She Devil

Chapter 3

The day moves faster than I expected. After the meeting with the team, I head straight to my office to catch up on the never-ending stack of reports that are already piling up on my desk. The sound of the door opening behind me breaks my concentration.

"Pwede ka? Kakausapin kita," Ava's voice cuts through the silence.

I look up, instantly noticing her usual confident stride as she enters my office. There's something in her eyes today, something more serious than usual. "What's up? Alam ko na hindi ka magpapakita sa 'kin nang walang dahilan."

She shuts the door behind her, taking a seat across from me. "Kasi may bagay ako na kailangang sabihin. I don't know if you're ready for it, but I think you deserve to know."

I raise an eyebrow, not sure if I'm ready to hear it. "What do you mean, 'ready'? If it's about the financials again, I'm pretty much done with that mess today."

She smiles softly, but there's no mistaking the tension in her eyes. "Hindi yan. It's about someone you've met recently."

I lean back in my chair, my curiosity piqued. "Sino naman? Wala akong kilala na bagong tao... I mean, unless you're talking about the usual suspects, the suppliers, or..."

Her lips curl into a knowing smile. "You sure? You've met her, Gray. More than once, actually."

My mind starts to race as I rack my brain. "Wait, sino? I really don't—"

"Amara Vale," she interrupts gently, watching my reaction.

The name hits me like a slap to the face. My heart skips a beat. I freeze, unable to find my voice.

Ava watches me carefully, clearly waiting for me to process it. "You know her, right? The woman you met at the café. You didn't recognize her, but she knows you. And I know for a fact she's been looking into your company for weeks."

I lean forward, suddenly alert. "Wait, what? She's been looking into my company? What the hell do you mean?"

Ava gives a knowing nod, her gaze steady. "I don't know everything yet, Gray. But she's involved in something... something bigger than we both realize. You might want to be careful."

I shake my head, my brain struggling to catch up. "Bigger than we realize? What are you talking about? I thought she was just some... rich girl who likes to mess with me."

Ava's expression softens, but there's a flicker of something serious in her eyes. "No. She's not just 'some girl,' Gray. I've been hearing rumors about her, about her family, her business dealings... There's more to her than meets the eye. And you might just be caught in the middle of it."

I can feel my pulse quicken as I try to process her words. Amara Vale, beautiful, confident, a little too dangerous for my liking, isn't just someone I can brush off. I knew there was something off about her, something I couldn't quite place. And now I can't ignore it.

"She's already in your orbit," Ava adds, leaning in closer, her voice low. "She's playing a game, Gray. And I don't think you're just a pawn in it."

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "So, what are you saying? I need to stay away from her?"

Ava leans back in her chair, her fingers tapping against the armrest. "I'm saying be careful. Don't let her get too close. People like her... they don't play by the rules."

A small part of me wants to brush her off, dismiss it as just another rumor. But another part of me knows Ava, she's never been wrong about these things before.

"I'll keep my distance," I mutter, even though part of me wonders if I can.

Ava looks at me, her gaze a mixture of concern and determination. "Promise me, Gray. Don't let her into your head."