BOUND BY COLLISION

4● CROSSING BOUNDARIES

The days leading up to the partnership announcement felt charged with unspoken energy for both Ava and Liam. As the date approached, their paths began to intertwine more frequently, drawing them into a web of emotions neither was prepared to confront.

Ava arrived at the university that Monday morning, her mind focused on her research presentation due later that week. However, every corner she turned seemed to whisper Liam’s name. The university grounds buzzed with excitement over the upcoming event, with posters plastered on every wall and students buzzing about the CEO's anticipated visit.

As she made her way to the library, she overheard snippets of conversations. “Did you hear Liam Anderson is coming?” “I heard he’s super charismatic!” “I hope he’s single!” The chatter irked her, a twinge of annoyance boiling beneath her calm exterior. It wasn’t fair that everyone else seemed so enamored with the idea of Liam when she herself was struggling to process her feelings.

Inside the library, Ava settled into her favorite corner, her laptop open and books sprawled around her. As she started to type, her thoughts drifted to Liam his deep blue eyes, the confident way he carried himself. She shook her head, trying to refocus.

Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Mia: *Can’t wait for the event tomorrow! You’ll get to see him again! What will you wear?* Ava stared at the screen, her heart racing. The thought of selecting an outfit that would draw Liam’s attention made her uneasy. She had never cared about impressing anyone, but suddenly, the idea seemed both exciting and terrifying.

After several more minutes of internal debate, Ava decided to respond *I’m just going to wear what I always wear. No big deal*.

*Come on, Ava! You know this is a big deal! You should look your best!*

Ava sighed, setting her phone down. Why was it so important? She felt ridiculous, torn between wanting to make an impression and wanting to stay true to herself.

Meanwhile, Liam was in his office, staring out at the city skyline. His assistant, Clara, shuffled papers beside him, preparing for the upcoming event. “You’re set for tomorrow, right? The presentation is going to be broadcasted campus-wide,” she reminded him, her tone businesslike but friendly.

“Yeah, I know,” Liam replied, absentmindedly tapping his fingers on the desk. His thoughts drifted again to Ava, wondering if she would attend. Would she even care?

“Is everything okay?” Clara asked, noting his distraction. “You’ve been off lately. Is it about the university?”

Liam hesitated, searching for the right words. “It’s complicated,” he finally said, his voice low. “I met someone there. Someone… different.”

Clara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Different how?”

“She just doesn’t seem fazed by my title. It’s refreshing but also frustrating,” Liam admitted, leaning back in his chair, crossing his arms.

“Sounds like someone you should get to know better,” Clara encouraged. “You never know where it might lead.”

Liam nodded, but doubt crept in. What if he misread the situation? What if Ava didn’t want anything to do with him?

The day of the event arrived, and the campus was abuzz with anticipation. Ava stood in front of her closet, frustration mounting as she sifted through her clothes. Eventually, she opted for a simple yet elegant navy blue dress paired with a tailored blazer. It felt comfortable, yet professional just the right balance.

As she made her way to the auditorium, her heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nerves. She could see a crowd gathering, students milling about, and the unmistakable presence of Liam at the front, surrounded by faculty and industry representatives.

The atmosphere crackled with energy as Liam took the stage, his confident demeanor drawing everyone’s attention. He spoke passionately about the partnership between the university and Anderson Industries, his voice strong and engaging. Ava couldn’t help but admire his charisma, even as she reminded herself to keep her distance.

As Liam’s eyes scanned the crowd, he suddenly caught sight of Ava. For a fleeting moment, the world around them faded. He smiled, a genuine warmth spreading across his face, making Ava’s heart flutter against her will.

After the presentation, students swarmed Liam, eager to ask questions and shake his hand. Ava stood back, watching as he effortlessly charmed everyone around him. She felt a pang of envy mixed with admiration. How could someone be so at ease in front of a crowd?

Just then, she felt a gentle nudge from behind. It was Mia. “Come on! Let’s go say hi!”

“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Ava protested, her heart racing at the thought. “I’m not ready for that.”

“Stop overthinking! What’s the worst that could happen?” Mia urged, pulling Ava forward. Before she knew it, they were standing in front of Liam, who was still chatting with a group of students.

“Hey, Mr. Anderson!” Mia called out, her voice bright. “We’re huge fans of your work!”

Liam turned, his gaze landing on Ava. “Hey! Great to see you both here.” His eyes sparkled with genuine interest. “What did you think of the presentation?”

Ava swallowed hard, her mind racing. “It was insightful. I didn’t know Anderson Industries was planning to invest in our engineering programs.”

“Yeah, we’re excited about it. We’re looking for innovative projects to support,” Liam replied, glancing between the two of them. “Are you involved in any of the programs?”

“Actually, I am,” Ava said, her confidence wavering slightly. “I’m working on a project related to sustainable energy solutions.”

Liam’s expression brightened. “That’s impressive! I’d love to hear more about it sometime. Sustainability is a passion of mine.”

Mia nudged Ava, and Ava could only manage a slight nod, her heart racing. The conversation continued, and Ava felt herself being drawn deeper into Liam’s orbit. They talked about their respective projects, the challenges they faced, and the excitement of new ideas.

As the crowd began to disperse, Liam turned to Ava. “Are you free for coffee sometime? I’d love to hear more about your work.”

Ava’s breath caught in her throat. “Um, sure, I—”

Before she could finish, Mia chimed in, “She’d love that!” Ava shot her a warning glance, but it was too late.

“Great! I’ll text you,” Liam said, flashing a charming smile that made Ava’s heart skip a beat. With that, they exchanged numbers. As he turned to leave, Ava stood frozen, her mind racing.

What had just happened?

Later that evening, Ava and Mia walked home, a mixture of excitement and confusion swirling in Ava’s mind. “You’re going to have coffee with him! This is huge!” Mia exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet.

Ava sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It’s just coffee. Nothing is going to happen.”

Mia shot her a knowing look. “Just coffee can lead to so much more, you know.”

Ava shook her head, half-smiling despite herself. “I guess we’ll see.”

But deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something that could change everything.

As she reached her apartment, she opened the door and stepped inside, her heart still racing from the day’s events. She sat down at her desk, staring at her laptop but unable to concentrate. What would it mean to let someone like Liam into her life? Could she handle the complexity that came with someone so different from her?

As the sun set outside, Ava felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. This was the first time in a long time she felt drawn to someone, and it terrified her. Would she be able to navigate this newfound attraction while staying true to herself?

Little did she know, Liam was grappling with the same questions, each lost in thoughts of the other, setting the stage for a complex entanglement that neither had anticipated.

Thanks.