Chapter Twelve

AVA

So stupid!

Who doesn't like a nice man? Except me, obviously! She chided herself and sat down heavily on the chair he'd vacated earlier. It was bad enough that a cook can't make a cup of coffee.

But, he'd taught her how to. He'd even thought it funny that she couldn't . He wasn't mad or upset about it.

But she...

She was really embarrassed, but did her best to hide it. Ava could even feel her neck heating up.

It was already evident that she was inexperienced in a lot of things, but she was determined to stick to this one till the last day.

Making her way to the laundry room, she took the cleaning tools to start the day. Mr. Richard's daughter would be home in a few hours, inasmuch as she was curious to know what she looked like aside from the pictures around the house.

Ava already knew that she would look prettier than the pictures, rich kids tend to look like that. You need to see them upfront to appreciate the money they came from. The internet is just another added privilege to show what real wealth really looked like.

Ava knew it. Coming to work at the mansion opened her eyes to the better things of life. The good food, the fresh air, the security and probably, peace of mind.

Things she already lacked but never complained about. Setting her jaw, she marched right to Taylor's room to make sure nothing was out of place and then go through the other rooms and get them cleaned up real quick, since she'll be spending the rest of the day in the kitchen.

By the time she was done, the time was somewhere between after 10 and on its way to 11am. She took out everything and racked her head to think of something to make.

A course, desserts and appetizers were really needed.

Taking out her phone from her backpack, she went through the notes of dishes she'd written down on her way.

Wearing the patterned apron over her dungaree, she tied it at the back and casually thought about how she had carefully picked out the dress that morning.

It was a miracle that she hadn't died out of embarrassment yesterday, so to avoid that she had tried to be intentional.

Drawing strength into her bones and flexing her fingers, as though she had been threatened that it might as well be her last meal. She decided to put her best into it.

Richard had complimented the teriyaki chicken, so it'll be disastrous to make something horrible, as it was also a special day for him.

No mistakes.

She began to get busy. She measured some cups and set the timer for the rice cooker. Cutting the chicken and turkey, some vegetables and greasing pans kept her mind occupied, till she heard a low engine of car driving in, then the car turned off.

She's here.

To confirm it, she heard heavy and brisk footfalls and few minutes later, a giggle followed.

She's here.

That shouldn't be nervous, but she just couldn't help it. The rice cooker chimed, and that was her cue to remind her that she needed to hurry up.

Pouring herself a glass of water, she guzzled it and turned off the rice cooker.

Ave knew she was meant to come out, so she ran her palms down the apron, checked out herself through the glass to see if her hair, was already in disarray.

Fortunately, it wasn't.

The first thing Ava noted when she stepped outside, meeting them at the porch, was the tight hug they were embraced in. His back was turned to her.

It wasn't the kind of hug that was one sided, where the other person felt inclined to return the hug. It was the type of hug, that you couldn't help wanting.

It was that type of hug that stings your eyes with hesitant tears and trickles when you're released. It was just there.

The love.

The happiness.

The joy.

The bond.

Of a father and his daughter. It was purely a relationship that existed with the sole intention to be a family.

A happy family.

She couldn't see her face because it was buried in his chest, but she could see her dark hair and was really sure she looked prettier than the pictures.

Ava noted that the other girl wore an oversized green sweatshirt, over a black leggings. Looking her over, her eyes rested on her feet. There was a bold MV inscribed by the side of the sneakers and she guessed they were designers.

Mr. Richard had said earlier she loved her shoes.

She smiled to herself. It wasn't a cheery smile or a big smile. It was just that. A smile.

Richard must have sensed her presence, because he'd veered towards her, still holding his daughter in a tight hug.

Their eyes clashed and held. She knew. He knew it too. There was something. Something that was bound to happen between them if they aren't careful.

She stared and noticed how his lips had tipped and pressed together.

"I missed you dad." His daughter's voice was muffled, and her arms tightened around his back and it was like she didn't want to let go.

"Me too." Richard muttered back to her, running his fingers through her hair in assurance.

It was there in his eyes that he had so much love to give his family.

Was it the same with Simone?

Does he love her that much?

