Present
Ava's eyes swept around the room, looking for a particular person–the reason she'd attended this gala, which held no interest for her.
Her gaze drifted to the table where snacks and drinks were laid out. And there he was, looking majestic and stoic, his expression screaming that he'd rather be anywhere else. Ethan wore a tailored black tuxedo, complemented by a crisp white shirt and a bow tie in a subtle pattern. His sleek, dark suit accentuated his broad shoulders and commanding presence. He conversed with a blonde woman, who tried her best to keep him company, eager to brag about their interaction with her giggling friends at the end of the table. But his face said a different story–he was clearly bored.
Ava couldn't help the smile that crept on her face because of the woman's failed endeavor, there was a proud expression on the woman's face, like she's finally succeeded in doing something meaningful in her life. Ava couldn't hear their conversation. And that was when she realized that she was still standing by the entrance with her Uncle and his family nowhere to be seen.
She inched closer to the table where Ethan was, wanting to hear what they were talking about, she just couldn't help it. She got to the table and browsed through the desserts on the table like that's what she was there for. Her eyes landed on a golden-brown Mille Feuille Cake, adorned with pastry cream, and fruit. As she picked it up, she heard the blonde woman talking about her favorite deserts.
She picked up two plates with slices of the same cake, handed one to Ethan, and kept the other for herself. "Hmmm," the blondie said as she tasted the cake and urged Ethan to do the same
"This is my favorite, cheesecake," she added with a smile on her face as she continued eating the cake. "It's really smooth and creamy, and it has a crunch crust–more reasons for me to love it. You know what? I've liked it sin–" she stopped talking when Ethan raised his hand, signaling her to stop talking, and then he dropped the cake on the table.
"Look Tracy, I do not like sweet things, okay? And thi–"
"Laura." She interrupted him. "What?" He replied.
"My name is Laura," she said in a low voice that sounded more like a whisper while lowering her head. Ava stifled a laugh, but it was still audible enough.
Laura, or Tracy whipped her head to the back, searching for the source of the laughter, but Ava was able to compose herself. She straightened herself and focused her cake, like she didn't just hear their conversation. However, when the Blondie's friends burst into laughter, Ava couldn't resist joining in, but her's was more like a giggle.
Laura's face transformed, and it couldn't be described as she went from a soft pink to deep crimson, it's obvious she was embarrassed. And then she turned her head back to Ethan when she heard his voice.
"Look here Tra–Laura, firstly, I dislike being interrupted. Secondly, this..." he nodded towards the cake on her hand before continuing, "...is a Tres Leches cake–moist, creamy, soft and sponge-like. Thought it was your favorite." He said before turning his back and walked away. Leaving a mortified Laura behind. He wouldn't have stood there, listening to her rambling if not for his grandmother.
If Laura went crimson red from the embarrassment of the name mix-up earlier, Ava wondered what shade of red Laura's face would turn next. Ava was sure she saw smoke coming out of Laura's ears and nostril. She was unmistakably embarrassed and was fuming with anger, for God knows why. Was it embarrassment from not know the name of her favorite cake? The name mix-up? Ethan's public correction? Her friends' laughter? Or failure to impress Ethan? Who knew? Who cared?
Ava dropped the cake that she was eating while listening to their conversation. She'd have to admit, the cake was extremely tasty.
She immediately left the table area and followed Ethan, determined to accomplish her motive. She didn't want to get him out of her sight. She came here for a motive, and it must be accomplished before she leaves this mansion.
She spotted him walking towards a corner in the room, she saw this as her chance and started walking towards his direction, but she stopped on her tracks when she saw two men walking towards him. Business partners of family members, she didn't care, but they just ruined her opportunity to have a conversation with him.
She scowled, folding her arms under her breasts. She saw a waiter coming in her direction and decided to at least enjoy the gala. She picked up a cocktail from the tray that the waiter was carrying as he passed by. She was sipping it slowly while staring at Ethan's direction from time to time.
Just when she finally finished her cocktail, she saw the two men walking away, there was a confident and triumphant smile on her face as she prepared herself to finally have a conversation with him.
Ethan, who felt someone's gaze on him since he was talking with the two men, turned around. And then his eyes finally finally landed on her, their eyes meeting.
Ava's face lit up with a bright smile as she gazed at Ethan, but her enthusiasm was met with a cold, piercing stare. Ethan's eyes swept over her, his gaze lingering for a moment before moving on, as if dismissing her presence. Ava's smile faltered, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
'Whoa, this isn't going to be easy,' she thought to herself, her mind racing with the realization that having a smooth and pleasant conversation with Ethan wouldn't be a straightforward task.
Ethan changed his direction as decided to head towards another door instead of going to the corner he was heading to.
Ava snapped out of her daze and immediately followed Ethan, not wanting to back down.