Chapter 2

Ava

I woke up in an unfamiliar surrounding. I sit up in the bed as I held my head because I was having a splitting headache. Where am I?

I tried to remember what happened last night when I see David enter the room with a tray. He was wearing a black hoodie and tracks. 

Holy shit! He looks so hot. I am not even kidding. I couldn't take my eyes off him. 

He looked so different than I saw him yesterday but he still looked so good. How can someone look so good in just a hoodie? He looks like he came out of an Ad commercial. God help me. What am I doing here? Oh no...

"I see that you are already up. Good morning." He smiles at me. The type of smile I could get used to. He places the tray on the bedside table and then sits in front of me.

I don't know what sight makes me drool. David or pancakes. Control Ava! Concentrate at the sight of pancakes because I haven't had a good meal in days but I would love to have him. Get your dirty mind out of the gutter. I tell as I try to take a look at the tray. There was a teapot with two cups and a plate that was covered.

"Good morning, Tell me it's pancakes."

"Yes, You are right. I made them myself." He takes the cover off to give me a peek and then covers it again.

"You can cook?" I was a bit surprised when he said he cooked it himself. That's impressive.

"Yeah I can, I don't want to brag but I make the best pancakes in the world." He winks at me and that makes me bring a smile to my face. Why does he have to look so alluring to the eyes? 

What concerns me more was I cannot recall who he is? I saw him somewhere but where? 

"I can judge that later but I am confused as I can't remember a single thing. How did I end up here?"

"You fainted at the club last night and I couldn't leave you there also I didn't know where you live so I brought you home and the doctor checked by. He said you haven't eaten properly for days."He explains. That makes sense. I don't remember when I had a good meal.

"Long story. You may not have the time to listen to it." He must have better things to do than listen to my past. I don't talk about it often. It's a bitter part of my life I don't like to be reminded of and that is why I don't talk about it.

"What makes you think that? I understand you don't want to because I am just a stranger who just helped you out but I will listen to every word if you are willing to."

His eyes filled with concern and looking at him. I knew he was telling the truth. Honestly reflected in his eyes and that stirred a conflict within my mind.

I felt like talking to him. I don't know what came over me. Maybe because I was holding my emotions in for so long and somehow his words comforted me and I hugged him. 

I knew that he was genuine and I knew he will stay firm at his words. He was shocked at the spontaneity but then he held me back. He rubbed my back and held my head with the other hand.

His arms enveloped my body as if his arms were meant to hold me. I don't know why I FELT SAFE in his arms. The feeling that he will always be there for me and comforted me. 

I never had anyone who loved me and when I thought I had it was not real and this, It was something else. After that, I lost my faith in love.

David smiles at me as he picks up the tray and places it in front of me. He pours two cups of coffee and handed me the plate of pancakes.

I take a bite and uhm. This is the best I ever had. Not because I was eating after so long. It was genuinely so good.

"You were right. It's the best pancakes I ever had. It's delicious."

"Told you, So Ava tell me about yourself, where do you live?"

I dread this question. Everyone I cross paths with wants to know about me but do I have something to share other than my sad painful past? No...

"I don't have a place to live."

I said in a low tone. I didn't want him to know I was homeless and jobless as well but I didn't expect him to hear me but he did it again.

"What? What happened?"

"I didn't expect you to hear that."

"Well, I did. So tell me."

"All are not privileged to have the perfect family."

"I do. I do if you want to I will listen to everything. Sharing makes your heart lighter." He held my hand and gave it a little squeeze. I couldn't keep my eyes up to him. It was hard to not agree with those eyes and tears filled up my eyes. I couldn't stop them.

I never talked about my past to anyone. Not like anyone was interested in talking to me. I was always left out alone. I got used to being alone. I didn't talk about my past but looking at him. 

For the first time, I felt someone is here for me. To listen to me and simply be there when I needed someone and I start speaking.

"I was born on 24th August, I don't know anything about my biological parents, I don't know where they are, alive or dead, Nothing. I was left outside an orphanage with this locket which was with me when they found me. This locket is the only thing I have of my parents. I was brought up in the orphanage."

Flashback to when Ava was 4 years old

------

Ava

"Hey, can I play with you?"

Noah

"No you can't play with us, You are ugly."

Ruth

"You have sticky and oily hair and look at your clothes they are dirty. You are gross."(laughs)

------

Ava

"Not only anyone wanted to play with me, They would bully me, Wet my bed, Hide a fake cockroach, and many more. I was all alone and hoped that someday everything will be fine. That day arrived, When I was five I was adopted by The Johnson's. I was happy. I had a family now. My foster parents were the best, I also had a lovely sister. I didn't feel like I was an outsider. Everything was perfect. I was in high school when my happiness couldn't last long."

The tears in my eyes couldn't stop anymore. It started flowing down as soon as I started talking. I felt a lump in my throat as I spoke while crying but I continued.

