A Past

"Hi, Ava. You've been ignoring me, hmm?"

Ava jumped at the sudden voice, her heart pounding as if it were trying to escape her chest. She turned to see a young woman gracefully slide into the seat opposite her, a confident smirk playing on her lips. The woman exuded an air of casual menace, her eyes gleaming with mischief even as she had a smile on her face.

"What are you doing here?" Ava's voice was a mix of shock and horror, her eyes darting around the room as if seeking an escape route. She had come to this upscale café for a job interview, hoping to start fresh in her new life. After all, that was all that was left to do. Now that she had recovered from her health and Erasmi had been so supportive, she wanted to work and become independent.

But this...