Chapter 2: Uninvited Guest

Ava couldn’t stop thinking about Lucas after their unexpected encounter at the bar. Something about him lingered in her thoughts—a mix of intrigue and mystery that she couldn’t shake. She had met many men in the city, but Lucas was different. There was a spark, a connection she hadn’t felt in a long time. A few days later, Ava sat in her favorite café, sipping her morning coffee; she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She glanced down to see an unfamiliar number flashing on the screen. Her heart skipped a beat as she answered, “Hello?” “Ava? It’s Lucas,” came the deep, familiar voice on the other end. Ava felt a smile tug at her lips. “Lucas, hi. How did you get my number?” Lucas chuckled softly. “You’d be surprised what I can discover when I put my mind to it. I hope you don’t mind the call. I was thinking… maybe we could meet up again. Tonight?” Ava hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden invitation. “Tonight? That’s… a bit short notice.” Lucas’s voice was warm, teasing. “I know. But life is short, Ava. Why not take a chance?” Ava felt a rush of excitement. “All right. Where do you want to meet?” “There’s a new rooftop bar downtown. How about 8 p.m.?” Ava smiled. “Sounds perfect. I’ll see you there.” As she hung up the phone, she felt a flutter of anticipation. She knew she should be cautious that she barely knew Lucas, but something about him drew her in—something she couldn’t resist. That evening, Ava arrived at the rooftop bar just as the sunset. The city stretched out below her, a sea of lights and life. She immediately spotted Lucas standing near the edge, gazing at the view. He turned as she approached, a smile spreading across his face. “Ava,” he greeted, his voice warm. “You look beautiful.” Ava felt a blush rise to her cheeks. “Thank you, Lucas. You’re not so bad yourself.” He laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “I’m glad you could make it.” Ava smiled, feeling the tension of the day melt away. “Me too. This place is incredible.” Lucas nodded, his gaze lingering on her face. “It is. But I think you’re the most incredible thing here.” Ava’s heart fluttered at his words, and she laughed softly. “You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?” Lucas shrugged playfully. “I like to think so.” They found a quiet corner and settled into a comfortable conversation, sharing stories about their lives, ambitions, and dreams. Ava felt herself opening up to him in a way that surprised her. She found herself laughing more than she had in a long time, enjoying the way Lucas seemed to listen genuinely, his eyes never leaving hers. “So, Ava,” Lucas began, his tone becoming more serious, “you mentioned you’re working on a new campaign. Tell me more about it.” Ava smiled. “It’s for a tech startup. They’re innovative but need help finding their voice and brand. It’s a big challenge, but I love it.” Lucas nodded thoughtfully. “I admire that. Taking risks, building something from the ground up… it’s not easy.” Ava felt a surge of connection, a feeling that Lucas understood her like few people did. “What about you? You said you’re in business. What exactly do you do?” Lucas hesitated momentarily, then replied, “A little bit of everything, honestly. Investments, startups… I like to stay busy.” Ava laughed. “Still vague.” Lucas grinned. “I’ll tell you more someday. But for now, let’s enjoy tonight.” Their conversation continued, flowing effortlessly from one topic to another. But just as Ava felt truly relaxed, she noticed a familiar figure walking through the crowd. The woman from the bar was the same woman whose presence had caused Lucas to freeze. Ava’s stomach tightened with unease. Lucas seemed to notice her reaction and followed her gaze. His face hardened slightly as the woman approached. “Ava, I… didn’t expect to see her here,” he murmured. The woman reached them, her eyes locking onto Lucas with a mixture of amusement and something darker. “Lucas,” she said, her voice smooth and confident. “Fancy seeing you here.” Lucas forced a smile. “Victoria. What are you doing here?” Victoria glanced at Ava, then back at Lucas. “I could ask you the same thing. But then, you were always full of surprises.” Ava felt a pang of discomfort as she watched the exchange. She could sense the history between them, the unresolved tension. “Hi, I’m Ava,” she said, trying to ease the awkwardness. Victoria turned her gaze to Ava, her smile polite but cool. “Oh, I know who you are. Lucas has mentioned you. Briefly.” Ava felt her cheeks flush. “Has he?” Lucas cleared his throat. “Victoria now’s not a good time. We’re in the middle of something.” Victoria’s smile didn’t waver. “Of course. I didn’t mean to intrude. I thought running into you here, of all places, was interesting.” Ava’s curiosity was piqued, and she couldn’t help but ask, “How do you two know each other?” Victoria’s smile grew slightly sharper. “Lucas and I have… history. But that’s in the past. Right, Lucas?” Lucas nodded, his expression tense. “Right. The past.” Ava could feel the tension thickening, and she knew there was more to the story than Lucas was letting on. She decided to take control of the conversation. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Victoria,” she said with a smile that was friendlier than she felt. “But Lucas and I have some catching up to do.” Victoria’s eyes sparkled with something unreadable. “Of course. Enjoy your evening.” With a lingering look at Lucas, she turned and disappeared into the crowd. Ava turned back to Lucas, her heart pounding. “Lucas, what was that about?” Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Ava. That’s… complicated. Victoria is my ex. We were together for a while, but it didn’t end well.” Ava nodded slowly, trying to process the new information. “And now she’s just… showing up wherever you are?” Lucas shook his head. “I don’t know what she wants. But I’m not interested in going back. Not with her.” Ava studied his face, trying to gauge his sincerity. “And what about us, Lucas? Is there something here, or is this just a distraction for you?” Lucas’s expression softened, and he reached for her hand. “Ava, this isn’t a distraction. I want to get to know you and see where this could go. But I need you to trust me. Whatever Victoria is up to, it doesn’t change how I feel about you.” Ava felt a flicker of doubt but also a flicker of hope. “Okay, Lucas. I’ll try. But I need to know you’re being honest with me.” Lucas nodded. “I promise, Ava. No more secrets.” They continued their evening, but the mood had shifted. Ava could feel Victoria's lingering presence, the shadow she had cast over their night. She wanted to believe Lucas, to trust that he was genuine, but she couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling in her gut. As they left the bar, Lucas walked her to her car. “Ava,” he said softly, “I’m really glad we met.” Ava smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Me too, Lucas. But I need to know that you’re serious about this. About us.” Lucas leaned in, his voice low. “I am, Ava. I don’t know where this is going, but I want to find out. Don’t let Victoria get in the way.” Ava nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his words. “Okay. But I need you to be upfront with me from now on. No more surprises.” Lucas smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Deal.” Ava felt a spark at his touch, but a flicker of doubt remained beneath it. As she got into her car and drove away, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was stepping into something she wasn’t prepared for. She glanced in her rearview mirror and saw Lucas watching her go, a thoughtful look on his face. And she knew one thing for sure—whatever was happening between them, it was only beginning.