AVA
Ava had seem him when he'd entered the hall. Infact, it was Nicole that called her attention to him. Her breath had hitched and she'd almost thought she was going to faint from the sudden wave that hit her.
Out of all the places and times to meet him, she was there staring at him over the heads of wealthy people like him.
"He's even hotter."
Nicole's whisper jolted her and she snapped back to reality. She had forgotten where she was as she had gazed at him. She knew he wouldn't see her from the distance and the people between them.
She turned away from him and grabbed a tray of drinks. She'll find a way to avoid bumping into him. It might not end well if he found her there.
"Ooh! Damn!" Nicole whispered again and Ava raised her eyes to her, but she wasn't looking at her, she still had her gaze fixed in the distance.
Ava followed her gaze and felt a sudden headache. Or was that her heartbeat?
Simone!
Nicole was right about almost everything. There was no chance in hell for a girl like her.
Her lower lip quivered and her pulse quickened. She couldn't stop gazing at them.
They looked so good together. Richard was clad in a three piece blue suit, his hands in his pockets and he had a weary expression. While the woman beside him was gorgeous and they both looked like they walked straight out of a magazine.
Power couple.
Without breaking a sweat, she turned her back on them and faced Nicole who seemed quite dazed. "You should stop gazing at them. We need to get to work."
Nicole smirked and looked at her with a knowing smile. They don't have to exchange words but it was clear, what they had in mind.
She had weaved through the standing bodies, becoming cautious not to move too far so she wouldn't face Richard. She had served the last drink to a beautiful lady who had even mouthed a thank you, when she had turned to find Richard moving swiftly towards her.
He wouldn't know that though, but she had swerved immediately to avoid him noticing her. She'd heard someone call out in greeting and he'd responded.
She was moving forward, farther away from him, when a palm clamped on her shoulder and veered her round to face him.
Oh no!
The surprise embedded in his eyes immediately and he squinted at her. Taking in the white shirt and purple skirt she wore.
"Ava!" His voice was husky and felt like a fur against her skin.
So poetic!
But...
His frown deepened in confusion. His eyes wandered over her again. "What are you doing here?" He asked, his voice still in whispers, and his hand still clamped on her shoulder.
She could only stare at him. Looking over her head, he acted quickly. Swiftly, he took the tray from her and handed it to someone else only for him to take her hand and start dragging her from the hall did she realize that it was Nicole.
She saw the side glances from everyone but could only flush all over as he dragged her away. He only stopped when they got to the fountain outside and let go of her arm.
There was enough light and she could realized that she'd never stood this close with him. Just the simple fact that they were standing there, made Ava's heart beat loudly.
Ava suddenly felt the loss and goosebumps when he let go. It was just like another emptiness that crept in. Subconsciously, she wanted him to keep holding her arm.
His confusion was now replaced with something else. Richard now looked angry. Or rather upset. Angry might be extreme since he wasn't lashing out when he repeated his question.
"What are you doing here, Ava?" He'd asked. His voice was impatient.
"I'm sorry. I just..." She couldn't come up with anything. Her voice shook and she also shook her head to think straight.
"Ava, you can talk to me."
It wasn't what he said that got Ava staring intently at him. It was his voice. The tone. The texture.
It was smooth and rough at the same time. It was smooth enough to bring her to tears, but rough enough to make her quiver.
His eyes were fixed on hers and they stood there gazing at each other. Gazing into each other's soul.
Was this what it was like?
To fell in love?
Ava was sure she had fallen in love with him right there and then.
His eyes were searching hers. It was waiting too.
She had to answer him at some point.
She could talk to him!
Breaking the suspense, even when it killed her. "I need the extra cash." She simply said. Her voice almost inaudible.
But he heard her.
He just blinked and stepped two feet away from her, folding his arms across his chest.
The gesture seemed like he needed the physical space between them and to hold himself back.
Or, he might do something stupid.
"What do you need it for?" His voice still had the smooth texture, but it was wearing thin.
