Chapter 1 Inspired Drawing

Avery's eyes brimmed with tears as she resumed work, the ache of her mother's passing still raw. Jack's words cut through her grief, his voice a cold slap that made her flinch. He was her superior in the office, no matter how much she disliked the fact.

"Avery, you've been absent for three days. Any particular reason?"

Avery's throat constricted, and she swallowed hard, fighting the tide of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. She had known this moment was coming, had prepared herself for it, but the words still felt like a razor-sharp blade slicing through her already fragile composure.

"My mother passed away," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She reached for the words, trying to explain the unexplainable. "She had cancer. The funeral was… it was two days ago."

Jack's expression softened, but only slightly. "I'm sorry to hear that, Avery. But you know we have policies in place for bereavement leave. You should have…"

Avery's eyes flashed with a spark of defiance, tempering the grief that threatened to consume her. "I know, Jack. I'm sorry. It was...it happened suddenly. I couldn't think straight, I thought she could still be saved… She was doing better, but then she had a relapse..."

Her voice cracked, and she bit her lip, willing the tears to stay at bay. Not here, not now. She couldn't afford to break down, not in front of Jack, not in front of everyone.

Jack's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes narrowing. "I see. Well, I hope you're prepared to catch up on your work. We've had to pick up the slack while you were away."

"I'll try to catch up, Jack," she said, her words tumbling out in a rush, like a desperate prayer. "I just… I need a little time."

Jack's smile was a thin, mirthless line, his eyes glinting with a spark of curiosity. "Time is a luxury we can't afford, Avery," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You're already on thin ice. One more mistake, and you're out."

Avery's heart sank like a stone in the pit of her stomach, her fingers curling into fists as she fought to keep her composure. She nodded, her throat tight, and Jack's gaze lingered on her face, making her feel like she was drowning in a sea of his expectations.

But, when she turned to leave, Jack's hand brushed against hers, his touch sending a shiver down her spine when he grabbed her hand and winked seductively.

“Unless you say yes to… you know…” Jack whispered.

The air was thick with tension, and Avery's instincts screamed at her to run, to get as far away from Jack as possible, but she had to endure. The job was her only source of income and she needed every cent she could get. She gently pried her fingers from his hawk-like grip and went to her table. As she worked, Avery's mind wandered to the mountain of bills and debts she had to pay. The thought of losing the house, the only reminder she had of her mother, was unbearable. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of uncertainty, with no lifeline in sight.

Just as the anxiety threatened to overwhelm her, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Jessica, her best friend and confidante, checking in on her.

"Hey, Jess," Avery answered, her voice barely above a whisper, trying to compose herself.

"Ave, I talked to Sandra, and she has a job opening here at the hotel, the pay is better than your current," Jessica said, her voice filled with excitement. "You need to come and see her ASAP."

Avery's heart leapt as she checked the time on her phone. It was already break time and she didn't have prior plans. She hastily took the things she needed and headed to Jessica's praying all the way that she would land the new job.

While waiting for her turn to see Sandra, she brought out a piece of paper and a pen, from her bag; and began to scribble down her worries, burdens, and debts. The act of writing them down was her stress-relief therapy, a way to purge the emotions that had been bottled up inside her.

The words flowed onto the paper, a raw and honest expression of her financial struggles. Avery's hand moved automatically, her mind focused on the task, as she poured out her worries onto the page, relief slowly replacing her worries.

Suddenly, an image popped up in her mind, a swirling vortex of shapes and symbols that seemed to dance across the page. That was not the first time she experienced that, she had gotten used to the inspired drawings since her twenty-first birthday. She enjoyed it, though she didn't know what she drew most of the time.

Avery's turned the paper to the other side, her hand moving automatically as she began to draw. The pen scratched across the paper, filling the space with intricate patterns and designs. She was lost in the art, her worries and fears forgotten in the flow of creation. It was as if she was in another realm, a voice guiding her pen on what to draw.

When she was done, Avery stared at the paper, her heart racing with a mix of wonder and trepidation. Again, she had drawn something she had never seen before, just like the few pieces at home.

"Avery, come on! Sandra's waiting!"

Jessica's voice was a distant echo, but Avery's brain finally registered the words. She hastily stood up, grabbing her bag and folder, and hurried after Jessica, to see Sandra.

In her haste, Avery dropped the paper, the sheet flew across the floor, but she didn't notice, too focused on catching up with Jessica.

As she rushed out of the reception, she collided with a solid chest, the impact sending her stumbling backward. Strong hands grasped her arms, steadying her, and Avery's gaze met piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through her. The stranger's face was chiseled, with sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline. His eyes crinckled at the corners, and Avery instantly felt drawn to him. Her fingers brushed against his, and a spark of electricity jolted through her, leaving her breathless.

"Sorry," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, as she hastily pulled away.

The stranger's eyes held hers for a moment, his gaze burning with an intensity that left her feeling… seen.

"No harm done. Are you okay?"

Avery could only nod, fully aware of the man's impressive presence.

Then, he released her, and Avery hurried away, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation, as she ran after Jessica.

The stranger's gaze dropped to the paper on the floor, the one Avery had dropped in her haste. The paper was turned to the side of the image Avery drew. He bent down and picked up the paper, his eyes connecting instantly with the image. His eyes widened, his expression freezing in shock. The image on the paper was one he had seen before, one that belonged to something that held great significance and power, which he was looking for!