“Avery, wait! Let me finish before you go!” Ivy’s high heels were too tight, making it hard for her to keep up with Avery’s long strides. “Avery…”
Hearing the desperation in Ivy’s voice, Avery slowed down. “I’ve been listening to you for half an hour already. I told you to finish your work earlier, but no, you had to ogle some guy and ended up staying late. Now I’m stuck helping you!”
“But he’s so handsome—no, more like cool. Wait, no, he’s both handsome and cool!”
Avery stopped at the bus stop and steadied Ivy as a passerby bumped into her, nearly knocking her over. “Look at you, wearing heels that are at least four inches tall. You’re just making life harder for yourself.”
“If I were as tall as you, I wouldn’t need to wear heels to feel confident. A three-inch heel would be enough. I wouldn’t be this much of a mess,” Ivy said, pouting, though her face still lit up with excitement.
Avery made a “stop” gesture with her hand. “My ears are already calloused from hearing you go on and on about Apollo, Beckham, and all those comparisons. Even if he’s as good-looking as—”
Ivy put her hands on her hips and glared at her. “Are you even listening to me? The CEO is way more handsome and cooler than any of them. Comparing him to them is an insult!”
Avery rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, your CEO is one of a kind… Oh, the bus is here. I’m getting on!” Finally, she escaped Ivy’s relentless chatter.
When Avery walked into the restaurant, Eli was already there, the food ordered. She flashed him a bright smile. “Sorry I’m late, Eli. I was helping Ivy with her work.”
Eli had sharp features and a steady demeanor. While not strikingly handsome, he exuded reliability. They had met in the library when he was a graduate student and she was a freshman. Their relationship had been smooth sailing ever since, without any major ups or downs.
“Is work not too busy these days?” Avery asked gently.
After graduating, Eli had started his own small business, taking things one step at a time.
“It’s okay. Business has been a bit slow recently, so I’ve had more free time to see you,” Eli said with a self-deprecating laugh, though there was a hint of bitterness in his tone.
“It’s okay. It’s normal to have ups and downs when you’re building something. Just take it slow,” Avery reassured him.
Their relationship was always respectful and warm.
When he walked her to her apartment, Eli pulled her into a hug. Avery tilted her head slightly, and his warm kiss landed on her left cheek.
“Avery…” he sighed, sounding frustrated. “When will I finally get to hold you… all night?”
“After we’re married, okay?” Avery smiled, then quickly slipped into the building, waving at him from the stairwell.
She lived in a small attic apartment that was freezing in winter and sweltering in summer. The only upside was that it was cheap.
Kicking off her wedge heels, she checked her phone and saw a message from Ivy: “He’s truly the cream of the crop, the most handsome of the handsome!”
Avery couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head. That girl was clearly head over heels for the CEO.
Probably just another spoiled grown man, Avery thought as she put her phone down.