Chapter 29: The Unexpected Delivery

The cab pulled up to the curb, and Ava and Sarah stepped out onto the pavement, the familiar sight of their apartment building welcoming them home after a long day. As they walked towards the entrance, Ava turned to Sarah, her brow furrowed with concern."Are you sure you're going to be okay, Sarah? You look exhausted."Sarah, still riding the high of the secret she shared with Liam, managed a convincing sigh. "I'll be fine, Ava. Just a bit overwhelmed with everything. That Henderson deal has really thrown me."Ava, ever the caring friend, placed a comforting hand on Sarah's arm. "Don't worry about it. Everyone makes mistakes. Just focus on getting some rest."As they reached the lobby, a thought struck Ava. "You know what? I'm going to make you dinner. You missed lunch, and you need to eat something proper."Sarah's eyes widened. This was not part of the plan. She'd just enjoyed a gourmet meal with Liam, and the thought of consuming another full meal was daunting, to say the least. But she couldn't very well refuse Ava's kind offer without raising suspicion.Thinking on her feet, Sarah said, "That's really kind of you, Ava. But honestly, I'm swamped with work. The Henderson proposal needs to be revised by tomorrow morning." She paused, an idea forming in her mind. "Actually, would you mind just dropping it off at my door? I'll grab a bite while I work."Ava, relieved that Sarah was at least willing to eat something, readily agreed. "Of course! I'll whip something up and bring it over in an hour."An hour later, Ava, armed with a casserole dish filled with her signature lasagna and a container of freshly baked garlic bread, stood at Sarah's doorstep. She rang the doorbell, a smile on her face.Sarah, who had been frantically texting Liam, updating him on the situation, swung the door open, feigning surprise. "Ava! What a lovely surprise!""I brought you dinner," Ava said, holding up the dish. "Figured you could use a good meal after the day you've had.""Oh, Ava, you're too kind," Sarah gushed, ushering her inside. "Come in, come in."Ava stepped into Sarah's apartment, her eyes widening in surprise. It was a mirror image of her own, the same layout, the same furniture, just a different color scheme."Wow, our apartments are identical!" she exclaimed.Sarah chuckled. "It seems Aesher Solutions has a penchant for uniformity."Ava placed the dish on the kitchen counter. "Well, enjoy. I'll let you get back to work."As Ava turned to leave, Sarah grabbed her arm. "Wait, Ava! Before you go..." She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Did you know Liam Blackwood lives just across the street?"Ava's eyebrows shot up. "He does? Where?"Sarah pointed towards the penthouse apartment in the building opposite theirs. "Right there. Top floor. Fancy that, our boss lives just a stone's throw away."Ava stared at the building, a strange mix of emotions swirling within her. Liam Blackwood, the man who had captivated and infuriated her in equal measure, was practically her neighbor. The world suddenly felt a lot smaller."Well, I'll leave you to it," Ava said, a slight tremor in her voice. "Enjoy the lasagna."As soon as Ava left, Sarah grabbed her phone and dialed Liam's number. "Liam, you are not going to believe this," she whispered excitedly. "Ava just brought me dinner!"Liam, who had been relaxing in his penthouse apartment, nursing a glass of scotch, sat up abruptly. "She what?""She cooked me a whole lasagna! And garlic bread! It's sitting right here on my counter."Liam hesitated. "And you want me to...?""Come over here and eat it, obviously!" Sarah exclaimed. "It's Ava's cooking! Don't tell me you're not curious."Liam, despite his initial reluctance, couldn't resist the temptation. He grabbed his jacket and headed across the street, his heart pounding with anticipation.He entered Sarah's apartment, his eyes immediately drawn to the casserole dish on the counter. He lifted the lid, inhaling the delicious aroma."Wow," he breathed. "This looks amazing."He grabbed a fork and dug in, savoring the rich flavors, the perfectly layered pasta, the creamy béchamel sauce."Sarah, this is incredible!" he exclaimed between bites. "You're an amazing cook!"Sarah giggled. "Actually, Liam, it wasn't me who cooked this."Liam looked up at her, confused. "It wasn't? Then who...?"Sarah's grin widened. "Ava did."Liam's fork clattered onto the plate, his eyes widening in surprise. Ava had cooked this meal? The woman who had challenged him, defied him, and captivated him with her fiery spirit had prepared this delicious feast? He felt a warmth spread through his chest, a sense of intimacy that transcended the food itself.He took another bite, savoring the flavors, imagining Ava in her kitchen, her hands kneading the dough, her brow furrowed in concentration as she layered the pasta and cheese. He felt a connection to her, a shared experience that went beyond the boardroom and the business deals.He looked at Sarah, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Sarah," he said, his voice sincere. "This is... this is more than just a meal."Sarah smiled, knowing that she had just played a crucial role in Liam's elaborate plan, a plan that was slowly but surely drawing him closer to the woman he loved.