CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Ava was fast asleep, when the doorbell rang. She woke up, wondering who could be visiting at such an early hour. She checked her phone and saw that it was 5:13 AM.

Curious, Ava slowly got out of bed and made her way to the door. She peered through the peephole and was surprised to see Ethan standing outside. She quickly opened the door, and Ethan's charming smile and sweet scent filled the air.

Ethan looked particularly handsome, with his hair brushed back, revealing his full face. He wore glasses, a white top, and a jacket, paired with baggy jeans and cute sneakers. A black backpack completed his outfit.

Ava was taken aback by Ethan's early visit, but she couldn't help feeling happy to see him. "Why are you here so early?" she asked, closing the door behind him.

Ethan smiled. "I promised I'd be here this morning."

Ava rolled her eyes. "I know that, but I didn't think you'd be here this early."

Ethan teased, "Aren't you happy to see me? Should I go back?"

Ava laughed. "No, no, it's fine."

So as they sat,ava asked "So, you're going to work dressed like that?"

Ethan looked puzzled. "What's wrong with how I'm dressed?"

Ava chuckled. "Did you look in the mirror at all?"

Ethan stood up, pretending to be offended. "I don't understand. Do I look that bad?"

Ava grinned. "No, you look too good."

Ethan laughed, relieved.

"I hope I can spend some time with you since you won't be coming to work," Ethan said. "I resume work at 8, so I can spend a few hours with you."

Ava smiled faintly.

"So, what do you want to do now?" Ethan asked.

Ava shrugged. "I don't know...I just don't know what to do."

"I don't know, let's just play a game," Ava said.

Ethan frowned "a game! What kind of game?"

Ava thought for a moment. "Why don't we do Truth or Dare?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you are joking right?"

Ava nodded. "Of course not, I'm serious."

Ethan hesitated, unsure if he wanted to play. He didn't want to reveal any secrets or do something that would make him uncomfortable. But he also didn't want to lie and risk Ava finding out later.

"Okay, you can go first," Ethan said finally, trying to sound casual.

" okay, so Truth or Dare?" Ava asked, a sly grin spreading across her face.

Ethan thought for a moment, weighing his options. He didn't want to choose Truth, fearing Ava might ask him something he'd rather keep hidden. After some hesitation, he made his decision.

"I choose Dare," Ethan said finally.

Ava's grin grew wider. "I dare you to..."

Ava smiled mischievously. "I dare you to kiss me."

Ethan's face lit up with a smile, relieved that he had chosen Dare. He leaned in, his lips meeting Ava's in a soft, gentle kiss. His tongue brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine.

As they pulled away, Ethan asked, "Truth or Dare?"

Ava's eyes sparkled. "Truth."

Ethan's mind racing, he searched for the perfect question. "Have you ever had a boyfriend?" he asked finally.

Ava's expression faltered for a moment before she brushed it off. "Yes, yes," she replied quickly.

Then, it was her turn again. "Truth or Dare, Ethan?" she asked.

Ethan hesitated, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Truth," he said, his voice firm.

But as soon as the word left his lips, he regretted it. "Sorry, can I change it?" he asked, but Ava was unmoved.

"No, you can't change it," she said, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You said truth, and now you have to answer."

Ava leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Here's my question..."

Ava asked, "What's the worst thing you've ever done in your life?"

Ethan scratched his head, thinking. "Okay, the worst thing I've done... I got into a fight that could have killed someone back in school."

Ava's eyes widened. "Wow, you're a fighter!"

Ethan chuckled. "Not really. I was bullied in school, and I had to fight back. It wasn't my fault."

The game continued, with Ethan relieved that Ava didn't ask anything that might raise suspicions. They played until 7:00, when they decided to take a break and talk.

Ava turned serious. "Ethan, there's something I want to confess."

"Go ahead, I'm listening," Ethan said.

Ava took a deep breath. "Remember when you said you liked me and asked if I liked you too? The truth is... I really like you. I don't know how it happened, but I do."

Ethan smiled. "I knew that already."

Ava's eyes sparkled. "How did you know?"

Ethan grinned. "It's written all over your face. When I first met you, you were so serious, but later on, you started to soften up. I knew you had feelings for me."

Ethan leaned in, and Ava's hands began to roam over his body, removing his jacket and scattering his hair. They kissed passionately, and before long, they found themselves making out on the sofa. Ethan poured his heart out to Ava, and they shared a moment of intense passion.

Their intimate moment was interrupted by Alva's ringing phone. She picked it up, and her expression changed as she listened to the caller.

"It's Ryan," she said, her voice tinged with annoyance.

Ryan's voice came through the phone, "Chief Michaels said he won't accept your resignation letter. You need to come to work."

Alva rolled her eyes. "Why would he tell you to tell me to do that?"

Ryan hesitated. "I don't know, Alva. He just told me to ask you to come in. Maybe he wants to talk to you."

The call ended abruptly, and Ava turned to Ethan. "That was Ryan. Chief Michaels won't accept my resignation."

Ethan's expression turned thoughtful. "Maybe you should just go and hear what he has to say. Put your pride aside."

Alva sighed. "That man is something else."

Ethan smiled. "I think he's discovered that you're a true gem, and he doesn't want to let you go."

Alva's expression softened as she turned to Ethan. "Besides, how's your hand?

Ethan glanced at his hand, a small smile on his face. "It's still a bit sore, but it'll heal in a few days."