The Invitation

Sam led Ava to his apartment and to her surprise Sam's apartment was very neat and clean with a pleasant smell inside. She never thought a bachelor's apartment could be this clean and tidy. Ava looked around and found the place was really cozy.

Sam saw Ava was looking around curiously he said with an embarrassed face, "It's relatively simple. I'm the only one who lives here. It will take another half an hour to finish the classes, you can sit here and watch some TV. I'll have to go back to class now."

"Sure no problem. You go ahead and go back to your class and tell Sarah to wait for me when her class is over."

"Ok, no problem."

Sam went to the dining table and poured a cup of hot water for Ava.

As Ava took the cup from him she noticed his jacket was completely drenched so she said, "Sam, your jacket is completely wet you should change it otherwise you will catch a cold."

Sam looked at Ava and smiled softly. This was Ava, she would always worry about others. Sam went to his closet and changed his jacket then left in a hurry.

After Sam left, Ava sat on the sofa comfortably and started to flip through the TV channels. After the whole day, Ava was a bit tired, so she fell asleep on the sofa. She woke up by the sound of the school bell. Ava rubbed her eyes and sat up on the sofa. She looked at the surroundings and was confused for a moment then realized she was at Sam's apartment and she fell asleep on the couch.

Before long, Sam came back. He opened the door of his apartment and saw Ava's happy face, instantly his heart felt with warmth. "Ava, I'm back. Were you bored?"

"I didn't get the chance, I actually fell asleep. How was your class?"

"It was ok. So what did you wanted to tell me?" Sam asked sitting down on the couch.

"Actually Sam, I have a piece of good news to share," Ava said lightly. She knew how Sam felt about her so she was afraid of hurting his feeling. But she knew she will have to let him know, only when he will know he will be able to move on.

"Oh? What good news? Let's hear it." Sam said with a smile as he looked at Ava curiously.

"I'm getting married, next Friday," Ava said in a gentle voice.

Sam froze in place and looked at Ava confused. What? Did he hear it wrong? Did she just say she is getting married? And next Friday? It took Sam a while to compose himself, when he did and realized that Ava was not joking and she really was getting married, he felt lost. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he definitely didn't think she will get married so soon.

"Isn't that a little too soon?" Sam said in a very low voice. He felt very heavy in his heart as if someone just put a big stone over his chest.

"Actually Sam, I am pregnant. So can't really wait for long." Ava said softly, she knew Sam was sad but she still decided to be truthful to him.

This time Sam was so shocked that he couldn't form any word for a long time. "How long?"

"Seven weeks." Ava smiled and put her hands on her stomach, her face was full of motherly love.

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

Ava laughed and said, "It's too early to find out. But honestly, I don't want to know. Whether it's a boy or a girl, Oliver and I will love him or her with all our heart."

"Well, congratulation!" Sam said in a barely audible voice, he was feeling suffocating.

"Thank you, Sam. I am here today to invite you to my wedding. I hope you can come to the wedding and share my happiness." Ava took out the invitation card from her bag and handed it to Sam.

Sam stared at the invitation in his hand and held his breath. Suddenly without thinking he said, "Why did it have to be Oliver?" Sam's tone was a mixture of sadness, grief, and blame.

Ava was a bit stunned by the question, she blinked and said calmly, "What do you mean? I love him, he loves me and I am bearing his child then don't you think I have more reasons to marry him now?"

"But Ava, have you thought it through? I mean he is not really right for you." Sam didn't know why, but he always felt, if Ava married Oliver she will suffer in the future. Oliver's family background was so powerful it will not be easy for Ava to cope.

"Yes. In fact, I've decided a long time ago that, in this life, it will be only him." Ava said with a smile.

Sam fell silent and looked at Ava with complicated eyes. The woman in front of him is going to marry someone else, he had no right over her anymore. So maybe it's time for him to let it go.

Sam smiled gently and said, "If you have decided that's what you want then I wish you happiness in life. Although it's really difficult for me to see you with someone else, you know my heart. I love you so much I can't just act selfless and bless you and Oliver. I guess that's the part of me I fear most..." Sam looked at the distance.

"Sam..."

Sam smiled and shook his head, then said with tender eyes, "It's ok, girl. You must be happy, I accept your invitation."

Ava couldn't understand what Sam was talking about but she felt bad for him, she said in a gentle voice, "Sam, you must also find your own happiness. Find someone, start dating, and fall in love, you have so many pursuers. Life is so short, don't waste it like this."

"It doesn't work like that, besides I don't have time. I have to prepare my students for their graduation. Maybe someday." Sam smiled bitterly.

"Sam, don't make excuses, if you keep avoiding meeting new people then you will end up alone. Life is so beautiful, find someone to share it with. You are such an honorable, responsible, and caring man, anyone will fall in love with you." Ava said with a smile.

"And yet, the only person I wanted to fall in love with me, just didn't!" Sam said looking at Ava feeling complicated.