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

XLIX. After

In the next morning, the main entrance was completely crammed with people. Everyone was scurrying around, looking busy with preparations for that day’s board meeting.

As soon as Ava arrived, she made her way towards the reception desk, to greet one of her former colleagues.

"Good morning", Ava said, waving gently.

"Oh no!", the assistant exclaimed as soon as she looked in Ava’s direction, it looked like she was about to have a panic attack. But she wasn’t looking at Ava, her were firmly locked on someone by the entrance. "He’s here!", she said, flustered. She then covered her mouth with her hand, to avoid further outbursts.

Ava, driven by her own curiosity, had to look behind.

"Oh... Who else could it be? Of course, she went crazy at the sight of that playboy...", she thought, frustrated, looking at him with a scowl.

Julien, who had noticed Ava, since the moment he walked in, couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

"Hey hun, you think no one is noticing those death glares? You know, the ones you’re shooting in Mr. Bardi’s general direction?", Phoebe asked appearing from behind and leaning over Ava's shoulder.

"Phoebe!", Ava was not expecting her friend to show up so soon for work. Phoebe was good at many things, but being on time for work was not one of them.

"That’s me. So, what's going on? I mean, besides the board meeting about to start."

Ava sighed and the two of them headed towards the hallway leading to the financial department, while Julien kept his gaze on Ava.

"He is... Julien!", Ava replied to her friend with a glacial tone in her voice.

"Yes, gurl. I'm very aware of his name. So what? What am I missing?"

"I just... It’s nothing, really.", Ava was trying to dodge the question, but Phoebe was not going to let her.

"Spill it!", she insisted, taking a sterner tone.

"I asked him about the picture...", Ava replied, embarrassed. "We were alone in the office last night and he kept pestering me, I wasn’t thinking straight and just blurted out before I knew what I was doing…"

"I knew it!", Phoebe complained with herself. "That's my fault! I could see you weren’t convinced that picture was just a prank!"

"It's not your fault, Phoebe... It's just hard for me to let things go."

"Yeah, I can see that alright."

"Sorry...", Ava said.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, it was a mistake. We’re all humans...", Phoebe softened up as soon as she saw the disheartened look on Ava’s face.

"I guess...", Ava said in a sad tone.

"So, let me do my part properly this time.", Phoebe held Ava's hands. "Because, if you are not able to forget about that picture, then it might mean something. And as your friend, I'm going to help you dig into this bullshit until you feel that's it!"

"Phoebe... are you sure?"

"Hell yeah! If this is still bugging you, the only solution I see is to get to the bottom of this. And we’ll see this through together so we can finally move past all this drama and you can finally feel like you deserve your promotion."

Ava's lips drew a smile of pure joy and she wrapped her arms around Phoebe, hugging her tight.

"Thank you, Phoebe!"

"I know, I’m the best", Phoebe said jokingly. "But you still have to tell me, what the hell were you doing having a talk with Julien. Weren't we doing great lately, miss Ava?"

"Well..."