An Unexpected Romance

AVA “Ava, stop slouching. If you want this dress to fit you properly then stand correctly” My mother places her gloved hands on each of my shoulders and pulls them back, before letting go and pushing my chin so I am looking at my reflection in the mirror. The pink lace A-line dress hugs the top of my body and spreads out from my hips until it reaches the floor. My auburn hair hangs flatly ending at my waist, i didn't have time to style it this morning which I regret now I've seen my reflection.  I look exhausted, purple bags heavy under my green eyes. I do not feel beautiful enough to wear a dress so lovely, but my Mother would not have it any other way. This is my final fitting before my family’s annual charity ball, and as her daughter and a Sinclair attending is non negotiable.  The Sinclair Foundation is a non-profit organisation started by my grandmother when she was in her twenties, and my father, being an only child, was groomed to take over. When he met my mother, a daughter of a very important business partner, it was a match that no one could complain about. My mother heads all the social events for the foundation, the annual ball her favourite of them all. The same every year, a room full of wealthy individuals trying to better improve their image, and remove the bad press left after their latest scandal.  If it was not for family I would not be attending, not only because of my utter distaste for many of the guests, but also my crippling social anxiety that makes most small talk impossible unless you like one word answers. I usually stick to sitting at our designated table and not moving all night, but this year she wants me to join her on stage to give a speech celebrating the year of good work the foundation has achieved. She made it impossible to say no, telling me how as her daughter it was expected. Unlike my mother I thrive the most when I stay under the radar. “Oh Ava, that dress looks wonderful. I just wish you would follow the meal plans so you could have prevented an extra fitting” My mother sighs; my weight has always been an issue in her eyes. Don’t get me wrong I'm not particularly big, a size 12, but my Mother always moans about how curvy i am. She takes her card out of her purse and hands it to the seamstress, who smiles widely and scurries off to take payment. The other ladies begin to unlace the back of the dress and help me undress, and the seamstress comes back handing back my mothers card, “I will finish the final adjustments tonight and it will be ready to collect first thing tomorrow morning”  She chimes, My mother smiles politely at the lady acknowledging her comment, “Very well. Now, please excuse me, i have some last minute calls to make” She raises her phone to her ear as she exits the room “Ava i will see you at home” “Yes mother” I answer as she vanishes out of the room. After I redress myself into my emerald fitted work dress and black heels, I meet my family's appointed chaperone, Landon, outside and he directs me to his black sedan holding open my door as I climb in. Landon has been my chaperone since i was sixteen, and being now twenty six we have become rather close.  “How was it?” he asks as he climbs into the driver’s seat putting the keys in the ignition; he glances at me in the rear view mirror “Fine, the dress needed loosening which mother was not pleased about but other than a few comments she was rather tame”  I answer meeting his gaze in the mirror. His warm chuckle feels the car as he indicates to rejoin the traffic, “I hope you didn’t take it to heart, there is nothing to you, so a few inches will only make you more beautiful”  I smile at his response, Landon is the same age as my father, and to be honest more of a father figure than the man himself. It does not take long before we pull up outside the Sinclair London office. I also work for the families foundation, putting the large donations to good use, and overseeing the projects we fund. I enjoy it immensely, being able to help so many people, and despite my family owning the company I work as hard as everyone else. I will not give anyone any reason to say I was given my position like a spoilt child.  Landon walks me into the entrance of the building before leaving. There is enough security at work that my parents do not worry about me whilst I'm there. Not that Landon has ever had to protect me from anything, but my mother always says there is a risk that comes with the title of Sinclair. In the elevator I press the button to my floor, nodding mindlessly to the music that plays. As soon as i exit onto my floor i am immediately joined by Ivy, my colleague and close friend, if not only real friend, “How was it? Did you take any pictures?” She squeals excitedly her curly brown hair bobbing as she links arms with me, “It was fine, and no. You will see pictures in the tabloids after the event anyway” I say rolling my eyes smiling. Ivy pouts at me her heart shape face full of disappointment, “Ahhh Ava! I can't wait, your mum always picks out the