Ava’s POV
I couldn’t believe Joseph had lied me so boldly. I was furious! Eleanor had called to tell me that Joseph had punished her with archive duty and faked being sick to make me feel guilty. I wanted to strangle him right then. Eleanor had talked me down from my initial rage, but I was still seething.
Here I’d been, thinking I was giving Joseph and me a genuine chance after all his previous lies and that cheating episode. My little bedroom game was just that—a game. Nothing compared to what he’d done to me before.
But no. What did he do? He lashed out at my friend.
He needed to pay for this! When he came to pick me up after work, I got into his car without saying a word. I’d teach him a lesson when we got home!
"Ava, I know that you know," he said cautiously, as if walking on eggshells, but I maintained my silence. "Ava, please talk to me."
"Joseph, wait until we’re home!" That was all I said.
When we arrived, I stormed upstairs. I took a shower and changed into a light blue nightgown that was not only short but also practically transparent, with just a thong underneath. While he was in the shower, I went to the kitchen.
I prepared some juice and dissolved an aphrodisiac tablet in his glass, something that would keep him hard all night no matter how many times he came. He’d soon understand what frustration truly felt like.
When he came downstairs, I walked toward him. He wore loose pajama pants, and I could see he was already excited at the sight of me half-naked in the kitchen. I approached him, running my hand across his chest, and spoke calmly.
"Come, let’s have dinner, and you can explain why you did what you did."
I pulled his hand, but he pulled me into his arms instead.
"Ava, first, I just want you to know that I love you so much. I can’t bear being without you!"
He kissed me passionately, a kiss full of desire and love. It almost threw me off balance, but he needed to learn not to lie to me.
"Come on, let’s eat and talk."
We went to the kitchen, and I handed him the juice, making sure he drank it all. During dinner, he explained how angry and frustrated he’d been—he just wanted me to understand that I wanted him as much as he wanted me.
"Ava, I made a mistake, and I regret it. I shouldn’t have pretended to be sick. But we’ve had such a good week! Let’s forget about it," he tried to persuade me.
"You know, Joseph, the problem is that you lied to me so easily. That’s not okay," I said calmly. I noticed the growing bulge in his pants and realized the pill was working. He was already starting to sweat.
"It was just a small thing, Ava."
"It was all about sex."
"Ava, it’s not that simple."
"Let me be clear, Joseph. I’m going home. Come find me when you’re ready to stop lying to me."
He looked at me, panic spreading across his face.
"You’re not going to do that!"
"Yes, I am." I turned toward the bedroom to get my things and change.
It didn’t take long before he followed me into the bedroom. I knew he was as aroused as a wolf in heat from the pill, but he didn’t touch me.
"Ava, please listen to me."
"Enough, Joseph! You just want to have sex with me, nothing else."
He grabbed my arm and pressed his body against mine, letting me feel his hard length.
"I am! That’s exactly why I need to tell you the truth. The truth is, you went too far. And now you’re suffering for it."
"Damn! You’re right. But I didn’t expect him to get so angry." I sighed.
"Ava, these are small issues, and it took him a long time to lose patience. He’s right—every time things get better between you two, you sabotage the relationship yourself. Ava, you’re not that kind of person; you’re rational. What’s really going on?"
"I think I’m afraid of being disappointed again." I admitted, suddenly feeling vulnerable.
"Have you considered talking to someone about this? A therapist maybe?" Nina asked gently. "I think you might have some unresolved issues that you’re not even aware of."
"I don’t know... maybe you’re right."
"I think so too. But if you don’t address this, you might lose your chance to be happy with someone you love. Because I know you love him."
"More than I ever imagined I could."
"Then, my friend, fix this problem. Join us happy people!" She grinned.
"You know what, you’re right. I’m going to call him."
I tried to contact Joseph all day but couldn’t reach him. I called Eleanor, who said he wasn’t at the office—she’d only received a message saying he wouldn’t be coming in. I found that strange. So I asked Ruby to ask Ryan if he had heard from Joseph, and Ryan said they hadn’t been in touch for two days. Where had he gone?
After work, I decided to go to his house to look for him, but he wasn’t there. I waited for a while, but he never showed up. So I returned to my apartment. Security checked everything before leaving.
All I could do was wait. I left several messages on his phone; he would talk to me once he calmed down.
The doorbell rang. I looked through the peephole. It was the doorman with flowers. Not roses, so definitely not from Joseph. I accepted the flowers and thanked him. When I picked up the card, a chill ran through me. I thought I had resolved this issue already.

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