In Love With My Rival

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: makes me weak

                There were times before when Zephyr wanted to complain about many things such as when her mother would force him to eat broccoli when he was a kid. He did not like the vegetable… even until now. It was just crazy that he was standing in the middle of a huge broccoli farm in California under the beating sun. He had been under the sun for almost an hour already, acting like a real lover of broccoli, saying things like how good and healthy the chips were and how real the broccolis were. But they were not yet done. He still has to pose for pictures.

                Do I get paid for this?

                He wondered.

                Wearing a green shirt, a little bit lighter shade of green than the broccoli, Zephyr had no choice but to stay under the sun in the middle of a broccoli farm in California. His eyes were squinted and he wished he could wear sunglasses, but as for the lady CEO’s instruction, he was not allowed to wear sunglasses.

                Ava Lauren?

                Well, she was wearing a good pair of sunglasses, a black baseball cap while staying under the umbrella Mason was holding above her head. Queen. He clenched his jaw at the sight of her. She had her arms crossed while waiting for the filming to roll. He was briefed about what to do. It was not even starting yet and he already wanted to go find shade somewhere. They arrived at exactly at the state at 10:30. They rode a van to get to the farm and they decided to have lunch first before starting the shoot.

                “Alright.” The photographer clapped his hands, grabbing his attention.

                A female assistant, holding an umbrella, went to him and gave him a bag of broccoli chips. The Av-A Broccoli Chips. His hopes died down when he thought he would be given an umbrella. The heat of the sun was biting painfully on his skin and he wanted to it soon already.

                “Just eat the chips and make a face on the camera as if you really like it.” The female assistant named Vera whispered.

                “I hate broccoli.”

                “Yeah, I’ve heard so. But you don’t have any choice. Miss Ava would be disappointed if you won’t eat her chips.”

                “I’ll eat it for her. Thanks for this.”

                Vera smiled at him before walking away.

                “Ready?”

                David, the photographer asked.

                “No choice.” He muttered, looking down at the already opened bag.

                Helpless, Zephyr stared down at the bag of chips. Inside were the typical round chips. The only difference was that it was broccoli and he preferred potatoes over it. POTATOES! He wanted to scream it at Ava Lauren.

                “Come on. It’s so hot. We need to get this done as soon as possible!”

                At the voice, Zephyr looked up to see Ava looking so frustrated. He could tell because she had lifted off her sunglasses and put it on top of her head, impatiently watching the scene in front of her.

                Did she even think of me? She knows I hate broccoli.

                They locked eyes and without taking his eyes off her, he put his hand into the bag and picked up some chips. He swallowed all his fear and ate the chips while staring at her.

                I’m doing this for her. For her.

                “Nice one!. Now, look at the camera!”

                Zephyr hesitated, but he did not want to disappoint the photographer too. So, he tore his eyes away from Ava and looked at the camera while still acting he liked the chips when he was ready to vomit soon.

                “Good! I think we’re done with the pictures. Nice one, Zephyr.”

                “Finally,” Zephyr muttered, ready to walk towards Ava and stand beside her under the umbrella. But just when he was about to reach then, she turned around, making Mason turn around as well and started walking away from the farm. Zephyr pursed his lips and swallowed. He was so thirsty and he was not feeling good after eating the chips, not because it was expired but because it was broccoli.

Broccoli. Broccoli. Broccoli.

“We’ll wrap this up in the plane and I’ll give you the video and pictures first thing in the morning,” David said when they were finally out of the green farm and walking towards the van which was parked on the side of the road.

Zephyr opened the door for Ava as the rest of the team get in the van. Mason sat in the passenger’s seat while he, Ava, and Vera sat in the middle. David and two of his assistants settled at the very back of the vehicle.

Zephyr was trapped in between two women and he did not seem to like it. Ava was by the window at the right side and Vera was on the other side. Their guide, which was also the driver, started the van and they were finally on the road back to the airport. He hated how his arms brushed against the arms of the ladies. Zephyr turned to look on his left and just in time, Vera turned her head and smiled at him.

