Chapter 4 Morning After

CHAPTER 4

**Chapter 4: "Morning After"**

Ava woke up to warm sunlight streaming through her window, a gentle smile still on her face from last night's memories of Ethan.

She stretched, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about their upcoming meeting tonight.

Throwing off the covers, Ava headed to her kitchen to start her day with a strong coffee and quiet morning routine.

As she waited for her coffee to brew, she checked her phone - no messages from Ethan, but several from her best friend (and mom's closest confidante) Rachel, and one from her mom Sarah:

"Mom: Hey sweetie, how was your night? Rachel told me about the mysterious guy at the bar... SPILL!"

Ava laughed and typed out a response:

"Ava: Mom, you're dramatic as always! His name is Ethan, and he's... intriguing. Meeting him again tonight."

She hit send and then read Rachel's messages:

"Rachel: OMG Ava, your mom just texted me freaking out about your mystery man!!!

Rachel: Details. Now. Was he hot? Rich? Both?"

Ava smiled, imagining Rachel's excitement, and began typing:

"Ava: Rachel, calm down... Yes, he's HOT. And probably rich - suits, fancy car, the works.

But honestly, there's something about him..."

Just then, Ava's coffee was ready, and she poured herself a cup, continuing to chat with Rachel while scrolling through her social media feeds -

Ethan's name wasn't anywhere to be seen, adding to his mystique.

Ava was mid-scroll through her feeds when her doorbell rang - unexpected visitors were rare in her building.

She set her coffee down, curiosity piqued, and made her way to the door.

Peeking through the peephole revealed a uniformed delivery person holding a stunning bouquet of long-stemmed red roses and a sleek black box with a silver ribbon.

Ava's heart skipped a beat - who could be sending her flowers... and a mysterious box... especially after last night?

She opened the door, and the delivery person handed her the bouquet and the box with a small card attached.

"Ava Morales?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

She nodded, and he departed, leaving her alone with the roses and the mysterious box.

Ava's fingers trembled slightly as she opened the card attached to the roses:

"Tonight can barely come soon enough. -E"

Her heart raced at Ethan's bold message.

Next, she untied the silver ribbon on the black box, lifting the lid to reveal...

A stunning, body-con emerald green evening gown that would hug her curves perfectly, complete with a daring high neckline and a subtle sheen.

Underneath the gown lay a pair of sleek, black stilettos with emerald green straps and delicate ankle cuffs -

Ava gasped, feeling like Ethan had somehow seen into her soul and chosen her perfect outfit.

Ava's hands shook slightly as she held the phone, dialing Rachel's number - she needed to share this breathtaking surprise with her best friend.

Rachel answered on the first ring, "OMG Ava, spill about Ethan already!!!"

Ava burst into laughter and words tumbled out,

"Rachel, you won't believe this... Ethan sent roses AND an outfit for tonight - a stunning emerald green bodycon gown and matching heels!!!"

Rachel squealed so loudly Ava held the phone away from her ear,

"MY. GOSH. Ava, he's totally obsessed with you already!!

What are you going to do, wear it and slay tonight?!"

Ava grinned, feeling like a princess,

"Exactly that... but Rachel, how did he even know my size ?

Ava laughed and continued talking to Rachel,

"Enough about how he knew my size - I'm dying to know... do you think I'll actually wear this outfit and knock his socks off tonight?!"

Rachel squealed again,

"ABSOLUTELY, Ava - you'll SLAY in that emerald green gown!

What time is he picking you up, and are you nervous at all?"

Ava glanced at the clock, feeling butterflies in her stomach,

"He said 8 pm sharp... and yeah, Rachel - I'm totally nervous.

My heart is racing just thinking about seeing him again. "

Ava laughed and said,

"Perfect idea, Rach - come over at 6 pm and help me get ready?

I want to look flawless for Ethan tonight!"

Rachel squealed in agreement,

"YES. I'll bring wine, hair products, and my expert opinion -

this is going to be epic!

See you at 6, gorgeous - Ethan doesn't stand a chance!"

Ava hung up the phone, feeling excited and nervous at the same time.

She spent the next few hours tidying up her apartment,

taking a relaxing bath, and waiting eagerly for Rachel's arrival.

