Chapter 2 – The Rich Boss

Henry was sixty-two. He was Ava’s boss. He was rich, powerful, and respected in the business world. He had built his company from the ground. He lived in luxury, but his personal life was broken. His wife had left him years ago. His children lived far away. He was successful, but he was lonely.

Henry noticed Ava every day in the office. He watched her as she moved through the halls. He saw her calm face and her beauty. He thought to himself, “She is perfect. She can make me look strong again. She can make my empty life full.”

At an office party one evening, Henry stood with a glass in his hand. He gave a speech about strength and success. Then he looked at Ava and said in front of everyone, “Some people are not only strong at work but also strong in beauty and grace.” People clapped. Ava forced a polite smile. Inside, she felt uncomfortable. She thought, “Why is he looking at me like that? Why does he speak as if I belong to him?”

After the party, Henry called Ava. He said, “Let me take you to dinner. You deserve more than office stress. You deserve peace.” Ava refused politely. But Henry did not give up. A week later, he asked again. Finally, Ava agreed, not because she wanted to, but because she thought saying no again might cause trouble at work.

The dinner was in a high-class restaurant. Henry wore a smile and spoke with charm. He said, “Ava, you are different. You are not like other women. You carry yourself with pride. I admire that.” Ava sat silently. She nodded, but her heart was cold. She thought of Daniel, who spoke softly with care, not with power. She thought, “Henry’s words are sweet, but they do not feel real. They feel heavy.”

Still, Henry continued to show her attention. In the office, he gave her bigger projects. He called her into his cabin more often. He praised her work loudly in front of others. Slowly, people began to whisper. “Why does the boss like Ava so much? Why is she getting special attention?” The whispers grew into gossip. Ava heard them. She felt the sting.

One afternoon, a colleague said jokingly, “Ava, you must have some magic. The boss cannot stop looking at you.” Ava gave a small smile, but inside she felt ashamed. She thought, “This is not what I want. I work hard. I do not want people to think I rise because of Henry.”

Henry, however, did not stop. He started sending gifts. A silk scarf. An expensive perfume. Then one day, a set of diamond earrings. Ava tried to refuse, but Henry said, “Take it. You deserve the best. A woman like you should not live an ordinary life.”

Ava took the box home. She opened it and stared at the shining diamonds. For a moment she felt special. But then she remembered Daniel’s bookstore, his simple tea, his soft smile. She whispered, “Why do I feel more peace in a small shop than in these stones?” She closed the box and kept it away.

One evening, Daniel noticed her wearing a new scarf. He asked gently, “Where did you get this?” Ava looked down and said softly, “It was a gift.” Daniel’s face grew heavy. He said, “From him, isn’t it?” Ava stayed quiet. He sighed and whispered, “Ava, don’t let money confuse your heart. I don’t have wealth, but my love is true.”

Ava’s eyes filled with tears. She wanted to say something but could not. She felt trapped between two worlds. On one side was Daniel’s love, soft and warm. On the other was Henry’s wealth, loud and shining.

That night Ava lay in bed. She closed her eyes and thought, “What do I want? Comfort or love? Money or peace? My heart knows the answer, but my mind is afraid.”

The next morning, Henry called her again into his cabin. He said directly, “Ava, I am alone. You are alone. Let’s not waste time. Be with me. I can give you everything you need. I can give you a life others only dream of.”

Ava looked at him in silence. She said softly, “Why me?”

Henry smiled and replied, “Because you are beautiful. Because you are strong. And because with me, you will never suffer again.”

Ava walked out of his office with a storm in her heart. She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. She whispered to herself, “He thinks beauty is enough. He thinks money can heal. But does he know what love feels like? Does he know what loss feels like?”

Her heart was restless. She felt Daniel’s love pulling her from one side, and Henry’s wealth pushing her from the other. She did not know which way to go. But she knew her life was about to change.