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<div style="text-align: right">aven miller<br/>
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</div></div><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><i>"Well it's a shit ton to process,"</i><br/>
<br/>
A shit ton to process but he was willing to process anyway. Because he trusted her. Because he loved her. And how was Aven repaying him back?<br/>
<br/>
<i>What he doesn't know can't hurt him,</i> Aven's mind soothed even as her heart battled and churned because whatever tiny bit of good she'd considered herself to be shredded as Sebastian looked at her and attempted to mask his disappointment in her. When Sebastian pulled her close, Aven tensed only for a moment - imagining Rafael's expression. She discarded the thought quickly. She wasn't fully his and he wasn't fully hers. She had no idea what this little thing between them would lead to but there was an innate need to explore it anyway. They'd never gotten closure. They'd never finished at a spot that was conclusive. It had nothing to do with Sebastian and more to do with all that hadn't been resolved with Rafael. <br/>
<br/>
Aven melted in his arms, wrapping her arms around his chest loosely. Her feet folded beneath her legs and she held onto him tight, trying and failing miserably to stave off the guilt that tore at her. She thought of Rafael with his smile and their ease and the way they playfully fought and the way he so sweetly and then passionately kissed her. Those mind wanderings should have furthered the wretched emotions churning in her heart and stomach, but it did the opposite. <br/>
<br/>
She just wanted to see if what had been there before was just as potent - if it'd been reverenced in her mind because of the moment or if all that erratic mind-twisting but heart-lifting emotions were still there. She didn't know which would be worse - still being in love with Rafael or realizing that there was nothing salvageable between them.  <br/>
<br/>
Still, Aven tensed at the words. She'd left Rafael when she saw him propose to Danielle. It was in those moments that Aven had realized that whatever beautiful words Rafael had spun to her had been nothing but a pretty lyrical tune. Aven didn't know what had prompted him. Maybe it was the pregnancy. Maybe it was genuine deep affection and love for Danielle. Maybe it was a combination of both. Now that the thought crossed Aven's mind, her body tensed for a whole 'nother reason and the urge to talk to Rafael despite having seen him less than an hour ago was strong. <br/>
<br/>
Aven kept mum. She kissed the center of Sebastian's bare chest, running her fingers down his arm and smiling up at him hesitantly. His comment on cooking had her rasping out a laugh. "I wouldn't choose cooking...." she murmured teasingly, bumping her elbow back against him. When he kissed her, Aven kissed him back. When he told her that he loved her, his nose following a path against her fragrant neck, Aven shuddered and fought back the urge to shout that she deserved no such emotion. Instead, she kissed his jawline sweetly and urged him back to sleep. He'd already had a late night and Aven had no doubt that her news, despite what Sebastian did, was something he wasn't entirely too happy about.<br/>
<br/>
-------<br/>
<br/>
The next morning, Aven had left their apartment bright and early, writing a sweet good morning note for Sebastian and quickly making him his favorite french toast, and leaving it by their bar table. Upon entering the kitchen, half of the staff was already present, working on preparations for the Grand Opening, the sound of sizzling oil permeating throughout the air. Aven was quick to drop her things off in the back and slip on her coat, eyes scanning the area to look for Rafael's. The grand opening was to occur in a few hours time. Really, everyone was just testing and timing their speed, ensuring that as little issues as possible would transpire during the actual opening. Plus, this was <i>the</i> Rafael Silva. From what Aven had seen on the files, at least a crowd of two hundred people were to arrive - two hundred that Aven had no doubt would quickly morph into more. <br/>
<br/>
There would be no room for errors. For emotions or drama or anything in between. And despite Aven knowing the type of person Sebastian was, there was still that worry that clattered and knotted throughout her body. Talking about Rafael was one thing, but if the two were to meet, Aven had no idea how she'd be able to play it off. Last night just telling Sebastian about Rafael's presence had nearly caused her to blurt out the truth a few times. <br/>
<br/>
There was also the fact that Aven was still under the assumption that Danielle would be present and having an run-in with Rafael's wife was not something Aven was really looking forward to. If she was lucky, she could just distract herself behind the kitchens. There was no reason to speak to Danielle especially because Aven knew an apology, even if it were to be authentic, would matter very little to the woman whose boyfriend Aven had slept with. </span></div>