“Luca,” she said slowly, her voice filled with exasperation, “are you seriously demanding I tell you who sent me the box yesterday?The box I didn’t evenwantto open, which is why I gave it to you to investigate?”
For a moment, Luca seemed stumped, a brief pause hanging between them.He stood still, his jaw tightening as he processed her words.But then he snapped back to attention, his anger only deepening.
“Give me a name, Ava.”
“I can’t do that, Luca,” she replied, her voice taking on a sarcastic tone, pleased that she had finally gotten under his skin.She would’ve liked it if that emotion was something more—concern, maybe?Or dare she even hope for love?
“Why the hell not?”Luca barked, his fury mounting.
As she drew breath to respond, a knock at the door interrupted her.Luca turned sharply, his eyes darkening as Sandy stepped back in, carrying another box.
“This was just delivered for you,” Sandy said, her voice unsteady, her eyes darting nervously between Luca and Ava.She set the box down on Ava’s desk, then quickly turned and fled, casting a wary glance at Luca before disappearing out the door.
As the door clicked shut behind Sandy, the puppies, who had been happily playing with their rope, abandoned it as they looked around, trying to make sense of what was going on.Their little heads tilted to the side, worried by the growing tension in the room, as if they could sense the human emotions swirling between Ava and Luca.The puppies looked at one another, unsure of what to make of the heavy atmosphere, but then they scampered off to grab another toy.
Ava couldn't help but smile slightly at their innocence, but the moment quickly passed as Luca’s intense presence refocused her.
Luca’s voice broke through the silence, commanding her attention once again.“Ava!”
Ava felt her frustration building, her body language betraying her clear intimidation by Luca.It seemed the man had no idea how much fear he instilled in the people around him.
She’d like to berate him for that, but then again, he terrified her too—though for completely different reasons.
“Ava!”Luca’s voice snapped her back to the moment.
“What?”she snapped back, irritation giving her voice a sharp edge.
He scowled, waving the colorful silk scarf at her.“Tell me who sent this,” he growled, his voice deliberate as he enunciated each word carefully.“I want a name.”
Ava let out a sigh, rubbing her temples, the tension mounting with each passing second.She closed her eyes for a moment, collecting herself before opening them to frown up at him.“I have no idea, Luca,” she replied back firmly, the exhaustion of dealing with the situation clear in her voice.“That’s why I brought the package to you.”She nudged the new package closer to him.“Why don’t you take this one too?Tell me who my latest admirer is, because he’s a pathetic coward.”
She slumped down into her chair, crossing her arms over her chest.“I hate cowards.If someone doesn’t have the courage to face me, then they should stay the hell away.”
“I have the courage,” Luca retorted, leaning forward, his hands braced on the desk in front of her, his eyes darkening with the weight of his words.
“Yeah, but you think I know who is sending these packages,” she shot back, her frustration now bubbling over.
“I think someone’s trying to tempt you away from me.”Luca’s voice was low and dangerous now, the jealousy he had been suppressing bubbling up to the surface.
Ava paused, the words hanging in the air between them.Then, with a resigned nod, she said, “That’s possible.But I don’t see how I could be encouraging anyone since I have no idea who it is.”
“Think, Ava!Who have you flirted with recently?”Luca’s voice sliced through the air, demanding an answer.His frustration was palpable, his jaw clenched, his posture rigid with intensity.
Ava’s patience snapped.She pushed out of her chair, her body stiff with outrage.“I don’t flirt!”she enunciated carefully, her fists tightening at her sides.“Hell, I barely get out of here in time to have dinner!Most nights, I just make something easy and eat alone in front of the television.”Her voice dropped, tinged with frustration.“I haven’t even had the time or energy to go out and meet people lately, Luca.So no, I haven’t flirted with anyone and I have no idea who’s sending mysterious presents to me.”
She straightened and crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes flashing as she stared him down.The tension between them crackled in the air like static.
Before either of them could say another word, there was a timid knock at the door.Sandy poked her head through the crack, hesitating for a moment as she took in the scene—Ava standing, arms crossed, fury in her eyes, and Luca, jaw tight with frustration.
“Sorry to interrupt, but…,” Sandy began, her voice tentative, “well, you’re yelling really loud and everyone can hear.”
Ava blinked, her anger still simmering.She exhaled sharply and sat back down, reaching for the newest delivery with a mix of irritation and resignation.She flipped it over, and sure enough, there was an envelope taped to the back.
“Don’t touch it,” Luca warned, his tone sharp, though he couldn’t suppress his curiosity.He stood at the edge of the desk, watching her intently.
Ava rolled her eyes, her body language dripping with sarcasm.“How am I supposed to defend myself against your accusations when we don’t even know who’s doing this?”she muttered, ripping the envelope off with an exaggerated flourish.She tore it open, scanning the note quickly.
She frowned and glanced up at Luca.She turned the note around in her hands, offering it to him with a mix of disbelief and unease.“Do you know someone named Max?”
