This is L.o.v.e. like it should be

XLVIII. A few days after the box

"So, Ava, how was the visit to the shrink today?", Phoebe asked, while packing her purse and getting ready to leave for the day.

"It was fine. He agrees with you, actually.", Ava was passing by Phoebe's desk on her way to go get some copies from the printer in the hallway.

"How so?"

"He also thinks I am doing great lately."

"Yeah, hun. You are and I'm so proud of you", Phoebe smiled, taking her friend's hand.

"Thank you," Ava replied and showed a weak smile, which faded almost instantly.

"Don't let his presence in the company ruin your progress.", Phoebe stated, setting her purse down for a moment to give Ava her full attention.

"Of course," Ava nodded.

"Good. Now I have to go, want to join me?"

"I can't, I still have to finish this report.", Ava pointed out the stack of paper she had been holding between her arms. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, a girl gotta work, right?"

"Kiss?"

Phoebe leaned on Ava and planted a kiss on cheek before leaving.

"See you, hun!"

"See you...", Ava replied, moving in the opposite direction, to go get the copies she needed. She was almost feeling bad for herself; the building was almost deserted by now, and she still had at least two more lonely hours of work ahead of her. That sounded like depressing.

Ava sighed near the printer, then made her way back to her office.

Ava working late in her office was starting to become a habit ever since she got the box with Julien's picture. But not even these late work hours could take her mind off it.

"Stop, Ava...", she said it out loud to break this chain of thought and focus on the task at hand. She had to get this report ready by tomorrow for a meeting with a client. "It's a very important client, I can't screw this up."

But on this particular day, fatigue was knocking on her door. She was feeling tired, and it showed on her work. So, she made her way to the break room and got herself a big cup of coffee.

"One more hour and I'll have the report finished!", she motivated herself while walking back to her office.

"Ava, are you still here?", a voice sounded from somewhere.

She closed her eyes. "This can't be happening...", she thought frustrated. Why would he be at the company at thar hour? Unfortunately, no matter the reason, she had to be polite with her boss, so she answered in a flat tone: "Yes, I guess I am... I have a lot to do, so if you'll excuse me."

He smiled.

"Would you join me for a quick cup of coffee?", Julien insisted.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to be late for dinner.", Ava tried to dodge his invitation, fearing what spending time with him would do to her.

"I just would like to be updated about how is your promotion going... I promise, I won't take much of your time.", he took a step towards Ava.

"I don't think that would be wise.", she was looking at him now.

"Why not, Ava?", he said almost whispering.

Ava took a deep breath discretely. Hearing him call her name with such intimacy was bringing up that old feeling of happiness and desire.

"I have an important report to finish!", she blurted out and started walking again, but Julien insisted.

"Why not?", he caught her by her hand.

Ava closed her eyes... the feeling of his touch on her skin was like burning.

"Julien... Is this a game for you?", Ava looked him in his eyes.

"Of course this is not a game Ava. It never was", he claimed.

Her legs trembled, as her heart started racing. The way he said it... It felt so real.

"Then why are you here?", she averted her eyes.

Julien placed his hand on her face to make her look him in the eyes, and then asked: "Do you want me gone?"

Ava bit her lips. She had no answer to such a question, especially when uttered with such intimacy.

"Just let me be..."

"I will, but only if you can say no to us.", Julien, held her waist and pulled her body close to his.

Ava, conflicted by her emotions, was trying to fight his advances, but it was so hard... "You are such an idiot!", she blurted, letting the cup of coffee fall to the floor, placing her hands on his chest to push him away, but he was holding her so tight it escaping his embrace almost impossible. His lips were now so close to hers.

"Kiss me!", he whispered, almost begging.

"Stop...", she moved her lips away from his.

"I miss you..."

After hearing those words, Ava just blurted out: "I don't believe you!"

Julien, overwhelmed by the intensity how she said it, released her.

"Ava..."

Calling her name was the only answer he had to give her.

"If this isn't game for you, then why the box with picture of you? What the hell are you trying to do? Is this to drive me crazy? You knew, you always knew my love for you was real... what is wrong with you? Stop this!"

"Box with my picture? What are you talking about?"

"You tell me! Why would you send me a picture of you? And why all of this cloak and dagger stuff? What is the point? Just let me move on!"

"I didn't send any picture to you, Ava. I'm not here to play with your feelings."

"Then who would send me a picture of you?"

"How should I know? Maybe was someone who knows about what we had. What I hope we still have..."

Julien tried to step towards her once again, but she raised her hand as request for him to stop.

"I respect you, Ava.", he claimed.

"Then stop...", Ava begged him, turning away.