Ava didn't like the feeling.
That slight uneasiness in her chest… like something had shifted.
She walked faster, her heels clicking against the pavement, trying to shake it off.
"You're overthinking," she muttered to herself.
But she knew she wasn't.
That man…
There was something about the way he looked at her.
Not desperate.
Not impressed.
Not trying.
Just… calm
Like he already knew something she didn't.
She frowned slightly.
"Mtcheew."
Men were all the same.
Or at least, that's what she had decided.
And she wasn't about to start doubting that now.
"Excuse me."
The voice came from behind her again.
Ava stopped.
Slowly.
Annoyance already building in her chest.
If it was that same guy from before—
She turned sharply.
But it wasn't him.
It was him.
The one from across the street.
Up close, he looked even more… put together.
Simple black shirt.
Dark jeans.
Clean. Effortless.
But it wasn't his looks that made her pause.
It was his presence.
Calm.
Controlled.
Like he wasn't trying to impress her… and didn't need to.
"Yes?" she said, her tone guarded.
"I think you dropped this."
He held out her bracelet.
Ava blinked, surprised.
She hadn't even noticed it was missing.
For a second, she hesitated… then stepped forward and took it.
"Thanks."
She turned, ready to leave immediately.
"Do you always run away this fast?"
Her steps stopped.
Slowly, she turned back to him.
"Excuse me?"
He didn't look intimidated.
Didn't back down.
"From conversations," he added calmly.
"I wasn't having one with you," she replied.
"Not yet."
That single reply irritated her more than it should have.
She crossed her arms.
"Look, I don't know what you think this is, but I'm not interested."
"I know."
That threw her off.
"You… know?"
"You made that very clear earlier," he said, referring to what happened at the café.
Ava's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So you were watching."
"Yes."
No denial. No shame.
Just honesty.
And somehow… that was even more unsettling.
Silence stretched between them for a moment.
Then
"My name is Ethan Carter."
She didn't respond.
"I didn't ask," she said.
"I know."
Again.
That calm, steady tone.
Like nothing she said could shake him.
It annoyed her.
And yet…
A tiny part of her was curious.
She pushed it down immediately.
"I have to go."
"Alright."
No pressure.
No "wait."
No begging.
That alone made her pause again.
Why wasn't he trying harder?
Teniola turned and walked away.
This time, she didn't look back.
Didn't slow down.
Didn't think about him.
At least… she tried not to.
Ethan watched her leave, his expression unreadable.
Most men would have given up already.
But he wasn't most men.
He wasn't interested in easy conversations.
Or fake smiles.
He had seen something in her.
Something real.
Something guarded.
And he knew one thing for sure—
Ava wasn't as uninterested as she claimed to be.
That night…
Ava lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Sleep refused to come.
Annoying.
Very annoying.
She turned to her side.
Closed her eyes.
Then opened them again.
Her mind replayed it.
That moment.
That look.
That calm voice.
"Do you always run away this fast?"
She clicked her tongue.
"Why am I even thinking about this?"
She grabbed her pillow and turned again.
But the more she tried to ignore it…
The more it stayed.
Across town…
Ethan sat in his car, his phone in his hand.
A number stared back at him.
He had gotten it earlier.
Without her knowing.
A small smile touched his lips.
"Let's see how long you can keep running, Teniola."
Her phone buzzed.
She frowned, reaching for it.
Unknown number.
She hesitated.
Then opened the message.
"You forgot to say goodbye properly.
Her heart skipped.
Just once.
Her brows slowly furrowed.
"How did he get my number…?"