Chapter 7

The steady ring of the doorbell filled the apartment, but to Ava, each chime seemed more urgent than the last, pressing someone to act quickly. She stood abruptly, leaving the mop behind.

Adrian, who was on his way to the door, stopped short at her sudden movement. After a brief pause, he offered a soft reassurance, "No need to worry. You finish up with the sink; I'll see who it is."

Turning to him, Ava's expression showed slight concern, but she acknowledged his words with a slow nod.

As Adrian departed, Ava hastily gathered the broken pieces scattered on the floor, disposing of them in the trash. She then revisited the bathroom counter, ensuring nothing was overlooked.

Meanwhile, Adrian approached the foyer with a light step. Upon opening the door, he was greeted by the eagerly waiting faces of Beatrice Sterling and Auntie Rose. Their eyes, filled with a playful curiosity, scanned the room beyond him, coaxing a chuckle from Adrian.

"We agreed on seven, not six," he lightly scolded.

Brushing past him into the entryway, Beatrice replied, "This was Auntie Rose's idea — she thinks a surprise visit is the best way to see how you're really living."

Adrian, hand still on the doorknob, turned to Auntie Rose with a look of mock resignation.

Auntie Rose gave a light-hearted laugh in response, "How quickly you turn the blame on me!"

"We can discuss this later," Beatrice decided, her eyes moving from the living room to the dining area, and then toward the kitchen. "But first, let's meet your granddaughter-in-law. I've been eager to—"

Her words were interrupted by a voice from the nearby bathroom.

Ava appeared at the doorway, her smile soft and her tone melodic, "Hello, grandma, I'm A—"

Their expressions, initially warm, turned to surprise, mouths agape as they processed the unexpected encounter.

"Miss Sinclair?" Beatrice, still bewildered, questioned, "What brings you here?"

With raised eyebrows and wide eyes, Ava recalled the voice message she had heard earlier in the car. Despite the whirlwind of thoughts, a single, incredible possibility emerged.

"Grandma, are you saying... the grandson you've been looking for is him?" She pointed shakily at Adrian, not far off.

As the evening approached six o'clock, the setting sun cast a warm glow through the living room. Its last rays reflected off the polished floor, highlighting the surprised faces in the otherwise quiet space.

...

Fifteen minutes later, they sat on the living room couch.

Beatrice held Ava's hands firmly, her face alight with joy as she examined Ava from head to toe, murmuring, "Such a remarkable coincidence, to find you here."

Despite the unexpected connection, Ava remained tense, the coarse touch of Beatrice's palms causing her fingers to tingle with apprehension. "I never imagined," she managed to reply.

"Blame it on that boy, jetting off right after the ceremony. You've had a tough time these last six months, haven't you?"

Seeing Beatrice's sincere affection, Ava forced a smile, "It's okay, grandma. His work is important."

"Such a considerate child," Beatrice beamed, about to continue when Auntie Rose announced from the kitchen, "Dinner's ready."

Grasping the opportunity, Ava assisted her grandmother to her feet, "Let's continue this over dinner, shall we?"

"Of course, of course."

After leaving the comfort of the sofa, they settled around the dining table, not sticking to Adrian's meticulously planned seating arrangement. The grandmother maintained a tight hold on Ava's hand, guiding her to sit beside her, placing them directly across from Adrian. The table, adorned with a cream-colored marble top, bore an array of sophisticated dishes ranging from Wagyu beef to select seafood. In stark contrast, the grandmother's portion consisted of light options like steamed vegetables and freshly sliced fruits, catering to her dietary need to avoid high-fat foods.

Ava, now seated, couldn't shake off a sense of unease. Catching sight of Adrian attending to his grandmother, filling her glass with water, she covertly nudged him under the table, seeking a reassuring glance.

Adrian met her gaze with a composure that seemed to dwarf her own anxieties. He reached for a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice, his warm smile and lifted eyebrows silently posing the question, "This is sugar-free; it won't lead to weight gain. May I pour you some?" It was an act of gentle consideration.

Ava's response was a slow, surprised smile, "Yes, please."

As Adrian poured the juice, their fingers momentarily touched—a brief but intentional contact, akin to the graceful passage of a fish through water. Ava caught his deep, steady look, his eyelashes fluttering slightly in the silent exchange. She forced herself to relax into the moment.

