Snowbound Hearts

5.

Elena

My eyes locked his as the memories of the week unfolded and I found myself entangled in the intricate dance of avoidance. The memories of the New Year's Eve party lingered, and with it, an inexplicable swirl of emotions that left me feeling both exhilarated and uncertain. I was determined to maintain distance from Aiden, I chose to keep myself occupied and away from situations that might draw us together.

Damien attempted to coax me into joining them for outings, their insistence bordering on teasing. Yet, Little did I realize that my plan to avoid Aiden was doomed from the start.

It wasn't until I stepped into my part-time office at my father's company that harsh reality struck and my heart sank as I saw Damien in the office, his presence casting a shadow over my carefully crafted plan.

The clock ticked on the wall, each second stretching into eternity as I watched Aiden leave, his confident stride disappearing beyond the doorway. It was only when Damien's voice penetrated my daze that I snapped back to reality, nodding absentmindedly in response.

For the next twenty minutes, Damien delved into business matters, his voice a distant murmur as I struggled to focus. My mind, however, was consumed by the overwhelming question of how I could possibly evade Aiden now. Every idea I conjured seemed futile against the magnetic pull drawing me back into his orbit.

I nod and mumble vague responses, my gaze occasionally flickering toward the window, as if searching for an escape route. I was trapped in a mental labyrinth, my thoughts echoing with strategies to avoid any encounter that might deepen the tangled web of emotions I was desperately trying to suppress.

As Damien's words faded into the background noise, I sighed internally, realizing that evading the inevitable collision with Aiden might be an impossible feat. As I stepped out of her brother's office, my focus shifted from the conversation to the hurried pace of my escape. Yet, fate seemed to have a twisted sense of humour as I collided with Aiden in the narrow corridor. I mentally curse myself for the universe's cruel timing, stammering an apology and avoiding his gaze.

Quickly sidestepping him, I darted towards my own office. Once behind the closed door, I leaned against it, exhaling a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. The muffled sounds of the office outside provided a temporary shield against the world, allowing me a moment to gather myself.

Closing my eyes, I mentally repeat - just three more weeks. Just three more weeks, I just needed to hold on for three more weeks. Seated at her desk, she ran a hand through her hair, desperately trying to recall any detail from the conversation with her brother that might serve as a distraction. Perhaps there was a task, a responsibility she could immerse herself in to keep thoughts of the male lead at bay. However, her brother's words echoed in her mind, "I'll take care of it."

A sigh escaped my lips as the realization settled. There was nothing left for me to do but accept the situation. Leaning back in my chair, I contemplate ways to divert my mind from Aiden. I yearned for a distraction, anything to anchor my thoughts elsewhere.

Glancing at the stack of company emails, I resigned myself to the mundane task of reviewing them. I open the digital floodgate, each message a potential lifeline to pull me away from the complicated mess of emotions swirling within me. But, as I delved into the business correspondence and hoped that the steady rhythm of work could offer the mental reprieve I so desperately sought, the soft ring of my alarm cut through the office's hushed ambience, jolting me from my work. The familiar sound marked the end of my duties and the beginning of a different pursuit - my ice skating practice.

With a fluid motion, I rose from my chair, leaving the sea of emails momentarily behind. As I walked across the office, I paused outside my brother's office, my hand hovering over the door.