Ava stood in the elevator, fully dressed in a sleek black gym suit that hugged her figure with just the right blend of athletic grace and elegance.
Her hair was tied into a high ponytail, and her earbuds hung loosely around her neck.
The early morning light filtered through the hotel's tall glass windows, casting a golden hue across the marble floor of the lobby. As the lift dinged open, she stepped out, her running shoes thudding softly against the polished ground.
Since their arrival at the Orion Resort for the high-stakes tech conference, Ava hadn't had a single moment to herself. Between preparations, crisis control, and the unanticipated health scare, sightseeing had been the last thing on her mind. But now, after two days of forced rest, with the conference behind them and Dominic having given her the morning off, she finally had a moment to breathe. And jog.
Her path took her through the main hotel garden—a sprawling green oasis carefully curated with fountains, hedges, and walking paths lined with manicured bushes. The air was fresh with dew, and the chirping of birds made the atmosphere feel serene. A soft smile formed on her lips. There was something deeply comforting about running in the morning. It gave her clarity, like the world had paused just for a little while.
As she continued jogging in peaceful silence, her mind drifted back to the last two days. She recalled the warmth of Dominic's hands, the gentleness in his voice, the way he had cooked for her, and—
"No," she shook her head and huffed softly. "Don't overthink it."
Focused back on her route, she realized she had strayed quite far from the main trail. The tree line had grown denser, and the flowerbeds no longer followed the structured symmetry of the hotel's garden design. Before she could consider turning back, her nose caught a whiff of an intoxicating fragrance.
Drawn by the scent, she followed the winding trail until it opened into a different garden entirely. This one wasn't like the polished resort paths she had just left—it was vibrant, wild, and mesmerizing. Rows and rows of exotic flowers bloomed in unruly abundance: lavender orchids, sapphire hyacinths, golden sunflowers, and roses of every shade imaginable. Vines trailed up old stone arches, and in the center stood a marble fountain that glistened under the touch of dawn.
Ava's breath caught in her throat. It was like stepping into a fairytale.
She walked slowly, her fingers brushing gently across the petals of unfamiliar flowers, her eyes wide in wonder. "What is this place?" she whispered to herself.
But soon, a sinking feeling crept in. This wasn't part of the main hotel area. There were no signs, no exit paths, and more importantly, no other people. The layout was too distinct, too personal.
She realized she must've entered someone's private estate by mistake. She turned around, but the winding trail seemed to vanish amidst a maze of rose bushes and trees.
"Oh no," she murmured, spinning in place to retrace her steps. "Great. Just great. Ava— you are hopeless with directions."
Panic was starting to bubble when the sound of rhythmic footsteps reached her ears. Someone else was here. She quickly moved towards the sound. Relief flooded her when she saw a tall figure jogging casually under the arched vines, his form partially hidden by the mist and morning light.
"Excuse me, sir!" she called out. "I think I lost my way—could you help me get back to the hotel?"
The man paused mid-stride. He turned slowly toward her.
And Ava froze.
Her breath hitched.
He stepped into view.
That face—sharp jawline, elegantly tousled hair, piercing amber eyes filled with amused recognition.
"Mr. Ryung?" Ava's voice came out more like a gasp.
Raiden Myung raised a brow, half-smiling. "Well, if it isn't Miss Ellis. Or should I say, Ava?"
She took a cautious step back. This couldn't be a coincidence. What was he doing here—alone, this early, in what looked like a private garden?
"I didn't mean to intrude," she said quickly, her voice steady but guarded. "I was jogging and ended up here by mistake."
Raiden gave a low chuckle, wiping sweat off his brow with a towel hanging around his neck. He wore a navy training suit, casual and confident. "This is my private garden. Though I never imagined it would lead me to such... rare company."
"I should leave," Ava said, already trying to backtrack.
Not wanting to deal with any uncomfortable situations.
Since his past actions had only made her feel uncomfortable.
But Raiden stepped forward, not threateningly, but with a knowing look. "You're not good with directions, are you?"
"I'm not," she admitted reluctantly.
He gestured for her to follow. "Come. I'll show you the way."
With no better option, she fell into step beside him. The air between them was laced with a strange tension—polite, but coiled, like a thread stretched too tight. She couldn't shake the feeling that Raiden's presence here wasn't just by chance.
"You work too hard, Miss Ellis," he said casually. "First the flawless execution of a high-stakes conference, and now getting lost in gardens like a daydreamer."
"I call it morning exercise," she replied dryly.
"Ah, so sharp," he smirked. "Tell me, did Vale know you were out wandering alone?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Is that important?"
"To some people, it might be."
Ava didn't reply. They reached a break in the trees, where a stone path led back toward the resort.
"Thank you," she said formally.
Raiden looked at her one last time, his gaze unreadable. "Try not to get lost again, Miss Ava. Not everyone would guide you back."
She turned without replying and jogged the rest of the way back, her heart hammering—not from exertion, but from the encounter. The way he said her name. The glint in his eyes.
He thought to himself with smirk on his lips.
This wasn't over.