An Unexpected Romance

Chapter 4

AVA

Winston is describing his recent hunting party when we are both distracted by a commotion near the bar. A lady dressed in blue is yelling, a small crowd has formed blocking the victim of her cruel words,

“You murdered my daughter!" she shouts through her sobs. She crumples to the ground, a few ladies around her trying to break her fall as her sobs get louder.

A man in a dark suit pushes out through the side of the crowd and I double take when I recognise it as Angel. I watch as he beelines into the men’s bathroom, and i chew on my lip concern filling my mind.

“Your mother needs to refine her guest list to avoid spectacles like this” Winston snarls into my ear, “if i realised Moretti was invited i wouldn’t have taken tonight so seriously” 

Infuriated by his comment i snap my head round,

“You know nothing about his situation, nor anything to do with how my Mother decides her guest list. So i suggest next time you keep your snide remarks to yourself”

Winston's eyes go wide with shock before he removes his arm from behind my chair,

“Have you not heard about that man? He is a nobody who fell into wealth, not someone who should be socialising with important members of the business world, like me”

I scoff, which puts a scowl on Winston's face. I glance back to where the commotion was and the crowd is dispersed, a few ladies are leading the sobbing women to her table. From the little i heard i assume she is the mother of the ex girlfriend Ivy was telling me about, poor women. Knowing my Mother she probably delegated the guest list to her assistant without double checking, i can imagine she will no longer be there Monday. I impatiently watch the doors of the bathroom waiting for Angel to appear, for some bizzare reason i feel worried..

“Excuse me” I mumble to Winston who is nursing his drink with a scowl on his face. Pushing out my chair, I make my way across to the bathroom, hesitating near the entrance questioning whether to wait to see Angel. I shake my head internally, i barely know the man, we have had one conversation and now i'm acting like it is someone I've known for years. I push through the door of the women's bathroom instead, exchanging a few pleasantries with some familiar donors before checking my make up in the mirror and reapplying some lip gloss. Using the bathroom was more an excuse to not have to endure Winston's company, he’s dull at the best of times but as soon as he mentioned Angel it struck a nerve i didn't know i had. I wouldn’t dream of talking to Winston like that usually however knowing that he was judging Angel based on what he's read in gossip magazines and from other people infuriated me to the point of explosion. I just hope this doesn't get relayed to my Mother as she will be furious at me for speaking to my potential match like that.

As I exit the bathroom I notice the room has become much busier and the doors i entered through are now closed. I slowly walk back to my table, inadvertently searching for Angel in the crowd. Part of me hopes that we do bump into each other again, the idea of dancing with him and having his arms around me makes my skin prickle and my face flush. 

When I reach the table my parents have joined us alongside Frederick and my Uncle Chester. I take my seat between my Mother and Winston, returning the polite smile my uncle gives me. My uncle is my Father's older brother and is a businessman in his own right, he sold his company a few years back now and spends most of his days travelling the world. He has become a very reserved man who's never been married, however once a year my mother drags him out of his recluse to attend the family event. 

“It is lovely to see you Uncle” 

He nods at me in response. He has the same tanned colouring as my father with dark hair and blue eyes,  almost identical except the ageing wrinkles that are more obvious when he smiles. He worked for the foundation briefly when i was younger, however when my Grandmother passed away it became clear my Father would take over the company so he ventured out on his own.

“Your Mother insisted I attended, just like every year” he retorts, he takes a sip of the wine he is nursing and taps his tanned fingers against his glass

“Oh Chester its only suitable you show your support” Mother chimes before taking my hand in hers “Ava is also speaking tonight on behalf of the foundation, so please excuse so we may begin the event”

Mother tugs at my hand as she stands up and I join her, our table is right next to the stage and a podium with the Sinclair logo sits in the middle. My stomach starts to churn as I follow my Mother up the stairs onto the stage, my legs feel weak and I clasp my hands together in hope to stop the shaking. As we reach the podium the once loud room quietens and the remaining guests start to find their seats. I close my eyes taking deep breaths, and praying that I don't pass out on stage.

ANGEL

I decide on staying at the bar instead of finding my table for the rest of the night, to be honest I plan on leaving reasonably soon. The display Rena put on, as hard to admit has rattled me and now all i can think about is Megan. The life we had, the life Megan destroyed and the unbearable pain i buried down was starting to fester. As I nurse my whiskey the room begins to quiet and a honeyed voice begins to speak introducing the event and the general formalities. My mind begins to wander back to Ava, part of me hopes she didn't see that display earlier. I don't give a damn what anyone else thinks, all I know is that I want a chance to get to know her without my slate already tainted. Ava's magnetic smile warms my inside, and her body makes me want to worship every inch. It is a feeling I find very unfamiliar, but it does not unsettle me, instead it intrigues every part of me 

Suddenly my thoughts are halted when I begin to hear the familiar voice through the microphone. Ava’s silvery voice. I turn my gaze to see her standing on stage, her slim frame shaking ever so slightly as she holds she cue cards,

“Before i continue i would like to give a special mention firstly to my parents, who without their efforts and dedication we would not be able to do such wonderful work” 

Ava begins to clap her hands and the room joins along with her including me. The rest of the speech i hardly hear, i am hypnotised watching her lips move, and nervously play with her hairs. She is beautiful, even more so when she has the innocent look on her face.How am i so obsessed with a girl i hardly know, i stay detached, that is how i have functioned for the last two years however she is already pushing at my walls.