Meanwhile ............

Ethan woke up early, his cold demeanor already focused on the day's agenda - and tonight's plans with Ava.

His morning routine was brisk:

- A 6 am workout with his personal trainer

- A shower and shave, leaving him refreshed and alert

- A strong black coffee while reviewing Ava's file again, his eyes narrowing slightly as he pondered her intriguing profile

He also took a moment to review the details of the package he'd sent to her apartment the previous night -

an emerald green evening gown and matching heels, accompanied by a simple yet provocative note. He couldn't help but wonder how Ava will look tonight in that outfit.

Marcus, his driver and assistant, knocked on the door with today's schedule.

"Sir, you have meetings all morning and lunch with investors. Shall I clear your evening for... personal matters?"

Ethan's expression remained neutral, but his interest was piqued.

"Yes, Marcus. Clear my evening entirely. Tonight will be... unforgettable."

Ethan spent the day with calculated precision, his cold demeanor unwavering as he navigated meetings and negotiations with investors.

His mind remained fixed solely on strategy and profit, yet a single thread of interest wove through his thoughts:

Ava Morales.

He reviewed her file repeatedly, analyzing her strengths and weaknesses like a chess player contemplating checkmate.

Marcus, his driver, noticed nothing out of the ordinary in Ethan's behavior, merely efficiency and focus.

"Sir, we've arrived at your residence. Shall I prepare the car for tonight's engagement?" Marcus asked.

Ethan's response was crisp, "Yes. Ensure it's ready for 7:45 PM sharp. Ava Morales will be picked up at 8:00PM.

Ethan headed inside to get ready, his cold exterior hiding any hint of excitement as he moved with precision through his evening routine.

He showered, dressed in a tailored black tuxedo, and styled his hair with calculated perfection.

His eyes gleamed with intensity in the mirror as he adjusted his cufflinks -

a subtle gesture, yet the only hint of anticipation beneath his icy demeanor.

Downstairs, Marcus waited silently with the car engine running.

Ethan descended the stairs, his voice low and even:

"Marcus, is everything in place for Ava Morales' arrival?"

Marcus nodded, "Yes, sir. The car will arrive at her apartment at 8 PM sharp. Shall I escort her to your penthouse?"

Ethan nodded and headed out to the car alone, his long strides eating up the distance as he slipped into the backseat.

Marcus followed shortly, starting the engine and merging into evening traffic.

The city lights blurred together outside as Ethan checked his watch for what felt like the hundredth time -

7:55 PM.

Five minutes until Ava would be in his car, heading to his penthouse.

His expression remained icy calm, but a subtle tension vibrated beneath the surface -

a rare sensation for a man known for his emotional detachment.

The car's communication system beeped softly - Marcus's voice low and even:

"Sir, Ava Morales' apartment building is in sight. Shall I stop at the entrance?"

Ethan responded,

"And Marcus, tell her I'm running a few minutes late."

Marcus's voice came through the comms system again,

"Acknowledged, sir. I'll inform Miss Morales."

A moment later, Marcus added,

"Miss Morales has been notified, sir. She's... smiling."

Ethan's expression remained neutral, but a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes.

The car pulled up to Ava's apartment building entrance exactly at 8:05 PM.

Marcus opened the door and Ava stepped in, looking stunning in the emerald green gown Ethan had chosen for her.

Her eyes locked onto Ethan's, sparkling with amusement at his "lateness".

Ethan's gaze held Ava's, his expression still neutral, yet his eyes seemed to burn with intensity.

Ava's smile faltered slightly under his stare, but she recovered quickly, her voice husky:

"Right on time, I see."

Ethan's lips curved into a faint, cold smile.

"For you, Ava, I'm always punctual."

The car glided through the city streets, tension between them thickening like fog.

As they approached Ethan's penthouse, Ava noticed something strange -

Police cars and news vans surrounding the building.

Ethan's expression turned glacial.

"Marcus, what is this?" he growled.

Marcus's voice trembled slightly,

"Sir... it seems there's been a... development.

Ava's eyes locked onto Ethan's, filled with sudden alarm...

"What's going on, Ethan?" she whispered