Achilles Heels

Ava was living all alone in the city of Hillwood, working as a Human Resource personnel in a big publishing company, and will happen to meet the ex-boyfriend who inflicted so much pain to her in the past.

He promised to fix everything and get her back. She said that it was an absurd idea, or she just thought it is?

Will she let the same person hurt her again like how he hurted her before, by living her hanging and nowhere to go?

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NOTE: This story might contain words, events, and topics that are not always suitable for younger age, you can skip the chapters with warnings.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places and incidents are either the product of author's imagination or used on fictitious matter. Any resemblance to actual persona, leaving or dead are purely coincidental.

Do not distribute, publish, transmit, modify, display or any derivative words from or exploit the contents of this story any way. Please obtain permission.

Achilles Heel Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved Blueelyxm, always choose to skip the comment box to have a great time guessing the next happenings.

Welcome to Ava and Noah's story!

Happy reading, everyone!

"Miss Williams, I'll be assigning you for our august Interview hiring, starting tomorrow, so be here on time, please. Can you do that?" Ava answered it with an awkward smile while scratching her nape; she was holding a pile of papers on her hands, when her supervisor asked for her.

"Yes, Miss." She said, Lorelei, her supervisor nod and walk pass through her, she made her way to her own table, she sighed as if it was her last, while looking at the folders, which is taller than she is, and she has to read it one by one. These are all the applicants, trying to get a job to their company, it was her duty every August, and most of them has this chance once a month.

Ava is a psychology graduate, she passed the board exam on her first take, but it was not easy as she was expecting, most of the companies she applied for was all looking for experienced applicants to hire, and she can't do anything about her, fortunately she got a job in Costa Luna City, it's the main city of Hillwood. A publishing company that sells thousands of books per month, their company was also contacted by different agencies, to commercialize their books, since they can actually reach out to their writers. However, you can't make all the people around you to love you or to like you, especially those people in the higher position, and her best example? Her supervisor.

She bun her hair and folded her sleeves, and started to do her job, reading applicants overview, and what they are applying for, experience is a plus, so she can grasp a bit to the people she will be meeting tomorrow, it can also save her plenty of time to do other works.

---

"How was the first day as assigned interviewer?" Alysa, her friend teased her, while holding a paper cup containing a black coffee on left hand.

"It's not even funny nor entertaining, why it has to be me this time? Ugh! Of all months, why August, have tons of deadlines to meet yet I still have to sit down on that freaking room and interview tons of applicants who can't even decide for their lives even their answers." She said, frustrated, "What a bad luck." Ava continued, adjusted her glasses because it almost fell off her face, there are only two vacant position, and she has to review five hundred curriculum vitae.

Ava heard Alysa's laughter as if she was really enjoying her frustration, she felt Alysa tap her shoulder, so she lifted her eyes to her friend. "Come on, don't worry, you will get through that." She scoffed with that remarks, knowing her friend Alysa, she do not really meant it. "But hey, I heard your supervisor, she was rapping again?" Ava cannot help but to laugh. "She won't need any microphone, her voice is all she need, and she's a real monster, ghad!" Alysa pulled a nearby swivel chair next to her table, since there are just few people left in their department, it's already their lunch break, while her, she haven't even done at least half of her loaded work.

There are too many people looking for a job, but yeah, I cannot blame them, this company offers a great deal for every employees, she muttered, while still choosing between these applicants.

She did not even bother to answer, but chuckled with what her friend said, all her workmates are all so used to their supervisor, hearing scolding her, Ava doesn't even know why she was being scolded in the first place, with her OIC, everything she do has a mistake, well except for being late, that was really her fault.

"Haven't you used to it? I practically take her morning preach as my breakfast before even getting my own coffee, before I even sit on my chair I might cry, but it was three years ago, her scolding became my morning routine." They both laughed, she finished her some of the folders before arranging them on the other side of her table indicating that she had finished reading it, and it passed the company's criteria.

"Whatever you say, Ava, but hey, at least it did not reach up to the law department, I think it stops in our department, she will be surely a death of you!" she overreacted, And excuse me, will you please lessen your caffeine intake? That is your life! Moreover, what will happened? Your acidity will kick in, and your productivity level will decrease, then what? That witch will not let anybody hold any of your work and let it sleep for how many days while waiting for you? What the fuck is that, right? Everyone kept on saying sorry every single damn time."

"Hey, shut up, someone might hear you." Ava reminded her, Alysa just rolled her eyes and zip her mouth, and will you stop that gay language? It makes you really looks like a gay, and besides I lessen my caffeine intake, it's just a small portion compare to what I was really drinking." She insisted.

"Excuse me? I'm too pretty!" she exclaimed and raised her brow, that made Ava chuckled. She fix her pencil skirt before standing up, she left her folded sleeves and grab her purse, she was planning to eat outside since she still has half an hour to eat.

"Okay, whatever you say, just shut up; I'm having a migraine, goodness, Aly." She said, a bit annoyed.

Aly just nodded, she knew her friend and her tone, she know when to shut her pretty mouth, as what she was always telling people, and she knew that Ava haven't got enough sleep these past few days, so she remained quiet throughout their lunch.