At the end of her speech she introduces the live band who start with some mood music that gets everyone dancing. As I watch her leave the stage I push off the bar and start walking purposefully in her direction, this is the perfect time to ask for that dance. One dance and I can get her out my head. When I reach the edge of the dance floor she is sitting at her table alone, reading her phone screen. Ava looks up as i approach the table, her beautiful green eyes lighting up 

“Angel”  she offers me a genuine smile, my skin prickling from hearing my name being spoken from her pretty lips 

"Ava" I reply, all my focus on her beautiful face and pinked cheeks. She smiles at me again before tearing away from my gaze "I am planning on leaving soon and wondered if you'd like to dance?"

She raises her head and nods gently before popping her phone into her purse and standing to join me

As we reach the dance floor the song changes to something more slow pace as if by magic. I take her into my arms, one arm on her waist and her left hand in mine. My skin tingles at the touch and Ava gives me a knowing smile before looking away, her cheeks flushing. We begin to sway alongside the music, her warm body is brushing mine.

"Angel" she looks up at me with doe eyes

"Ava" I murmur in response, 

"Is it a bad time to mention that I can't dance?" 

She smiles leaning into me,

"If it helps, neither can I. In fact i hate dancing" 

She furrows her brows in confusion,

"Then why did you ask me?"

I hesitate, not sure how honest to be. I search her gaze to see if shes feeling the same way, but in the end shrug before abruptly changing topics

"Would your boyfriend mind us dancing ?" i probe, keeping my tone light as possible,

"My boyfriend?" 

"Steele"

 "He's not my boyfriend" She laughs, the revelation loosens my shoulders, "not if i can help it"

I c**k an eyebrow at this response,

"My parents think we will be a good match.. It's complicated" She looks away awkwardly, her obvious discomfort with situation bugs me more than it should. As the music swells to an end I take this opportunity to spin her out and under my arm. For a women who can't dance she does it gracefully and falls back into my chest closer than before. When i look down she is a breath away, and we settle our gaze on each other. The song has ended and changed to a more upbeat pace, others continue to dance around us. Ava pulls away abruptly, her eyes focused on something over my shoulder.

“What's wrong?” I ask, more bluntly than i intended, Ava seems to think the same as her face flushes and she looks down tucking her hair behind her ear, “I’m sorry, that came out completely different than i meant” I rub the back of my head with my hand.

“It's okay" she replies, before looking back up to my face "Though may I be brash and ask if you would consider taking me home?”

My heart thumps in approval of the idea,

“Of course” 

She smiles at my response, unease still clouding her eyes walking away to grab her purse from the still empty table. As she joins me I pop a hand on the small of her back and lead her towards the exit.

AVA

As i leave with Angel i pray my Mother is too distracted to notice, she would be irate if she knew i was leaving so early. However i don't believe i could spend another second making small talk or listening to any more of Winston’s stories. After the dance with Angel, I could see Winston staring at us. His expression was a mask but his tare made me feel uneasy. Knowing this I didn't want to endure anymore of the evening talking to him, that's why asking for Angel to take me home seemed like a better choice. At least that is what I am telling myself is the reason.

As we approach the main doors, Angel removes his hand from my back and speaks to the valet at the entrance. My body instantly feels cold without his touch and I shiver crossing my arms over myself.

“Cold?” Angel asks, concern filling his eyes and pulling his eyebrows together

“I’m fine, we shall be in the car soon” I smile politely, but Angel is already shrugging off his suit jacket, revealing more of his white suit shirt that hugs his broad shoulders and muscular arms

“Here” he stands closer in front of me and places the jacket around me, leaving his hands on my arms. I look up and our faces are merely inches apart, his warm breath tickling the top of my head. His skin is smooth, his blue eyes wide lingering on my lips making me wonder how his would feel caressing mine

“Mr Moretti, your car is outside” The valets voice cuts the moment and I pull back tucking a loose strand behind my ear,

“Thank you” Angel answers. His eyes linger on my face for a second longer before he turns away and walks out the doors. I trail behind him, almost excited to spend more time with him