Higher Dimension.7
Thanksgiving morning arrived with a dull ache in Ava’s chest. Her sleep had been restless, filled with the vivid warmth of a dream about her family: Noah’s giggles as he stole marshmallows from the sweet potatoes, Emily’s excited shouts during the parade, and the familiar chaos of Chris juggling kitchen tasks. It was so real that when Ava awoke, the absence of their voices felt like a physical blow.
The silence of the penthouse was oppressive. The air was cool, almost sterile, and the usual scents of Thanksgiving were replaced by nothingness. Ava instinctively reached for her phone before stopping herself, the reality of her isolation settling over her like a heavy blanket. She wouldn’t hear from them—not now, not in this dimension. She was utterly alone.
Determined to keep moving, Ava prepared a small Thanksgiving meal. A single turkey breast, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce sat neatly on the table, but the lonely place setting made the emptiness even more acute. Ava flicked on the TV, hoping to find solace in the parade, but the familiar floats and music only deepened her sense of loss. With a frustrated sigh, she shut it off and turned her focus to the only thing she could control—her mission to bring Victor Cain down.
By mid-afternoon, Ava was seated in a dimly lit conference room with her closest allies—Rob, Dana, Sophia, and Jake Carter, an investigative journalist she’d recently brought onto the team. Jake was everything Chris wasn’t: rugged, unkempt, and fiercely rebellious. He had sharp eyes that seemed to see through people, and a presence that was both magnetic and unsettling. Ava couldn’t deny the strange sense of familiarity she felt around him, though she tried to keep her focus on the task at hand.
“So, you’re the infamous Ava Green,” Jake said with a smirk, leaning back in his chair. “What makes a cannabis queen decide to tear down her own kingdom?”
Ava met his gaze steadily, her voice unwavering. “I’m not tearing it down—just cleaning out the rot.”
Jake’s smirk softened into something more genuine. “Fair enough. But are you doing this to fix the world, or to fix yourself?”
The question caught Ava off guard, and for a moment, she felt exposed. “Maybe both,” she admitted quietly.
Jake nodded, a hint of respect in his eyes. “At least you’re honest.”
The meeting quickly shifted to logistics. Ava outlined the plan for a major exposé that would reveal Victor’s corrupt political ties: evidence of bribes, campaign donations, and shady backroom deals. Jake’s contacts and reputation would add credibility and ensure wide coverage. As they strategized, Ava found herself stealing glances at him. His confidence was intoxicating, and his directness was refreshing, though she tried to suppress the growing attraction.
A few days later, Ava stood under the harsh studio lights, preparing to deliver a special Thanksgiving weekend segment on The Ava Green Show. It was her first live broadcast since the arrest, and she knew this was a pivotal moment for her credibility and her campaign against Victor.
Ava faced the camera with unwavering determination. “I’ve dedicated my career to making the cannabis industry safer and fairer,” she began, her voice steady but emotional. “But when you stand up for what’s right, you become a target. Recently, I was falsely accused of financial crimes—an attempt to silence my voice and protect those who exploit this industry.”
Her words hung in the air, a mix of defiance and vulnerability. “But I won’t be silenced. I’m here to expose corruption, not just for myself, but for every small business owner and consumer who deserves better.”
Backstage, Jake watched the broadcast with keen interest. As Ava stepped off set, he approached her with a smile. “You were good out there,” he said, his tone sincere. “Real good.”
Ava’s eyes flickered with relief. “It’s not over yet.”
Jake’s gaze was intense, his voice low. “And neither is whatever this is between us.”
Ava’s heart raced, but she quickly pushed aside the dangerous thrill she felt. There was too much at stake to let personal feelings cloud her judgment.
That evening, Ava returned to her penthouse to find an unmarked package waiting on her doorstep. She carried it inside with a sense of foreboding, setting it on the kitchen counter before carefully tearing away the paper. Inside was a crude, handwritten note: “Stop, or the next step won’t just be business.” Next to it was a photograph of her family, taken candidly in their kitchen.
