Chapter 9

" How were you-" The knock on the door caught me by surprise, making me halt mid-air while Enid and Mason looked at each, and then me.

" Are you expecting guests?" Enid asked, looking at me. I had no clue why she was asking me, I wasn't the popular one in the room.

" No," Mason was the one to reply but didn't bother to move an inch and carried on eating his dinner.

A loud bang on the door made Enid jump and I finally stood up to see who was gracing us with their presence at eight in the evening.

When I opened the door, I realised that it was pelting it down. And my, my none other than Ava Morston at the door, along with the man who got on my last nerve at the gala.

" Hi Lily," Ava said as she pushed past me to walk inside, while Ashley smiled, and curtly nodded.

" Good evening, Miss Abernathy," He crooned, smiling " May I come in?" He politely asked while I just stared at him trying to decide whether to shut the door in his face or not.

" Yes," I answered when I finally got my bearings together and stepped aside for him to come in.

" We are having dinner, so everyone is in the kitchen," I politely informed as I waved him towards the kitchen. I assumed that he was there to speak with Mason since they were friends.

" Thank you, but ladies first," Ashley said bowing, and I wanted to scuff him at the exaggerated gesture considering that I had already seen who he truly was.

I mustered a smile and made my way to the kitchen where Ava's shrill voice sort of dominated the room. She finally got what she came for, the girl wasn't a quitter.

I walked into the kitchen just as Ava lunged towards Mason as she did at the gala but Mason stood up, pulling her into his seat to avoid her embrace.

" Miss Morston, I believe you must be tired. It has been a hot day. You must be exhausted," Mason said as he poured Ava a glass of water. The man was debonair, no doubt.

"Thank you, Mason. Yes, the heat has worn me down today," Ava squeaked fanning herself with her hands, smiling.

" Well, it seems that we are having a party after all. Ashley, what brings you to my door at this time?" Mason turned his attention towards Ashley who leaned against the wall watching, somewhat amused.

" I'm not here for you," Ashley pushed himself off the wall " I would like to have a word in private with Miss Abernathy. Since she is your ward, I believe that I need your consent to do so," Ashley revealed the reason why he was there, very nonchalantly. I wanted to blow a raspberry at him but I knew that would be childish. I had nothing to say to him, other than take it elsewhere.

" Ash," Mason chuckled " Miss Abernathy is an adult now. She no longer needs my permission for anything, " You don't say, I thought. All things considered, I was indeed an adult but also the one you sleep with. I wanted to add but bit on my tongue.

" Feel free to use my office," Mason added as he slipped into the seat next to Enid.

" This is perfect." Ava chimed in all giddy " This way you and I can have some time alone," She added some more of her thoughts reaching to touch Mason's hand that was resting on the table, and Mason reached for his glass of wine before she had a chance to touch him.

" But, if it is nothing sensitive, I believe that whatever you have to say you can say it here," Mason changed his mind pointing at the chair in front of him on the other side of the table.

Slipping back into my seat, Ashley took the one he'd offered while Enid smiled from behind her hand. I knew why, it was all kinds of awkward and the disappointment that washed over Ava was more than evident.

" Well, this is so much fun," Enid quipped and returned to her meal, smiling.

" I agree, Enid," Ava chimed in, pouring herself a glass of wine and making herself at home.

" That would be Miss Pinslow for you dear," Enid corrected making Ava flush red.

" So, Ashley what is it that you wanted to speak with Miss Abernathy that it couldn't wait?" Mason asked leaning in his chair, staring at Ashley who cleared his throat and straightened himself in his chair.

" I'm here to offer Miss Abernathy my sincerest apologies for the night at the gala. I did not mean to offend or insult in any way," Well, you are a little late. It had been a month and a half since then. Somebody was slow.

" Apologies accepted," Now please leave were my next words but I smiled instead and took a sip of wine.

" Thank you. I appreciate it. You have a very kind heart, Miss Abernathy. I feel much better now," Ashley added with a frazzled smile and I was relieved.

" Mason," Ava piped up all of a sudden " I was wondering if you would like to have dinner sometime this week. There is a new restaurant opening in Morston. It is rumoured to be the best." She added shuffling in her seat with the widest grin ever.

" How do you know it is the best? Have you tried it? " Mason asked, glancing around the table. And I wanted to strangle her, slow and painful.

When Ava opened her mouth to answer, Mason raised his hand to stop her from speaking " I will be out of reach for the rest of the week," He sipped on his wine " I'm sure Ashley will be more than happy to accompany you to the opening," The corner of his mouth subtly quirked up, as he locked eyes with Ashley.

" My deepest apologies Miss Morston. I will be leaving the country tomorrow," Ashley fretted and reached for the bottle and filed up his glass. Enid was right. It was fun to watch the two men at the table pass the responsibility from one to another.

" Shame," Ava sighed, pouting " How about you Lily? Would you like to come?" She extended the invitation to me. No, thank you.

" I have a busy weekend ahead at the soup kitchen," I paused when she grimaced in disgust. Even if I wasn't, I wouldn't have gone anyway. Not with her.

" Well, I guess it's settled then. You and I will be going," Enid quipped, smirking.

" No thank you. I don't mingle with the help," Conceited brat. That remark made me stand up from my seat. I didn't want to be in the room, any longer.

Mason waved me to sit down, with a pointed look. I knew it was rude what I did but Enid was more than the help, to me and Mason.

" Miss Morston," Mason coldly said " This is my home," He paused for a moment " Under this roof and at this table, we are all the same." He sternly finished and I knew that tone well. He'd used me, more times than I could count.

Ava meekly smiled " My apologies Enid," She didn't bother to refer to Enid as she was asked which was met with a heavy eye roll from Enid.

" It's alright dear," Enid smiled and took me by surprise that she was completely unbothered.

" We all make mistakes. Nobody is perfect," She added with a sigh, and placed her

glass on the table " Most certainly you aren't," She jabbed with a smirk, making Ava gape. I was over the moon. This was indeed a party.

" Mason, are you coming out for drinks tonight?" Ashley changed the topic, smiling as if he'd fallen off from a different planet.