Chapter One: The Deal
The rain hammered against the glass walls of the twenty-fifth floor office, turning the glittering Lagos skyline into a blur of lights and shadows.
Ava Bennett hated storms.
Not because she feared them, but because they reminded her that no matter how carefully she planned her life, chaos always found a way in.
She adjusted the files on her desk and glanced at the clock.
9:47 PM.
Everyone else had gone home hours ago.
Everyone except her.
The promotion she had worked five years for was finally within reach. One more successful project, one more flawless presentation, and she would become the youngest executive director in the company's history.
At least, that was the plan.
A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in."
The door swung open.
A tall man stepped inside, his charcoal suit dripping from the rain. His dark eyes scanned the room before settling on her.
For a moment, Ava forgot how to breathe.
Ethan Cole.
The billionaire entrepreneur who had recently acquired forty percent of the company.
And the one man she had sworn never to see again.
His expression remained unreadable.
"Ava."
She forced herself to remain calm.
"Mr. Cole."
The corner of his mouth twitched.
"So we're being formal now?"
"We're in a workplace."
"And five years ago we weren't."
Her stomach tightened.
Five years ago they had been inseparable.
Five years ago she had loved him.
Five years ago he had disappeared without explanation.
"What do you want?" she asked coldly.
Ethan walked toward her desk and placed a black folder in front of her.
"I have a proposal."
"I'm not interested."
"You haven't heard it yet."
"I don't need to."
His jaw tightened, but he remained composed.
"Your department is about to lose the Wellington contract."
Ava froze.
The Wellington account was worth millions. Losing it would destroy her chances of promotion.
"How do you know that?"
"Because I met with them this morning."
The confidence in his voice irritated her.
"And?"
"And they're pulling out unless they see stronger leadership."
Her pulse quickened.
"You came here to tell me I'm failing?"
"No."
His gaze softened.
"I came to offer you a way to win."
Silence filled the room.
Outside, thunder shook the sky.
Ava slowly opened the folder.
Inside was a contract.
A partnership agreement.
Her eyes widened.
"What is this?"
"A business merger between our divisions."
She looked up.
"Why would you do that?"
Ethan held her gaze.
"Because if we work together, we'll both get what we want."
"And what exactly do you want?"
For the first time, the billionaire looked uncertain.
Not nervous.
Not afraid.
Just... vulnerable.
"You."
The word landed like a bomb between them.
Ava's heart betrayed her by skipping a beat.
"No."
"Ava—"
"No."
She pushed the folder back toward him.
"Whatever this is, whatever game you're playing, I'm not interested."
Ethan stared at her for several seconds.
Then he nodded.
"Fair enough."
Relief washed through her.
Until he spoke again.
"But before you make your final decision, there's something you need to know."
The seriousness in his voice sent a chill down her spine.
"What?"
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"The reason I left five years ago wasn't because I stopped loving you."
Ava's heart stopped.
"It was because someone threatened your life."
The thunder outside exploded.
And suddenly the storm didn't seem nearly as dangerous as the truth standing in front of her.