And yet it felt awkward and unfamiliar to him that he took her hand off him at once. "Don't touch me." He frowned at how stupid he had sounded.
Amber leaned back a bit, and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to…um, I–"
"--well you even ignored me, honey. Ouch, my heart!" Ava teased, trying to cool the air.
Amber laughed and ran to hug her. They exchanged pleasantries and all, while Ajax stood still like a statue, trying to relive the moment that had just happened.
How can a strange woman easily have that effect on him? She touched him…and he had not felt any symptoms! How did she do that?
He heard Ava call his name and he turned to see both of them giggling and smiling. Somehow, he envied his sister. She was so happy, so full of life.
"What?" He asked.
"I'm trying to convince Amber here to join us, okay?" Ava said.
Ajax shot her a furrowed brow. "Okay, you two do that. I'm leaving."
"No way! Ajax, when was the last time we had fun together! Huh? No, you're always busy with work and stuff. Acting like we both don't own the company." Ava protested.
"Yes we both own the company, but you go around traveling the world and–"
"--it's for business publicity! I've told you about this." Ava yelled back.
The argument went on for a while that Amber only stared at them with amusement. She never knew what it was like to have a brother, or a sister for that matter.
"Okay okay, Ava." Amber broke the argument and they both stared at her and chorused a yell; "What?"
Amber sighed. "I think I'd love to stay. For the dinner."
Ava's lips stretched into a wild grin. "Oh thank you so much." She rushed to hug Amber.
Ajax muttered to himself, 'show off!'
"It's settled then. We're heading home to our mansion for dinner! You should call Debby to prepare a brand dinner." Ava said.
Amber was wondering who Debby was. Was Ajax secretly married??
"Debby is the house manager." As if she could read her mind, Ava said to her. She locked hands with Amber, "come on, let's go."
Ajax wanted to protest, but deep down, he loved Amber's presence. He said nothing and went with them.
Their home was indeed a mansion. Amber couldn't close her mouth as they hung open when she took in the view. It was very wide and spacious and also beautifully decorated.
She got to the living room and was greeted by a plumb lady with brown eyes. "Hello young master, young mistress," she turned to face Amber, "ma'am."
Ava hugged the lady tightly. "Debby! So good to see you!"
They were led to the dining table. Ajax had his suit taken off and Ava rushed to wash her makeup. She even changed from her long dress to a mini floral skirt and black top.
As usual, Debby and the other maids, even Ava couldn't get near Ajax. The dining table was a long rectangular table and so, Ajax was seated on the very end, while Amber and Ava were well distant from him.
Ava jumped up instantly as the meal was being served. "You guys go on without me! I'll be right back." And like flash, she vanished.
The maids served the meals and each vacated from the dining hall.
Debby gave a low bow. "If you need anything, young master…" she said, and she too, turned and left.
Amber swallowed realizing it was only the two of them. Ajax said nothing and fixed his head to his meal.
They ate in silence for a while, until Amber decided to break it.
"You have a lovely house." She said, looking around again.
"Thanks." Ajax managed a reply, then stuffed a full spoon of boiled potatoes in his mouth.
"Ava, your sister is really nice. What I would give to have a sister like her…" Amber said again but got only a nod from Ajax.
Once she finished her meal, she felt awkward as hell. That was when she made up her mind.
"I should leave." She got up and was heading towards the door, waiting for Ajax to say something at all.
Nothing.
Disappointed, she continued to walk straight until someone caught her hand.
"Wait!" Ajax said. He watched as she turned back and her gaze rested on him. Her eyes were the most beautiful set of gray he had ever seen.
They remained like that for a while, staring at each other like they were the most wonderful things to ever set eyes on. Until Amber recalled that she was a married woman!
She moved back instantly, adjusting her posture. Ajax cleared his throat as he looked away.
"Don't go. I mean, you should stay. Please." He added.
"Okay. But, stay and do what? You've been ignoring me, Ajax." She said.
"I'm sorry, okay. But just stay. I won't ignore again. Hmm?" Ajax said.
Amber rolled her eyes. "Okay. Um, what do you like to do for fun then?"
Ajax scratched his head. "Everything I like to do is boring because I do it alone."
"Oh," said Amber.
There was an awkward silence.
"Well," Amber said again, "I'm here now so you won't be alone. What do you like to do for fun? What would you love to do right now?"
"I mean, if I have some sort of magic on you that hides your symptoms when we get close, shouldn't you make use of this opportunity now?" Amber added.
His eyes shone bright, and a smile played on his lips.
"Oh no, Amber. What have you done? What if he likes…naughty things for fun!" Amber said to herself.
"I'll go bring my list! It's upstairs. Just wait here!" And like a little child who had been promised ice cream if he did a simple task, he ran upstairs to go fetch his list.