--

The following morning, like what Ava's supervisor request, she manage to arrive at their office half an hour before the scheduled interview for applicants, she wouldn't want to get nag again by her head, she has no time for that, she's too tired, after helping her youngest brother with his home works who's in his fifth grade, and she can't bring herself to ask his brother since he's busy too, in college, who's taking food and beverages management.

She came home that Sunday in her Mother's request, she barely goes home since she started working on the city.

Ava immediately settled herself and prepare her materials she will be using for the interview, her co-worker who's assigned to the room next to her was also preparing his materials.

It was a plain room, this was use for meetings with a few attendees, like this one on one interview. Just a swiveled chair, an office table, and two conference chairs, there are also Chinese evergreens, or Aglaonema, which she knew means long life in Chinese, and some apricot blossom on the side table near the mini sofa, since the designer of their office is a Chinese, she lowered the AC to lessen the headache she was feeling, she regret that she did not eat those packed breakfast, her friend Jacob offered her earlier.

When eight o'clock strikes, she informed the secretary using the intercom to let the applicants in, he can see that the applicants have something to brag, she can see that with their curriculum vitae, some came from prestigious Universities, and some has countless job experiences, and award, but she was bothered if this interview will be good since she was not feeling so well.

The interview went well, she did not expect that she will be enjoying talking with the applicants, they practiced, they know what they are doing, she thought, she had enough applicants for that day, and there is one more remaining.

"Good morning." The applicant greeted her as soon as he entered the room. She looked at him, thinking where she had seen him.

"Good morning," she greeted back, "Have a seat." She offered, and opened his vitae she was holding on her hand, "You must be, Mr.." she halted, it's a very familiar name, Noah. Noah Levi Carter.

"Carter. Noah Carter," he said and offered his hand to shake, "Nice to meet you." He was wondering if he met her before, she looks very oddly familiar.

It's been years since Ava saw him, he changed drastically, his appearance she can't even remember her the first time she saw him again, she misses him, but he was the least person she wanted to see, Noah became a memory of her friend, he caused her death. I will never ever forgive him, she thought.

"Miss?" she blinked upon hearing his voice, he patted her in the hand, which she immediately withrawn, "Are you alright?" he asked.

She nod, "Yes, my apologies, alright, Mr. Carter, nice meeting you too." She said, "Please take a seat." Since the guy is still standing in front of her.

She felt that familiar tingling feeling, she felt whenever he is around, way back years ago, shut up, whatever you are, we are done.

"So, you're an immigrant? Why would you like this job?" she asked, trying her very best to be casual as if he was just a mere applicant like the other people she spoke with.

"I just want a job." He said, casually, she waited for his next words, trying to figure where this interview was going, she waited for a minute, but he remained silent, as if it was the only sentence he knew, her forehead creased.

She nod, and write down his so long interview answer, "That's it?" Noah looked at her as if confused, I answered her question, what does she want now? He thought. "You just wanted a job?"

"Uh, yes?" unsure of his answer. "Is there a problem with my response?" this was his first time applying for a job, so he doesn't know how, he did not have the time to look into internet how he should act and answer.

Ava looked at her and put down her pen, "Are your aware what position did this company was trying to fill in? had you read our post? Countless people want this job that you're applying for, and you came here, telling me that you just wanted a job? You're wasting our time, if you're not serious about this then, leave." She said, in a very serious tone, I'm not playing with you, this a serious matter, she wanted to say.

"I'm sorry." He said, "This was my first time looking for a job, and uh, I'm quite nervous, so, uh, sorry." Ava almost laughed when she heard his apology, she knew it was his first time, but she never expects that he'll apologize quickly.

"Okay," she faked cough to remain her composure, she was trying to stay calm. "We will call you then, thank you and have a great day." She dismissed him and start to fix her things and some papers on her table.

"Really? That's it?" she stopped from what she was doing, "Why can't you say that if I'm hired or not? Do I really have to wait if you'll call me, or not?" her browse lifts up, unsure if she heard it right, he's demanding? In front of me?

She wants to fix things in a calm manner, "Look, sir." She starts. "I have a very simple question for you."

"Spill it." He answered, that made her blood boil for a while.

"Have you ever promised someone, and that person held that promise for a very long time, but all of a sudden that promised crush her, since you can't fulfill it?" Noah looked confused with the question he just heard, is this some kind of riddle? He almost asked.

"No, not yet." He answered, instead.

Ava nod, "Well, you'll going to experience that if you won't stop demanding for a job right at this moment, we have to consider a list of what ifs, you are not the only applicant who wanted to have this job, there are tons of applicants, here in my table." Amusement fills Noah's face, upon hearing that.

"Okay, okay. I get your silly point, miss." He surrenders, "I love the idea. Well, okay, I'll wait for your call from this company, or from you." Noah answered and stood up; he was about to go out when he remembered something. "Anyway, what's your name? you haven't introduced yourself earlier, and you looked very oddly familiar."

Ava did not think twice and put up a small smile, "It's me, Ava, fancy meeting you here, Noah."

