Chapter 13: Ready for Stage 2

Avery smiled and kissed him. The kiss was slow but passionate. Carson might be drunk but he felt something else when they kissed. His hand traveled to her back while one of her hands were already at the back of his neck.

He pulled her closer and her grip tightened. He could feel his body get excited and anticipate more but he also knew he needed to stop. When he moved away, he saw tears falling from her cheeks. He paused and wiped those tears.

“What’s the matter?”

She didn’t respond and looked away. What she didn’t understand was why was his reaction so different from the rest of them? He didn’t take advantage of her. She was about to say something else when his face fell on her shoulder, he was deep asleep.

This was the first time they became this close. She can smell his hair from their distance and it’s like strawberry. “Carson?”

But he didn’t reply. She smiled and watched him sleep for a couple of minutes then called the waiter for help.

The following day, Avery came early to the office. Even if she can easily finish her job, she felt motivated. She was busy organizing Carson’s schedule for the day when she saw him enter the room.

“Good morning”

Carson didn't talk, just passed by with only a distant nod.

“Is something wrong? You look very tired.” she stopped him and said.

“Never mind.” he said tonelessly and walked away.

Carson returned to his seat. The scene happened last night still kept surging in his head. He admitted that he lost his mind at that time, perhaps because of the intimate atmosphere, or perhaps because of... her flamboyant image and distinctive soft voice.

“Damn it!” he groaned.

“Carson?”

She asked again, she looked worried. He kept his composure, “Yeah, focus on your work.”

Throughout the morning, they were engaged in their work, as though nothing had happened. Sometimes Avery got the feeling someone was watching over her, but when she looked back, she found nothing seemed different.

“Maybe there are only my illusions”, she thought. She didn’t know why but the atmosphere made her sad. Why was he acting as if last night didn’t happen? Was he that drunk? Or he didn’t want to remember it at all?

In the end, maybe Carson was not that different from the other guys.

Looking his intent face, Avery sighed spontaneously

When Carson looked at the time, it was lunch already. He was already starving and he couldn’t wait to eat at the restaurant near the office. He was preparing himself by wearing his coat when he saw Avery opening a small lunchbox on her seat.

He raised an eyebrow. “Avery?”

She was about to use her utensils when she turned to him. He was quiet all morning so she was surprised by the sudden conversation. He was half-way wearing his coat which made it extra weird.

“Yes?”

“You’re eating here.”

She nodded as if it was the most obvious thing right now. She was trying to hide her curiosity and acting like the silence awhile ago didn’t bother her.

“Am I not allowed to?”

He smiled immediately. Avery found that she was starting to adore that smile the more she saw it.

“I just thought you’d be eating out with your friends or boyfriend.”

His eyes widen with his sudden statement. He almost cupped his mouth to stop himself from speaking.

Avery laughed. “Sir, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

The atmosphere became a bit awkward once again until she spoke again.

“Unless you wanted to be one.”

Feeling his heart missed a beat, Carson stopped moving, then he turned back.

He looked at her while she smirked at him. Her hands are now on her chin. He couldn’t help but just stare at her. She was wearing a red formal dress but it was tight, just like the rest of her clothes. Her hair was not tied but it was curled. Her make-up was simple today, unlike yesterday.

"I think I already told you before that I was not interested in you that way."

He finished fixing his coat. He then saw from his peripheral view that she was smirking. Avery was challenged. She didn’t expect that trying to date a young billionaire could be this fun.

Her smirk disappeared when she noticed the date today. In an instant, she started fixing her things. “I need to go home early today. I have to visit my mom.”

He just nodded as he remembered that her mom was no longer with her. He should’ve left since he was planning to eat lunch but he couldn’t push himself to leave the room. Their short conversation made him hook to her again so he watched her. Her mood was a bit down as compared to awhile ago. He looked at his schedule. Maybe going out for a few hours won’t be that bad.

“I can come with you.”

Her eyes widen. “Come with me?”

He nodded. “To visit your mom. You told me about her so I was curious.”

“Are you sure? You have work today.” He just nodded and head to the door.

The car ride to the cemetery was a quiet one. Both of them were enjoying the calm silence between them. Avery would usually feel weird when everything was quiet but not now. Maybe a part of her was happy that someone was there with her.

Her mom’s grave was in a small house. Avery made sure her mom had a nice and peaceful place to rest. Avery lightened a candle near her mom’s photo. “She looks exactly like you.”

Avery chuckled. “A lot of people say that.” He watched as she cleaned up the small area by picking up dried leaves and petals. He can feel that she loves her mother so much. Her aura changed once again. She looked sad. A side he never thought he’d see from her.

He looked around the small house. “So, where is your dad?”