Sean
My mom came towards Ava eyes wild with fury. Oh, well she is quite imperious person, and I think that she didn’t like the fact that Ava dropped the plate on me. She came to us and stood in front of Ava.
“You’re such an irresponsible girl.” My mum shouted at Ava.
“I’m so sorry ma’am. It was an accident.”
“Yeah, now do not start with that fake apologies of yours, it is fine. Now just clean all of that up or the out come would not be very pleasant.” My mom said with a very volatile voice.
“Mom! why are you speaking to her like that? It’s not her fault. I wasn’t walking properly and I collided with her. I clearly was not in the right place of mind an dI collided with her can you please stop creating a scene.” I said intervening in between and standing in front of my mother.
“Oh my dear son, you’re just too na? ve for these kind of people. You don’t know them. They are jealous of all that we have and these are the baseless tactics they use to trap a wealthy man like your self.” My mom said in degrading tone to Ava. I saw Ava roll her eyes at my mother. Hah, she is damn cute.
I was beginning to intervene again bit then Ava said,
“Mam, I said I was sorry it was an accident, but if you still think it was baseless tactic, you can please look for different event manager who would organize the wedding in two days. As for trapping your son I am so sorry to say this but, you have A very shallow thinking if you think that every woman is dying to marry your son who by the way is getting married in two days, so yeah, I am certainly not interested in your na? ve son, with all due respect.”
“Are you threatening me and disrespecting me, little girl? You don’t know who I am?” my mom said her voice shaking with controlled rage.
“Oh, I know well enough about you. Are not you the most prestigious lady in the town, you just don’t act like Prestigious lady that you claim to be!” Ava said with certainty that my mom was astonished by her behavior. It is not very easy to make my mother astonished.
“Oh God, both of you enough right now. Mom, you have to go from here and look around the preparations. You and father needs to make sure that the decorations are perfect. And, Ava. Please just clean this up. And then meet me at the table for coffee please.” I said in a commanding voice that both the women complied to my order.
Good, this is much better.
“Whatever, ” my mom grumbled and walked away.
Ava was already on cleaning the plate of food from the floor.
“May I help you with something,” I asked her.
“No, no, it’s fine. It’s completely fine. You don’t have to bother and thanks for standing up to your mother for me. It was very nice of you. But I don’t need protection, Sean. I can look after myself. I’ve done it for my whole life. You can just sit at the table. I’ll be there soon after. Finish my work here and we can have coffee together. After all, I did invite you here.” She said not once looking at my face. She was absurdly concentrating on the mess in front of her instead of me. And, shall I say it di wonders for my ego. So I announced to her,
“Well sorry to burst your bubble, but I didn’t came here because you called me. I came here because I just happen to lived upstairs and I wanted to eat because I am extremely famished.” I said to save my left over self respect which she is so determined to crush.
“Hum, so you didn’t came because of me. That’s sad, I thought you accepted my invitation and hence you are here.”
I just laughed at that not because it was funny but, because it made me feel guilty hearing that she will get host if I said that I did not came here because of her. The truth is the only reason I came here was Ava. I wanted to see her happy and intriguing personality.
And said, “I’m joking. I did came here looking for you.” Truthfully. Because of, I can not stand a thought of hurting her any more. Not emotionally and of course not physically ever.
“Whatever you say. I believe you. Now go sit at the table. I will ask someone to bring you food and after that we can have coffee. I’ll just finish some work here. And be all yours.” She said absently and then her eyes went wide as she realised the last sentence of hers. But, she decided to ignore it and go about the way it was.
“Sure, that’s fine.” I said to fill the uncomfortable silence between us.
I sat at the table and the waiter came to take my order. He was looking quite young to be working but, I reminded silent until he asked me —
“What would you like to have sir?” the waiter asked in an prepared voice as if he has practiced that all his life.
“I’ll have whatever is good on the menu and along with that there’s a cup of black coffee.” I ordered my meal to the waiter.
“Sure, sir coming right now.” He replied hurriedly in the same animated voice.
Ava was working spiritedly and talking to her fellow employees and instructing them as of what needs to be done. I just watched her.
She was beautiful, lively and she had so much warmth in her. She could light up the whole world with the brightness. She is not just a day of sunshine, she’s the whole got damn sun.
