Rachel paced back and forth in the living room, muttering to herself. Aaron was on his way to his studio and had packed his portfolio and camera. He paused and looked at Rachel when he saw her. "Is there anything wrong?" he inquired.
Rachel gave him a pouty look. Aaron averted his gaze from her. "Aaron....."
"I'm in trouble!" she exclaimed, stretching his name. She gave an awkward smile.
"Now what trouble are you in?" Aaron slapped his forehead.
"My internship has been canceled, and my father is furious." Rachel bit her nails and resumed her pacing.
"What? How?" Aaron took her hand in his and stopped her pacing. Rachel gave him an awkward smile and explained, "Because I came here before completing the internship period. They had told us not to cancel a single day. I, on the other hand, was absent for a week."
Aaron was taken aback by her. "You missed an entire week of your internship and flew to New York? "How careless you are!" he exclaimed.
Rachel blinked her eyes quickly, a look of fear on her face. "Dad said he'll cancel my trip. And now, instead of getting a proper job, I have to work at his farm. "I messed up everything," she began to cry.
"Please, stop crying." Aaron tentatively held her cheek and wiped her tear away with his thumb. "If not that job," he said quietly. "You could try your hand at cooking. You enjoy that, don't you?"
"I do, indeed. But will Dad agree?" Rachel burst into tears once more. Aaron drew her in and wrapped his arms around her. Rachel sobbed as she clutched him.
Ava entered the house hesitantly because the door had already been opened. She was abruptly stopped to see Aaron and Rachel. Their proximity bothered her. She stood at the door, numb, staring at them in agony.
"Madame Ava. What are you doing at the door? "Please come in." The housemaid greeted her as she approached the door. Aaron's attention was drawn to her voice, and he quickly unwrapped his hand from Rachel's and stepped back.
"You take a seat here. "I'm calling madam," the housemaid said before leaving them. Ava bowed her head to conceal her tears. "I apologize for bothering you," she mumbled.
"It's fine." Aaron mumbled. "Please take a seat."
"I left my purse in your room the last time I was here. And I almost forgot to ask you." Ava twitched her fingers. Aaron humped. He went to his room and returned ten minutes later, clutching the purse.
"Here," he said, handing Ava the purse. She took the purse and walked away without saying anything or looking at him.
Aaron turned around with a sigh. He grabbed his camera and made his way to the front door. Meanwhile, Rachel had stopped crying and wanted to ask Aaron a question, but she didn't. She left the room, wiping her tears, and went to her room.
…..
The sun was set already, and the sky was colored a deep orange. Aaron left the studio after finishing his work. He decided to go to the beach and relax. His phone began to ring as he got into the car. He answered the phone irritably.
"Say, Rachel... What happened?" he inquired.
"Please meet me at Joe's Cafe right now. "I'm stuck here," Rachel lamented.
"Ugh... Why do you keep getting into trouble?" screamed Aaron. "Wait a minute... I'll be there in a minute." Aaron hung up the phone and went to the cafe.
"However, Aunt, why did you call me here?" Ava squeaked. She and Sophia were sitting in the living room, watching a movie from the previous hour.
"I needed company. Aaron doesn't have much time for me because of his work. And I'm not aware of any better company than you. You are similar to my daughter." Sophia stroked Ava's head.
Ava leaned on Sophia's shoulder and slammed her eyes shut emotionally. "You are caring and lovable, just like my mother." Ava squealed.
"Ava, I know you enjoy baking. Will you assist me in baking a cake?" Ava tilted her head and looked at her, perplexed.
"Cake? "Is there any reason, Aunt?" she inquired. Sophia laughed and went into the kitchen, followed by Ava.
"Let us start baking the cake? Then I'll tell you about the special occasion." Ava received an apron from Sophia.
Ava put on her apron and turned on the oven to pre-heat. Sophia provided all of the ingredients and assisted her in baking the cake. Ava began decorating the cake after it had been successfully baked.
