Chapter 3

The following morning, Ava Sinclair was an early riser. After preparing for the day, she glanced at her phone and saw a message.

Adrian: "No need to return it."

That's when she remembered the jacket she'd left in the washing machine overnight. Upon inspection, she discovered the suit jacket crumpled and wrinkled despite spending the entire night in the drum. She hung it up, though it retained its creases.

At least she wouldn't have to return it now.

Post a quick lunch, Ava resumed her job search on her computer. With an average educational background from a standard university and decent experience from her previous job, her options seemed limited, especially given the small size of her industry and the circumstances of her departure from her last job. The realization that her choices for future employment were constrained became apparent after her encounter with EchoDigital.

Feeling somewhat disheartened after intermittently chatting with HR representatives from various companies online, she glanced at the clock and decided it was time to head out. She took a cab to EchoDigital, intending to retrieve her car, but found it still half-submerged in a puddle. The storm had passed, yet the water lingered in low-lying areas.

With resignation, she postponed her plans. With the workday nearing its end, she messaged Doris and then ventured into a nearby coffee shop to wait.

It was early evening, and the shop had few patrons, save for a middle-aged woman placing an order at the counter. Ava, putting her phone away, joined the queue and couldn't help but overhear the woman's inquiry to the barista about the almond cake being low-fat—a question that brought Lily, with her constant dieting, to mind.

The woman in question appeared vibrant for her age, in her forties or fifties, with a neat short haircut and dressed in a simple, dark sweater.

"Yes, it is," the barista confirmed with a smile.

"I'll take a slice of that cake, a latte, and a cup of warm water," the woman decided, moving aside for Ava.

Their eyes met briefly as they shuffled around each other, exchanging smiles—a friendly one from the woman and a polite half-smile from Ava.

Ava opted for an iced Americano, meaning they received their orders around the same time. She walked with her coffee to a window seat towards the back, and as she settled down, she noticed the woman taking the adjacent seat, sliding the cake and water across the table to sit opposite her.

Ava's gaze wandered casually before settling on an elderly lady seated nearby. Adorned with a black bucket hat, an odd choice for the warm July weather, and clad in a white blouse, the woman balanced a smartphone in one hand while her other hand fiddled with her reading glasses. Her posture was slightly hunched, and the tinny sounds of a card game emanated from her phone, eliciting a light chuckle from Ava. "She's quite stylish for her age," Ava mused to herself.

Redirecting her attention to her phone, Ava scrolled through a job-hunting app, hoping for new interview opportunities. The sporadic buzz of conversations around her only served to highlight the silence of her own device, deepening the pang of disappointment within her.

Then, quite suddenly, the woman next to her answered a phone call and hurried out of the café. Ava, following suit, placed her phone down and stared out the window, lost in thought. Through the glass's reflection, she caught the elderly woman scanning the entrance, as if to ensure no one was watching. Then, with a stealthy grace, the woman reached for the latte sitting across from her.

Ava, moving silently, positioned herself in front of the lady just as she was about to indulge in a forbidden sip.

Taken aback by Ava's unexpected appearance, the woman looked up, confusion written all over her face, her attempt to drink halted mid-motion. "You are...?" she inquired, a mix of surprise and curiosity in her voice, her glasses perched precariously on her nose.

Ava, lowering herself to meet the woman's gaze, replied with a playful lightness, "Ma'am, didn't the lady who just left specifically ask you not to have anything without her permission?"

Caught in the act, a sheepish grin replaced the woman's initial bewilderment. "Oh dear, you caught me listening in," she admitted, setting the coffee down.

Ava's smile broadened, her tone teasing yet gentle, "If you go ahead with that coffee, I might just have to report you once she returns."

In under ten minutes, Auntie Rose re-entered the café to discover a young woman and the elderly lady deeply immersed in a card game on their smartphones, the digital sounds of their playful competition filling the air.

Upon nearing them, Auntie Rose asked curiously, "And who is this young lady?"

Ava looked up, her eyes sparkling with liveliness, and smiled warmly, indicating her previous seat. "I was just sitting over there."

Laughing robustly, the elderly lady chimed in, "This kind lady was watching over me." She shared the amusing tale of Ava's watchful eye, prompting Auntie Rose to laugh along. "I've warned you about drinking that. Next time, I won't be so trusting."