Shoot! Where did that come from? She gave herself a mental scolding in regards to why she was thinking about his girlfriend.

She snapped herself back to reality and dragged her eyes from his heated gaze to land on the driver who was still hauling bags from the boot.

She started to walk towards the car, but they disengaged from the hug and had me halting my movement.

"You still bigger and prettier, juju-bee!" Laughter was in his eyes and his voice too. Richard was obviously teasing her.

Taylor knew it, but she laughed anyway. Ava still wanted to see her face but she had eyes only for her father.

"I'm not bigger dad. It hasn't been that long. Just four months..." Giving a small laughter, she added, "but I will take that I got prettier."

That earned her a deep throated laughter from Richard and that was like music to Ava's ears.

He raised his eyes to Ava's and held it. Again.

Why would he keep doing that?

Taylor noticed the diversion and followed his gaze and it landed on Ava.

Okay. Wow. She wasn't totally expecting that. She didn't really looked so different from the pictures, but she was absolutely charming.

Her eyes twinkled as she looked at Ava. She smiled at her then looked up at her father, waiting for an introduction.

"Ava, this is my daughter Taylor," he said let his eyes float over her face, before returning to his daughter's. "And Taylor... She's Maria's replacement."

Okay. At least, that sounded better than housekeeper or cook.

Taylor smiled widely at her.

Then...

"Why's she so young?" She directed at her father, the smile still on her face.

Ava just glanced from the father to the daughter, then back to the father's. The smile confused Ava because she couldn't decide if she was being warm or...

"Does it matter?" Richard interrupted her thoughts.

She gave Ava a long look then shook her head. "It doesn't matter." Breaking free from Richard's hold, she walked steadily to Ava. To Ava's surprise, she stretched a hand to her.

"Nice to meet you, Ava. I like your hair." She told her and turned to her father, as if she needed him to affirm that.

Ava's heart bloomed. For the second time, aside Grandma Sherri, someone else said she liked her hair. First, it was the father and now his daughter.

With her heart feeling like it could burst, she returned the smile. That had to be ber biggest smile, anymore would tear her mouth at the corners.

She shot her hand out and took it in hers.

"Is it natural?" She asked, releasing Ava's hand.

Ava just nodded and realized she hadn't spoken a word since she came out to meet them. "Yes, it is." She amended quickly and spared Richard a quick glance which earned her a wide grin.

"God! It's good you got someone pretty dad. I'm so tired."

Ava swore she heard Richard chuckle, and Taylor left them to march into the house, mumbling about how tired she was.

Henry carried two heavy suitcases and went into the house, leaving behind two travel bags and a smaller suitcase.

Richard turned and walked down to the car to get the bags, but Ava followed to help.

"You have a beautiful daughter, sir Richard." She told him, trying to get the tension out of the air.

He speared her a look, then grinned. "Yeah. I do." He didn't mean to sound cocky, but he was a proud father.

Leaning to carry a luggage, Richard leaned too and had him clasping his fingers over hers.

It jolted Ava, just like a barbed wire that would stick out of a electrical appliance. She retrieved her hand immediately and it sent her a few steps back from him.

Richard felt the jolt too, so he just trained his eyes on her, even as she tried not to look his way.

"You should retire to the kitchen. I'll handle this." He rather said. It was better they avoided the undercurrent than talk about it. At least, not when he needs to catch up with his daughter.

Ava nodded sharply at him and sprinted across the floor and disappeared into the house, feeling his hot gaze on her retreating figure. Nothing was at her heels, but she knew she needed to escape from whatever that was.

She poured herself another cup of water and gulped it, trying to steady her heartbeat. It was beating so fast she thought she might lose it.

Dragging in deep and heavy breaths in five minutes till she felt better, she called herself to order.

"Ava, you need to calm down."

It's just been two days and these sparks are everywhere. She just needed to concentrate on her work without any troubles, probably try and get in his daughters and Simone's good graces the three months are up.

Getting herself together, she proceeded with the cooking and wondered absently about his younger daughter.

By the time she was done with the meals, she was now worried more than anything about the undercurrent situation between herself and Richard.

Sorry. It's Sir Richard, now.