Jaxon- Frustration at Four

It was four in the morning and Jaxon was frustrated. He had been jogging around the park that was just next door to the hotel he stayed in. The thing about parks was that he could not run as fast as he wanted to. He left the park and decided to take a drive in his car. He started thinking about Avalina, damn she was beautiful but he was not going to let his attraction get the better of him. Shawna had left a wound in his heart and though he refused to admit it he had not completely healed. He was more restless than ever and it was all because of her.

He had met Shawna at one of the parties held by the elite of society like his boss. It was purely physical attraction at first and while they had dated and flirted with each other, they had not gotten physical and that had not bothered him. He was willing to wait till after marriage. Except she was already pregnant when he found her a few months later, carrying another man's child. He didn't want to complicate matters so he had ignored it and his heart had died a little inside ever since that day. That was the thing he despised the most about members of high-ranking in society, they sure did whatever they liked. He was tired and he wanted to rest. He refused to let himself sink into despair.

He drove all the way back to the hotel, parked and quickly went up to his room. Taking extra care not to wake his mother, he showered and got dressed. Wearing a orange t-shirt and jeans, with his Nikes, he slipped out of his room and headed for the Banquet Hall. He found Avalina sitting in the center with a tall glass of orange juice by her side.

"Hey, sorry I'm ten minutes late, didn't see time slip by so quickly."

"No worries, I was deciding on what to eat," she said with a light laugh.

"Well, let's grab it while it's hot." They left the table and went to the wide array of food that was served on the tables. Ava filled her plate with everything she could. She couldn't resist wanting to try everything they offered. Jaxon heaped his plate and they returned to their table.

After about ten minutes of silence and chewing down their food, Ava asks him " where are you from?"

"I'm from South Dakota".

"You?" He asks her.

"Same place."

"Cool", he comments. "My uncle is actually getting married here, my mom and I are down here for the wedding."

"Is Uncle's name Mark Sandford?" She asks him.

"Yes, how did you now?"

"My aunt is getting married to him," she answers.

"Oh I see, you must be the bridesmaid." "I'm one of the groomsmen", he says figuring it out. "Since, we're on this subject, would you mind being my date for the wedding?" He asks surprising her and himself.

"I'm…not too sure that's a good idea." "I just left a pretty serious relationship and my best guy friend ditched me for the holidays, but I don't blame him Alex just got a girlfriend so it figures I'll be on the side-lines for awhile."

"We don't have to date, date. What I mean is just hang out when in public, if not it's sorta awkward to be all alone especially if they have activities like 'dancing'", he suggests.

"I see." She nods understandingly, "I'm fine with that then."

"Great" He says grinning.

"So tell me more about yourself?" She asks changing the subject.

"Nothing much, just graduated from university, I live with my mom and sister. I'm working as a body guard to someone important at the moment can't give names, sorry".

"That must be really risky, having to put your life on the line," she comments gently.

"Yeah it is, but my dad did it, so I thought I would just follow in his footsteps," he replies.

"I think you have yet to find something passionate about worth pursuing," she says.

"You could say that, or maybe I'm just having fun while I'm just out of uni."

"What did you graduate in?" She asks.

"Accounting and Finance."

"Not bad, I studied Economics at university. Right now, though I wish I had studied art, I really love interior designing."

"Oh that's interesting, hey its not too late to make a one-eighty should you decide to," he reassures her.

"Thanks," she replies.

"You want to head over to the lounge area, I need to ask the receptionist for directions to the closest shopping mall?"

"No need," he continues "I drove a little away from here in the morning, I can take you, if you want to go."

"That would be great!" She says enthusiastically.

"What are we waiting for ? Let's go then."

They left their table and the banquet hall, taking the lift to a level below, they headed for his car, which was parked in the basement.

"Will your mom and dad mind that you're away with me?"

"They won't mind," he answers her. "My dad passed away when I was seven."

"I'm sorry to hear that," she replies slowly. "How did it happen, if I might ask?"

"Well…" he says opening her car door and getting into the driver's seat. He continues "the Brickfield's emergency hospital called us one night and they just said ma'am we are sorry but your husband was brought in unresponsive, he passed away on the way here. That's it no more dad," was all he said as he drove out of the basement.