Butterfly to the Soul

Chapter 6

Alexander

“Vanessa is getting married. When are you going to propose me?” Katherine asked whining.

I was in a dinner date with Katherine. Her close friend Vennesa was getting married.

“Soon Kath, you know I’m trying to expand my business more. I’ve panned some important project for my company. I don’t want to give my concentration anywhere before accomplishing them.” I said in a serious tone.

Which is true. I want to make my name by my own hard work. Don’t want to be famous because my father is famous.

“Are you giving your business more importance than me??” Katherine asked narrowing her eyes.

“Of course not love.” Taking a deep breath, I held her hand and started again.

“After our marriage I want to spend more time with you. But my upcoming days are going to be hectic. Meetings, sight visiting, business tours. When I want to be with you, there should be just you and me, no works no office. Just give me some time. After sorting things up, we will get married.” I planted a light kiss in her hand.

“But we at least can do an engagement party you know. To let the world, know that we are official.” Katherine said pouting.

“I think we can do that. But let me talk to my parents first.”

Suddenly my phone vibrated in my pocket. Bringing it out I saw an unexpected contact number flashing on my screen. A small smile crawled up to my lips.

“Excuse me.” I said to Katherine and walked up to the balcony of the restaurant.

“Miss Smith.” I said receiving the call.

“Good Evening Sir. Sorry to disturb you at this hour. Umm…you wanted to give me file for tomorrow’s presentation. But you left without giving it. Can you please tell me where is it in your cabin??” she asked in a small tone.

“s**t…how did I forget about that!” I thought.

“Are you still in the office Miss Smith?”

“Yes sir, umm…my presentation is not ready yet.”

“I’m coming. Just wait for few minutes.”

“No no, you don’t have to Sir. Just tell me where is it.” She said quickly.

“I’m coming Miss Smith.” Repeating my words, I cut the call without giving her a chance to talk.

After that incident, this is the longest conversation we have. She is avoiding me like a plague. Though I apologized to her through text and she also did send me a reply by saying that it was okay, but I knew it was not. She didn’t even look at me and also became extra silent. These things somehow manage to bother me and I don’t know why.

“Maybe nobody avoided you like her before that’s why.” My inner voice said.

That’s true. I have so many women around me who can fell into my feet just for a touch. But Ava is a total surprise package to me. From day one she has maintained a good distance from me. And after that incidence, she is extra cold.

And now I’m getting a chance to get close to her. How can I miss it?

“I have to go Kath.” I said wearing my coat.

“Whatt!? Whyyy???” she whined again.

“I have an important presentation tomorrow and there is a problem regarding that.”

“We are lying now, aren’t we?” my inner voice mocked at me. It’s half true. Not a lie.

“I thought you said you are going home after this dinner.” She said suspiciously.

“Yes, but I totally forgot about that meeting sweetheart. Okay I have to go now. Take care, drive safely. And call me when you are home.” Giving a kiss in her head I rushed down toward my car.

“Mark, to my office.”

I was leaning on the door frame and staring at the sleeping Ava. She fell asleep in the desk. Her long hair was no longer tied into a bun. They were open and guarding her face from anyone’s sight.

Suddenly I felt that my hands were itching to touch them, to move them from her face. I didn’t realize when I walk toward her and kneeled down to her level. It was like I was in a trance. I slowly rose my hand and gently move those hair strands from her face.

Her soft snoring was telling me that she was in a deep sleep. She seemed less troubled in her sleep. There were no lines in her temple.

I was too lost in her that I didn’t realize when she started shaking. At first it was just trembling and then she started to mumbling something. I could see sweats forming in her face. Is she having a nightmare?

“Ava?? hey Ava, weak up.” I gently shake her to weak her up.

“No..no..no...please. leave me.” her words became more clear and she was pleading to someone in her dreams.

“Ava wake up!” I said a little louder this time and shaking her.

Suddenly she opened her eyes. Tears were flowing down freely from them. She was panting heavily. My heart clenched after seeing her state.

She was still lying down there and sobbing silently. I was dumb found. It was my first time for experiencing something like this. I didn’t know how to calm her down. But I also couldn’t sit there watching her cry.

Gathering enough courage I gently placed my hand in her hair. She stiffened after sensing my touch. I had no idea if I should keep my hand moving or remove it from there.

She stood up abruptly from her chair. Wiping her tears with the back of her hand she tied her hair.

“I’m sorry sir. I fell into sleep. I didn’t realize when I dozed off. I know it’s not a place to sleep. I’m….” she started rambling nervously. She was trying harder to control her hick ups.

“Hey… it’s really okay Ava. It’s alright. No need to apologies.”

I said getting closer to her trying to touch her cheek to wipe her tears. She moved away quickly, as if my touch was going to burn her.

“I should…I should leave.” She said not looking at me.

“Yeah, let me call Mark.” I said taking out my phone.

“No! I mean I can call an Ubar. You don’t have to worry sir.”

Taking a deep breath, I slowly walked toward her.

“You can trust me Ava. At least with a ride to home. I’m not that bad you know?” I said to her softly giving her a soft chuckle.

For the first time she was looking at me with some warmness in her eyes. They were no longer cold like before. I could see an inner turmoil inside her. As if she was trying to convince herself.

It is said that you can stare at someone’s soul through their eyes. I considered this statement as a mere romantic expression. But now, I am sure that it’s true.

Her eyes which intrigued me from the very first meeting, became the window to her soul. I could see the mixture of pain, sufferings, agony, helplessness in them.

“Okay, let me sort my things up.” She said slowly passing me walking toward her desk.

“Umm…sir, I need the file I was talking about earlier”

“Ohh, yeah…wait a minute.”

The car ride was silent. She was looking outside, sometimes giving Mark directions to her apartment. The car stopped in front of an old looking building.

“Thank you for the ride sir.” She said giving me a soft smile.

“Let me walk you to the door.” I said getting out of my car.

“It’s okay sir. You don’t have to, really. You have already done enough today.”

“Why the hell she always pushes me away?? Am I that intolerable to her!?” I thought.

I said nothing to her and get into my car. I think I’ve given much attention than she needs. That’s why she taking me for granted. Here women are dying for me and I’m just dying to get a little attention from her.

“Aren’t you behaving like a teenager who is trying to get the attention of her crush??” said my inner voice.

Am I really behaving like that?? It’s true that I’ve never feel so restless to get someone’s attention. I think my ego is the main problem here. My ego can’t accept the fact that I’m not getting any attention from a simple girl, who is also my assistant.

It’s not like I always enjoy the attention of other female or I always want it. But when someone is ignoring you like a plague, it becomes a sort of mystery to you. And I’m going to find that out.