A tale of love and ambition

Chapter 4

The charity event commenced in a bit, hence why I had to stay late to sort out last-minute issues. I got home later than usual. I saw a familiar car in the parking lot, about the time they arrived. I smiled as I thought.

The closer I got to the door, the louder the screaming got, I opened the door slowly so they wouldn’t know I was coming in.

I peeked in and saw two girls running around the dining area, one of them holding a stuffed toy in front of her using it to chase the other one, hence the screaming. I smiled at the sight. I stepped inside and called their names.

As soon as they heard me, they turned their heads around to see me. They ran towards me, I knelt down to catch them in a big hug. And as soon as I caught them, I hugged them tightly and stood up.

“Uncle Ashton!!” They both cried at the same time.

“Hi, my sweet peas, how are you both doing? Did you miss me” I asked, kissing them both on their cheeks.

“Yes.” They shouted happily.

“When mommy told us we were coming to see you, I was very excited” said Brielle, the other twin.

“I was excited too” said Bianca, the other twin.

I put them down and tickled their tummies, they laughed, ran away.

“Hi, mom”, I finally acknowledged the other people in the room. Aside from the kids, that is, their father, Ben, their mother, Natasha and my mother.

“Ben, Natasha” I bowed slightly, greeting them.

Natasha stood up and came to hug me, I was like an older brother to her.

“How have you been?” I asked, releasing myself from the hug.

I then walked up to Ben to give him a comradely handshake. He’s basically the only thing I have as close to a friend. He met Natasha in college, and they have been together ever since. I love that for him, but I don’t see myself being with just one woman, you know. Immediately, the thought of the lady I met at the bar came straight into my head. I smiled at the thought.

“What has got you smiling?” Ben asked, bringing me back to reality.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I said, walking up to my room.

“But…” He was about to say something

“Oh, honey just leave it” Natasha interrupted him, chuckling.

I looked back and gave her a smile of gratitude.

I got to my room, shut the door, and sat on the couch in the room to get some time to myself before the event tomorrow. I rested my head on the arm of the chair, closed my eyes, and thought about the lady with the long brown chestnut hair.

As the relentless banging on the door grew louder, I let out a groan. I spread my arms in order to reach out for my phone to check the time but I felt, oh s**t, I slept off on the couch. I stood up and I realized I had not even taken off my suit from the previous day. Well s**t.

“I’m coming!” I hollered as the banging grew more persistent.

Wrapping myself in a robe, I strode towards the door.

Upon swinging the door open, I saw it was my mother.

“Mom?” I wasn’t expecting to see her there. We had not interacted since the whole Elizabeth engagement thing happened.

“Hi, son” “May I come in?” she asked, strolling in.

“Hi Mom, is everything okay?”

“All is fine, just wanted to ask you how it is going with Elizabeth,” she said, taking a seat.

“Yeah, yeah it is” I lied.

“So, I heard she’s your plus one for the event,” she said like she was so sure. I did not even discuss it with her.

“Where did you hear that?” I asked slyly.

“Oh, you don’t bother,” she said, grinning, leaving the room.

Immediately she left the room, I picked up my phone and texted Elizabeth to ask if she’d like to be my plus one. She replied so fast, as if she had been waiting for my text.

“Even if you had not invited me, I would still have shown up. Who do you think told your mom I was your plus one?” the text read. Wait… I didn’t mention that to her.

“Alright then” I replied to her.

I dropped my phone, headed downstairs to the kitchen and decided to make coffee since it was practically already time for me to wake up, thanks Mom.

Despite today being the day of the event, I still had to head to the office to sign some important documents before finally attending the charity event.

I went back upstairs after my cup of coffee to take my bath and head to work, walking into the closet and seeing my suit in there. I guess the housekeeper had already gone to get my suit from the stylist. By the time I got downstairs, the driver was waiting by the car. I checked my wristwatch and it was 9:10 am.

“Good morning, Jack”, I greeted him.

“Morning sir” he greeted back.

We got to the building so fast and I made my way to my office and buried myself in work.

As I sat at my cluttered desk, surrounded by papers, I glanced at the clock and realized I was running late for the event. Just then, the phone rang and it was my mother.

“Hey Mom,” I said.

“Been trying to get through to you, you didn’t answer your phone” she exclaimed.

“I didn’t get your calls”. I swiped my phone down with my thumb and I had missed calls from her, Ben, and a text from Elizabeth telling me not to forget to pick her up.

“You are already supposed to be here,” she said.

“I’m on my way now,” I said as I made my way to the car. My driver, Jack, was already in the car waiting for me, ready to take me to the charity event.

“Jack, we are not going straight to the venue as I have to pick up my date” I said to him as I settled in the back seat.

“Miss Elizabeth?” he asked and I nodded yes.

The vehicle glided through the city streets. Tonight was a special occasion for the company and my family. This is the first charity event since the passing of my father and I hope it goes well.

In no time at all, we got to Elizabeth’s condo. I texted her to let her know I was downstairs. And about 5 minutes later, she came downstairs. She looked really good. She’s a pretty woman. I can’t lie, but she’s really not it for me. I got out of the car, opened the door for her, she got in and I closed the door. I went and got in the car through the other side.

I could feel her burning holes in the side of my head, so I turned to look at her.

“What is it” I asked.

“You came by very late” she said, glaring at me.

“Yeah, I had stuff to do at work” I replied to her.

She scoffed.

I just sighed and leaned back without saying anything further.

Soon after, the car stopped near a huge building which was lighted for the grand event. I hurried and opened the door for Elizabeth, made my way inside amongst the media, swamped outside, waiting to receive the guests that were yet to arrive. While waiting, a call came in from Ben.

When I received the call from Ben, I perceived a familiar but not exact scent once again. I decided to trace that scent in the quest of finally getting a chance to talk with the lady I saw recently, but as I got closer to the scent and looked forward, I was so displeased at what I saw…