.

His black, silky hair was still damp as he ran a hand through it, sighing as his phone rang for the fifth time that day.

He glanced at the caller ID.

Mom.

Another reminder about the family get-together.

Tyler exhaled deeply. He loved his parents, but going back to Avalon meant facing the people he had spent the last two years avoiding.

"Leo," he called out.

His personal assistant, a sharp-dressed man in his early thirties, stepped into the room. "Yes, sir?"

"What's on the schedule today?" Tyler asked, slipping into a crisp white shirt.

"You have a meeting with J&C Corps at noon and another with D Empire at 3:30 p.m.," Leo replied.

Tyler nodded. "That's all?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good."

As Leo turned to leave, Tyler's voice stopped him.

"Prepare for travel. We're heading to Avalon next week."

Leo blinked in surprise but quickly recovered. "Noted, sir."

With that, Tyler sighed, buttoning up his shirt.

Avalon.

A place filled with memories both good and painful.

And soon, he would be back.

Back in Avalon

Mrs. Felicia Alexandra, the matriarch of the Alexandra family, stood in the grand kitchen, instructing the head chef.

"The house will be full this season. We need more hands in the kitchen," she said, stirring her tea.

Chef T, the head cook, nodded. "I agree. We'll need extra chefs to help manage the workload."

Meanwhile, across town, Ava woke up early, determined to be on time for work.

Despite her heartache over Nick, she forced herself to move forward.

She arrived at the restaurant before Mrs. Pat, surprising her coworkers.

Nina's jaw dropped. "Ava... you're early?"

"Yes, I am," Ava replied, laughing.

Lola joined in. "Did you sleep in the shop?"

The girls burst into giggles, lightening the mood before the rush of customers.

Later that day, Madam Pat received an unexpected call from her friend.

"Madam Pat, guess what?" the woman's excited voice chirped.

"What?"

"The Alexandras are looking for elite chefs for their holiday gathering! The pay is huge."

Madam Pat's eyebrows lifted in interest. The opportunity sounded tempting, but she couldn't abandon her restaurant for that long.

"I'll think about it," she said.

The next day,she got an invite from the Alexandras, she was amongst the chefs that would come for screening. after careful consideration, she made her decision.

Gathering her staff, she made an announcement.

"We've been invited to the Alexandras' estate. I'm taking a few of you with me. The rest will manage the restaurant in my absence."

Ava, Nina, and Lola were among those selected to go.

Excitement buzzed in the air.

Emerald City-Tyler's Office

Tyler arrived at his company in his sleek black car, stepping out with effortless grace.

As always, women couldn't take their eyes off him.

Employees and business partners alike admired the tall, handsome CEO with striking dark eyes and a soft, magnetic presence that made people feel drawn to him.

But Tyler remained focused, never indulging in meaningless flings.

He had learned his lesson the hard way.

After his last relationship ended thanks to his sisters' interference he had sworn off love.