"It's Aaron's birthday tomorrow. And I'm planning on surprising him with the cake tonight. "Of course, you're staying here tonight," Sophia explained.
"But why me, Aunt? I mean, I doubt he'll be pleased to see me at the celebration." Ava averted her gaze, embarrassed by what she had said.
"I don't believe so. He'll be relieved to see you. "Believe me." Sophia gently stroked her head. Ava smiled weakly and resumed her work.
…..
Aaron and Rachel arrived home shortly before dinner. Ava was inside the kitchen, gladly assisting Sophia. Aaron went into the kitchen while Rachel ran to her room. At first, he didn't notice Ava.
"I'm so hungry, Mom..." Aaron paused to look at Ava, who immediately averted her gaze. Aaron walked away from the kitchen. Sophia arrived in no time.
"Aaron, go get clean up. "I'm serving dinner," she explained. "And, yes, Ava is joining us for dinner tonight," she said.
Aaron nodded and proceeded to his room. Aaron and Rachel entered the living room after showering. They all sat down for dinner after Milo arrived. Everyone was sitting quietly, eating dinner, in the quiet room. Rachel regarded Ava with suspicion. Milo and Sophia were discussing business matters, unconcerned about the children.
Ava was unconsciously moving the spoon on the plate. Aaron looked up at her, wanting to wipe her chin. Rice had become stuck to her chin. Aaron called out to her, but instead of looking at Ava, Rachel looked at him.
"Do you want some water?" she inquired.
"No, I'm fine," Aaron replied. Rachel shrugged and returned her attention to the food.
"Ahem... You have a rice stick on your chin." Aaron murmured and motioned to Ava.
Ava was taken aback by his words; however, she attempted but failed to remove the rice. Aaron looked at her as she struggled to remove the rice. He leaned forward to Ava, mentally laughing, and slowly removed the rice from her chin. Unknowingly, he brushed his thumb against her chin, making her blush. However, she did not move her gaze. Instead, they were both losing themselves in each other's eyes.
"I think the rice was already removed," Rachel said harshly, holding back her laughter.
Aaron leaned back quickly, while Ava averted her gaze. Rachel chuckled at Aaron.
After dinner, everyone went to their respective rooms. Aaron went to do the dishes in the kitchen. He put all the dishes on the sink and began cleaning them while wearing the apron. He was a little irritated because he wasn't sure how to do it for the first time. He poured more soap onto the sponge and began scrubbing the dirty plates. For the amount of soap, the sink was filled with soap foam, which eventually fell on the floor.
"Dammit!" he muttered as he tried to turn off the water. But his hands were slick from the soap, and a plate slipped and shattered on the floor. He went to get the towel and slipped on the foams on the floor. The sound of the plate breaking drew Ava's attention. She scurried into the kitchen.
She couldn't stop laughing as she walked into the kitchen. Aaron sat on the floor, his hands smeared with soap foam. Some foam was also stuck to his nose and hair. Ava threw back her head and laughed loudly. Aaron laughed when he saw her laugh. He attempted to stand but fell again. Ava burst out laughing.
"Would you rather laugh or help me?" Aaron inquired sarcastically.
"Oh yeah..." Ava suppressed her laughter as she marched towards him. She jumped carefully over the broken plate and extended her hand to Aaron. Aaron drew her to him instead of taking her hand. She fell on Aaron's lap after slipping on the foam. Shivers ran down her spine as she felt butterflies in her stomach. Aaron, too, shivered as he wrapped his hands around her waist. Ava's face flushed from the closeness, and she averted her gaze to hide her blush. Aaron held her cheek gently and turned her to face him. Ava giggled in the middle as she wiped the foam from his nose and hair. Aaron stroked her hair gently. He drew her closer, tugging on a hair strand, their noses brushing. In excitement, Ava slammed her eyes shut. Aaron's thumb reached for her lips to brush them just as someone entered the kitchen.
"What exactly is going on here?" They were startled and released their grip when they heard the sudden voice.