BOUND BY COLLISION

1● THE COLLISION

Ava Levine sat in the driver’s seat of her sleek white Porsche, the soft notes of calming music filling the air. The streets of London blurred past her as she navigated the familiar route to her university. Today was important; her school was hosting an event featuring a renowned businessman who would share his experiences and insights on success. As a PhD student in engineering, Ava was always eager to soak up knowledge that could aid her future career, especially in a field dominated by men.

Ava’s mind drifted as she drove, considering the possibilities that lay ahead. What new ideas might the speaker present? How could they reshape her understanding of her own ambitions? She took a deep breath, trying to quell the butterflies in her stomach. Public speaking always made her slightly anxious, but the promise of inspiration was worth it.

Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the traffic light ahead turn yellow until it was too late. She accelerated, hoping to make it through the intersection before it turned red. Suddenly, she felt a jolt a sudden impact that sent her heart racing. “What the hell?” she exclaimed, her voice rising in alarm. She glanced in the rearview mirror and saw a black limousine coming to a stop behind her.

Liam Anderson was in the backseat of that very limousine, his mind racing through the agenda of the day. As the young CEO of his father's company, Liam was accustomed to maintaining a polished image and projecting confidence. He had spent years building his reputation, and today was no different except for the abrupt jolt that interrupted his thoughts.

“What happened?” he asked, irritation creeping into his voice as he leaned forward, his brow furrowed. The driver, flustered, glanced back at him.

“Sorry, sir. I didn’t see the car ahead. I’ll take care of it,” the driver replied, trying to keep the situation under control.

With a resigned sigh, Liam stepped out of the car, fully expecting another mundane inconvenience. But as he approached the Porsche, his attention was drawn to the driver’s side door opening, revealing a striking woman with long, wavy ash-brown hair and piercing gray eyes. Ava stepped out, her expression a mix of surprise and annoyance.

“I hope you have good insurance,” she said, crossing her arms defiantly.

Liam raised an eyebrow, taken aback by her boldness. “It’s a minor scratch. I’m sure we can work something out,” he replied, trying to keep his tone light, though irritation bubbled beneath the surface.

Their eyes locked for a moment, just as quickly, the moment passed, and Ava shifted her focus.

“Just be careful next time,” she said, brushing off the encounter as she turned to head toward the university, the location of the event.

“Wait!” Liam called after her, curiosity piqued, but Ava was already walking away, her heels clicking against the pavement, leaving him standing there, intrigued and slightly frustrated.

“Great, just great,” he muttered to himself, shaking his head as he returned to the limousine.

As the driver resumed their journey, Liam leaned back in his seat, replaying the encounter in his mind. Ava was unlike anyone he’d met in a long time. She had a fire about her, a confidence that intrigued him. He had grown accustomed to the predictable nature of his business world, filled with yes-men and sycophants, but her defiance was refreshing.

Arriving at the university, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Students milled about, their energy palpable. Liam stepped out of the limousine, adjusting his tailored suit and exuding an air of authority as he made his way through the crowd. His mind was still occupied with thoughts of Ava and the unexpected spark from their brief encounter.

Inside the auditorium, the lights dimmed, and students settled into their seats. Liam took the stage, his presence commanding attention. He began speaking about ambition, the challenges he had faced, and the lessons learned along the way. His voice resonated with conviction, and he could see the students hanging on his every word.

“Success is not just about reaching the top,” Liam said, gesturing emphatically. “It’s about understanding the journey, the mistakes, and the lessons that shape you. There are times when you’ll want to give up, but it’s persistence that separates the good from the great.”

As he spoke, he scanned the audience, searching for familiar faces. That’s when he spotted her Ava, sitting among the crowd, arms crossed, her expression skeptical. His heart skipped a beat. The earlier annoyance faded, replaced by a sense of intrigue.

“Every successful person has faced doubt,” he continued, locking eyes with Ava. “It’s how you respond to that doubt that defines your character.”

Ava’s gaze was unwavering, and he could see the conflict in her expression. Was she skeptical of him? Did she disagree with his perspective? He felt a strange mix of exhilaration and nervousness. It wasn’t often that he felt challenged in such a personal way.

As the lecture progressed, Liam found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. He could feel Ava’s eyes on him, evaluating him, and it ignited something within him a desire to prove himself not just as a CEO but as a person worthy of her interest.

After the talk concluded, Liam stepped off the stage, his mind racing. Students flooded toward him, eager to ask questions and take selfies. But all he could think about was Ava. He searched the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of her before she disappeared.

“Excuse me,” he said, politely brushing past a group of admirers. “I need to find someone.”

Finally, he spotted her near the exit, her back turned as she made her way toward the door. Taking a deep breath, he hurried after her.

“Hey!” he called out, breaking through the throng of students. She turned around, her expression wary yet curious.

“Mr. Anderson,” she replied, her tone flat yet probing.

“I just wanted to say,” he began, struggling to find the right words, “about earlier----”

“Forget it,” she interrupted, her expression softening slightly. “Accidents happen. It’s not a big deal.”

“Maybe not,” Liam said, taking a step closer, “but it feels like more than just a coincidence meeting you like this.”

Ava regarded him for a moment, her gaze piercing yet contemplative. “Is that so?”

Liam offered a half-smile, feeling an unexpected sense of camaraderie forming. “I guess we’ll see.”

As they stood there, amidst the bustling crowd, something unspoken flickered between them a sense of curiosity, a glimmer of possibility. It was a chance encounter, but for both Ava and Liam, it felt like the beginning of something far more complicated than either had anticipated.

Thanks for reading.