CHAPTER FOUR - Unspoken Tensions

"Ah, yes," he said, his tone lighter than usual. "I'm sure you've done an admirable job, as always, Ms. Hart." Ava handed him the schedule, their fingers brushing slightly as he took the paper. An unexpected jolt of electricity shot through her at the contact. "About Saturday..." Ava began, but Max cut her off. "A momentary lapse in judgment," he said dismissively. "Don't read too much into it, Ms. Hart. I have a reputation to maintain, after all." And just like that, the moment was gone. Max was back to his usual self, already critiquing her scheduling choices and making outrageous demands. As Ava left his office, she couldn't shake the memory of Max reading to those children, or the brief moment of understanding they'd shared. There was more to Maxwell Bennett than met the eye, she realized. But he seemed determined to keep that part of himself hidden, even from her. With a sigh, Ava returned to her desk. Whatever complexity lay beneath Max's carefully cultivated image, one thing was clear – her job wasn't getting any easier anytime soon. Ava Hart was already at her desk, meticulously organizing the day's schedule when a commotion near the elevator caught her attention. Her eyes widened as she recognized the source of the disturbance. Sophia Rivers, Max's ex-girlfriend and notorious socialite, sashayed into the office, her stilettos clicking against the polished floor. Heads turned as she passed, her presence as commanding as it was disruptive. Ava's stomach knotted with apprehension. Sophia's appearances never boded well for the smooth running of the office. "Where's Maxie?" Sophia's saccharine voice carried across the room. Her eyes locked onto Ava, a predatory smile playing on her perfectly painted lips. "Ah, Ava, darling. Still here, I see. Be a dear and let Max know I'm here to see him." Ava took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I'm afraid Mr. Bennett is in a meeting right now, Ms. Rivers. Perhaps you could schedule an appointment?" Sophia laughed, the sound grating on Ava's nerves. "Oh, sweetie. Max always has time for me. Why don't you run along and check? I'm sure he'll want to see me." Before Ava could respond, Max's office door swung open. He emerged, his eyebrows rising in surprise at the sight of Sophia. "Sophia?" he said, a mix of confusion and intrigue in his voice. "What are you doing here?" Sophia's face lit up. She practically glided across the room, wrapping her arms around Max's neck. "Maxie! I was in town and thought I'd surprise you. Didn't your little assistant tell you I was here?" Max's eyes flicked to Ava, who was watching the scene with thinly veiled disgust. "No, she didn't," he said, his tone unreadable. Ava felt a flash of indignation. "I was just about to inform you, Mr. Bennett," she said, keeping her voice level. "As I told Ms. Rivers, you're scheduled for a meeting in five minutes." Max waved his hand dismissively. "Cancel it. Sophia and I have some catching up to do." As Max led Sophia into his office, she turned and shot Ava a triumphant smirk. Ava sighed, reaching for her phone to reschedule yet another important meeting. Over the next few weeks, Sophia became a constant presence in the office. She seemed to take particular pleasure in making Ava's life difficult, dropping by unannounced and demanding changes to Max's schedule to accommodate her whims. One afternoon, as Ava was preparing for an important presentation, Sophia perched on the edge of her desk, idly examining her manicure. "You know, Ava," Sophia said, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "I really admire your... dedication. It must be so hard, pining after Max when you know he'll never see you as anything more than his little assistant." Ava's jaw clenched, but she kept her eyes on her computer screen. "I assure you, Ms. Rivers, my relationship with Mr. Bennett is strictly professional." Sophia laughed, the sound like nails on a chalkboard to Ava's ears. "Oh, honey. You don't have to pretend with me. It's written all over your face every time you look at him. But let me give you some advice – Max needs a woman, not a secretary playing dress-up." Before Ava could retort, Max emerged from his office. "Sophia, darling, ready for lunch?" Sophia hopped off Ava's desk, linking her arm through Max's. As they walked away, Sophia glanced back at Ava, her eyes glittering with malice. Ava took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She had no romantic interest in Max – the very thought was laughable. But Sophia's words had struck a nerve. Was that really how people saw her? The tension between Ava and Sophia came to a head during a lunch meeting with potential investors. Ava had spent weeks preparing for this meeting, knowing how crucial it was for the company's future. As she was in the middle of her presentation, Sophia interrupted. "Oh, Maxie," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "did you know that Ava here has been trying to sabotage my chances with you? She's been spreading the most awful rumors about me." The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Ava, who stood frozen, her mouth agape in shock. Max frowned, looking between Sophia and Ava. "Is this true, Ms. Hart?" Ava felt her face flush with anger and embarrassment. "Of course not, Mr. Bennett. I would never-" But Sophia cut her off. "Don't lie, Ava. We all know how you feel about Max. It's really quite pathetic." The investors shifted uncomfortably in their seats, clearly unsure how to react to this unexpected drama. Ava's carefully prepared presentation lay forgotten on the table. Max ran a hand through his hair, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration. "I think we should continue this meeting another time," he said to the investors. "I apologize for the... interruption." As the investors filed out, Max turned to Ava. "Ms. Hart, I'd like to see you in my office. Now." The walk to Max's office felt like the longest of Ava's life. Her mind raced, trying to figure out how to explain a situation she didn't fully understand herself. Once inside, Max closed the door and turned to face her. "What the hell was that about?" Ava took a deep breath. "Mr. Bennett, I assure you, I have no idea what Ms. Rivers was talking about. I've never spread any rumors about her, and I certainly haven't been trying to... sabotage anything." Max studied her face, his expression unreadable. "And the other part? About how you feel about me?" Ava felt her face heat up again. "That's completely unfounded, sir. My feelings for you are entirely professional." For a moment, something like disappointment flashed across Max's face, but it was gone so quickly Ava thought she must have imagined it. "Right," Max said, his tone clipped. "Well, I expect you to sort this out with Sophia. I won't have this kind of drama interfering with our business dealings." Ava nodded, biting back a retort about how it was Sophia who was causing the drama. "Of course, Mr. Bennett. It won't happen again."