Soft Corners

Ava had to get up at 7 because she was required at her job by 8 and a half. However she woke up at 7:40 and had to quickly get ready and leave. There wasn't a chance to see her mother, even better. She didn't have a time to have breakfast, she thought she was in dire need of a coffee.

However, she left her home as quickly as she could. On the reception, Martha was there, she greeted her. Martha was a sweetheart and she loved interacting with her.

"Looking beautiful young lady" she remarked. Ava wore a dress today. Her dress was olive green with matching pumps, a yellow clutch purse that she held in her hand casually. Her hair were on a loose bun and she wore almost nothing but a lip oil she often used and some peace tint.

"You don't look too bad yourself Martha sweetie" she replied smiling as she moved to her desk. Reed, her workstation neighbor hadn't yet arrived. She settled in her chair and started working on something they had been given.

Her mind however was racing somewhere else and the only way she could ignore the ongoing chatter in her mind was to immerse herself in work.

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Reed came in. She was a bit distant today, however she did check up on Ava. Asked her if she was doing okay as yesterday she just ran away only to come back with swollen eyes. She was a nice kid.

They had a group meeting with Noah, so they gathered in the conference room after an hour. Ava was trying her best to focus on work that day. She needed to grab a coffee otherwise she would die.

She thought I would get it after the meeting. Probably it won't take more than 40 minutes to an hour. As she entered, she immediately realized she was one of the very few first people to enter the hall. She just heard of the conference absent-mindedly and went inside without being mindful of her surroundings.

As she entered, Kate was handing over some files to Noah, and one boy was there who upon Kate's orders had gone to get everyone drinks and water.

"Kate, actually I wanted a coffee. I'm sorry I was quite absorbed in the file when you asked" he told her and noticed Ava who had entered and was standing awkwardly now.

"Uh oh. Wait I'll send someone else" she replied.

"I'll go. I also need to get a coffee for myself." Ava chimed in.

"Are you sure?" Noah asked out of courtesy.

"Yep, what kind do you want?" she asked.

"Just an espresso without sugar, I have a terrible headache so that might help"

"Alright."

She found a pharmacy right near the coffee place she went to, and got paracetamol as well. She came back as soon as she could, the meeting hadn't started yet. There were around ten people in the room. She entered, Noah looked up from a file at her and she came on his side, handed over the coffee, and then confusedly slid the paracetamol across the table.

"Here's some paracetamol. For the headache" she said almost in a whisper. Confused that if others listened, they would think weird stuff without understanding the whole scenario.

"You didn't have to. Thanks Ava" he genuinely thanked her, smiling as the sweet dimple was back again. Resting on his cheek proudly.

She smiled back and went to sit in her place.

_______

Fiona was waiting for the phone call. For a few hours she sat by the home phone, putting her own cell phone right beside her. She couldn't eat. She didn't know what to do.

As the phone rang, she immediately attended the call. Her eyes seemed tired and they were burning since the night.

"Peter, were you able to do something, can we see him? What has happened to him?" she impatiently bombarded him with a lot of questions.

"Relax Fiona. He is alright. I have talked to his doctor. He says the treatment is possible. He explained he has had a Myocardial Infarction. He has a bit of a blockage in his arteries, you remember he previously had some hypertension issues as well."

"Yes I do. Oh, yes. I hope he is taking proper care. I had thought that.." she stopped mid-sentence.

"No, he doesn't have any tumor. Or last-stage cancer. He would probably laugh at you if you could see how worried you seem" he tried to make her mood lighter.

"It still is serious Peter. And I want to see him. And I think Ava should see him too. But we will figure out the possibilities. Is he at the hospital?" she asked. She sounded a bit better now.

"Yes, actually the situation was pretty serious until two days ago. He is a bit stable now. Still in the observation of doctors. He might be staying there for a week. Maybe I can find a visiting time when no one's there so that you don't have to experience unwanted interactions and you two can go see him."

"I will go first. You can take Ava later. I don't want us to..have more drama in front of her. It's for the best"

"Whatever you want Fiona"

She hung up. She felt a bit better now but still her doubts weren't cleared up. She wanted to be able to talk openly with Ava and for that she needed to see Mike.

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