Golden Opportunity

Chapter 6

GAVIN

Today has been hectic. Going around and looking for something 'small and not expensive' is exhausting and nearly impossible.But that's Lana for you. When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday she said at first that she doesn't want anything, but then, as I insisted, she complained about the other people that will be there and how they would try to woo her with their extravagant gifts and that something cheap will make her happy, because it's from heart and the thought matters not the value. I don't know where the change of heart, given the fact that she is still the girl who asked for a miniature Hogwarts castle for her 13th birthday.

I took that as a challenge and started my search early so that I would have time. So, in casual and comfortable clothes, I began my hunt. After five different shops I was about to give up. I wasn't expecting to bump into Ayla - literally - into a boutique while talking to Lana's best friend, Cherry, but it was a pleasant surprise. I asked for her help and she agreed, and I loved her attitude and comebacks the most. We looked around the boutique and began to talk. I came to the conclusion that knowing each other better and becoming friends will help us communicate better in the upcoming months. At least that's what I told her. I want to know everything about her. I don't want to be her friend, but I'll take it slow. I'll take any chance she gives me and if being her friend will make her trust me, then so be it. I came to know a few things about her: how she likes her coffee - something I learned Friday at lunch - and her favourite colour, we laughed at some stories about our families.

I liked it. I treasured every moment. I took in every little movement she made, how she would bite her bottom lip as she looked at items, the little line between her eyebrows when she frowned in concentration, her small and pale hand as it pulled the fire red hair out of her face and behind her ear. My heart seemed to grow bigger by only looking at her.

We continued searching and then she came up with the most thoughtful gift. My sister loves her jewelry. She has a lot of little jewelry boxes for every one of them, but not a big one for all. As her bigger brother, I took it upon myself to make her life better since childhood. There are six years and seven months between us and I practically raised her since I was thirteen. She's my baby sister and I would do anything in my power to make her happy. I know her like the back of my hand and this jewelry box screams Lana.

We bought it and I took her to my favourite restaurant to treat her with a late lunch as per her request. I really enjoyed today and I want it to last more. I was surprised when Leo called her by her name and I know she was too when it happened in my case. I immediately thought: how did I not seen her here before?

And now she asked this. I knew it was inevitable and at some point I would have to tell her, but I didn't know it would be this soon. But she told me about her Mother, something that I saw on her face still affected her. So I guess it's only fair I tell her something personal.

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked", she immediately says when I don't answer. She looks at the table embarrassed.

"It's okay. We're friends, right? I would've told you at some time. I guess now is as good a time as others", I assure her.

I let my mind go there for a few moments. I see the white dress and hear the piano playing. Her smiling face turning sour and I hear her words once again: "I can't do this."

"It was three years ago", I begin and Ayla looks at me again. "More exactly, three years and nine months. I was in a relationship with this girl. She is the daughter of a friend of my Mother's so we practically grew up together. When we were children I used to have a crush on her. And then we both went at different colleges and after graduating we reconnected and started dating. After over two years, I proposed to her and she immediately accepted. I saw my future with her, you know?", I say dejectedly looking at my hands on the table like I could see the events playing once again. "We wanted a small wedding, a gathering with only our closest friends and family. We prepared for it for months. It was private, into a small church, no one outside our circle knew, no reporter or paparazzi to capture the moment. It was perfect. But she destroyed it." I clench my hands in fists at the memory, the hidden anger raising again.

I feel soft hands on my fists and I look up at Ayla, the one person whom managed to bring the light in my life again, by only a quick glance at her. She's looking at me with so much calmness and assurance and I feel safe as she unclenched my hands and keeps hers in them. She smiles encouragingly and I smile back a little, squeezing her hands.

"When she came towards the altar she was smiling lovingly at me. But when it was her turn to say 'I do' she said that she can't do it. And then she turned around and left. We searched for her, two weeks went by without a sign, so I went on with my life. Working was my way of escaping the reality. I couldn't look at a woman without anger surging through me. I began to despite the opposite s*x, because in my mind, all women were the same. Of course, my mother and sister were exceptions. After sixteen months I found out that she's married with a man she had a previous relationship with in college and they have a son."

I look at Ayla again and I see her green eyes lost in thought. Then she looks at me as if she realised something.

"If you feel angry when you see a woman... then why are you nice to me? I'm a woman, you know?", she asks in a joking manner, trying to lighten the mood.

"I guess you're an exception too", I say and let out a chuckle.

"On a serious note, I'm sorry you had to go through that", she says with a sympathetic expression.

