Chapter 5: Mr red?

Alexis looked up from the pile of papers on her desk, eyes wide with surprise. “You’re not kidding, right?”

Ava shrugged and plopped down on the sofa.

“This is huge, Ava. You should be happy about this. It’s also going to solidify your stance as the soon-to-be CEO of Grayson Int.” Alexis continued gleefully.

Ava rolled her eyes at that. “I’m not interested in that, Alexis. Moreover, the terms of the contract are too harsh”.

“I’m expected to have a child in the space of a year, with someone I barely know? Come on "what if he isn’t my type?” I don’t know this guy. I might have heard of him, yeah, but that’s as far as it goes.”

Alexis stood up and joined her on the sofa. “Ava, look, all that does not matter, It’s going to end in a year, so you shouldn’t bother.”

Ava looked at her friend, “are you sure you’re not my father’s biological daughter? You sound so convincing, just like him.”

“Please” Alexis expressed. rolling her eyes playfully.

“Now, I’m supposed to meet with him to sign the documents today,” she paused. “I’m skeptical about this, Lex.”

Alexis moved closer and took Ava’s hands in hers. “You shouldn’t be, Ava. This is good” she assured her while caressing her fingers.

Ava smiled half-heartedly and said in a weak voice, “If you say so, Lex.”

Alexis jumped up in excitement. “Now, moving forward, You need a dress.”

“What dress, Lex? I have a wardrobe full of clothes I’ve never worn in my life” Ava countered.

“Well, this is a special occasion, Ava.

“You’re meeting with your soon-to-be husband, so you should look mind-blowingly good”.

We need him to be blown away if he’s not blown away already. He’s marrying a Billionaire’s daughter anyway.” Alexis quipped and Ava chuckled.

Alexis was excited for her. She picked up her car keys and grabbed Ava’s hand.

“Let’s go find you something gorgeous,” she added and they both strolled out.

Later that evening, Alexis dropped off Ava in front of Rewind, the five-star restaurant where the meeting was scheduled.

“Go in there and kill it as usual. I don’t want you making any spur-of-the-moment decisions” Alexis added, patting Ava’s thighs.

“You look so hot,” she affirmed winking, and Ava chuckled. She alighted from the car and waved at Alexis as she pulled away.

Then she inhaled deeply. It was time to face reality. She was about to make a very tough decision, because of her father.

The restaurant doors slid open as she got to the doorstep and she stepped in. There was a young guard at the door, who ushered her in with a smile. “Welcome, Miss Grayson.”

Ava returned the kind gesture. “Thank you.”

Just then, a pretty waitress appeared by her side. “I’ll take you to your partner. He’s been waiting” the waitress announced and I quivered at the statement.

“Partner?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could say anything, a warm hand grabbed my arm.

I whirled around to see who had grabbed me without any warning. I turned to look at the man that had grabbed my arm, confused and pissed. Then I immediately recognized him.

The guy from the club. I gasped, as the realization hit me hard. I had completely forgotten about him.

I stood and stared at him, lost for words. I tried to shrug his hand off, but he held on tightly.

“Get your hands off her.” a voice came in from behind.

Ava flinched at the chill tone. She turned towards the voice and froze. Mr. Red?

“Get your hands off her.”

He took a step forward, but he stopped when the lady turned towards him. His breath caught.

He knew her. Personally. Physically.

But he didn’t know if he was taken aback by her beauty, or by the fact that she was the Ava Grayson he was supposed to get married to.

It was her beauty, he concluded.

Trying to mask his outright astonishment, he moved closer to them.

“Darrell, what’s going on?” He asked, gently taking Ava’s arms and pulling her a bit towards him.

Ava did a double take. Did they know each other?

She sighed. Surprises keep popping out of nowhere.

Darrell looked forlorn. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He stepped back and observed her.

Luke came forward. “Darrell, do you realize this is Ava Grayson?”

The sad look on Darrell’s face was instantly replaced with surprise. He stared at her, but this time, it wasn’t an accusatory stare. It was more reverential than accusatory.

“I’m deeply sorry, Miss Grayson” Darrell apologized and immediately turned on his heels. Luke called after him, but he only got a wave back.

He turned to Ava, who was looking down at her folded hands now. He extended his hands to her “Nice to meet you, Ava Grayson.”

Plastering a half smile on her face, she took his hand, “Nice to meet you-“Looking up at him, she stopped mid-sentence.

Up close, Luke Carter was drop-dead gorgeous. He had electrifying blue eyes. The kind of blue that sets butterflies in the pit of your stomach and makes your heart flutter at every contact.

“Nice to meet you too, Luke Carter” she finished, regaining her composure. He ushered her to their table and pulled up her chair “Please sit” he gestured.

Ava offered a quick smile and sat, placing the napkin on her lap.

Luke observed her. She was beautiful, no doubt. Beautiful. She was dressed in a red dress dotted with diamonds.

“Red suits you” he complimented as he drew his gaze back to her face.

“Thank you.” She responded.

“So, what would you like to have? I ordered steak already, don’t know if that’s fine by you.”

Ava nodded “Sure that’s fine”

As they waited for the steak, Luke contemplated between confronting her or just letting it slide. He decided to confront her, to clear the awkward air.

“So, you just did your thing the other day and left,” he started. Ava knew immediately what he was talking about, and sharply avoided his eyes.

Oh boy! I knew it, I knew that all these marriage plans weren't going to work. First, I bumped into a guy I had sex with at the club, and now my supposed soon-to-be husband was the guy I had verbally abused!