Chapter 35: The Phoenix Rises

Ava woke the next morning with a jolt, the memory of Liam's kiss flashing vividly before her eyes. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She was embarrassed, confused, and strangely exhilarated. She had never been kissed like that before, with such intensity, such passion.She reached for her phone, her thumb hovering over Liam's contact. She wanted to message him, to demand an explanation, to understand his motives. But she hesitated. What if it was just a playful gesture, a way to get back at her for the spicy food? She didn't want to make a fool of herself by reading more into it than there was.Instead, she called Sarah."Hey, Sarah," she began, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "How's Liam doing this morning?"Sarah, who had been anticipating Ava's call, launched into a well-rehearsed lie. "Oh, Ava, I'm so glad you called! I'm actually at a client's office right now, stuck in a meeting, and I completely forgot to pick up Liam's breakfast. Could you possibly do me a huge favor and drop it off at the hospital? I feel terrible asking, but I'm completely swamped."Ava, ever the helpful friend, couldn't refuse. "Of course, Sarah. No problem. I'll swing by the hospital on my way to the office."She hung up the phone, a mix of apprehension and anticipation bubbling within her. She was hesitant to face Liam after yesterday's incident, but a part of her couldn't deny the curiosity, the desire to see him again.She prepared a simple breakfast of oatmeal with berries and a side of scrambled eggs, carefully avoiding any spices that might trigger another "fire-extinguishing" incident. She packed the meal in a thermal bag and headed towards the hospital, her heart pounding with each step closer to Liam's room.She found him sitting up in bed, looking surprisingly alert and engaged. He was reviewing a document on his tablet, his brow furrowed in concentration. He looked up as Ava entered, a warm smile spreading across his face."Ava! Good morning. So glad you could make it."Ava, relieved that he wasn't making any mention of the previous day's events, returned his smile. "Good morning, Liam. Sarah asked me to drop off your breakfast. She's stuck in a meeting.""Ah, yes, Sarah mentioned that," Liam said casually, taking the bag from her. "Thank you, Ava. This is very kind of you."He opened the bag, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the carefully prepared breakfast. "This looks delicious," he said, taking a bite of the oatmeal. "You're quite the chef, Ava."Ava, pleased with his genuine appreciation, felt her apprehension melt away. She settled into a chair beside his bed, and to her surprise, Liam steered the conversation towards the Phoenix project."I've been reviewing the latest projections for Phoenix," he began, his tone professional yet enthusiastic. "The potential for this project is immense, Ava. I'm confident that with your leadership, we can achieve groundbreaking results."Ava, her passion for the project reignited, launched into a detailed explanation of their progress, outlining the challenges they faced and the strategies they were implementing. Liam listened intently, offering insightful questions and suggestions, his business acumen evident in his analysis.They spent the next hour discussing the project, their conversation flowing effortlessly, their shared enthusiasm creating a comfortable camaraderie. Ava, engrossed in the discussion, momentarily forgot about the awkwardness of the previous day. She found herself enjoying Liam's company, his intelligence and insight sparking her own creativity.Liam, watching Ava's animated expressions and passionate explanations, felt a surge of admiration. He had always been drawn to her intelligence and ambition, and seeing her in her element, leading this groundbreaking project, filled him with pride.He had orchestrated this entire charade, the illness, the hospital stay, all to get closer to Ava, to break down her walls, to show her the man he truly was. And in this moment, as they discussed the Phoenix project, he realized that his plan was working. He was connecting with Ava on a deeper level, not just as a lover, but as a partner, a collaborator, an equal.As Ava prepared to leave, Liam reached out and gently touched her hand. "Thank you, Ava," he said sincerely. "For the breakfast, for the conversation, for your dedication to Phoenix. You're an extraordinary woman."Ava, her heart fluttering at his touch and his words, managed a shy smile. "You're welcome, Liam."She left the hospital, her mind buzzing with a mix of emotions. Liam's unexpected professionalism had surprised and intrigued her. Perhaps there was more to him than she had initially thought. Perhaps beneath the demanding facade, there was a man who respected her, admired her, and maybe, just maybe, cared for her.As she walked towards her office, a hopeful smile played on her lips. The Phoenix project was taking flight, and her relationship with Liam, though still shrouded in mystery and confusion, was taking an unexpected and exciting turn.