I wish a brightness never dies and it always stays like it is. Young and playful and yet very Matured. Yeah, not always. But, she is mature for her age.
Which leads me to a question, What is her age?
The waiter came up with my coffee and a pasta dish that look delicious. I have not had anything in the whole day an as a result of they I’m really hungry right now.
I divulged in to the Pasta.. and finished it in a blink.
Just then. Ava. walk to my table with two cups of coffee in her hand.
“Oh, you already ordered yourself a coffee. I bought two cups for both of us, but never mind”. She said trying to hide the hurt in her voice. But, she is so transparent that I can read her like a magazine.
“Don’t kid yourself. I can have two cups of coffee right now after the tired of a day I’ve had. Give it to me.” I said cheerfully hoping it would make her feel better.
“Are you sure that much caffeine is not good for you?” Oh, dear. Still caring about others, she really is very selfless.
“Right now I’m in a place of mind where I really don’t care about my health. Please give me that coffee.” I said to her with a playful stern ness.
“OK, if you say so. Here. it is.” She said as she handed me the cup of another hot coffee.
“Just a second, you have a stain on your shirt. I think it’s doable though. The Entrée plate dropped on your shirt.” She said eying the stain on my shirt.
“Of course, can you just give me a wet wipe? I’ll just clean it up and it will be fine.” The stain was not as big of a problem as she was making it seem. It was just a small smudge of the some kind of sauce in the dish.
“A coffee with me was start to be really. Expensive for you. I stained your shirt. I apologize for it.” She said shooting me an apologetic look.
“No, it’s it is fine. It happens. No issues.” I replied with a small smile of my own.
“The job must be very hard for you since you have to stay on your feet the whole day working your mind off.” I said to converse with her about her life. So, that I can know her more.
“Yeah, I mean it is tough, but uh, there’s no such thing as easy money. Is there?” She said honestly.
“And apart from that, I’ve gotten used to it.” She added she did not look unsatisfied from life which was an admirable trait for a girl like her. She seemed very grateful and content with her life.
“I’m finished with my coffee. I’ll take your leave. And won’t bother you a lot.” I say with a lot of resistance towards her because I have to leave. I can’t stay a minute longer. I am attracted to a girl who is probably a decade younger than I am. Damn my pants are starting to get right and it is not a good sign.
I am So out of my mind.
“OK, then see you have a nice night. Good bye Sean.” She said ever so gracefully. She is like a princess. Cinderella by fate. Snow White at heart. Belle in beauty. She is the God damned enchantress.
“Goodnight, Ava. It was really nice meeting you. By the way, what are you going to stay up so late over here? Come on, let’s go and drop you home.” I say hoping she would not reject my offer as it is quite late at night and I would not let her walk alone at this in godly hour.
“No, no, if you have to go, you can go alone. I am busy. I still have work to do. I have to place these flowers over the fence and the engines over there left finish all the work. As you can see, you informed me really late about your wedding. So I have to finish the preparation in two days so it will take some time. I have to stay up and do that.” She replied in a quick voice. It is really difficult to understand some times what she is saying.
That would not be a problem for me. I will only go when I safely tuck her in her home.
“Okay, then I’ll stay as well. I might help you. You know I can reach those up places where you might. Need to take a step ladder or something. I can help you with all this back, don’t worry.” Is said to her to make her feel better. I don’t why I have this weird urge to make sure that she is alright.
“Oh no, you don’t have to. I can manage it, it’s fine.” Denying my help and company at once. What is wrong with this girl why can not she accept help for once in her life?
“You know it my fault that we made you plan the wedding in such a little time no one else even would have taken up the contract like you did. That is really brave of you and since it is my wedding and fault, let me help.” I said with conviction in my voice so that she can not deny me.
“All right, then we’ll start with these flowers. We will start with the red one and then move to the right. Going lighter.” She instructed me. I like how bossy she became just in an instant.
“Do you want me to start from the top to bottom or bottom to top? How do you want the gradient to be?” I asked her before moving to place the flowers as she requires.
“You seem to know about this quite a lot considering the fact that you are a businessman.” She asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Ha… ha… very funny. I know stuff. I’m an educated man. It’s no big deal. It is not like this is some rocket science or anything.” I said drily.
“Yeah, true, probably will just start from. Top to bottom.” She said.
I took a big bunch of red roses in my hand and climbed the ladder and start placing them as she instructed.
***