My Forced Husband Is A Billionaire

Chapter five

Ava

It was my first day on the job, and I was an anxious bundle of excitement and nerves as I stepped into the office. I couldn’t help but feel a little jittery, wondering what the day would bring. The building looked expensive and modern. I took a deep breath and walked up to the receptionist’s desk, clutching my paperwork and ID card.

“Good morning,” the receptionist greeted me with a warm smile, her fingers tapping quickly on her keyboard as she glanced at the monitor. “You must be Ava, right?”

“Yes, that’s me,” I said, smiling back, trying not to let my nerves show. I handed her my paperwork, my hands trembling slightly.

“Perfect. Let me just process this, and we’ll get you all set up.” She typed a few more things into the computer and handed me my employee card. “You’re on the 18th floor. Just take that elevator over there, and Mr. Jeremy Winston will meet you in his office. Welcome to the team!”

“Thanks,” I said, taking the card and heading towards the elevator. My heart was pounding as I stepped inside, and the doors slid shut. Eighteenth floor. That’s where the CEO’s office was. I had done my research before starting here, and everything I’d read about Jeremy Winston made him sound like a tough but fair boss, oh, and a huge flirt. Now, the idea of meeting him in person was a little intimidating.

The elevator pinged softly as it arrived on the 18th floor, and I stepped out into a sleek, open space filled with modern cubicles and glass-walled offices. I spotted a tall man in a tailored suit standing near one of the offices, and I knew immediately that he was Jeremy Winston. He had a rugged yet handsome face, the kind of features you’d expect to see on a movie star rather than a corporate CEO in his mid-thirties.

“Miss Ava?” he called out, his voice smooth and professional. “Jeremy Winston. Welcome aboard.”

“Thank you,” I replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm but not overly so, and I tried to maintain my composure, even though I couldn’t shake the odd feeling of being under scrutiny.

“I hope you’re ready for your first day,” Jeremy said, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “There’s a lot of work to do, but I’m sure you’ll catch on quickly.”

“I’m ready,” I said, sounding more confident than I felt. I wasn’t sure if it was his gaze or the fact that this was my first real corporate job, but something about his presence made me feel... uneasy. I shrugged it off, convincing myself I was just overthinking it.

Jeremy handed me my first tasks, and I dove right in, determined to make a good impression. The day flew by as I worked diligently at my desk, trying to ignore the occasional glances I felt from his direction. Was I imagining it, or was he watching me more than necessary? I pushed the thought away. It was probably just my nerves getting the best of me.

Later that afternoon, Jeremy called me into his office. “Ava, I’m impressed with your work today,” he said, his voice smooth and measured. “You’ve done a great job. Keep it up, and you’ll be a fantastic addition to the team.”

“Thank you, Mr. Winston,” I said, feeling a surge of pride. His praise should’ve made me feel better, but as I walked out of his office, I couldn’t shake the feeling that his gaze had lingered a little too long. Was he staring at my butt? I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought. I must be imagining things.

By lunchtime, I needed a break. My stomach was growling, and I hadn’t brought much,l money, so I decided to head to Liam’s cafe-library. It wasn’t far from the office, and I was craving a quiet moment with a cup of tea and maybe a cookie or two.

When I entered the café, I spotted Liam behind the counter, engrossed in a book. He didn’t seem to notice me at first, which made me chuckle.

He was completely absorbed, so much so that the customer standing in front of him was growing visibly impatient. Her eyes were practically glued to him, and I had to stop myself from laughing aloud at how obvious it was that she was more interested in him than her order.

When Liam finally looked up and saw me, his face lit up in a way that made my stomach do a little flip. He quickly excused himself from the customer, who left the café in a huff.

“You just lost a customer,” I teased, leaning against the counter.

Liam laughed. “She wasn’t here to buy anything except maybe me.” His eyes sparkled with mischief, and I found myself grinning despite my best efforts to keep it casual.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, his smile still in place.

“Before I forget,” he added, eyes raking over me, “you look beautiful today, Ava.”

I blushed, feeling a warmth spread through my cheeks. “Thanks, Liam. I’m just on my lunch break. Thought I’d grab a cup of tea.”

“Tea? For lunch?” he raised an eyebrow.

I shrugged, trying to play it off. “I like tea.”

“Sure, but you can’t just have tea for lunch,” he said, shaking his head. “How long’s your break?”

“An hour.”

“Perfect. Let me take you to one of my favorite restaurants. I’m not letting you go back to work on an empty stomach.”

“Oh no, Liam, I—”

“Trust me,” he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You need more than tea to get through the day.”

I tried to argue, but eventually, I gave in. We hopped into his car, and before I knew it, we were seated at a cozy little restaurant. Liam ordered a variety of dishes, and I settled on a chicken sandwich, trying not to order anything too expensive. We talked easily throughout lunch, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed so much.

By the time we finished, I realized I was cutting it close. “I’m almost late!” I exclaimed, panicking.

Liam waved away my concerns. “Don’t worry, I’ll drive you back. You won’t be late on my watch.”

True to his word, he dropped me off just in time. As I rushed through the doors, Jeremy Winston was standing near the elevators, watching me closely.

“You’re almost late, Miss Ava,” he said, his tone stern.

“Almost, sir,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “But not quite. I’m early.”

He didn’t respond, but I could feel his eyes lingering on me as I walked past. His gaze made my skin crawl, especially when I noticed his eyes dipping to my chest, and then, as I turned away, to my butt. A shiver of disgust ran through me.

I straightened my posture and walked with purpose, determined not to let it bother me. But in the back of my mind, I made a mental note to dress a little more conservatively from now on. Maybe that would help avoid any further attention.

That evening, when I got home, my mom was waiting for me with her usual expressionless face. “We need to talk, Ava. We’re going shopping for the wedding soon.”

I nodded absentmindedly. “Sure, Mother, as long as it doesn’t interfere with work.”

She gave me a long, cold look before turning away. “Just remember, Ava, not everything is as simple as it seems. You'll find out eventually.”

Her words hung in the air, a chill running down my spine. I watched her walk away, her silhouette fading into the shadows of the hallway. What did she mean by that?

Trying to shake off the uneasy feeling, I headed to my room. I muttered to myself, “Why do people have engagement parties when they’re already planning a wedding? Isn’t that just double the expense?”

I sighed and flopped onto my bed. "But what do I know? I just need to focus on saving money and eventually moving out of this hell."

I closed my eyes, but her words echoed in my mind. An inexplicable feeling of dread settled over me—a nagging feeling that something horrible was coming, something I wasn't prepared for.