"She looks just like her, but she is different," Amara yelled.

"You can't trust her," Rom said while glaring at his sister.

"She was your girlfriend, aren't you worried."

"I'm, but this girl is not worthy. Olly was mine and this girl has something to do with her absence. Just think about it. She is here just after a week Olly disappeared. Don't you find it fishy?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"I think she knows Olly and is here for a reason. I'm gonna find it out soon," he said and looked at the picture of him hugging Olivia which was kept on the table near his bed.

Third-party POV

From his office window, he spotted her sitting outside his office, her demeanor exuding impatience and anxiety. Her legs fidgeted restlessly, a clear indicator of her nerves, yet what struck him most was the striking transformation she had undergone. She had evolved into an even more captivating version of herself since their last encounter.

As he touched her face on the screen, an authentic smile graced his lips. He briskly departed from his residence and arrived at his office within mere minutes, his loyal bodyguards trailing behind him. Stepping into the meeting area, he greeted her warmly, "Hello, my lovely friend."

Startled, Ava raised her eyes to meet his, her initial shock evolving into a spectrum of emotions. Confusion and disbelief danced in her gaze, mingling with a hint of vulnerability.

Ava's Perspective:

The sterile waiting room felt like a desolate purgatory, the passage of time stretching infinitely. His imposing guards seemed utterly indifferent to my presence, treating me as though I were a threat too dire to approach. Each time I dared inquire about their boss's whereabouts, they would respond with the same rehearsed phrase: "He will be here any moment," before retreating into stony silence.

My emotions were tangled in a web of apprehension. Meeting this enigmatic "boss" was enough to set my nerves on edge, but beneath it all, a gnawing worry for how Karen was managing Romano in my absence tugged at my thoughts.

Then, like a bolt from the blue, a voice I thought I'd never hear again broke the silence. "Hello, my lovely friend."

I looked up, my eyes widening in astonishment. "You? How?" Confusion was evident in my tone.

He sighed, a tinge of disappointment lacing his voice. "I see you're not thrilled to see me after all these years, Avalon."

"No, it's just that I never expected to find you here, in Paris, as their boss, Danny," I replied, a storm of conflicting emotions churning within me. It couldn't be true. Danny had always been kind-hearted and held immense respect for my family. This had to be some sort of elaborate setup. But even the faintest whiff of suspicion surrounding him made it impossible for me to trust him fully at this moment.

"You haven't changed, have you?" His words snapped me back to the present, and I focused on his face once more.

His thoughts...

He understood the enormity of regaining my trust, even though we had been inseparable childhood friends. But capturing me now, at this juncture, might jeopardize his elaborate plan. Thus, he opted for the role he had to play.

The conversation continued, though my mind struggled to focus. "You're daydreaming again," he remarked, breaking my reverie.

"No, I was just thinking about the last time we met when you were heading to New York. How did you end up here in Paris?" I inquired, as it was true that his dreams had led him to New York, where he aimed to establish a business empire and challenge his uncle's dominion.

"My company has a branch here as well, so here I am. I arrived just a week ago and thought it would be a pleasant surprise to find you here. But when I came, you were gone," he explained casually, punctuating his words with a nonchalant shrug.

I couldn't help but feel perplexed. Was he genuinely here for business reasons?

"Yeah," I responded, though a lingering sense of puzzlement remained. "Now that we've chatted enough in front of my employees, shall we continue our conversation in your office?"

With a gentle pull, he guided me towards his office, and over the next hour, we delved into a discussion about our shared past and our divergent professional journeys. He revealed how he had transformed into one of New York's most eligible bachelors, his company securing a place among the top ten. I, in turn, shared my dreams and aspirations about venturing into the world of fashion design and establishing a boutique in Paris.

Finally, I excused myself, explaining that I needed to meet Karen and Romano at the club. However, to my surprise, Danny expressed his desire to accompany me, as he was eager to meet Karen as well. During our journey to the club, I discreetly messaged Karen about Danny's unexpected presence and assured her that I would explain everything later.___***___

Short chapter.