Gavin heard every word. His heart sank, but he is not a fighter for nothing. "Okay, you will not allow me to fall in love with you, but what if I do?" Gavin asked Aya in a serious tone. If there is one thing sure at this moment, it is Gavin failing her rule. This early, he needs to know the consequences.
Aya is not prepared for this question, she had to improvise. She thought of the harshest one she could think of. "Hmm, let's see, if you fall then, we can't be together anymore. We would have to end our deal." Aya said it straight as an arrow, it pierced Gavin's heart.
She saw the pain in Gavin's eyes. It was unusual for her to see emotions in men like Gavin. But he is showing her real emotions right now. "Is he falling for me already?" Aya could not help but ask herself. With a heavy tone; she never realized she would have to explain it to Gavin, or to anyone else for that matter.
"I'm not ready for a new relationship; I just made my way out from a toxic one. I want to enjoy my life first and be in tune with myself again." Aya said her piece bluntly, but for Gavin, it was another goal for him, not a hindrance of what they could be in the future.
Gavin nodded, he took his chance. He believes Aya would still change her mind along the way. "I'd love to help you do that. Have fun and forget about that toxic guy. And don't worry; I will not hold it against you if you fall in love with me. I will allow you to fall for me a hundred percent!" Gavin smirked at her.
Aya responded with a scrunched-up face. She loves how Gavin just accepted her decision like that, too far from her failed toxic relationship with Gerard. He was too demanding and domineering. His love for her choked her and tortured her mentally and emotionally.
Aya went inside her room; she changed clothes and prepared for her date slash tour guide gig with Gavin. She chose a black leather skirt and a matching black leather thigh-high boots. For her top she wore a white knitted turtleneck long sleeves and a black leather coat with a furry collar. She then brought out some clothes and jackets that their friends upstairs donated for Gavin.
"Thank you," Gavin said and wore the denim jacket on top of his plain white shirt. Aya instructed Gavin on her usual closing routines. He would have to learn this stuff faster if he was to stay with her. Gavin locked the store and walked towards Aya who was standing in front of the store with both her hands shoved in her pocket.
She extended her hand to him. "Let's walk around town." Aya said with a smile on her face. Gavin loves seeing Aya smile. He willingly accepted her hand and took a deep breath as they walked hand in hand, going to the town.
"Are you uncomfortable?" Aya asked Gavin, who is feeling butterflies in his stomach as they stride to the small park at the heart of the town with their hands interlocked.
He instantly removed his hand and wiped it on his jeans. Aya laughed at his reaction and took his hand again. "I saw Gerard's staff outside the store earlier that's why I invited you out for this sweet walk at the park." She giggled as she finished explaining it to Gavin.
Gavin nodded. "I'm sorry; this is the first time I held a woman's hand in this setting." He said in a low voice, almost as if he was ashamed to admit it to Aya.
"Hmm, really? Then I'm glad to have the honor of being your first date." She said as she stared at his beautiful gray eyes.
Gavin blushed at her words and feels shy as his eyes lovingly met hers. Aya stopped walking and faced him directly. "I'm sorry for putting you in this awful situation." Aya said and without warning, she grabbed Gavin and pulled his face closer to hers and kissed him gently on the lips.
"You know why I did that, right?" Aya asked Gavin as soon as their lips parted.
Gavin kissed back the unassuming Aya. It was quick, but gentle as well. He smirked at her and wittingly answered back. "I know, and you also know why I did that, right?" In his peripheral vision, he saw more of Gerard's staff following them.
Aya could not answer right away, but managed to make light of the situation. "I know exactly why you did that, you, perv! I will punish you later." They both laughed as they continued with their stroll.
Gavin looked around and exhaled deeply when he was sure that Gerard's guards were not following them anymore.
"What the hell, is this guy doing?" Aya muttered loud enough for Gavin to hear her.
"What's the matter?" Gavin curiously asked the frustrated Aya.
"This car," She pointed at the black Porsche parked near the bar. "It's Gerard's." Aya pouted her lips as she glanced at Gavin, who was smiling naughtily. She placed her hands on her hips and scanned Gavin's smirk.
"Why do I have the feeling that you are enjoying this?" Aya confronted the smiling Gavin.Deep inside she was enjoying it too. "Isn't it too fast to enjoy moments like this with someone I barely know?" She thought while feeling Gavin's firm hand on her waist.
"Oh, no, you got it wrong; I would never take advantage of someone else's misery." Gavin raised his hand to Aya. "However," He bent down to draw his face closer to Aya and whispered to her. "I have to admit that I am enjoying my time with you. I hope you won't take it against me." Gavin's serious expression made him look sexier.
Aya's heart skips a beat. "How the hell could I keep my cool around this guy? He makes my heart do somersaults with just a freaking smile." She was scolding herself inwardly.
"Hey, I told you not to fall in love with me." Aya said in a low voice as if she was embarrassed.
"Aya!" a woman behind them exclaimed. Aya and Gavin looked in her direction.
"Oh, hi Jen!" Aya greeted back at the woman. The woman glanced at Gavin and seemed impressed with his looks. Aya instantly took notice of her and held onto Gavin's arms like she is telling Jen that Gavin is hers.
"Easy, girl, I won't take your man from you." Jen chuckled at Aya and extended her hand to Gavin. "I'm Jen."
Gavin, being the gentleman that he is, he willingly accepted her hand. "Nice to meet you, Jen. I'm Gavin; Aya's boyfriend."
Aya felt proud hearing it straight from Gavin. It felt good hearing him prove her claim. But it would have felt better if it were real. "Seriously, something's wrong with me." Aya scolded herself again.
"Oh, okay. You are Aya's flavor of the month. Anyway, I'll go ahead. See you inside." Jen walked past them in her six-inch pumps.
Gavin glimpsed at Aya. "Flavor of the month, huh?"
"Don't listen to her." Aya stubbornly pulled Gavin's hand as they went inside the bar. Those words stirred Gavin's curiosity. He cannot get it out of his head. "Is Aya that type of woman? It does not matter if I am this month's flavor, right? I should not judge her past. Who am I to judge her, I am not particularly clean myself." Gavin's thoughts were all over the place; as if he has the right to question Aya about anything when he is just a contractual boyfriend.
They sat near the stage, a few tables beside Jen. Aya does not seem comfortable but the Friday night show is loaded, she does not have much choice.
A server approached Aya. "Hi, Ms. Aya, Sex on the Beach paid for by the gentleman over there." He pointed at the table on their far-right. It's Gerard; he even had the audacity to raise his glass to Aya.
Aya rolled her eyes at him as she glanced at Gavin. He was whispering something to the server. The waiter snickered as he left their table. It got Aya even more curious.
"What the hell did you tell him? He's got a big smile on his face." Aya asked Gavin, who was also smiling.
Gavin reached for Aya's hands and caressed them sweetly. Aya took a deep sigh. "Why does this guy have to be so charming?" Words she could only mumble in her head.
"I hope you don't mind me adding another drink on your tab." He said to Aya, and then he kissed her hands. "Your boyfriend just sent a drink to your ex."
Aya smiled, not because she knows Gerard is looking at them right now, but because it feels so good to be Gavin's girlfriend even if it's just for show.
"What drink did you send him?" Aya asked Gavin.
Gavin moved closer to Aya and whispered his answer to her ears; "Adios Motherfucker."