Chapter 33: A Taste of Revenge

The next day, Ava, determined to test Liam's palate and perhaps his sanity, decided to take a walk on the wild side. She prepared a simple chicken and vegetable stir-fry, but with a twist. As she sprinkled in the spices, a mischievous grin spread across her face. She generously doused the dish with cayenne pepper, adding an extra pinch for good measure. The chicken broth received a similar treatment, with a liberal dose of freshly ground black pepper.

She took a tentative taste, her eyes watering, her mouth ablaze. "That should do it," she muttered, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

Arriving at the hospital, she found Liam freshly bathed and changed into silk pajamas, looking surprisingly relaxed for a man supposedly suffering from food poisoning. Sarah sat beside him, laptop open, discussing business matters with a focused expression.

Ava knocked lightly on the door, and Liam, with a theatrical sigh, drawled, "About time, Ms. Bennett. I'm practically fading away from hunger here.

"Ava, her smile holding a hint of mischief, winked at Sarah, who raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Something was different about Ava today, a playful glint in her eyes that Sarah couldn't quite decipher. But with Liam demanding her attention, she brushed aside the feeling and focused on the laptop screen.

Ava set up the tray, arranging the dishes with a flourish. "Enjoy, Mr. Blackwood," she said, her voice laced with a subtle challenge.

Liam, with a dramatic flourish, picked up his spoon and dug into the stir-fry. The first bite hit his tongue, and his face instantly flushed crimson. He coughed, his eyes watering, a fiery inferno erupting in his mouth.

Sarah, noticing his distress, gasped. "Liam, are you alright?" Liam, determined to maintain his façade, swallowed with difficulty and managed a strained, "Perfectly fine, Sarah. Just a... a touch of spice. Adds character."

He bravely continued to eat, each bite a battle against the overwhelming heat. Ava, watching his struggle with a barely concealed smirk, couldn't resist a comment.

"Is it spicy enough for you now, Mr. Blackwood?" she asked sweetly.

Liam, his mouth burning, managed a weak, "Quite sufficient, thank you."

Sarah, finally realizing that something was amiss, grabbed the bowl of broth from Liam's trembling hand and took a cautious sip. The instant the liquid touched her tongue, a volcanic eruption seemed to occur in her mouth. She let out a shriek, dropping the bowl with a clatter, and sprinted towards the bathroom, screaming, "Water! Water! My mouth is on fire!"

Ava, startled by Sarah's dramatic exit, called after her, "Sarah, are you okay?"Liam, meanwhile, was frantically guzzling down bottle after bottle of water, his eyes pleading with Ava for assistance. Ava, momentarily forgetting her amusement, rushed to his side.

"Are you alright, Liam?" she asked, concern replacing her earlier amusement.

Liam, unable to speak, grabbed her by the waist, pulling her close. Before Ava could react, he captured her lips in a deep kiss, transferring the fiery heat from his mouth to hers.

Ava, stunned by the suddenness of the kiss, gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. The heat from the spices mingled with the heat of his kiss, sending a shockwave through her body. She felt a strange mix of anger, confusion, and an undeniable thrill.

Liam finally released Ava, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Ava, her face flushed, sputtered, "What was that for?"

Liam, his voice husky, replied, "Emergency fire extinguishing."

Ava, unable to retort, sprinted towards the bathroom, her mouth still burning. She banged on the door. "Sarah, let me in! I need water!"Sarah, still reeling from the scene she had just witnessed, reluctantly opened the door. Ava barged in, pushing Sarah aside to reach the sink. She splashed water on her face and rinsed her mouth, desperately trying to extinguish the fire.

Liam, left alone in the room, chuckled to himself. He had successfully turned the tables on Ava, using her own fiery concoction to ignite a different kind of heat. He reached for the phone and ordered three glasses of milk and a large bowl of ice cream. He had a feeling they were all going to need it.Ava eventually emerged from the bathroom, her face still flushed, but the fire in her mouth somewhat subdued. She found Liam and Sarah enjoying their ice cream, a comfortable silence settling between them.

The sight of them together, sharing a moment of peaceful camaraderie, stirred a strange mix of emotions within her. She felt a pang of awkwardness, the memory of the kiss lingering like a phantom warmth on her lips. Unable to face Liam, she mumbled a quick, "I should go," and slipped out of the room before either of them could respond.Sarah, noticing Ava's hasty retreat, exchanged a concerned look with Liam. She excused herself and hurried after Ava, catching up to her just as she was about to disappear down the hallway.

"Ava, wait!" she called out.

Ava, however, didn't slow down. She quickened her pace, escaping down the stairwell, leaving Sarah standing alone in the hallway, a frown creasing her brow.

Liam, watching the scene unfold from his room, felt a mix of amusement and frustration. He had pushed Ava too far, he realized, his playful game crossing a line. He had ignited a fire, but he wasn't sure if it was the kind he wanted.He sighed, picking up his spoon and digging into his ice cream. He had a lot of making up to do, he knew. But first, he needed to extinguish the fire he had started, both literally and figuratively.