01. A Deadline?

Elena's POV

"And here's a strawberry milkshake for the sweet girl!" I placed the glass down on the table followed by the sound of little giggles sounding loud owing to the diner being less crowded at the moment.

"Thank you, Ella." As usual I bent down to her height and she placed her lips on my cheek.

"Your welcome, sweetheart." I kissed her cheek causing her to grin widely.

"I am sure Ava comes here mostly to see you. Milkshakes are just an excuse." Rising to my height, I looked at Stacey. Ava was this little friend of mine, a girl of six years. She had been visiting the Treats for almost a year now with her babysitter, Stacey. I have never seen her with her parents or family and I wouldn't lie that I have not been a little curious but I never felt like prying.

"If it's so, I am glad. I love seeing her." I passed Stacey a smile and lightly ruffled Ava's hair before excusing myself from there. Walking inside the kitchen I put the tray down, a smile tugging at my mouth from the latest conversation I had with that sweet kid but it soon turned into a frown once my latest concerns came swimming back to my mind. My Dad's health, let's say, has been better than this and the treatments are charging a hefty price. After his first stroke, he couldn't continue with his job. This has really put Dad under pressure though he tries to hide it from me. I pressed my fingers against my forehead and closed my eyes.

"El?" I heard the voice of my best friend.

"Liv, hey!" I gave her a small smile. Call it my inability but I am not someone who can smile brightly and act like nothing's wrong when I have got matters pressing me.

"I know it's stupid to say that you shouldn't worry but maybe worry a little less?" I knew she was concerned about me, which reflected in her voice. Olivia is my best friend or one of the two closest friends of mine. She had stuck by my side throughout my life since primary school. She works as an event manager and her dressing sense is to swoon over. Though she looks sweet and all but one would seriously regret getting on her bad side.

"I can't. Things are not the best and my income from working here is hardly helping." I sighed thinking over everything.

"You're doing your best." I shook my head at that.

"No I'm not. I shouldn't have left my last job. I could have supported my family if I had it." I spoke gently, hitting the edge of the counter with my foot.

" That wasn't an option. How could you have possibly worked under that perverted guy?" Pressing my lips against each other, I ran my hand through the brown locks of my hair

"I don't know Liv, I just-" I was cut off by a squeaky voice.

"Elle? Are you sad?" Ava stood there , looking up at me with her bright doey eyes. I crouched down in front of her.

"Maybe." I shrugged.

"Don't be sad. Do you want candy ?" The corners of her lips dipped down. I smiled and shook my head at her suggestion.

"No but seeing your smile can make me happy." She stuck her arms out towards me and I bent forward. Wrapping her hands around my neck she kissed my cheek before pulling back and smiling at me.

"Are you happy now?" She asked, a hopeful look on her face.

"I am sweetheart." I flicked her nose causing a small giggle to leave her mouth.

"Ava, we need to go home now ." Stacey , who had been standing behind her, said.

"Okay." She looked back at me and waved.

"Bye ,Ella." I smiled at her.

"Bye, Ava." The bell rang as Stacey and Ava left the diner.

"The kid is so sweet." Liv smiled.

"She is. Kids have got such simple solutions to every problem. Have candy and you'll be happy." I chuckled and Liv nodded.

"You are applying for the jobs. You will definitely get a proper one." This was my turn to nod.

"Hope so."

……………..

Rylan's POV

"I want this report completed by the end of the day." I slammed the excuse of the report on the desk and glared at the man who kept standing there like a stupid.

"Do you understand?" He flinched at my hard tone.

"Yes, Sir." Just then the door to my cabin opened and my Dad entered followed by our lawyer. I shifted my gaze back to the man still standing in front of me.

"Now leave." He quickly grabbed hold of the file and scurried out of the cabin.

"Dad?" Both him and Mr. Davis took the seats opposite me.

"Rylan, Mr. Davis is here to show you your grandfather's will." It wasn't something I was expecting. Granddad passed away about a month ago and his will hadn't been brought up since. I leaned back in my seat and loosened the tie around my neck.

"I am busy right now, Dad. Can't it wait?" He sighed before glancing at Mr. Davis who had quite a serious expression.

"I am afraid, not." His expression told me I had something to worry about. I nodded and looked at Mr. Davis to proceed.

"Mr. Anderson, your grandfather in his will had mentioned that you get to inherit his chain of hotels once you marry and settle down." He stared at my face for some reaction.

"I am not in the mood for some jokes." I looked between both of them who maintained their serious faces. Granddad would often advise me on how I should settle down, start a family and to think that he put this condition in his will wasn't too absurd but my mind was in denial.

"He isn't joking. Your Grandfather wrote in his will that he wishes to see you settle down with a decent girl of your choice and provide a family to Ava." Dad spoke but clearly I still didn't grasp the seriousness of the situation considering I wasn't feeling the helplessness I should be feeling at this revelation.

"Ava has a family, Dad. She has her Dad, she has you and Mom. This is her family." I reasoned but the shake of his head told me that he was anything but convinced.

"The little girl needs a mother in her life." Although I wanted to deny it somewhere I felt that Dad's claim was true.

"Dad!" I massaged the temple of my forehead with my fingers.

"I am serious, Son. Ava needs a mother like every other child, that's a void in her life. I can see it, your Mom can see it and most probably your Grandfather did too." I sighed

"I need time to think about it." When I raised my head both they still were sitting in front of me with grim expressions.

"You have four months to think about it and get married." My eyebrows raised on their accord.

"There's a deadline?" Dad hesitantly nodded.

"Amazing!" I let out a humourless chuckle.

"I'll leave you to it." Saying this both of them were on their feet and in the next moment out of my cabin, leaving me in turmoil.