RICHARD
It wasn't the thought that Ava would be waiting for him, that had Richard literally running home. It was more about the fact that he couldn't wait to see her.
Aside his daughters, he'd never been so anxious to see someone. Infact, there were lots of things he was sure he'd outgrown.
But recently, he wasn't sure anymore. He found himself doing crazy stuff. He'd never cancel a meeting no matter how tired he was, but after long hours of inspection and survey, he'd told Victoria to cancel his last meeting and reschedule to a later date.
All he wanted was to go home to Ava.
He curled his lip in a little smile as he thought of how poetic it sounded.
Home to Ava.
Things were getting fast, he thought as he sat in the cool interior of his car and looked out through the window as Henry sped past the bright lights.
That was one of the days he appreciated the bright lights. Even as the cars sped and weaved through traffic, slowing and stepping on it, you'll enjoy how fast things went by.
Henry halted at a traffic jam. He half expected the traffic since it was already 6pm. That was one of the things he hated about life in Bellamy. The traffic only got worse.
But on a night like that, he was sure he might even run out since his patience was running thin by the minute.
He was sure it would make headlines if he dared, so he sat tight and scowled.
Looking out through the window again, he wasn't in the mood to read the repeated lines of the financial times. His eyes idly took note of the cars that halted beside his and then they roamed farther away from them.
There must have been something that spoke to his mind because his eyes gazed at the bus station. There wasn't anyone there but he remembered her. Or so he thought.
He remembered the girl that sat there with her head bent so her hair was covering her face. He hadn't seen the face, but the hair...
The hair was Ava's. It was the same shade and it confused him, because he couldn't figure out why he was suddenly reminded about something fleeting like that.
He couldn't make out what she was like, but it had struck him. Maybe, it was her hair.
The car started moving again and it snapped him back to reality. There was no point thinking about a fleeting moment and trying to compare it as a coincidence.
He didn't believe in coincidences. He didn't even believe in fate, but he was beginning to think that Ava being in his life, might be just that.
Fate.
Richard let out a breath that he didn't realize he was holding when the car started moving stealthily. Henry beat the traffic and was now closing the distance to the mansion.
It didn't take a lot of minutes before Henry went through the gate and down the lane. It was until Henry had turned off the engine and had got out of the car to open his side of the door, did he notice the car.
It seemed new and he knew there could only be one person with such access to his house.
Richard didn't need to think too much about it, because he grabbed his briefcase and briskly walked up the short stairs.
He wasn't sure that he wanted to find Ava there, if Simone was in his home. It wouldn't be good.
He was stopped short in his tracks when he got in and saw Simone in the hallway, leaning against the wall, clad in a green shirt. For a moment, he almost asked her why she always wore his shirts.
She was the last person he expected to see, but he should have known that she would come, with or without his permission. She always did that.
Her face lit up in a smile as she stared at him. He didn't return the smile but he stalked steadily to her, searching for something to hint that Ava was there.
Simone didn't move from where she stood, instead she folded her forearms against her chest. "I was beginning to worry that you might not return." She said, her voice plain and low.
The house was flooded with light, so if there was any sign of Ava he couldn't miss it, yet, he still looked around him for something to say the opposite.
"What are you doing here? You know I hate it when you show up uninvited." He kept his voice plain.
Simone just chuckled. "We're in a relationship. I don't need any invitation."
"I made myself clear from the first day so that we don't extend our limits, but Simone, you keep doing that." His voice was now taut, his jaw clenched.
She shrugged absently. "It's two years already so there's no point for such rules_"
"I told you we need a break from all of this!" He almost yelled it at her, but kept his voice down as he stared down the hallway, as if he was afraid someone might jump out. Ava specifically.
Simone noticed his diversion. "The girl's gone. We're the only ones here."
Richard regretted it immediately. He wished Taylor was home so that Simone would keep her distance, but he didn't intend to let her know that.
"Did you tell her to leave?" He pinned Simone with a death stare.
She simply shrugged and that got Richard really upset. He pressed his lips tightly and faced her squarely.