Why is she smiling?

“You sit here.”

Ava suddenly said making Zephyr turn his head fast to look at her. Ava was already standing up from her seat. Zephyr eagerly moved and took her seat by the window, making Ava sit in between him and Vera.

“This is more comfortable.” He muttered.

“I’m glad it is.”

He heard Ava.

                “Water.”

                A bottle of water was suddenly held out in front of him. He stared at it and then at the person holding it out for him.

                “You don’t want it?” Ava asked, raising a brow at him.

                “I do. Thanks.” He got the bottle and sighed in relief as he eagerly opened the lid and gulped on the water. Finally.

                Did it mean she cares about me?

***

During the ride, Ava fell asleep… on Zephyr’s shoulder. The moment her head dropped on his shoulder, he stiffened on his seat. All the people were tired and the only ones not sleeping were he and the driver. He was sleepy, but it was so hard to fall asleep when someone was sleeping on your shoulder.

                Zephyr felt Ava’s breath on his neck. It was hot. She just fell asleep not so long ago. He could not help but stare at her. She seemed uncomfortable. He lifted his hand to adjust her position on his shoulder, but she suddenly moved, snuggling closer to him. He found himself swallowing and putting his hand back down.

                Damn.

                He felt so stuck up. He did not want to move because he did not want to wake her up. It was going to be an hour-long drive before they could get to the plane. He slowly took a breath while keeping his eyes on her. She was a bundle of delicateness. Every time he looked at her, he got a feeling of wanting to protect her with all he could. She just looked so fragile and he wanted to handle her carefully.

                Ava was snoring softly. Before he even knows it, he found himself lifting his hand again and caressing her cheek with his knuckles gently. It felt so soft and something just traveled through his veins when their skin touched.

                What is this woman doing to me?

                It has only been more than twenty-four hours but he was already feeling comfortable with her, which he found dangerous. Scary. He was trying his best to control himself all the damn time he was with her. Every time he counted the hours, it reminded him of the duration. Three months. What if in three months, something will grow between them and he hasn’t accomplished his mission yet?

                That’ll be terrible.

                Zephyr thought.

                I came here for something and not because of her.

                As he kept caressing her face, his eyes got heavier and heavier until he finally fell into slumber.

***

It was bright. The morning sunshine was so beautiful. Ava slowly opened her eyes and squinted them when the sunlight hit her face by the windows. She bare and she realized she was literally naked on her bed. A blanket was draped over her. When she finally adjusted her vision, she opened her eyes again to see someone’s face close to hers.

So beautiful.

She thought as the corners of her mouth lifted up into a content smile. Her hand slowly touched his face, starting with his thick brows, caressing them with her fingers and down to the bridge of his nose. Her finger stopped on the tip of his nose as her eyes focused on his lips. The lips she once kissed and wanted to kiss again.

He suddenly moved, kicking the blanket down and showing off his beautifully sculpted body. Her fingers traveled lower and stopped on his lips for a few seconds before she continued down to his jawline and to his chest. There were moles on his body and she found it so damn sexy. One near his right n****e, another right in the middle of his chest, little ones on his arms, and one near his navel.

When her hands reached down his abs, a hand suddenly stopped her own and when she looked up, a pair of beautiful dark brown eyes were staring back at her.

“Good morning, Queen.”

Ava hurriedly stood up only to feel something hard on her head.

“Damn this.” She hissed, feeling the pain when she hit her head at the roof of the van.

“s**t. Are you okay?”

“Very okay, bodyguard.” She glared at Zephyr as she slumped back on her seat. “Where are we?”

“You woke up just in time. We’re about to get out of this van and get to the plane. The others were already there.”

Ava groaned as she kept touching her head.

“Wait. Let me see.”

She stiffened when Zephyr suddenly moved closer to her and looked at her head. She closed her eyes, inhaling his musky and minty sweet cologne.

“I’m going to touch it.”

“OW!! What the hell!” She screamed, glaring at him.