She blinked back at him. "I have bills to pay_"
"Aren't I paying you enough to work for me?" His voice was now crisp and sharp.
"I... I_"
"You might not have been told but this is totally unacceptable. I could fire you for this."
Ava's eyes widened in dismay. "I'm so sorry. I don't want you to fire me..." Her voice shook.
Richard unfolded his arms and pocketed them instead. His breaths were now in rasps. He now looked rather angry.
"How much?" He asked.
Ava paused.
Richard asked again. "How much do you need to clear your bills?"
She opened her mouth to speak, then shut them, obviously flustered. '' twenty three thousand and eight hundred dollars."
His face remained impassive till his brows drew close and he peered at her like she must have said something totally ridiculous.
But, Ava understood his look.
Nodding, "yes. I'm that poor."
"You could've asked me."
Ava shook her head frantically. "No. I couldn't. You're already paying me enough."
He didn't answer, but he kept his eyes on her face. It seemed like he was in an internal battle with himself.
He looked like he had things he wanted to say to her but just couldn't. She kept her eyes on his face and tried to read his handsome face.
He didn't look upset anymore. He just looked like he was hurt.
Yes, hurt might be the word. But Ava couldn't answer why.
"You shouldn't be here..."
"Why?"
"At least, not for the extra cash." He completed as if he didn't hear her question.
Now, it was Ava's turn to look at Richard as if he had said something ridiculous as well.
Taking her eyes from his, she looked down at the very white shoes, the ushers were all given.
Richard closed the few steps between them, and that made Ava to raise her head to find that they were now standing closer than before.
Toe to toe.
Eye to eye.
Sharing the same breath and living in the same moment.
At that point, they both knew that they can't escape from the unexplainable spark.
Withdrawing his left hand from his pocket, Richard tucked back a strand of hair- that now dangled free- behind her ear and proceeded to caress a finger down her face.
Ava was sure she was going to fall, because her knees went weak and her eyes gazed soulfully back at him.
What was happening?
He wasn't meant to touch her. At least, not like this.
"Sir Richard..." She started. Her heart beating frantically and loudly. She thought she might even suffer a heart attack right then.
"You're beautiful, Ava." He said. It was like a hush because all she could do at that moment was suck in her lower lip.
"I'm not going to pretend anymore about this thing that's between us."
As he said those words, Ava was sure she was hearing things. Probably in a dream or in a trance.
It's got to be either of those two, but his eyes were so real that she knew it was neither. It was real.
So so real.
"You feel it too. I know that you do and I know that this so wrong for us, but seeing you here tonight made me realize that I want you."
Heck! Yea, this is real.
His finger went up her face and down. It stopped somewhere below her jaw line and felt the flapping wings of huge butterflies, flying deeper into her stomach.
"I... I'm not... Sir Richard I..."
Ava blushed so much when she couldn't say a coherent word. She'd been stuttering since she stood there with him.
He suddenly gave her a wide smile and withdrew his hand from her face, tucking it back into his pocket.
"I like you Ava. You shouldn't say anything, but I want you to know that."
She could only gaze at him. Her cheeks feeling hitter and redder by the second.
"Richard!" A voice interrupted their intense moment.
Ava took a hurried step away from him, putting a distance between them.
"I need to get back inside, sir Richard."
"Richard!" The voice called again. This time it was closer.
Thinking quickly she asked. "Am I getting fired?"
His face broke into an amused smile. "No, you're not. I'll see you tomorrow."
Looking past him, she saw the lady from earlier come into the clearing. She nodded at him and turned away from him, putting enough distance between them with each step.
Before she was completely out of earshot, she heard the woman in the distance.
"What are you doing here? Who was that you were talking to?"
Even as she went into the hall, she was sure she didn't want to hear whatever he was going to tell the other lady.
For now, she could only worry about what Mr. Richard McCaul had professed to her.
And that would keep her heart beating for a long time.