Chapter 2

AVA'S POV

"You still have your ten o'clock meeting this morning with the board. Mr. Harper will be here by 2 pm to finalize the discussion of the project with Hermiston company, and your driver will bring your parents home tonight for the family dinner."

"Good," Max muttered, not even glancing up.

He had not spoken a word about last night.

I had not either.

But as I stood there, waiting for him to look at me, to say something. I realized he never would.

Of course not.

I had been stupid to think last night meant anything.

Heat crawled up my neck, shame tightening around my chest like a vise.

I don't think I can continue working as Max's assistant after what happened last night, not like I have for the past several years. Maybe I should consider resigning and leaving Max.

Later that day, Max was discussing with Mr. Harper when I got the document from the finance department that he asked for. I made my way towards the office and was about to knock when I noticed the door was slightly opened and the mention of my name made me stop dead in my tracks.

"I'll be honest, Ava's the best assistant I've ever had."

I was surprised to hear him say that. Instead of knocking, I decided to continue listening.

There was Mr. Harper's voice. "If she's that good, give her to me. I'll compensate you."

I heard the harsh, silly laugh.

My stomach was tied in knots, but I was learning to wait for Max to say no to the offer.

But instead, he said, "Sure, I'll give her to you."

I moved backward, my heart pounding in my head.

He was willing to let me go just like that.

As if I did not matter.

I had waited all those years for him. Years of pretending for him and taking care of every one of his needs to make sure his world ran smoothly.

And for one moment in time, he was going to sell me off.

A burning, bitter pain rose in my chest.

Max was getting married and he was also planning to sell me off to some business partner, what was the worst that could happen? All my hope to be Max Anderson was shattered, so there was staying there any longer.

My legs were shaking as I walked into my house. Hardly I got to the sofa before my legs gave up beneath me. I took my phone and called Raelynn because I needed someone to talk to before I self-exploded.

She picked after two rings. "Ava?"

I drew a slow, uneven breath. "Rae I am done."

She paused. "Done with what? What's wrong? Is everything okay?"

I rubbed my temple with my fingers and closed my eyes. "Max. The job. Everything. I can't do it anymore."

Raelynn took a deep breath. "Ava, what happened?"

I burst out laughing bitterly. "Nothing. That's the problem. Nothing ever happened. Years have been wasted on something that doesn't exist."

Silence stretched between us before she continued, "Do you want me to come over? I can get on the first flight tomorrow morning."

Even though she couldn't see me, I shook my head. "No. I just needed to voice out my emotions"

"What do you plan to do now?"

My gaze was fixed on the ceiling. "I'm going to resign."

Raelynn was a bit hesitant. "Ava..."

"I can't keep doing this, Rae. Every day, I go to work hoping for a change. Maybe at last he'll see me. He never does, though. And he never will. I don't think I can watch him get married to someone else. For my sanity, it's best that I leave."

Raelynn sighed. "I won't lie. I've been expecting you to say this for years. You deserve better."

My throat tightened. "Then, why does it seem as if I am committing the greatest error of my life?"

"Because feeling for someone who doesn't love you back is a habit that is difficult to change."

I swallowed the lump in my stomach. "I'm breaking it now."

"Great. Now, write that cursed resignation statement before you change your mind."

MAX'S POV

The next morning at the office started normal, Ava performed her usual duties and neither of us mentioned what happened that night.

I later received a call from my mom, gushing about how happy she was that I finally proposed to Aaliyah as if she wasn't the one who constantly urged me to pop the question.

Ava came to the office to remind me that my business partner, Mr. Harper was waiting in the conference room and I used that as an excuse to get off the call with my mom.

"Anderson, is it just me or do you look hungover?" Mr. Harper scanned my face with an amused smile on his face.

"I had a little too much time to drink last night." I shrugged.

We went straight to business and finalized the deal. One conversation led to another and Mr. Harper complained about how incompetent his assistants were and his current assistant was the fifth one he was hiring that year.

That was when I began to brag about how Ava was the best assistant. He suggested that I should give Ava to him.

I initially wanted to refuse but my mind went back to last night and I thought it would be best to send her off.

"Sure, you can have her," I replied.

"Really?" His eyes widened in shock. "Thank you, Anderson."

The meeting ended and I decided to go home early that day. I chose to go to my penthouse instead of my parents' house because my mom would start pressuring me with the wedding plans.

The next morning, when I sat at my desk and stared at the email I was supposed to send to complete her transfer, my fingers would not budge.

I waited for hours to be sure that the decision I was about to make was the right one but that assurance never came.

I deleted the email instead and sent a brief text to my business associate.

"I'm sorry but I don't think I can transfer Ava to you. I'll find someone else for you."

Just as I sent the message, Ava walked in clutching an envelope in her hand.

"I'm resigning."

"Sorry?" I raised my eyebrows at her.