"My mother and my sister died in a car accident. My father was shocked, he was heartbroken. He stayed up late and started drinking, He was always drunk, and when I asked him for something he would rage and beat me. It was not all. He was fired for his aggressive behavior and couldn't repay his loans. We were homeless. He made me work to give him money to buy more alcohol."

"I couldn't take any of this and run away. I never saw him since then. I slept on the benches at the park. Worked as a waitress and a manager of a small hotel. I did everything from which I could earn money. Sometimes I had money to eat sometimes I didn't but still, I hope Everything will be fine and I enjoy it while I can. Life's too short, it will be over before we know it. I might have bored you with my story." I let my heart out in front of a stranger and I don't regret it. I wiped my tears and put up a smile on my face. I want to let go of my past. I am not the one who wants to dwell in the past. I want to be happy for the small things I get. 

I looked at his brown eyes and forget everything. It gave me hope. It was the first time that someone's presence stirred such strong emotions within me.

"Ava, it's fine. Your past may be dark but your future isn't. Everything will be fine."

This time, David pulled me in for a hug. I don't know why but I shared this with him. In the warmth of his hug and his words, I forgot everything. I inched my nose a bit closer taking a whiff of his smell. 

Everything about him was enticing. His mischievous smile, deep voice, sharp jawline intoxicating smell, and sparkling brown eyes. What added the cherry to the cake was his height and body structure.

I am not the one to go after a person for their looks. It was not only his good looks that made him attractive. It was his kindness and sweet personality that drew me towards him. His taking a stranger to his house and taking care of me and the way he comforted me making my heart feel light talking to him.

It was crazy because I don't even know him that well but still my heart yearned for him. I should leave before I catch feelings for him. He can't be with someone like me. Why would he?

"I should leave now."

"You are not leaving anywhere. You will stay here." He commanded as he glared at me. 

"No I can't, you have already done enough." If I stay here, there is no doubt I will catch feelings for him. 

"I am not listening. It's my order and anyway I live alone. I could use some company." He winked and flashed his signature smirk which stole my attention yesterday. I couldn't deny it.

"If you insist so much. I will stay here only if you allow me to pay the rent."

"No, I won't accept it."There is no way I am living here for free. 

"Fine, I am leaving."

"No, no, no, Don't go. Fine." He agrees and I speak."I have some conditions. Rule number one:-You can't bring girls to my room. Rule no 2:-You won't enter my room at night."

"Are you sure about the second condition?" He winks at me with a wicked smile on his face and I blush. This man is charming and I can't deny that. I have to be careful with all these new emotions building up for him.

I don't know what's happening to me. I agreed to live with him. How will I manage to stay alone at his house without catching feelings for him? Have you seen him? Not only he is attractive and he is so humble and caring. I told this a thousand times already but it's not enough. I didn't imagine a man like him exists. 

"I have an interview at The BLITZ."

"The BLITZ, Interesting. All the best for the interview Ava. I will show you to your room so can get ready."

His reaction to me going for an interview with the Blitz made me wonder. Does he know someone from there?

"I can stay in this room."

"This is the guest room, Your room is upstairs right next to mine." Next to his room. God help me. What are you trying to do? Are you trying to kill me? It will be impossible to not develop feelings for him staying under one roof and with this handsome hunk next door. Don't expect me to not fall for him.

I take a look at this enormous bedroom. It is the size of my house I used to live in earlier. Should I consider myself lucky that I found him or feel guilty because I think I am using him for his money?

I walk towards the window aopen the curtain. The window was closed. I opened it taking a deep breath. It was a pleasant day. It was a bit cloudy and the sun was shining bright. There were birds on the tree. This is wonderful scenery. I could get used to this.

Then I take a look at the room. There was a TV in front of this round bed. A canvas painting hanging up on the wall. There was a bookshelf filled with books on either side of the TV and a study table by the right. 

My bag was already on the bed. David left me to freshen up while I checked out the bathroom. After I saw the room, this wasn't surprising at all. A ceramic basin in front of a huge mirror. There was a bathtub in the corner with a TV in front of it. A TV in a bathroom. How rich is this guy? There was a shelf filled with essential oils, shampoo, and whatnot. I swear I haven't heard about half the products out there. 

I took a shower. The water calmed me down. I take the bathrobe and a towel from the shelf. I take out some clothes from my bag and wear them. I hope this works out well. I need this job. I went downstairs to check on David. He was talking to somebody on call. His back was facing me so he didn't know of my arrival.

"Make sure you get this done."

"What needs to be done?"

I asked him out of curiosity. He was startled to hear my voice. He turns around and hangs up the call.

"I will talk to you later."

"You can continue I was about to leave anyway."

"I was done. All the best for the interview. I am sure you will get it. See you soon."

"Thank you."

(Ava agreed on living with David. Will this arrangement bring them close? Will Ava get the job?

...Thank you for reading...