“Sorry.” Her bodyguard smiled sheepishly at her. “We’re going to put an icepack on it soon in the plane. Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Ava was frustrated enough to complain. She just followed Zephyr put of the van while he held the door open for her. It was getting dark outside. The sun was setting down. Zephyr got to the back of the vehicle to get her bag filled with her necessities. He only brought a backpack where he stored an extra shirt and jeans, his phone, wallet, and keys.

While they were walking towards the plane, Ava could not stop touching her head every now and then. The pain did not subdue yet.

Where heck is Mason?”

Ava wondered because the guy was supposed to be bringing her things and not her bodyguard.

“You go first,” Zephyr told her and she obliged stepping up on the stairs of the plane.

The wind suddenly blew and her hair was everywhere. She stopped in the middle of the stairs to fix her hair, tying it up in a messy bun. When she was done, she continued her way to the entrance with Zephyr following right behind her. She went straight to the room because she needed a shower.

“I’ll be taking a shower.” She said.

“I’ll be right here,” Zephyr replied as he put her bag down on the bed.

Without saying anything anymore, Ava headed straight to the bathroom. She stripped off her clothes and took a quick shower. After wrapping a towel, she forgot that she did not bring any clothes with her into the bathroom. It was in her bag.

“Damn it.” She pursed her lips, realizing that Zephyr was outside. “To hell with it.” She boldly opened the door, not minding her nervousness, and walked out of the bathroom.

“Did you see a first aid k-”

Ava held her breath as Zephyr turned his head to look at her, not getting to finish his sentence once he turned his head. He was just sitting on the foot of the bed, watching a soccer game on the TV when he heard the bathroom door opened.

“I need to get my clothes.”

“Oh, sure.” He looked away while saying, “I’ll get out and give you some privacy.”

Ava was so shocked to say anything when Zephyr stood up from the bed and walked out of the room.

What a real man he is.

                Smiling, she quickly dressed up in a plain black shirt and denim shorts. Once she was done, she opened the door. She was about to tell him he could come in when she heard him talking to someone else. It seemed like he was on a phone call. She peeked at the doorway at the right to see Zephyr leaning against the wall, holding his phone over his ear.

                “Yes, I’ll be there at probably eleven. Xavier, I’m fine. Please stop worrying now. Everything was successful. I’m good. Yeah, she’s good too. It’s just that she stood up while in a van and hit her head.”

                She heard him laugh. He was talking to his brother, she realized. And they were talking about her too.

                “Nah… It’s stupid, yeah.” He laughed again. “She’s fine, hopefully. Okay. I’ll see you soon.”

                When it was silent again, she hurried back inside the room, climbed the bed, and got the book she was reading. Not so long after, Zephyr walked in and closed the door behind him.

                She cleared her throat but he headed straight to the bathroom and when he was back, he was already holding an icepack. Before she could even protest, Zephyr was already sitting beside her and treating her head. She stopped reading… (well, she wasn’t really reading) and looked up at her. Zephyr looked down and they locked eyes in silence. Their faces were close. One push and their lips would touch.

                “I’m not stupid.” She mumbled.

                “No, you’re not. Who said that?” Zephyr frowned.

                “You.”

                “Me?”

                “Yes, you.”

                “Oh, were you eavesdropping?” He smirked. “I was talking to my brother.”

                “He misses you?”

                “Maybe?” He shrugged.

                “He’s so sweet.”

                “You’re sweeter.” He whispered so low.

                “What?”

                “Nothing. Is it feeling better now?”

                Was that worry on his voice?

                “Yeah. Thanks. I can do it for myself. Let me.”

                “I’m good.”

                “Fine. By the way, I’m going to ask Mason to get suits for you. You have to wear them starting tomorrow.”

                “Okay.”

                “He’ll give them to you once you arrived at the office tomorrow.”

                “Sure.”

                “And…” Ava trailed off… She was not really sure what to say to him.

                “And?”

                “And thank you for today. I appreciate it a lot.”

                Zephyr smiled softly at her. “No worries. I think I’m starting to love broccoli from now on.”