BOUND BY COLLISION

3● UNAVOIDABLE FATE

A few days after the university event, Ava pushed the encounter with Liam to the back of her mind. Life continued at its usual rapid pace, filled with lectures, research, and occasional coffee breaks with Mia and Levi. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, the memory of their brief but intense meeting lingered in her mind like an unfinished sentence.

On a Thursday afternoon, Ava found herself in a café near her university, her laptop open in front of her, surrounded by the familiar hum of chatter and the rich aroma of coffee. As she tapped away at her keyboard, attempting to focus on her engineering project, her phone buzzed with a notification. It was an email from the university's board announcing a new partnership with a prominent corporation.. Anderson Industries.

The name struck her like a lightning bolt, sending a jolt of recognition through her. Liam’s company. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought, but it clung to her like a stubborn shadow. Just then, Mia burst into the café, her energy palpable, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Ava! You won’t believe this!” she exclaimed, sliding into the chair across from Ava. “You know that new partnership the university announced? It’s Liam Anderson’s company! He’s coming to campus next week!”

Ava’s heart raced, an involuntary reaction she quickly suppressed. “So what?” she replied, attempting to keep her voice nonchalant.

Mia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “*So what?* You’re telling me that you don’t care about seeing him again?”

Ava raised an eyebrow. “He’s just a CEO. What’s there to care about?”

Mia leaned forward, a conspiratorial grin spreading across her face. “Oh, come on! There’s something there, I can feel it! He’s young, successful, and super attractive. Plus, you two have this undeniable chemistry!”

“Chemistry?” Ava scoffed, rolling her eyes. “It was a chance encounter. I barely know him.”

“But you want to know him,” Mia shot back, her voice teasing. “Just admit it!”

Ava sighed, attempting to refocus on her laptop. But Mia was right; deep down, Ava knew that encounter had stirred something in her. A curiosity she wasn’t ready to confront. “I’m busy, Mia,” she said, waving her friend off. “I have a project to finish.”

“Fine, but just think about it! He’ll be here next week!” Mia replied, standing up and heading for the exit, leaving Ava to stew in her thoughts.

Meanwhile, Liam was in a different kind of turmoil. The few days after the event felt longer than usual, each one filled with a restless energy he couldn’t quite shake. Despite being a successful CEO of Anderson Industries, something about Ava lingered in his mind like a sweet addiction. The way she held herself, the confidence in her gaze it intrigued him more than it should have.

He decided to take action, using his resources to casually mention Ava’s name to one of his assistants. “Do some digging,” he instructed, trying to sound casual. “Find out what she’s studying.”

A short while later, Liam learned that Ava was a PhD student at the university where his company was negotiating a partnership. It was a perfect opportunity for him, and he found himself drawn to the idea of seeing her again.

A few days later, while on a call with Alexander, his close friend and accountant, Liam couldn’t help but bring up the topic. “Remember that girl I mentioned from the university event?” he asked, his tone betraying his intrigue.

“Yeah, the one who didn’t seem impressed by your title?” Alexander chuckled. “Hard to forget.”

Liam smirked. “She’s a PhD student there. I’m going back next week for the investment meetings.”

Alexander’s laughter faded into a more serious tone. “So, what’s the plan? Are you going there for business, or is this about her?”

Liam paused, his mind racing. “Maybe both,” he finally admitted.

The following week arrived quickly, and Ava found herself on campus again, her mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming partnership announcement. She made her way to the library, juggling her books and coffee as she rushed through the building’s wide halls.

As she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with someone someone she didn’t expect to see.

Liam stood in front of her, his tall figure exuding the same quiet confidence as before. His deep blue eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, the world around them faded.

“Miss Levine,” he greeted her, his voice smooth yet tinged with an undercurrent of surprise. “We meet again.”

Ava blinked, her guard rising immediately. “Mr. Anderson,” she replied, taking a step back to regain her composure. “What brings you here?”

“Business,” Liam replied, his gaze never leaving hers. “My company is finalizing a partnership with the university. But I didn’t expect to run into you.”

Ava raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension in his words. “Really? It seems like this university is big enough for us to avoid each other.”

Liam chuckled softly, his expression unreadable. “Maybe so. But here we are.”

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words, both of them trying to decipher the other. Liam watched her carefully, noticing the way she held herself guarded yet undeniably strong.

Before Ava could respond, her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking the moment. “I need to go,” she said, her tone cool as she nodded and walked away, leaving Liam standing there with a faint smile on his lips.

Later that night, as Ava sat in her apartment trying to focus on her studies, she found herself restless. No matter how hard she tried, her mind kept drifting back to Liam. The way he looked at her, the intensity in his gaze as if he were searching for something in her. It unsettled her.

She grabbed her phone, tempted to text Mia for a distraction, but then stopped. What would she even say? That the man she was trying so hard to forget was suddenly everywhere she turned?

At the same time, across the city, Liam sat in his office, staring at his phone. His mind raced, replaying their brief encounter. It was clear now, Ava wasn’t like the women he was used to. She was a challenge, a puzzle he couldn’t quite figure out, and that only made him more determined.

He picked up his phone and dialed a number. “Prepare everything for next week,” he told his assistant, his voice calm but decisive. “We’re going to finalize this deal with the university. And I’ll be handling the meetings personally.”

As the week unfolded, the air between them thickened with anticipation, each encounter pulling them closer, but neither willing to admit it. Both Ava and Liam found themselves on a path neither expected one that seemed to draw them together despite their best efforts to keep apart.

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