CHAPTER 5.
1337 Words
AVA'S POV.
The one-year trip of Mr and Mrs Edwards turned out to be sooner than I expected, and they took a week to prepare. During this week, Mrs Edwards briefed me on everything I needed to know about her son Noah.
"He's very moody and unkind." Like that wasn't obvious. "He hates to be disturbed and prefers being on his own. He's allergic to peanut butter, seafood and grapes. He also hates flowers."
That came as a shock to me. Why would anyone hate flowers?
"He's not a fan of noise, and he hates things that are too bright. Maybe you should consider wearing darker colored clothes."
That one left me speechless. Is she really being serious? It sounds like she is hiring me as a maid.
"Moreover, he hates visitors. Your friends can't come over and if your Dad wants to come over, you have to let him know first."
That part isn't really hard. My only friends are my boyfriend James and Mia, and I don't really think I want them to come here. Still, I felt annoyed at it. What does Noah Edward think he is, The king of the world?
"Last of all, he is not allowed out of the house. His bodyguards live a few blocks away from here keeping watch on him so he wouldn't go far. He had been kidn*pped once and it wasn't a pleasant memory. We don't want a repeat of that."
Wait, that is like keeping him prisoner in his own house, but anyway, I do understand their fears. It's bad enough that they are going to lose their son this early. The least they can do is do what they can to protect him.
During the week, Noah was like a ghost. I rarely even see him around the house, except at dinner, which always ends with him having an argument with his parents and stomping out of the room entirely.
It was awkward for me to witness that all the time, but I had no choice. I am part of the family now.
On Monday the next week, Mr and Mrs Edwards left for California. I was the only one who bid them goodbye. Noah didn't even come out of his room and it saddened his mother.
Cold fear washed over me as soon as their van drove out through the gates. It's going to be just Noah and me now.
Days passed and things turned out as badly as I expected. Not that I care that much, but I haven't seen Noah since his parents left. It was like he didn't exist even though we lived in the same house.
I hated the jerk.
Although he is the one dying in six months, I felt more sorry for his parents who were desperate to give him even just a little happiness. It made me sad as I recall the words Mr Edwards said to me, right before he got into his van.
"Try to make him feel loved, Ava. Make him feel like you care even if you don't. We are the only ones he has and maybe when he sees that someone else cares about him, his heart will become lighter."
His parents were hurting, and in my opinion, he doesn't deserve them. Yeah, everyone knows that it's tough for a dying person to know the exact time of his death, but it's also tough for his parents. They are having a hard time too, and it's wrong for him to take it out on them.
Every day, I made breakfast, lunch and dinner, but his share always remained untouched, and I was honestly worried about how he fed himself. In his condition, he shouldn't be skipping meals, but I don't even see him every day to advise him about that.
How am I going to help him if he keeps hiding?
The loneliness was also starting to get to me, and I decided to take a tour around the ranch to kill time. I was not used to being locked up like a caged bird. It felt wrong. How did Noah survive it all these years?
My tour around the place made me realize that it was a lot more bigger than it looks, and a lot of people lived and worked here.
I passed by a small varander where some older men were seated in cowboy outfits. Probably the workers who took care of the cattles in the ranch.
They were talking and laughing, but their conversations seized when they noticed me passing by. I realized it would be rude of me if I go on without saying 'hello' and so I approached them.
They watched me curiously. "Hello everyone, my name is Ava. I was taking a walk around the ranch and thought I should say hello." I said polietly.
There was a good five seconds of awkward silence, before one of the men broke it. "O-Oh h-hello Miss Ava. That is really nice of you." He shifted on the wooden bench, creating a space for me to sit. "Please sit with us for a while."
Unsurely, I said "okay" and I took a sit beside the man.
"I am Greg, and these are Ro meo and Sam" he introduced himself and the two men with him. Romeo winked at me, while Sam smiled kindly. "We all work for the young master."
The two men said their hellos all with poliet smiles and I smiled back at them. At least this is a refreshing attitude from that moody prick, Noah Edwards.
"Mr Edwards told us that he was bringing in a lady of the house for the young master before his trip. I guess he meant it." Sam said.
"I approve!" Romeo blurted "not only are you beautiful, you also have some manners." They all nodded in agreement and I felt proud of myself.
"How is the young master?" Greg asked gently. He seem like a man of few words.
I let out a deep breath before answering, "actually, i'm not really sure how to answer that question. I barely see him at all."
Their expressions quickly morph into sorrow, "we never seen him anymore after his kidnap eighteen years ago. His parent keep him locked up in there. Believe me, it was devastating to hear about his coming death."
"My wife cried for days," Sam added "she knew him since he was a baby.
"The young master is still very young. It's depressing to be told about the short time he has on earth" Romeo put in.
Greg stared at me with a pleading look, "For Mr Edwards to have chosen you, he must have seen something in you. Try your best to help the young master Miss Ava. The poor man is lost in his own grief and he won't let anyone in. The pain is chocking him but he refuses to lean on anyone.
"I remember there used to be a lot of maids in his wife including my wife, but he fired them all in just a week. He may seem nasty Miss Ava, but he's just a man in pain. Do what you can to help him" Sam pleaded.
"How sure are you guys that I can help him?" I asked them "You don't even know me, for all you know Mr Edwards might have choosen the wrong woman for his son."
Greg was the one who replied, "you are married to him now Miss Ava. It's the work of fate. Fate brought you to him, do your part and leave the rest to fate."
His words made no sense, but I didnt argue nor ask any questions, but I realized one thing. Noah Edwards sure have a lot of people who love him. What's so special about him that everyone thinks he needs my love?
Oh whatever!
All I have to do is fake it until the six months runs out and then I can return to my Dad and my love James.
- Writer