Turning to Ava, Auntie Rose expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for looking out for her, dear."

Ava's smile widened. "Oh, it was really no trouble at all."

As the elderly lady tenderly patted Ava's hand, signaling a bond formed over shared moments, Auntie Rose, gathering her belongings, interjected, "Adrian has wrapped up his work. He's asked for us to meet him at his office downstairs."

"Already? I assumed we'd be here till evening. He must not be as busy as I thought," the elderly lady softly commented.

"With you waiting? He wouldn't dare," Auntie Rose humorously retorted.

As they all made moves to leave, Ava's phone buzzed—a message from Doris indicating she was done for the day.

Together, they exited the café.

At the entrance, Ava turned to the elderly lady, "Grandma, I've got to meet my friend now, so I'll head out."

The elderly lady, with a gentle touch and a warm smile, encouraged her, "Off you go, dear."

The texture of the elderly lady's hands—worn and toughened with age—evoked memories of Ava's own grandmother, who had passed away two years prior. Her grandmother had also navigated dietary restrictions during her illness, her hands frail and delicate. It was this reminiscence that had initially moved Ava to act.

With a heart full of empathy and fondness, Ava beamed, "Remember, Grandma, we're friends now. If you ever feel like playing chess, just tap on my profile. I'll be there if I can."

"Of course, my dear. You're such a good girl," the elderly lady replied, her voice brimming with warmth and appreciation.

As Adrian Sterling's elevator descended to the second basement level, his phone rang. It was Diana Sterling, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief. "Back already?"

Settling into his car, Adrian replied with casual indifference.

Diana, ever curious, pressed on. "Have you mentioned when you'll be bringing your wife by for a visit?" She laughed softly, adding, "Grandma was the one who insisted on this marriage, yet you jetted off to Paris the day after your marriage certificate was issued. She's been quite vocal about her displeasure ever since. Now that you're back, there's no avoiding the issue. Why not bring her by so I can meet her, then we can introduce her to Grandma?"

Adrian gripped the steering wheel, his response measured. "There's no need for that. I have a different favor to ask."

Diana's interest was piqued. "Oh? And what might that be?"

"Could you arrange for the southwest room on the first floor of the old house to be made ready?" Adrian's voice was calm, hinting at something unsaid, "I've returned, but not alone."

Diana's surprise was evident in her voice, but before she could delve deeper, Adrian ended the call.

Pulling out of the parking garage and up to the company's front entrance, Adrian spotted his grandmother, Beatrice Sterling, and Auntie Rose, both deeply engrossed in their phones, puzzling over how to edit contact names.

After several calls to get their attention, they finally settled into the car.

Jokingly, Adrian asked, "Playing chess with someone new?" as he reached over to secure his grandmother's seatbelt.

Beatrice offered him a smile, "No, it wasn't chess. We met a delightful young woman at the café. We hit it off right away."

Adrian was skeptical. It seemed unlikely that a young woman would naturally connect with someone of Beatrice's generation, but he let the comment pass without further question. "I've had the southwest room in the old house readied for you. It gets lovely sunlight, and I remember you liked it there."

Beatrice, momentarily distracted from her phone, voiced a concern. "Diana's aware I'm here, isn't she? I bet she's not thrilled."

"Not at all," Adrian assured her smoothly.

Beatrice's tone turned reflective. "I've mentioned wanting to stay with you, but you've always resisted. What's the point of my being in New York if not to stay with you?"

As Adrian navigated through the traffic, he fabricated a convenient excuse, "My current apartment is too centrally located—it's noisy, and the new house is still undergoing renovations. It'll be ready in a bit."

"I get it; you don't want to live with me," Beatrice sighed, accepting the situation. "Just make sure to bring your wife over tomorrow. I want to meet her."

Traffic was dense, and Adrian abruptly braked to avoid a collision with a car that was turning right.

After a moment to collect himself, he resumed driving, attempting to placate his grandmother. "I'm tied up with a meeting tomorrow."

Beatrice's gaze hardened, her concern evident. "A meeting? You've been delaying her introduction since the beginning of the year. Don't tell me my suspicions are correct, and you've chosen someone you think won't meet my approval?"