CHAPTER 1: FIRST ENCOUNTER.
Ava's looked at the man seated before her with disdain. Her stern look made him feel uncomfortably awkward. He felt like he had something on him.
"Is anything the matter?" he asked, gulping. But Ava scoffed derogatorily, rolling her eyes.
"How in the world did I get to agree to come on this date with a person like you?" she said, not minding that the person she referred to sat right before her.
"I beg your pardon?" the man furrowed his brow even more.
"I mean, look at you. Megan told me you'd be up to my standard, but it seems she clearly needs to be updated on what my standards are," Ava responded, unapologetically.
"You've barely even conversed with me, and you're drawing conclusions?" the man asked.
"Just by how you look, I don't need to hear a word from you. Or haven't you heard, first impression matters?" Ava asked, tilting her head.
"First impression, not first look," he defended.
"Jeez! You're as dumb as you look," Ava scoffed, shaking her head.
The man was hurt by her remark, but he chuckled in response.
"Waiter? The check please," Ava called, and a well dressed young man approached her table, as her date sat, dumbfounded at her attitude.
She went ahead to use her debit card to pay for bottle of wine she had barely even tasted.
"When you're high status like I am, you'll understand that first impressions matters. You can help yourself to the bottle as you leave," she said as she stood up, grabbing her purse, and exiting the restaurant that Friday afternoon.
The man chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief at Ava's disregard. He chugged down the remainder of the wine in the glass the waiter had poured for him, and he left as well, leaving the rest of the wine.
Ava's driver awaited her outside the restaurant. He noticed some paparazzis hanging around who were most likely going to try to get a photo of Ava, which was exactly what she hated. So he stood ready to prevent that, upon her return.
Seeing her, he quickly approached her, and led her into the bullet proof Mercedes S-Class, obstructing them with his suit. He quickly got in as well and drove off.
In the car, Ava sighed, taking off her heels.
"Those jobless hippies had better found someone else to stalk. Gosh!" Ava hissed, frowning.
"You can't blame them boss. Everyone wants a piece of the president of Sky Gate Hotel," the driver responded, looking straight ahead.
Ava snorted in response. The driver simply smiled, as he drove her home, to her penthouse in Hudson Yards.
Getting into her apartment, she took a quick shower freshening up, changing into a sweatshirt and underwear. She got some snacks and sat before her 146 inch smart TV as she kept herself entertained, munching on the snacks.
After a little while, her phone began ringing. She checked to see who was calling. Seeing who it was, she answered the call.
"Lina," she answered coldly.
"Hey girl," Lina said excitedly. "So tell me, how'd it go?"
Ava scoffed. "I'm never letting Megan set me up for a date, again."
"Ooh! It was that bad huh?" Lina enquired.
"How on earth was Megan thinking I was going to be pleased meeting up with some fatso? He didn't even care to have his hair done," Ava said.
"Holy mother of God! It must have been traumatic for you," Lina replied.
"Mm," Ava grunted.
"How about we go clubbing tonight? It'll help take your mind off of the awful experience you had. What'd you say?" Lina proposed.
"I don't know. I'm tired. I just wanna get some rest," Ava replied.
"Come on, it'll be fun. It's been a while we went clubbing together. It's always work work work for you. It'll be good for you unwind. I mean, my doctor said it's healthy," Lina said.
"Mm-hmm," Ava pursed her lips.
"Come on," Lina pressed childishly.
"Alright alright," Ava gave in.
"Yay!" Lina was excited. "I'll drive over to your place, by 7 pm."
"Alrighty. See you later," Ava said, ending the call. She sighed setting aside the phone. She munched on the snack, wondering what she'd wear.
____________
"Kane? Kane?"
"Just a minute," Kane responded from his room. He came out to the living room and met his mother.
"Mom, you're back early," he said, hugging her.
"Yeah. I was fortunate to get Dr Roger's permission. I wasn't feeling so good," Melanie replied.
"Having those headaches again?" Kane enquired worriedly.
"Yeah. But it'll pass. Just need some rest that's all," she replied, sitting down on the couch.
"Mom, I've been telling you to take it easy. You're not as young and agile as you used to be," Kane said, feeling unhappy.
"Well, we need the money. So what other choice do I have?" Melanie replied.
"Don't worry mom. I'm gonna get a befitting job soon, and I'll help out more. I guarantee you," he said.
"I know you will," Melanie smiled at her son. He smiled back at her.
"So, the interview is on Monday right?" she asked.
"It is. It's demanding, but the job does have a good pay though," he replied.
Just then, the door unlocked, and Kane's younger sister walked in.
"Hey sweetheart. How was school?" Melanie asked her daughter.
"Fine," she said coldly, as she headed upstairs to her room.
"What's the matter with Stephanie?" Melanie asked, wondering. Kane shrugged.
"Could you please check on her?" Melanie requested of Kane.
"Sure."
As he stood up to go, his phone buzzed. He checked and saw that it was a message.
"Let's meet at The Elites tonight, 7:30 pm."
"Okay. See you there," he replied the text, and continued to his sister's room.
_____________
The night was bustling with a lot of folks out, trying to have a good time as it was Friday night.
Lina and Ava were out that night as well. They were at The Elites, which was an exclusive club. They were there having a good time, having couple of cocktails. Nothing strong to get them tipsy.
After a while, they headed to the dancefloor, joining the crowd of people dancing to the rhythm of the songs being played.
Kane arrived at The Elites but was denied access by the bouncers at the entrance. He called the person who invited him, and he came out and led him in, and they sat at a table.
"So, what are we doing here Johnny? What's the occasion?" Kane asked.
"Tequila?" Johnny offered.
"No, thanks. Am good," Kane declined. Johnny shrugged.
"Well, I just didn't want to be drinking out here alone tonight," Johnny answered.
"Really?" Kane asked, wearing a smirk.
"You just have to be a party pooper, don't you?" Johnny chuckled. "I wanted to offer you a job. It's a quick one. In and out. But you're assured of getting nothing less than ten grand."
The money really seemed enticing to Kane, since he knew his mother needed the money.
"I don't know man... I don't do those stuff anymore," Kane declined.
"Well, I'll leave you to think about it. But in the meantime, let's go dance," Johnny requested and stood up.
"Nah. I'm good," Kane declined also. Johnny went on to the dancefloor and began dancing with some random girls.
After a while, Kane noticed Johnny was staggering. He could tell the alcohol had began taking effect, so he quickly rushed to go get him before he caused a scene.
"Hey man, let's go," Kane said to him, pulling him by the hand.
As they left, Johnny grabbed Ava's butt. She furiously turned and saw Kane, and gave him a resounding slap, causing everyone's attention to be drawn to them.