Quiet Arvin

Oliver's Villa.

When Ava and Oliver woke up, it was half-past six in the evening. Mrs. Lee was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen. Arvin came home looking depressed, Erika's words have always been cruel but this time her words hit him hard. He entered the living room, took off his suit jacket, and sat on the couch in a daze. He felt lost at that moment.

Mrs. Lee just came out of the kitchen and was heading toward the storeroom, she saw Arvin's face was not looking good, she thought he was sick, she quickly came to him and asked worriedly, "Mr. O'Neil, are you alright?"

"Yes, Mrs. Lee I am fine. Thank you." Arvin said lightly but didn't look up. He just sat there holding his head in his hands.

"Would you like some water?"

"Yes, please." Arvin realized he was actually very thirsty, he hasn't had anything to eat or drink after lunch. He didn't feel like doing anything, just wanted to sulk on his pathetic life.

Mrs. Lee brought a glass of water and a cup of tea for Arvin. At that moment Ava and Oliver came downstairs hand in hand. Oliver saw Arvin sitting in the living room quietly from the bottom of the stairs, he already knew something was wrong.

Seeing Ava and Oliver Mrs. Lee asked politely, "CEO Knight, Miss Green, the dinner is ready. Would you like to have it now?"

Oliver nodded and came to Arvin's side. He observed Arvin carefully for a while, his eyes were blank and he was sitting there motionless. Which was not normal for a playful person like Arvin. He looks like he just lost his soul.

Even Ava also noticed the abnormality in him. Normally whenever Arvin was around her or Oliver he would crack a joke but now he was just sitting there quietly looking at nothing.

"What happened to you?" Oliver sat down beside Arvin and asked with an expressionless face.

Arvin didn't answer, he just sat there quietly with his eyes down, after what felt like a long time, he finally said in a very low voice, "Nothing." He seems to hit a dead end. His parents drove him out of their house and now Erika drove him out completely from her life. He suddenly felt hopeless.

Oliver obviously didn't believe him, he grew up with Arvin he knew when something was wrong with him. Besides Arvin was not very good at hiding his feeling. It was written all over his face. He guessed whatever happen to him must have something to do with Erika.

Ava also guessed the same thing, the way Arvin was sitting on the couch half dead she wondered if Erika said or did something which was making Arvin sad.

Oliver stared at Arvin for a while then said in a light but firm tone, "It's Rika!"

"Oliver, I did everything I could but..." Suddenly Arvin laughed out loud, but it was not any happy laugh, it more looked like a self-mocking laugh.

"Come on, Arvin, cheer up. Let's eat first." Oliver patted Arvin's shoulder trying to comfort him then stood up and pulled Arvin together.

Normally Arvin was a very stubborn person, he wouldn't listen to anyone. If it was someone else ask to have dinner he would refuse straightway but for some strange reason, he always listened to Oliver. He stood up and walked to the dining table lifelessly.

After dinner, Arvin said he wanted to be alone for some time and went to the backyard. He sat there quietly thinking for a long time about all the things he had done wrong and how every time his indecisiveness brought bigger trouble for him. If he could make up his mind and be brave enough to ask Erika out rather than getting engaged, then today Erika wouldn't break his heart so cruelly. But he can only blame himself for all of this.

Ava was reading some medical paper on her laptop and Oliver was sitting beside him reading the financial magazines. He put the magazine down and said to Ava, "Honey, I'll go check on Arvin, I am really worried about him."

"Go ahead. He probably needs you right now." Ava said thoughtfully. She really felt bad for Arvin, she could see how much he loved Erika and she also knew Erika loved him too but Ava guessed Erika was just angry at him so she was punishing him.

"Thanks, babe." Oliver smiled and placed a soft kiss on Ava's cheek then stood up.

Oliver went to the backyard and saw Arvin was sitting in the dark quietly, looks like he was lost in deep thought. Oliver sighed and walked toward him. He really felt bad to see his best friend so miserable. He knew more than anyone how much he loved Erika and he also wanted them to be together. But Oliver was not the kind of person who meddles in other's business, so he can only help them from far.

"Arvin, don't do that buddy. Talk to me. What happened?" Oliver sat down beside Arvin and said with a warm face.

"Oliver, I want to go to the club to drink," Arvin said in a quiet tone.

"OK. Let's go" Oliver said with a smile. It's better to let him drink, that will open him up and make him relax. So Oliver instantly agreed.

Oliver came back to his bedroom and saw Ava was still in the same position. He came to her and took her in his arm, then said softly, "Babe, Arvin is in a bad mood. I will go to the club with him to have some drinks."

Ava put down her laptop and hugged his waist tightly then with a smile she said, "OK, come back home early."

"Don't worry, I'll be back by eleven." Oliver kissed her on the forehead and looked at her with a dotting smile.

"Well, go ahead and have a good time."

Oliver changed his clothes and went downstairs, they were about to leave when Ava suddenly ran with a casual jacket in hand for Oliver.