Temporary The next morning arrived far too quickly.
At least, that was how Ava felt.
She had barely accepted the fact that her entire routine was changing, and now she was standing in the middle of her bedroom surrounded by half -packed luggage, clothes, and the remains of what looked like a very unsuccessful attempt at organization.
She stared at the suitcase on her bed.
The an the pile of clothes beside it.
Then back at the suitcase.
“This is ridiculous.” Ava crossed her arms.
“I have moved before.” Technically, she had.
But this felt different.
This wasn’t a choice.
She wasn’t moving because she wanted a new experience.
She was moving because her company decided her life needed rearranging.
A knock sounded at her door.
“Ava?” She already knew who it was.
“Come in.” Mia entered carrying her own luggage with an expression that was far too calm for someone who had complained about the exact same situation less than twelve hours ago.
Ava narrowed her eyes.
“Why do you look okay?” Mia placed her suitcase down.
“Because I accepted reality.” Ava stared at her.
“That quickly?” “Yes.” “How?” Mia shrugged.
“We’re going either way.” Ava looked offended.
“That’s your solution?” “My solution is not crying over something we can’t change.” “I wasn’t crying.” “You were emotionally crying.” “That’s not a thing.” “It is for you.” Ava ignored her and reached for another box sitting on top of her closet.
She pulled it down carefully.
Or at least she tried to.
The second the box touched the floor, she sighed.
Packing always reminded her of how much stuff she had collected over the years.
Little memories.
Old photographs.
Things she didn’t use but couldn’t bring herself to throw away.
Mia watched her quietly for a moment.
Then smiled.
“You know, you’re acting like you’re being sent somewhere terrible.” “I am.” “A luxury hotel.” “Mia.” “What?” “I became a flight attendant because I wanted to travel.” “And you still will.” “No, I won’t.” “You don’t know that.” Ava opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Annoyingly, Mia had a point.
But that didn’t mean Ava had to like it.
“I just don’t understand why they couldn’t transfer us to customer relations.” Mia nodded.
“Honestly, I thought the same.” Ava looked relieved.
“Exactly.” “But…” Ava immediately became suspicious.
“But what?” Mia smiled.
“You do realize an executive secretary means you’ll probably be around important people.” Ava stared at her.
“That sounds like a threat.” “It means you might meet someone.” “No.” “Ava.” “No.” “You’re twenty-five.” “And?” “You can’t avoid romance forever.” “Watch me.” Mia laughed.
“One day, you’re going to be head over hills in love with someone and I’m going to remind you of this exact conversation.” “That day will never come.” “Sure.” Ava rolled her eyes.
She had heard this argument too many times.
Love was not something she was searching for.
She had built a peaceful life.
A stable life.
Ans she liked it that way.
After another hour of packing, complaining, and Mia giving completely unnecessary commentary on every item Ava owned, they finally finished.
Exhausted, they both collapsed onto Ava’s bed.
“I hate moving,” Mia whispered.
“You said you accepted reality.” “I accepted it.
I didn’t say I liked it.” Ava laughed softly.
And despite everything…
She was grateful.
Because no matter how strange the future looked, she wasn’t walking into it alone.
– The next morning came before either of them was ready.
Their flight to Aurora Grand Resort was early.
Painfully early.
Ava sat in the passenger seat of her car again, holding a coffee cup between both hands while staring out the window.
The city slowly woke around them.
People heading to work.
Stores opening.
Cars filling the roads.
Normal life continuing.
Meanwhile, Ava felt like hers had been interrupted.
“I still think this is unfair.” Mia kept her eyes on the road.
“You said that yesterday.” “Because it’s still true.” “You’re going to keep saying that until we arrive, aren’t you?” “Probably.” Mia sighed.
“Look at the bright side.” Ava immediately frowned.
“There is no bright side.” “There is.” “No.” “You get to work for Ethan Hawthorne.” Ava turned slowly.
“Who?” Mia gasped.
“You forgot?” “I didn’t forget.” “You literally asked who.” “I just don’t remember his name.” Mia shook her head dramatically.
“You are unbelievable.” She unlocked her phone and searched his name.
A few seconds later, she held the screen toward Ava.
“Look.” Ava glanced over.
A picture appeared on the screen.
A familiar face.
The same man from the plane.
The man sitting in business class.
The man she had almost embarrassed herself in front of.
Her eyes widened.
“Wait.” Mia smiled.
“You know him.” “He’s the passenger.” “The attractive passenger.” Ava ignored that.
“That’s Ethan Hawthorne?” “Yes.” Ava stared at the picture longer than she intended.
For some reason, she remembered the brief moment their eyes met during the flight.
Nothing about it had seemed unusual.
At least, not to her.
Mia looked for too excited.
“This is fate.” “No.” “Yes.” “No.” “You might finally get yourself off the single table.” Ava looked at her with complete disbelief.
“I am going to work.” “With a handsome billionaire.” “As his employee.” “Still counts.” “It absolutely does not.” Mia laughed.
Ava turned back toward the window.
She already had enough problems.
The last thing she needed was Mia creating a love story that didn’t exist.
– Ethan Hawthorne glanced at the clock for the third time.
The new recruits were supposed to arrive soon.
The conference room was already prepared.
Managers stood around organising documents.
Lucas sat comfortably in his chair, looking far too amused.
Ethan noticed.
“What?” Lucas looked innocent.
“What?” “Why do you look suspicious?” “I always look good.” Lucas smiled.
Before Ethan could respond, the conference room doors opened.
A group of new employees entered.
And among them- Ava Carter.
Ethan froze.
Only for a second.
But Lucas noticed immediately.
Ethan slowly turned his head.
The look he gave his brother was clear.
You did this.
Lucas blinked.
Then pointed at himself.
Me?
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
Lucas looked completely innocent.
Which meant he was definitely guilty.
A manager stepped forward before Ethan could question him.
“Welcome, everyone.” The recruits settled into their seats.
“First, we want to clarify that these assignments are temporary.” Ava listened carefully.
“You have not been permanently moved into these positions.
This is part of the training program designed to help you understand the operations of Aurora Grand.” Ava’s expression changed slightly.
The manager continued.
“By working closely with executives and department leaders, you will learn management, guest relations, and the standards expected from out company.” Ana’s eyes widened.
Guest relations.
Not paperwork.
Not sitting behind a desk forever.
Actually learning.
Actually helping guests.
A smile slowly appeared on her face.
Then before she could stop herself- “YES!” The entire room went silent.
Everyone turned.
Including Ethan.
Ava froze.
Her eyes widened in horror.
She had said that out loud.
“I-” She cleared her throat awkwardly.
“Sorry.” A few people looked amused.
Lucas was openly laughing.
And Ethan…
Ethan was trying very hard not to smile.
Because somehow, the same woman who had calmly served an entire full of passengers had just celebrated a workplace announcement like she had won the lottery.
And once again- She had no idea how adorable she was.