Hey, sister-in-law
Ava just finished a meeting about the important medical cases that needed their immediate attention at the foundation. She came back to her room already feeling drained from the argument that was placed in the meeting room a while ago. It's so unfortunate that so many children are suffering from Congenital heart disease and as a doctor, it's difficult for Ava to put on hold in some cases. If it was up to her she would personally attend the surgery. But she doesn't practice anymore although the instinct to save people are still there but she also knew she couldn't save all the children, still, it breaks her heart to prioritize some cases. Ava was lost in her thoughts when her phone started to ring. Ava looked at the unknown number wondering who it could be before picking it up.
"Hello, sister-in-law! Remember me?" Erika asked in a playful tone. Although she was angry earlier because Ava didn't contact her after she came back but after talking to Oliver she somewhat understood Ava's reason for not taking the initiative to call her.
"Rika?" Ava was very surprised to find Erika at the other end. She knew Erika was a proud girl and wouldn't just call her so she was actually thinking of calling her in a few days. What a coincidence that she called her first.
"How are you? Are you busy?" Erika asked with a smile.
"No not busy, and I am doing good. How have you been?"
"I am ok but ideal since Arvin wouldn't let me sign any new film. Av's if you are free today let's meet."
Ava smiled and said happily, "Of course. Where do you want to meet?"
"The Ava's mall, on level 9 there is a restaurant called" The BBQ ". Let's have lunch there."
"OK, I'll be there in half an hour." Ava already knew the location of the mall. It should not take more than 20 minutes for her to reach there. Ava quickly got up and walked out of her office to get to the mall.
When Ava saw the mall first time she investigated it and found out that the Mall was indeed in her name and technically she was the owner of the mall. She remembered after their marriage Oliver asked Ava to sign some papers about the mall and he said in the future he expects her to handle the mall but at that time Ava refused, saying, she had no idea how to run a mall so she wouldn't do it. Ava never thought Oliver would still keep the ownership of her name after she left. She found out, The Ava's officially opened last year and it is now one of the biggest indoor shopping malls in the whole northern Asia.
There are 4 levels of underground parking. The ground floor is mostly connected to the amusement park and mostly the information desk. From the first floor to the 7th floor, all shopping malls consist of verities of branded clothing and cosmetics. Level 8, 9, and 10 is food court and restaurants, Level 11 and 12 is health and beauty that consists of different spa and beauty salon, gym, and swimming pool and Level 13 to 15 is for entertainment with a different kind of indoor gaming and movie theatre. Since its opening, its business has been booming every day in the mall making all the investors very rich.
Ava reached the mall within 25 minutes and took the elevator from the level 3 underground parking lot to the level 9 food court. After looking for a while Ava finally found the restaurant called "The BBQ". Ava was impressed by the rich interior of the restaurant. The smell of grilled food hit Ava's nose making her mouth water. The place was already packed. Ava looked around to see where Erika was. At that moment she saw an elegant woman wearing a pair of brown classy sunglasses sitting by the window waving at her. Ava immediately recognized Erika and walked toward her with a smile.
"Hey, sister-in-law." Erika took off her Sunglasses and stood up to hug Ava. It's been so long since they last saw each other.
"Hey Rika, how have you been?" Ava hugged Erika back enthusiastically. Although Erika was Oliver's cousin but she was also her friend so she was not going to let Oliver and her past get in between their relationship.
"I am good, what about you? How could you just leave like that? Didn't you miss me at all? " Erika asked in a tone of blame. To outsiders Erika was not a very easygoing person so she didn't have many friends, therefore Ava was very close to Erika's heart. Although she guessed Ava must have left because of her lost child but she still missed her all these years.
"I am sorry Rika but it was necessary at that time. I know I have left all my family and friends behind but I had to leave besides I always knew I will come back to you all." Ava's tone was full of grief. Nobody knew the reason why she left, everybody just assumed it was because of the child but no, she left because she could not be deceived anymore by the man she loved so much.
Erika could feel the grief in Ava's tone and her sad smile made her own heartache for her friend so she quickly said, "Alright I will let you go this time but Sister-in-low, you are not allowed to disappear like that ever again. Ok!"
"Umm….Rika Oliver and me, we are not together anymore so call me Ava please." Ava handed one menu to Erika and said lightly.
Erika didn't miss the slight hostility in Ava's tone when she mentioned Oliver's name, she froze and wondered what happened between the two of them for Ava to react like that. They were so much in love with each other, was it the baby or something else happened between them that put a wedge between them like this? Should she ask?