Meetings and confrontations
There he was, Liam Black, standing at the entrance of my mansion. We stared at each other for a while and I must admit he looked better in person. The pictures on the internet did him no justice.
The maid looked between us with a confused expression on her face. "Liam Black, what brings you to my abode?" I asked, stepping forward.
Ava remained rooted on the spot in silence. I didn't blame her, she didn't know who he was anyway. "May I come in?" He asked.
"Please, join us." I gestured with my hands towards the dining table.
"No, don't worry, there will be no need for that. I just came here to have a world with you." I saw his eyes move from me to Ava who was standing behind me, they lingered for a while and then fell back on me.
"Whatever you have to say must be so important for you to find my address and come here unannounced."
He folded his arms against his chest. "It is, it's about my wife."
The moment those words came out of his mouth I felt weak. Reality dawned on me that Olivia was no longer mine. She belonged to another man now.
"Your wife, since when?" I asked, seeking for some sort of explanation as to why Olivia vanished all these years and suddenly returned with another husband.
"I don't need to explain myself to you. Also, her name is Bianca, not Olivia. Bianca Black. Olivia died 6 years ago."
"So what are you here for?"
"My wife received a troubling text message yesterday, this was after she met you at that apartment."
I couldn't believe my ears, he just came to my house to accuse me of harassing Olivia? "So what are you trying to imply? That I sent the message?"
"I didn't say that, you said it. All I'm saying is that the timing of the message is suspicious and you won't blame me for suspecting you. All these years since we're in France nobody ever bothered us, and then the minute we return to New York-"
"That's enough! You will not come to my own house and accuse me of something like that."
"I didn't come here to accuse you, to tell you to leave my wife alone, I'm aware that you two are working together and I hope wherever it is, your relationship will remain strictly professional."
"Why are you here telling me all this? Go talk to your wife," I said, emphasizing on the last word.
"Oh Bianca wants nothing to do with you, you're the one that's trying to push yourself on her. Stay away from Bianca-"
"Or else what?" I shot back. "I have every right to talk to her." I turned to face Ava, "her sister has every right to talk to her, we have the right to demand an explanation."
"I've warned you, stay clear. Out of everybody in this city, you don't want me as an enemy."
I narrowed my eyes on him, tightening my jaw. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"
He shook his head slowly, "no, it's a warning." the way his eyes darted towards the corner where Ava was standing, they rested in her for a while.
I tilted my head slightly, glancing at her. I couldn't help but see a subtle look between the two of them before Liam took a few steps backwards. A low hum escaping from his mouth.
With that he turned around to leave. My eyes were fixed on him and my fists clenched by my side, his eyes connected with mine one final time before he was away from my line of vision and headed out the main gates.
"Make sure this man is never allowed into this house again," I instructed the maid angrily. She curtsied and then hurriedly left.
"The nerve of this man," I grumbled. Ava still stood there like she'd just seen a ghost.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me his words got to you."
She shook her head, breaking out of the trance-like state that she was in. "No of course not, I'm still surprised by the fact that Olivia is alive and that she has a husband now."
I neared her and pulled her into a small hug. "Everything is going to be okay." I reassured her.
Dinner tonight was marked by silence, only the sound of silverware clinking against the ceramic plates filled the air.
Ava was still distant, barely touching her food and I could tell that the news of her sister's death being fake was still affecting her.
On the other hand, the silence was driving me crazy.
Lately, I began to crave something else, something I'd been lacking all this while. I didn't know if it was my parents words finally getting into my head, but I wanted to hear the noise of children around the dining table.
"You know, I've been thinking," I began, making her slow down her chewing. "For the past 6 years we haven't really done anything concerning our problem."
She put down her cutlery. "What problem?"
"Not being able to have a child."
I could see her shoulders visibly slump as I brought up the topic. "Aiden, I want to be a mother, I would love to be the mother of your children. But you heard the doctor. You're impotent there's nothing we can do about that."
"We haven't seeked a second opinion, we haven't tried other means, maybe artificial insemination or something of the likes. Medicine has advanced, there are several ways we can go about it."
She shifted uncomfortably on her seat and then extended her arms, placing them atop mine. "You don't need to put any pressure on yourself Aiden, if it's meant to be it will be, if not we can just keep loving each other."
"I know Ava, but you would be nice to have my own baby."
My mind suddenly flashed back to times when Olivia and I would fantasize about finally being parents and having our own children.
Having mini-versions of us on this planet and leaving behind a legacy for them.
"Why the sudden interest in the topic anyway?" she voiced as she continued eating.
"I don't know, it just came to my mind."
"If you want us to go to another hospital to get a second opinion, we will. I'm here to support you in any decision you choose to make, Aiden."
Her words were reassuring and I felt a bit at ease knowing that I had her as my support system.
***
As I was getting ready the next morning, she was helping me button up my shirt. "Today is the meeting with Titan properties, I guess Olivia is going to be there."
She softly grabbed my collar and pulled me closer, pressing her lips against mine. "I'm sure everything is going to turn out fine, be good."
I smirked, "I will."
When she was done with helping me with the buttons, she adjusted my necktie and then gave my chest two light taps.
I glanced at myself in the mirror before making my way downstairs to the car. I arrived at the office building of Titan properties and made my way in.
One of their representatives Miranda Smith met with me downstairs. She extended her hands for a handshake.
"You must be Aiden Tan, I've heard so much about you." We shook hands.
"Good things I hope," I responded.
She laughed politely, "Certainly, right this way, I'm sure you'll be delighted to meet who you're partnering with for this project."
I followed behind her as she led us towards the conference room. When both of us enter, all heads turned to face us
A few of the directors and board members of Titan properties were seated, and then there was Olivia.
Our gazes tore apart as quickly as they met. "Good day everyone," I greeted.
"Everyone meet Aiden, the CEO of Tan corps. Aiden these are the directors Mr Clinton, Mr Hernandez and Mrs Anderson. Then to your left over there we have Mrs Bianca Black who's partnering with us on this project, she's the project manager."
I forced a weak smile.
"You and her would be working together a lot," Miranda added.
Bianca's acting was perfect enough to fool them into thinking that both of us had never met before. We all took our respective seats and had a briefing.
We discussed everything from goals to timeline to challenges and execution. After the meeting everyone began to disperse.
I fixed my eyes on Bianca who grabbed her purse and was hurriedly making her way out, obviously trying to avoid me.
As I was about to rush to meet her, Mr Hernandez showed up in front of me. "Mr Aiden Tan, I would like to have a word with you."
From the corner of my eyes I could see Bianca getting further away. "I'm sorry Mr Hernandez but I'm kind of in a hurry, can we do some other time?"
He was there to respond when I patted his shoulders and then rushed after her. "Bianca, wait! We need to talk." My voice echoed down the hallway.