(THIRD POV)
"Hi." Brenda's assistant greeted.
"Hi," Ava replied, her eyes on Brenda.
Ava smiled sweetly at the assistant and said softly, "please, will you excuse us."
The assistant stared at Brenda and signed, "do you know her?"
Brenda smiled; she could see the concern on her assistant's face. She glanced at Ava Max and found her staring at her. She told the assistant that it was okay to leave.
The assistant signed, "are you sure? I don't know her."
Brenda rose and asked Ava to get in. She took the assistant's hand to ask and reassured him that she was okay and that he could go home. "I am sorry we didn't get to eat together. Maybe some other day, and here, wait for your food."
The assistant shook his head and told Brenda she could eat with the lady who entered.
"Go home, I promise I am okay. She is a friend of mine."
