An Unexpected Romance

Chapter 3

AVA

My stomach feels unsettled on the drive to the venue, the nerves for my speech have gotten worse as the day has progressed. I fiddle with the skirt of my dress running my hands down the lace fabric, wishing I could be at home in my pyjamas. My mother sits next to me in a form fitting deep burgundy gown, her hair pulled into a twisted updo with wisps curling round her face. She smiles at me, and takes my hands into hers

“You look beautiful Ava, remind me of myself when I was your age”

“I could never be as beautiful as you” I smile wistfully. My mother is beautiful, model material and according to Father she did have offers. Her naturally golden brown hair contrasts with her green eyes, and she has a lovely olive skin tone which skipped my genetics for sure.

“Fredrick Steele’s son, Winston, will be there tonight. I heard he has took quite an interest with you since he came for dinner last month”  

I take my hands out of my mothers and run my hands down my dress again. I have no interest in Winston, he is a complete bore whose only topic of conversation seems to be what he caught when he went hunting, or odd facts about falconry.

“I’m not sure if Winston is my type” I say quietly,

“Why ever not sweetheart. His family has a history of working with organisations like ours and he is in line to inherit his Father’s entire estate. It would be a perfect match for the foundation” She says this with certainty as if this is already been agreed,

“We have very little in common besides that, and i am not even attracted to him” I comment avoiding eye contact the whole time, you can hear from the tone in my mother's voice that this means nothing,

“Winston is lovely Ava, attraction grows and eventually you will care for one another. You need to consider what is best for the family, and the Steele family have assets that will benefit us”

Silence fills the car after this, it is clear my Mother is not going to let this go. Perhaps giving Winston a chance to show his personality is an idea anyway. Forced family business meals are always awkward and maybe he was just feeling nervous. My phone pinging pulls me out of my internal monologue. I pull it out my pink purse and see a text from Ivy, I took a picture like promised before i left, 

‘Looking GORGEOUS A! Angel Moretti, eat your heart out’

I replied back several rolling eye emojis before putting my phone on silent and in my purse. Mother would kill me if it went off during any photo ops or speeches tonight.

When we pull up the car door is opened onto a pink carpet and there are already flashes of cameras going off. My mother exits the car first, followed by me. She waves gracefully, a beautiful smile lighting up her whole face. My mother loves this ball more than she loves anything. I smile and wave also before following her up the stairs to the Hatters Concert hall. At the top of the stairs my Father is waiting in a deep blue designer suit, his dark brown hair slicked back and his ocean blue eyes glistening. He smiles as we approach him, kissing us both on the cheek,

“My two beautiful girls, how did one man become so lucky” He throws a hand to his heart dramatically chuckling,

“Oh Hiram stop” my mother laughs politely, she links arms with him as a few more cameras flash around us. I follow them on to the official photo op, where we stand in front of a patterned backboard that is printed with the Sinclair family logo. We take a few photos together, and I try my hardest to smile as much as I can, the nerves are still bubbling in my stomach. After a few photos I step aside and let my parents take a few photos alone, relieved I can relax my face. As i look through the glass double doors into the entrance hall it is already thrumming with people, and i am finding it hard to recognise anyone in the crowd,

“Are you ready Ava?” 

I turn to see my father come up beside me, a smile still lighting up his face, and I nod in response. He pushes through the double doors, two gentlemen holding them for my mother and I. My parents are instantly greeted by guests, and faces they seem to recognise. I see Fredrick and Winston in the background, both adorn in designer tartan suits and expensive looking dress shoes. It isn't long until we reach them in the crowd of people, my parents greeting them as if they are best of friends,

“Hiram, Georgina what a lovely choice of venue this year, I believe you have outdone yourselves” Fredrick compliments, a wide smile on his rounded face. He is in his late fifties and is a plump man, which he blames on his wife for the luxurious meats she cooks. Winston is rather slim and tall, the opposite of his father. His black hair is parted in the middle and falls in curtains either side of his face, and the whitest teeth i have ever seen.

“It will only get better Fredrick, Ava will be speaking tonight and we are so excited for her involvement this year” my mother says proudly, my father nods along

“That is lovely Ava, we can't wait. Can we Winston?” Fredrick throws a meaningful glance at Winston and  he smiles politely towards me

“I am sure you will do an excellent job Miss Sinclair” 

“Winston, why don't you escort Ava into the main room and get a drink each” My mother insists, smiling widely. Both of us glance at each other awkwardly, before Winston nods 

“Of course Mrs Sinclair” he steps around my parents to me jutting out his arm. I give a quick look to my Mother who mouths

“Go”

I reluctantly loop my hand through Winston's arm plastering on my best smile as he leads me away from my parents and through the large open doorway into a grand ballroom. A live band with a piano player is playing on the raised stage opposite and the whole ceiling is lit up with floating candles. There are several round tables with white tablecloths and Silver chairs. The table chart on my left indicates we are both sitting together, which I'm sure is no coincidence. Winston leads me around the centre of the room where a large dance floor is filled with couples. The bar is situated on the far left wall with a flower garland of pinks and white wildflowers is decorating. 

Winston orders sparkling water, while I opt for a glass of prosecco. After ordering we stand at the bar silently, Winston glancing at me every so often, before he clears his throat,

“You look lovely Ava” 

“Thank you” I answer politely “You do as well” 

It falls quiet again, the silence feeling eternal. I rack my mind for something to say,

“Should we find our seats? I would like to put my purse down” I suggest,

“Erm, yes of course” he stumbles, as i begin to walk back to the entrance, he pulls my arm back to get my attention “I just need to excuse myself to the bathroom first, so i will meet you at the table”  He turns his back to me not waiting for a response. I shrug off the odd behaviour and continue to walk before I walk straight into the chest of passing body.