The dinner proceeded with less discomfort than Ava had braced herself for. Adrian, often seen as aloof, was notably attentive and interactive in the presence of his grandmother. Without prompting, he initiated conversation, particularly keen on sharing how he and Ava had first met.

The grandmother was visibly thrilled, her focus primarily on Ava. Throughout the meal, she held Ava's hand, inquiring about her life—her age, employment, hobbies, and even her financial security—displaying a depth of concern that was both endearing and somewhat overwhelming.

Auntie Rose, in the meantime, was engaged in serving while listening attentively to Adrian's recount of their encounter, creating a backdrop of parallel dialogues at the table.

As dinner wound down, Ava felt a twinge of guilt amidst the warmth of the gathering. She tightened her grip on the grandmother's hand, voicing her concern, "Grandma, you've barely touched your food."

The grandmother, Beatrice, smiled softly, her eyes crinkling at the corners, "I tend to eat less at night; otherwise, I find it hard to sleep. You haven't eaten much either. I hope I haven't been talking too much, preventing you from enjoying your meal."

"Not at all," Ava assured her, casting her eyes downward, "I've had enough."

Adrian, seizing the moment of pause, suggested, "If everyone's finished, perhaps we should head back?"

"There's no hurry," the grandmother responded, her gaze lingering over the table, "You tidy up. I'd like a moment longer with Ava."

Adrian exchanged a glance with Auntie Rose, silently seeking guidance.

Auntie Rose offered a light-hearted reprimand, "Adrian's just returned. He and Ava haven't had much chance to catch up, and you've had her all to yourself this evening. There'll be time for long talks later."

Acknowledging her eagerness, Beatrice shifted her gaze between Ava and Adrian, her smile reflecting a mix of amusement and realization, "Of course, I've been a bit overeager."

Adrian, leaning against the kitchen island with a casual ease, rolled up his sleeves and joked, "Or you could stay. How about a night-long chat with your granddaughter-in-law?"

The grandmother demurred with a content smile, "I wouldn't want to impose. Could you show me to the bathroom?"

Ava led the way, flicking on the light and cautioning, "Watch your step; the floor's still slippery from being mopped."

Back in the kitchen, Adrian and Auntie Rose were finishing up, quietly discussing the grandmother's recent health concerns and dietary adjustments. As they touched on the topic of her upcoming chemotherapy, Adrian's gaze inadvertently met Ava's.

Standing awkwardly by the sofa, Ava felt suddenly out of place, as if caught listening in on a private conversation, despite merely being uncertain about her next steps.

Adrian, quickly noticing Ava's unease, gestured upwards with a casual flick of his wrist, his voice carrying a familiar ease, "Head up and grab a jacket; it's going to be cold out, especially in that dress."

Bathed in the gentle light from above, his features were cast into relief, surrounded by an air of mystery and an effortless charisma.

"Sure, I'll do that," Ava replied, her surprise evident at how convincingly he maintained his act, even in Auntie Rose's presence. Climbing the stairs, she mused on Adrian's natural charm and talent, realizing he had the makings of a self-made success, far beyond the reaches of his family's wealth.

Familiar with the layout by now, Ava made her way to Adrian's bedroom with ease.

Stepping inside, she was greeted by the understated scent of wood, the balcony doors ajar, allowing the night air to tease the white curtains into a gentle dance. The fragrance seemed to bring Adrian's presence closer, lingering in the air.

This visit marked Ava's first venture beyond the threshold of his room. Inside, she found a space that defied her expectations of minimalist coldness, revealing instead a hint of warmth and personality. The bed was meticulously made, a small lamp on the bedside table casting a soft light over an open book, left without a bookmark, save for a silver lighter marking the page.

As she came back downstairs, jacket in hand, she noticed the grandmother and Auntie Rose poised by the door, ready to depart.

Intent on joining them, Ava was stopped short by Adrian, who, keys in hand, gently dissuaded her, "There's no need for you to come; I've got this."

Confused, Ava met his gaze, finding herself momentarily lost in the depth of his dark, swirling eyes.

Turning to the grandmother, she bid her farewell, "I'll see you again soon, grandma."

The grandmother, cloaked in the evening chill, reassured her, "It's cold tonight, dear. Let Adrian take care of it. You should stay warm and rest."

"Alright, grandma," Ava conceded.

 her voice laced with a mix of resolution and a slight quiver, "Take care, Adrian ,emm~darling. And please, drive safely."