Butterfly to the Soul

Chapter 3

Ava

Sitting on the bench I was staring at the lady. Holding an umbrella in her one hand she was trying to balance her baby girl who was in her lap.

Suddenly the small paper bag fell on the wet floor from the little girl’s hand. She started laughing loudly.

I could hear her melodious giggle from afar. Her mother also started laughing with her. They picked up the bag and walk away.

But little did they know their adorable incident would make someone cry. The rain washed away each tear that fell from my eyes but didn’t help to soothe the unbearable pain inside me. Getting up from the bench I decided to walk to my apartment.

After 20 minutes of walking, I finally reach in front of my door. And there was standing Blair. His eyes lit up after seeing me.

“Hey Ava!” he came closer. “Umm…Why are you looking like a drenched cat? Didn’t you carry the raincoat?” he asked showing concern.

“I forgot” I lied in a calm tone.

“Oh…I see.” He said scratching the back of his head.

“Do you need anything, Blair? I’ve already paid the rent.”

“No no… I’m not here for the rent. I’m here to ask you something.” he said in one breath. And here we go again.

Nodding my head, I answered, “Hmm…ask then.”

“Umm…would you…like to..” he was not looking at me.

“Go on, Blair. I’m listening” I was getting impatient though I knew he was going to say something else instead of the actual sentence.

“Would you like to…ahh s**t” I heard him cursing under his breath.

“Come on Blair.”

“Would you like to paint the apartment??” he said surprised by his own words.

Giving him a little smile I said “Do you want me to paint it?”

“No! It’s just.. okay leave it. I should leave.” He said in a sad tone and started leaving.

“Blair” I called and he turned around quickly.

“My answer is no.” I said to him in a soft tone.

He is a sweet guy, but don’t want to give him any hope and break him.

“You can give it a thought Ava, I’m not forcing you, just think about it.” he tried to convince me.

“Take care, Blair.” I said cutting the conversation.

“You too.” He said and left immediately as if he got the massage.

Blair is the only son of Mr. William, the landlord. After his death, Blair becomes the owner of this building. I know his feelings toward me. Also guessed the message behind his unfinished sentences.

He tried to ask me out many times but as usual, he couldn’t finish the sentence. Today I just gave him a clear answer that will help to move him on. I was rude enough but I tried to save him because I’m not ready for any relationship or commitment.

“Maybe you’ll never be ready for them.” Again my inner voice said.

Entering my apartment, I removed my wet clothes which were stuck with me like my second skin. After getting fresh, I took out my phone from my bag and turn it on. There were 5 missed calls from Nora and 2 from an unknown number. My phone started ringing again and it was the same unknown number.

“Hello” I said receiving the phone.

“Hey Ava, it’s me Clara. I called you to notify you that you are hired.”

“Am I !?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yes dear, you are. Welcome to the Scott industry.”

“Thank you so much Clara.” I said happily.

“Now you are demanded to be here at 7 am sharp. And don’t forget to meet me before you meet your boss.” she said.

“Yeah, got it Clara” I said.

“Have a good day.”

“You too” I said before cutting the line. Now let’s call Nora.

“Ava Smith, why the hell your phone was off??!” I heard Nora’s sharp scream.

“Calm down young lady. I’ve got a piece of news for you.” I said.

“Ooo My God! You get the job don’t you?” she screamed again.

“Yes.” I replied smiling.

“Eeeeeeeeee… Gooddd Ava, you can’t imagine how happy I’m!!!”

“I can guess Nora.” I said genuinely knowing how happy she was. Suddenly I heard her sniffing.

“Why are you crying now?” I asked her in disbelief.

“I’m just..” sniffing, “…too emotional” sniffing, “I’m soo happy.” She said letting out a laugh mixed with a sniff. “Let’s have dinner in a fancy restaurant tonight” she said excitedly. How did she change her mood so fast!?

“Nopppe, not happening.” I rejected dragging the ‘p’.

“You know I’m not going to listen to you, young lady. I’m going to pick you up at 7 am. So be ready,” Before I say something she cut the call.

“Great” I muttered under my breath.

After making pasta I turned my TV on. Shuffling through some channels my eyes stuck on a familiar face. Alexander Scott. He was standing outside a restaurant holding a lady’s hand.

“Famous business tycoon Alexander Scott was seen again with his childhood sweetheart, Katherine Cooper. They were spotted outside The French restaurant and…” next words of the reporter went into deaf ears because I was focusing on the couple.

They looked soo happy, or perfect could be the best word for them. They were smiling at each other and the smile reached their eyes unlike mine.

Their lives are perfect. They have family, love, and happiness. They don’t get nightmares; they sleep peacefully at night. They don’t have dreadful pasts but only beautiful memories. Their life is peaceful.

“Because they snatch away other’s peace.” my inner voice spoke up.