"Don't ever do that again." That was all he could mutter.
Turning away, he made to walk past her but Simone caught him by the wrist. She wasn't leaning anymore.
"Why can't I? Why are we still strangers?"
Sparing her a side glance, he twisted his wrist free from her grip and walked into the sitting room, Simone hot on his trail.
"You don't tell me anything, Richard. Now, you're mad because I sent her home!"
This was totally not how Richard anticipated his night. He was rushing home to talk with Ava, and not come back and fight with Simone.
Could things get any worse?
Whirling round to face Simone, he breathed. Trying so hard to sound calm. "We don't tell each other anything. Don't start acting all interested."
Simone bit her lower lip and blinked incessantly at him. "I've always been interested. What changed? I'm not good for you anymore?"
Dropping the briefcase on a side table, he tugged at his tie, suddenly feeling choked. "I don't need to answer that. I don't want to do this with you tonight."
She nodded and ran her fingers through her hair. Richard eyed her as he tugged off his tie.
"Did you ever love me? Was there a time you thought we could really work?" Simone was now staring doe eyed at him. Her full lips quivered and her nostrils flared.
The question stopped Richard in his tracks. Looking at Simone, rid of all makeup and bare, he thought hard about it.
He was certain there was a time he loved her. The first time they met, he thought to himself that she had a beautiful smile and when they'd started talking, he was positive there could be more.
Two years down the line and he couldn't decide anymore. Simone was a beautiful woman but something was missing between them.
The sex was fantastic. The media had even portrayed them as the power couple. They looked good together.
But now...
Now, there was so much more Richard wanted for himself that he wasn't getting from whatever was going on between them. There was so much he couldn't give to Simone.
He clenched his jaw and stared squarely at the woman in front of him. That was his moment of truth.
"What does it matter now? It doesn't work."
Simone chuckled. "It took you two minutes to think about it..."
"What does that matter?"
"It means there's hope for us and you need to break free from whatever's confusing you."
Ha! He could see where she was going with that.
Picking up his briefcase with one hand and the tie in the other, he took few steps away from Simone. "I'm not confused. I'm well aware of whatever I want."
She nodded and took quick strides towards him, curling a hand on his elbow, she edged him towards the dining. "Why don't we have dinner first? I was waiting for you so I'm totally famished."
He wasn't sad about how Simone had suddenly truncated the whole conversation. It was her way of making it seem trivial and then doing whatever she wanted.
Her way of wining. But not this time...
Richard didn't realize how hungry he was till she had mentioned dinner. He'd wanted to talk over dinner with Ava, but here he was, having dinner with the wrong person.
He wondered what Simone might have told her or the impression she must have left.
It worried him. Simone, being a celebrity might have her sharp edges. Though she'd never been in a scandal, it still got him thinking about how she'd react when she found out about Ava.
Pushing the thoughts aside as Simone steered him to the dinning, pushed him down on a chair and eased him of his briefcase and tie.
Ava had made Mac and cheese, with fried turkey wings as appetizers. It was simple but looked delicious. He waited till Simone had seated before he dished a plate for himself.
"I had her make these. I hope it's as good as it looks."
Richard just smiled his response and grabbed a fork to dig in. He wasn't disappointed. It was heavenly.
Simone didn't wait for his response and she had a mouthful. Richard read her expression and wasn't disappointed.
But then, Simone had something else to say.
"It's okay. At least..."
That got him shooting daggers at her. "At least? You don't approve?"
She simply shrugged and gave a bland smile.
"It wouldn't hurt you to say that this tastes great, Simone."
"I didn't say it's bad."
"You didn't have to." His eyes held hers.
"Where's Taylor? She's not getting back?"
There! She's doing it again!
"She's not!" He replied simply, matching her tone.
"I thought I would meet her. I got her shoes." She chatted on and Richard tried to concentrate on his plateful of Mac and cheese.
While Simone babbled on and on about things that didn't excite or interest him, his mind wandered to Ava.
Things might not go the way he'd planned, he mulled.