Ava’s breath caught, fear mixing with anger. The sight of her family made her feel both exposed and helpless—Victor had found a way to reach into her deepest vulnerability. Panic gripped her as she tried to make a call to Chris, but the line wouldn’t connect. She was alone, and the realization was suffocating.
The knock at her door startled her. Ava opened it to find Jake standing there, his face a mix of concern and anger. “I heard about the package,” he said, stepping inside. “Are you okay?”
Ava struggled to keep her composure, her voice breaking slightly. “He’s threatening my family, Jake. I don’t know how, but he’s found a way.”
Jake’s expression softened, and he moved closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We’ll figure this out, Ava. But you have to be ready for anything.”
Ava allowed herself a rare moment of vulnerability, leaning into Jake’s embrace. The warmth and strength of his presence were both reassuring and unsettling. She felt an undeniable pull toward him, one that she knew was dangerous.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice shaky.
Jake’s arms tightened around her. “You’re not alone in this, Ava. Remember that.”
The exposé hit the media the next morning, sending shockwaves through the public. The investigation revealed Victor’s illegal dealings with key politicians, prompting immediate backlash. Several political allies issued statements distancing themselves from him, while others tried to deflect blame. Ava watched the coverage from her penthouse, a mix of satisfaction and anxiety swirling within her.
Jake stood beside her, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “We did it,” he said, though his tone was cautious.
Ava managed a small, tired smile. “For now.”
Jake made a lighthearted comment to break the tension, and Ava found herself laughing—a genuine, unguarded sound that surprised even her. It was a rare moment of joy in the midst of chaos, and it felt intimate, almost fragile.
“You know,” Jake said, his voice soft, “you’re pretty amazing when you’re not trying to save the world.”
Ava’s cheeks flushed slightly. “And you’re not as tough as you pretend to be.”
The flirtation was undeniable, the attraction more than just a passing spark. But before the moment could deepen, Ava’s phone rang—it was Rob, calling with updates on the fallout. The mission had to come first.
As Ava’s allies faced mounting pressure from Victor’s forces, tensions within the group began to surface. Rob, Dana, and Sophia were receiving threats, ranging from ominous phone calls to attempts at sabotage. Even Jake’s contacts were feeling the heat, as Victor’s reach extended further than anticipated.
During a late-night strategy meeting, Rob voiced his doubts. “Are we really willing to risk everything for this?” he asked, his tone heavy. “We’re talking about our lives, Ava.”
Ava’s eyes blazed with determination. “If we back down now, Victor wins. And he’ll keep hurting people who can’t fight back.”
Jake, standing beside her, added, “She’s right. But we need to be smarter—safer.”
Ava appreciated the support but felt the weight of her decisions pressing down on her. She knew she was asking a lot from her team, but she couldn’t turn back.
After the meeting, Jake pulled Ava aside. “You’re pushing yourself too hard,” he said softly. “You can’t save everyone.”
Ava’s response was filled with raw emotion. “I have to try. It’s the only way I can live with myself.”
Jake’s gaze was intense, a mix of admiration and longing. “And what about us?” he asked quietly. “Is there room for that in your world?”
Ava hesitated, her feelings conflicted. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I can’t think about that right now.”
Jake nodded, but his eyes were filled with a mix of understanding and sadness. “Just remember—I’m here, for all of it.”
Alone in her penthouse, Ava wrestled with her emotions. Jake was everything Chris wasn’t—bold, unpredictable, and openly passionate. Yet, there was a dangerous familiarity about him that both attracted and frightened her. As she settled into bed, her phone buzzed with a message from Jake: “This isn’t over. Neither is what’s between us.”
Ava felt a small smile tug at her lips, but it was tinged with guilt and uncertainty. She was risking everything—her mission, her safety, and possibly her chance to return home. But the fight, and her growing connection with Jake, had become deeply personal.