prettiest of dresses”   She lets go of my arm as we enter my office and i go round to my desk, “I promise i will send you a picture before we leave for the event tomorrow” i smile, this seems to satisfy her as she beams a bright smile at me, “You can still come if you wanted, i would appreciate a friendly face, and a body to hide behind”  We both laugh, “I wish i could, but i already promised i would go to Arnold’s cousins wedding”  Arnold is Ivy’s fiance, he dotes on her. She often receives flower deliveries, and almost every lunch they see each other. Not all women can be as lucky as her, and I am so happy to see her so in love. “I’m sure it won't be that bad A!” She continues “I fully believe in you, and know your speech will be great” Ivy gives me an encouraging smile, and I nod grimacing. My mother has pre-written the speech so I just need to read some cue cards as discreetly as possible whilst standing in front of a room full of important celebrities and business tycoons. That is without considering the press too. “Did you hear who’s attending this year!” Ivy comes up close to the desk and shows me a picture on her phone. The man in the picture has clearly got a healthy bank balance, his suit is designer and form fitting accentuating his broad shoulders. He is oozing with pompous energy, he stands hands in his pockets and a look of complete boredom on his face. His dark hair is neatly slicked back, and he has a chiseled jawline that many models would die for.  “He looks like an arse,” I mutter, pushing the phone away and sit down on my desk chair. Ivy gasps loudly “You mean he looks like a god” she swoons, i watch her dramatically throw an arm over her forehead and I giggle, “Am I supposed to know who he is?”  “Do you not keep up with the news!” she exclaims, Ivy pulls a chair up to the desk facing me “Angel Moretti, business tycoon, voted sexiest man in Gargle for the last 2 years and most importantly super single”   I roll my eyes at Ivy’s clear desire to get me involved in some fantasy romance she has most likely concocted in her head. Ivy has made it her mission the last few months to find me my match ever since she got engaged, and so far I have rejected all of her suggestions. I have never been in a relationship before, only a few dates that my Mother has set up and forced me to attend, and I am happy with that, I have no desire to rush into finding someone. Besides after numerous bad experiences, I have come to expect all these outrageously attractive people to come with baggage. “What scandal is he trying to gloss over?” I ask bluntly, “Why do you always assume there is a scandal?” i give her a knowing look until she rolls her eyes sighing, “It’s his first appearance since November, his ex-girlfriend topped herself after their breakup. I heard he didn't even attend the funeral”  How cold of a man do you need to be to not even attend your ex's funeral, no wonder he has been in hiding. His PR manager must be in utter panic recovering from that scandal. “Any messages for me whilst I was out ?” I ask, directing the topic back to work. I like to keep out of gossip as much as possible. Ivy nods putting back on her work face, she explains that she emailed me over what I missed, and then excused herself to get back to work; blowing me a kiss as she closes the glass door of my office.  The rest of the day breezes by, and since it is Friday many of the staff leave at 4.30. I stay not much longer making sure my schedule is in order for when I am back Monday morning. Once I am home I go straight to my room and throw myself onto the pink sheets of my double bed, I feel exhausted. I have not been sleeping well since my Mother told me about this speech, I feel stressed and incredibly anxious. I hate public speaking and I hate being the centre of attention; two of my worst nightmares all happening in one night. I groan loudly rolling off the bed and getting the cue cards out of my bedside drawers. I stand in front of the large freestanding mirror and practice my speech until I am summoned for dinner by the housekeeper. At dinner I stay quiet listening to my mother explain the itinerary for tomorrow; awake at 9am to arrive at the Spa for facials and pedicures, lunch before heading to the boutique where I will be greeted by my hair and make up artist.  After my mother has finished we sit in silence eating. Father's chair is empty, which is not a surprise he often works late or has business dinners that keep him away. He will be attending tomorrow, not even he would miss an opportunity to brag about his family’s success. Hopefully my speech goes well, Father has never been pleased that my social skills are lacking and he is not shy to share his thoughts. I hope perfecting this speech will lift the weight of his disappointment off my shoulders. After dinner I retreat to my room, showering briefly before changing into a pink and black lace night dress that ends mid thigh. I sit on my bed practicing my speech again until the early hours and I finally collapse out of exhaustion.