Suddenly everything in my mouth turned bitter. I lost my appetite and threw the rest of the pasta in the fridge.

Going to my room I took the paintbrush and started painting. The only therapy that gives me peace. I was so lost in my painting that I didn’t notice I was late for getting ready.

“She’ll arrive here soon.” I muttered.

Taking out a pair of jeans and a white top from my closet I quickly changed into them. As the top seemed too revealing to me I wore a denim jacket over it. My doorbell rang and when I opened the door there stood my gorgeous friend Nora.

“Who are you?? What have you done to my friend !!??” I asked dramatically doing a little act.

“You could directly tell me that I’m looking gorgeous.” She said glaring at me.

“You are not looking gorgeous my love, you are looking stunning.” I said letting her in.

“Aww, thank you sweetie, wait a minute you don’t get ready yet!!??” she said eyeing me up and down.

“I was born ready sweetheart.” I said smirking.

“No no wait, do not tell me that you are going to wear this!!” she said placing both of her hands on her hips.

“I’m Nora. And don’t complain. I’ve already pushed myself enough for this dinner.” I said putting my phone in my bag.

“Yes of course, when has Ava Smith listened to me!?” she said throwing her hands dramatically.

“Let’s go now. We are running late.” I said pushing her out with me.

Nora’s car stopped in front of a posh restaurant. She was literally jumping in her sit and I was happy for her.

We entered the restaurant and headed towards the reception. After getting the table number we settled ourselves. Soft classical music was playing and people were talking in a hushed tone.

“Feeling sooo cool.” Nora whispered taking selfies.

After clicking some pictures of her, I looked at the waiter who was standing beside us with the menu.

“Can you give us a little time for deciding the order?” I asked him in a soft tone.

Nodding he handed me the menu card.

“Thank you.” I said giving her a soft smile.

“Seafood or steak?” I asked Nora looking at the options, but didn’t get any response from her.

So I looked up and saw that she was staring at a stranger. I follow her gaze and saw a handsome young man standing at the entrance. Again I looked at her and saw a dreamy look lingering in her eyes.

“Earth to Nora.” I said snapping my fingers.

“Did you see him?” she asked still staring at the man as she was hypnotized by his looks.

“No Nora, my eyes are blind for the rich people. I can’t see them.” I said searching for the steak option on the menu.

“Of course, grumpy granny.” She said rolling her eyes and breaking her trance.

“Now tell me stake or seafood?” I asked again.

“Seafood of course.” She said.

“I’ll go with the stake then.”

We placed the order for our food. We were talking about my interview and how Harry, Nora’s co-worker, tried to flirt with her.

“I need to use the restroom.” I said cutting the conversation.

“Okay, hurry up. Our food will arrive anytime soon.” Nodding I turned towards the washroom.

After doing my business I was getting out of the washroom when suddenly someone bumped into me. From his body language, it was clearly seen that the middle-aged man was completely drunk and wasted.

As I didn’t want to create a scene I told him a small ‘sorry’ though it was his fault and tried to pass him. But the next move of this drunk bustard triggered my furious mood. He tried to push himself onto me as his hand snaked around my waist.

“Wanna have some fun?” he slurred, shamelessly eyeing me up and down.

“Why not!” I said through gritted teeth. Let’s have some fun. I grabbed his arm which was around my waist, twisted it around, and kneed him where the sun doesn’t shine. He fell down gripping his crotch.

“I hope now you know how to have actual fun.” I said looking at the groaning figure and walking out calmly from there.

“I thought you fell asleep in the toilet seat.” Nora whispered.

“I tried to but failed.” I said hiding the little incident back there. Because I didn’t want to ruin her mood.

“Anything can be expected from you, young lady because you are unpredictable. Now, can we please start eating?? I’m daamn hungry.” She said whining.

“Yes, of course. Let’s dig in.” I said taking the fork and knife and cutting my stake.

I learned self-defense when I was a teenager. A girl who has no family and no one to protect her has to learn how to survive around the hungry hyenas.

I had no one to protect me which compelled me to learn how to protect myself though enough damage was already done. To stop further damage I learned it which saved me many times.

“I loved it.” Said a happy Nora.

“Glad to hear.” I said walking toward the car.

“We’ll come here again.” She said looking back at the restaurant.

“And why would we do that?” I asked raising my brow.

“After your first paycheck, you’ll give me a treat in here.” She said as if she was making a deal.

“Gladly” I said bowing and opening the car’s door for her.

One can only see my little playful side with her. For the rest of the world, I’m just an emotionless creature like a robot.

Changing into pajamas I lay down in my bed. Closing my eyes I recalled every incident that occurred today.

It was funny for a lonely girl to have an eventful day. Though there was nothing new in it. My life is lack of people, but not lack of events. Setting the alarm on my phone, I turned the light off and drowned into a deep slumber.