Unaware Lifestyle.

Chapter 33: A friendship tainted.

Ava felt uneasy in Lyra's presence at Ethan's mansion, making it difficult for her to focus on their project. Her mind wandered, fixated on Ethan, and she found herself lost in thought, staring at him. She harbored a dark desire - wishing for Lyra's demise - but couldn't express her true feelings, as it would reveal her rivalry with Lyra to everyone. Ava feared that if Lyra discovered her plan, she would expose her to Ethan, putting her own safety at risk.

Despite her reservations, Ava was bound by an agreement with the chairman of another company, forcing her to continue with her scheme. She had to maintain a facade of friendliness, even if her secret was revealed, hoping that Lyra would remain silent. Ava suggested to Ethan that they work in his room instead of the living room, finding it more serene. Lyra overheard the comment but chose to ignore it and retreated to her own room. Ethan reassured Ava that they would soon complete the project, asking her to remain patient.

As they worked in Ethan's room, Ava couldn't help but steal glances at him, her attraction growing stronger with each passing moment. She felt a pang of guilt, knowing that her intentions were far from pure. Lyra's presence still lingered, a constant reminder of the rivalry that simmered beneath the surface.

Ethan, oblivious to the tension, worked tirelessly, his focus solely on the project. Ava admired his dedication, but her mind kept wandering back to her scheme. She knew she had to be careful, that one misstep could lead to her downfall.

As the hours passed, Ava's anxiety grew. She knew she couldn't keep up the charade forever. Lyra's silence was unnerving, and Ava wondered what she was thinking, what she planned to do. The air was thick with unspoken words, and Ava felt like she was walking on eggshells, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Suddenly, Ethan looked up, his eyes locking onto hers.

"Ava, are you okay? You seem distant."

Ava's heart skipped a beat as she forced a smile, trying to brush off her concerns.

"I'm fine, just tired,"

She lied. Ethan nodded, but Ava could sense his skepticism. She knew she had to be more careful, that her secrets were threatening to spill out.

Ethan's gaze lingered, as if trying to read her thoughts. Ava felt exposed, like he could see right through her facade. She quickly looked away, focusing on the papers in front of her. The silence was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words.

Lyra's presence still lingered, a ghostly figure haunting the edges of Ava's consciousness. She wondered what Lyra was thinking, what she planned to do. The rivalry between them was palpable, a living, breathing thing that threatened to consume them both.

As the hours dragged on, Ava's tension grew. She knew she couldn't keep up the charade forever. Ethan would eventually discover her true intentions, and when he did, she would lose everything. The thought sent a chill down her spine.

Suddenly, Ethan spoke, his voice breaking the silence.

"Ava, I think we've made good progress today. Why don't we take a break?"

Ava nodded, relieved, and stood up, stretching her stiff limbs. As she turned to leave, she caught Lyra's eye, a fleeting glance that spoke volumes.

Lyra's expression was enigmatic, a mask that hid her true feelings. Ava wondered if she had underestimated her rival, if Lyra was more cunning than she thought. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

As the night wore on, Ava finally completed the project and requested to leave, citing an urgent matter at home. Ethan tried to persuade her to stay, but she insisted, unable to bear the thought of spending another moment under the same roof as Lyra in Ethan's mansion.