Noah cannot believe that he actually met Ava, it was hours ago when the interview, and he still can't believe that he was able to reunite with the girl, he even got back to his friend's house where he is currently staying at the moment.

"Hey." His friend patted his shoulder, "What's up? You look like an idiot looking at nowhere, like you've seen a ghost, or what."

"I found her, Benj." Noah answered, as if she was still in front of him, "I saw her earlier this morning."

Benjamin, his best friend answered him with a laugh, and continue eating his nut bar they bought yesterday in the nearby convenient store, and settle himself on the couch next to Noah's. "What the heck? Are you that shock that you can't even say her name?" he threw a piece of what he was eating. "And besides, you've made tons of heart cried, do you expect me to remember a certain name just because you said, 'you found her'? You only took one girl seriously, and she fucking hates you, I don't think she will be happy seei-"Benj suddenly stopped, realizing something with that, "Don't tell me?"

Noah nod, "I saw her earlier, remember her?"

"How the heck will I forgot that silly girl?" Benjamin can't help but to laugh remembering some memories with Ava. "She just punches you right straight to your face when she thought you were cheating on her! That amazing girl!" Noah chuckled, "But she's the first girl you brought to your Mother's grave." He just nod, remembering that, he knew. "Remember that time, when we were having a year training, she gave you this jar full of colored notes, and you, like a fucking bastard, smiling from ear to ear while reading her notes."

"What the?! I'm the boyfriend here, not you!" Noah can't help but to feel annoyed, knowing Ava she's so friendly that too many guys are coming after her, knowing that she has a boyfriend, well that time.

"Pardon? You are the EX boyfriend, you left her, years ago, remember?" that was the saddest part, I had no choice, he thought. "So, what happened? She punched you? Slapped? Did she ask you what happened?"

"Nah, and even if she asked me, you know that I won't tell her why." He removed his neck tie and unbutton his suit, he's not used wearing these things, since he always works behind, but he had to do it for now. "She did the interview earlier, she changed a lot, if she had not said her name, she will be just a familiar face to me."

Benjamin smacked him, knowing that Noah has a tragic love story and he doubt where he would have a good one, a normal one, without fear of being chased by people who wanted to take their revenge on him.

"You think she would let you in? I doubt it, better look for another way to get in that company, if I were Ava, I won't let you in, I can't stand seeing you everyday in my work place, you've hurt her so bad, dude!" He stood up and took the nut bar in one bite, and grab his beer.

"I didn't cheat on her, I didn't play with her feeling, making her cry would be the last option that I would choose, dumbass." Noah said, and grab the can of beer Benjamin's about to drink, the guy just shook his head and grab another for him to drink.

"Yeah whatever, you didn't cheat, but you left her, dude." He gulped his beer, "You made her cry, that's a fact."

He sighed heavily, "You know I did that for a purpose, I don't want her life to be place in danger." Benjamin nod on what he said, he's indeed right. "But I think she's not mad at me anymore, I mean, that was a long time ago, and we've been just together for a year, she must have moved on in her life, she seems happy when I saw her." He sighed. "And she, must have a boyfriend right now, it's been five years." But he can't imagine his girl, loving someone else, other than him.

"Jeez, okay, whatever you say, dude." Benjamin started to fix the table, he's been eating since Noah left for a job interview, "Bro, just an advice, just leave her okay, don't come to her again, I mean, I know you took her seriously but hey, even though, you have a job to do, you can't just let your past hinder that job, you just can't, and besides as long as you keep your distance she will be safe."

Noah can't argue with that, he knew better that his buddy is right, he won't risk her life just because he wanted to be with her again. There are some times that out of so much desperation to see and hold her again, he wanted to tell her to come back and that he was regretting everything he did back then, but he just can't. he just loves the girl so much that he was willing to protect her in far.

"Have you ever promised someone, and that person held that promise for a very long time, but all of a sudden that promised crush her, since you can't fulfill it?"

He can't get that out of his mind, it's like a question she really wanted to ask him, and he, he wanted to answer that damn question, but he just can't. Why do I have to love and be broken hearted like this? He thought, frustrated on what's happening. He neve thought that the time will come he has no other choice but to talk to her.

He shook his head to remove that thoughts, it won't help, he needs to focus right now, but the problem is, he was not sure if he will be able to get in the company, Benjamin was right, Ava might not want him around, so telling him that he doesn't passed the criteria would be the easiest way to get rid of him, but I know her, she's Hella professional if it involves something important, but I didn't even answer her question properly, she looks annoyed, yet beautiful as ever.

He just sighed, he remembered that the last time they are able to talk was his birthday, Ava greeted her a happy birthday and wishes him to live a long life, I think we're okay, I wish. He opened his folder to read what he had written there, but he saw a blue sticky note in front of his vitae.

"8 o'clock, Monday, LS room, 4th floor, don't be late. You're hired."

He can't help but to smile and put his finger to trail the note. It's her hand written, he can't be wrong, she always gives him these kind of notes, she always does, she always let Noah feel that she loved him so much, that she wanted to make him happy, and she wanted him around, but it was all in the past, I hope, I hope I can make that change. I will protect her this time, I'll never leave her again, I'm going to get her back, he thought, and it's a promise.