“I am so sorry” I apologise, taking a step back out of their pathway “I should really look where i am going”. As i look up i meet the gaze of piercing blue eyes, sending goosebumps over my arms and making me catch my breath.

“Not a problem, honestly” he replies, his voice is deep and rich. We stare at each other for a few seconds as his mouth turns into a slight smile “I do not believe we have met, I am Angel Moretti”

No way, the man Ivy was showing me and he is twice as attractive in person. His thick cropped hair is ruffled in a way it looks like he just rolled out of bed and is somewhere between a dark brown and black. The suit is fitted well showing his muscular arms and broad shoulders, the top two buttons of his white shirt are undone giving a peek of his tan skin underneath. It takes all my strength to stop myself from wondering how he would look without the shirt on.

“I am Ava” I say barely above a whisper

“Just Ava?” he chuckles, his laugh is magnetic and lights up his face causing me to smile in response, before answering again more confidently

“Ava Sinclair” 

ANGEL

Ava is stunning, her green eyes are gorgeous and clash with her long red hair that tumbles in waves past her breasts, and when she smiles...My heart almost stops, it lights up her whole face making it glow. I remember what Terrence said about keeping a low profile and i know he would flip if he could hear what i was thinking about the hosts daughter;

“Of course” I acknowledge, trying my hardest to keep civil,  “You have done a great job" She raises her eyebrow at me "I mean the venue looks wonderful” I gesture around me before i place y hands in my trouser pockets. She smiles again, more out of politeness than anything this time,

“Thank you, I will pass the message to my Mother” her hands run down the skirt of her dress and my eyes follow them, the pink lace accentuates her gorgeous curves. I’d love to trace my hands down her body… I internally shake my head, trying to keep a hold on myself. I cough clearing my throat,

“Can I escort you back to your seat?” I ask daringly, I don't quite want to leave her presence yet. She nods politely, and starts to walk to the table closest to the stage. I walk just slightly behind her, mesmerised by the way Ava walks, her hair swinging gently behind her in time with her hips. I match my pace to walk beside her and lay a hand gently on the small of her back as we weave through the tables. As soon as my hand touches her my fingers tingle as if it was an electric shock, she turns to me with a timid smile, her green eyes filled with shock before she quickly turns her head. It couldn't just be me who felt that, surely. Once we reach her table she puts a pink purse down by her name plate and turns to face me breaking the physical touch,

“Thank you Mr Moretti” she says politely,

“Angel, please Ava” I correct, purely because I want to hear my name come out her beautiful pink plump lips. Her face pinkens slightly and she smiles looking away from my gaze,

“Ava, would you dance with me?” The words just tumble out my mouth before i can catch myself. However i know i will take any excuse to touch her again. I don't dance usually, last time was with Megan very early on in our relationship, even then I hated every second. I shake Megan out my head, i don't want to ruin my moment with Ava

She opens her mouth to answer when a dark haired man in a chequered suit pushes past me to join Ava’s side. His hair is slicked back with far too much gel, and his dark brown eyes look strange, almost too big for his face, his eyes are instantly sizing me up, and i know i could take him. Being 6ft 2" has its advantages.

“Winston Steele” he holds out his hand to shake, instead i nod at him once before turning back to Ava,

“Perhaps later” I say, sharply turning away from them and heading to the bar. I had to leave before i punched the guy, an overwhelming need to stake claim had hit me and I don't believe punching the boyfriend of the Sinclair daughter counts as laying low. After ordering a whisky I stand at the bar watching Ava. They are both seated now, Ava is nodding politely to some story Winston is telling his arm hanging round the bag of her chair. He infuriates me already, i pull out my phone and text Terrence

‘Get Jone to look into Winston Steele’

I get an instant response, ‘Why’ 

‘I don't pay you to ask questions’

As I put my phone back inside my suit pocket I see Rena heading towards the bar with another lady. I turn quickly to face inside the bar and hide myself behind the couple next to me. It is all no use as I hear her ringing tone behind me

“Angel” 

I swallow reigning in my face before i turn to face her,

“Mrs Hart” I say, giving her a small smile “You look lovely this evening”

However the truth is the complete opposite. Her face is pale, bags beneath her eyes and the smile she used to constantly wear is pressed into a thin line. I feel sorry for Rena,  she was always kind to me, and seemed to be the only one who could talk sense to Megan every time she ended our relationship. Rena would always remind Megan how i look out for her, and how much i wanted a life with her. I am just disappointed she will never know the truth about Megan, not now she's gone. It is bad to speak of the dead and now it will just make me look petty and worse than I already appear.

“I see you have finally come out of hiding” she spits, her tone is cold, and i don't blame her. To her i am just a heartless arsehole that dumped her daughter, causing her to spiral, and this time not saving her.

“Rena, I am so sorry. I ..” i stumble on my words, and look away from her face

“If that was true, you would have been there. At my only daughter's funeral. You would have sent more than some flower basket and a condolence card” Rena;s voice is raised and i can feel the anger radiating off her, “Look at my face Angel Moretti ...LOOK AT ME”  she is shouting as i turn to her and her blue eyes zone in at me “You are a murderer, you may never go to prison but both of us know you are the reason my daughter is dead!” At this point everyone around us is staring,  tears run down Rena's face and she crumples, her friend grabbing her to break her fall

“Please excuse me..” I mumble and rush directly to the men's bathroom shoving people out my way.

Perhaps she's right. Even though Megan destroyed me I wasn't there to save her this time, and now everyone is paying the price.