Chapter 42

The housekeeper had arranged all the dishes on the table for lunch. Tristan had instructed the housekeeper to cook all the best dishes she knew how to cook.

"Why are there so many dishes?" Ava asked. The table had so much food, it looked like it could feed five to six people. 

"Oh, I didn't know what you liked, so I asked the housekeeper to prepare every dish that she could think of," Tristan said.

"I'm not that choosy, I can eat anything," Ava said.

"Taste each one and let me know which one is your favorite," Tristan said. 

The housekeeper came forward to serve Ava, when Tristan said, "You can go, I will serve her." So she left to give them privacy.

"Drink some soup first," Tristan said as he ladled some soup in a bowl. 

"I don't want soup," Ava frowned.

"Just a little, it's good for your digestion," Tristan coaxed. It was tomato soup with bread crumbs, Ava didn't think she would like it.

While they were eating, Ava's phone rang and Tristan saw it was Hardin. He tightened his hold on the fork. "Why was that stupid boy calling her now?" he thought, knowing that Hardin had feelings for Ava.

He was getting to be very possessive and did not want Ava associating with the opposite sex. Ava should belong only to him. He would destroy anyone who came in between them.

Ava picked up the call. "Oh I'm not at the campus right now," she said, just talking casually. 

Tristan noticed that she was not over-friendly with Hardin, nor did she appear to be excited over his phone call.

"You and Kelly should go, I will join you next time," Ava said. He could not make much out of the conversion but kind of sensed that Hardin was asking her out. She talked for a minute more and ended the call.

"Why did he call you?" Tristan asked.

"Oh we went to the movies last time, and I really liked the actor, and he just released a new movie, so he called me to invite me to watch it," Ava explained.

"What? You went to a movie with him?" Tristan asked angrily.

"Yeah," Ava answered, seeing that his mood has changed.

"Just you two?" Tristan asked, he was getting mad just thinking about Ava going out to the movies with another guy.

"Oh no, Kelly was there as well," Ava said.

"That's good," Tristan said, relaxing a little, he was still pissed.

"Don't go to the movies," Tristan said.

"Why not?" Ava asked, confused.

"Because you should study and not waste your time. Your exams are coming up," Tristan said.

"Yeah, that's true. Okay I won't," Ava agreed, thinking that he just wanted her to concentrate on her studies.

His mind was not at ease, he can prevent her from going out because of the exams, but what about the future? He did not want other guys to court Ava. Their relationship should be official soon, and he's thinking of confessing his feelings.

If they were together then other men cannot make their move on her, even if someone tries to make a move on her, he'd know what to do.

Tristan Ambrosio did not become successful overnight, he knew how to handle his opponents, whether be it in business or love.

He really loved his little one, and he was never going to hurt her. He was going to love and care for her so much that Ava will never love anyone apart from him. He was going to prove to her that marrying him would be the best decision. Given their age difference, he wanted to spoil her like a child and fulfill her every wish she has.

Ava declared she did not want any more food.

"Eat a little more," Tristan suggested serving her some pasta. She thought that the food tasted better than the food from any five-star hotel.

Tristan Ambrosio belonged to the aristocratic family, his staff was the best in the industry, so it follows that the chef would be the best as well.

He first met the chef when he was dining abroad. He had proposed to hire him as soon as Tristan was done with dinner, but the chef refused because he was finally getting recognized to be one of the most innovative chefs in his country. He wanted to be recognized for his work. 

So Tristan sent PA Jack to negotiate and give him an offer he could not refuse, they offered the chef more money than he could earn in a year, so he agreed.

"Hmm… the food is very tasty," Ava said, savoring the taste.

"Well you can have this daily if you marry me," Tristan said, staring at Ava, waiting for her reaction.

"What?" Ava panicked, was he proposing to her?

"I was just joking," Tristan fibbed, he wanted to see how she would react, but it seemed like she did not have any romantic feelings towards him yet. He was disappointed, but he still had time to change her mind.

He knew that there was nobody else for him, Ava was the woman he would be marrying.

"Oh okay…," Ava relaxed as the housekeeper came in with the dessert.

"Madam, did you like your lunch?" the housekeeper asked.

"Yes, I loved it, there was a lot though, and I can't finish all of that," Ava replied.

The housekeeper was happy, Tristan told her that if Ava did not like the food they prepared, then he was going to deduct their salary.

After lunch, they continued studying until it became dark. Ava was satisfied that she made a dent in her studies, and she was optimistic that she understood it better because of Tristan's help.

"Thank you for having me here, but I think I need to go," Ava said as she packed her bag.

Tristan was sad. Today was one of the best days of his life and he did not know how time passed so soon, he wanted the day to be a little bit longer so that he could be with Ava.

He wanted to stop her and make her stay, but he knew it was not possible. "Let me drop you off," Tristan volunteered.

When they reached her dorm, Tristan got out of the car and handed Ava a bag, "Since you liked the food so much, I had some packed for you to eat at dinner." 

"Aww.. that's so sweet of you, thanks!" Ava happily took it.

"If you have any questions, don't forget you can always ask me," Tristan said.

"Sure," Ava said as she walked towards her dorm. 

Tristan went back to the office to complete his work.