"I'm not. I came to the conclusion a few months ago that it happened because it had to. If we were to tie the knot, after a few years of marriage we could probably come to hate each other and maybe one of us would think that they deserve better. So it happened. We go on with our lives and if there is a right person for me out there, I'll find her and I'll treasure her."

I don't tell her that I already found the right person. She is that person for me. I'm sure of it. Even though she doesn't know it, only the thought of her is keeping me going. I let go of my anger and disdain for women the moment I saw her. She changed my life without knowing it, and it changed in better. I feel energised again, I have such a hunger to live and not waste my time only on papers.

It'll come a time when she'll learn everything, and, if it doesn't come sooner, I'll take the initiative in my hands. For now, I'll just enjoy her company.

"What about you? Any ex-boyfriend?", I ask casually, but inwardly I'm dying to find out who is the fool to let her go.

Her face becomes serious again and she withdraws her hands from mine and I feel their loss. She takes a large sip from her wine, then puts the glass on the table with a sigh and looks out the window at the pond.

"I did", she turns her head to me. "He was my first boyfriend and my fiancée. Ex-fiancée", she hold up an index finger and corrects herself.

"What happened?", I ask curious.

"What they all do." She sighs. "He cheated. Not only that...", she trails off and my heart is beating faster at the possibility of something worse happening.

After a moment she looks in my eyes and asks.

"Have you ever felt like you don't deserve happiness?"

I'm dumbstruck at this point. Why would she think she doesn't deserve it? I can see the beginning of tears in her eyes and that's not something I want from her. Tears of happiness, yes, but not sadness. I feel her though...

"My whole life has been like that. When I was little, I used to think that maybe I did something horrible in a past life and I'm being punished ", she chuckled without humour and she wipes off a tear that trailed down her cheek. "The day I saw him with that Bambi, I found out that he didn't love me, he wanted me for my father's company", she declares.

I like the nickname she gave the chick and even though I don't know who her father is, it somehow rings a bell, but the thought is at the very back of my mind. The only thing I focus on is the intentions that asshole had. I suppose her father has something to do with her thinking that she doesn't deserve happiness. If I ever come across the assholes I will make them pay. She deserves the utmost happiness and love.

"What is his name?", I ask, keeping my anger in check.

"My father's?", she asks as if she would expect that question from anyone.

"No, I don't care about your father's name, I want the name of the asshole who dared to do that", I say in a dangerously low voice.

I see her face light up at my words like I just gave her a gift. Whoever her father was he has to have some influence. Maybe that's why she thought I was asking for her father, because she was only recognised from his name before. I don't care about him. At least not now.

"Brad Ascot", she says.

"Mhmm...", I take my phone from the table and send a quick message to my PI. I have to find out everything about him. I put my phone in my pocket and take some money from my wallet, then look at her. "Are you ready to leave?"

"Yeah, I better go home", she responds with a sigh. "Tomorrow is work day and my boss is a very hard person to please."

She takes off ahead, her posture straight and I laugh at her words. The boss is easy to please when it comes to her.

We get in the car and she gives me her address. In thirty minutes we're in front of an apartment building in a well maintained area and I stop the car. Not waiting for her, I get out and go to her side and open the door for her. I stretch out my hand and, as she takes it, I take the chance to pull her at my side. It feels good to feel her warm body near mine.

We go to the back of the car and take out her bags and, when she extends her hand to take the ones in my hands, I practically scowl at it. "Don't be silly", I say and gesture for her to open the door and when she figures out I'm not letting her carry them she opens it.

I follow her up the stairs until we reach the second floor and she unlocks and opens the apartment door. She let's me in and I put the bags on the couch in the living room and then take a look around. The apartment is small compared to my house, but large enough for a single person. The place looks warm and welcoming and every thing has it's own particular place, everything is so tidy and clean you would think it's a museum.

But I like it. It gives away a sense of home.

"Thank you for that", she says.

I look at her and she seems a little shy. "You don't have to", I say and look at my wrist watch.

It is already 5pm. and outside the window the sky is getting darker, rain threatening. Time flies by when you're spending it with someone you like.

"I should go", I sigh in resignation. She nods.

But I can't go just like that. So I go to her and kiss her cheek. I can see the surprise and flushness on her face.

"Tomorrow at 10am, don't forget", I remind her. "Good night, Ayla." I go to the door.

"Good night, Gavin", she says in a quiet voice and I smile at the soft way my name rolls off her tongue.

I love the way she says my name.