CEO's Contract Obsession-Chapter 56: A Real Date
The security team of Amy was given the option to take a week off or help in the mansion in cleaning up the woodland, especially the road going to the river. Since the three do not want to be idle and do nothing for a week, they decided to help Charles with his task.
At the same time, Ava contacted Ash via text message to set up an appointment with him to do her assignment from Amy. Luckily she did not have to wait long since Ash easily agreed to meet up with her.
Ash invited Ava to have lunch in a Japanese restaurant with a private room to keep the meeting confidential and to avoid being caught by people close to Henry, Amy, and Ash. The restaurant is on the other side of the city, opposite the way going to Bellory.
Ava wore red long sleeves bodycon with a skirt just below her knees. She has curled her dark brown hair that compliments her black strappy heels and black pouch. They agreed to pretend to be going on a date with other people in that restaurant in case some of the men of Rei and Henry have them followed.
Ava decided to go in early so she can calm her nerves before Ash arrives. If not for Amy and Ash, she will not volunteer to do it since this might cost her, her job. Henry pays them a lot and it is helping her and her family pay their bills and send her younger brother to college, that’s why the thought of being caught by Henry’s people is making her really nervous.
However, in a short span of time, she came to know how kind Amy is, whom she can say became her friend too. She saw the goodness in her heart and the friendship she has with Ash is an unbreakable and long-lasting one. When they are alone with Amy, she would tell stories about her life, and most of the time Ash will be in the picture.
With her stories, she felt that Amy truly cares about Ash, she loves him as a brother and best friend and it is heartbreaking to see that their friendship is being torn down by Henry because of his jealousy and possessiveness. She can feel that Amy misses her dear friend but would not want to start an argument with Henry.
In the few times that she met Ash, she can also genuinely say that he truly loves Amy; it’s all over his face. She knows in her heart that he would never hurt her and that’s why she agreed to help Amy.
Ava is amazed by their friendship that even if Ash has been at Amy’s side for the longest time, he never once took advantage of her or forced himself on her. She can see how he respected Amy and just patiently waits for her even if he is hurting inside.
Ava arrived an hour before noon at the restaurant and was escorted by the waiter to the private room that was reserved for them. She was impressed by how good the place looked and whatever secret is going on inside those rooms will definitely be securely kept.
The waiter opens the door for her and she was asked to remove her shoes and keep them in the compartment under the stair. To her surprise, Ash was already inside when she went in and was working on his laptop.
And as decided, he really was in character like her, pretending to be on a date. She can see the effort that he put into his looks. He is wearing a gray suit with a black shirt that has loosened top two buttons. He had his blonde hair brushed up giving him a fresh young look.
He was wearing eyeglasses and was so focused on his laptop that he didn’t seem to notice her entering the room.
"You are early," Ave crisply said.
Ash looked up at him and furrowed his eyebrows; he just stared at her as if he doesn’t know her.
"It’s me, Ava, don’t tell me you don’t recognize me," she smiled shyly wondering if she overdressed or overdid her makeup, the reason for Ash to not remember her.
Ash blushed as he finally recognizes her. He quickly stands and removed his eyeglass as he moves towards her. "I-I did not recognize you, I-I’m sorry, that’s so rude of me," he stuttered as he explain himself.
Ava’s heart started to pound and she felt ashamed that she put on too much makeup and dressed daringly to the point that she was unrecognizable. "Oh, sorry I wanted to make it like a real date, you know to avoid the suspicion that I overdid it," she gently tucks her hair into the back of her ear while she looks down feeling embarrassed.
Ash hastily waves his hands to dismiss her thought, "No, no, no, I did not r-recognize you because you look so b-beautiful today, I mean I usually see you in T-shirt and jeans with your hair tied up. It’s not that you’re not beautiful b-before but you look s-stunning today..." Ash was clearly having a hard time fully explaining himself trying hard not to offend Ava.
Ava’s face turned red at his compliment and giggled at the way he explain himself. Ash was talking too fast and doing hand gestures while looking everywhere except in her direction. She can see that he was trying to compliment how she looks without offending her.
She cuts him off since he was already going in circles with his explanation and still no signs of stopping anytime soon, he definitely looks nervous, "It’s ok Mr. Brighton, I understand what you mean. You are handsome yourself too. If someone will see you they will believe you are going on a real date."
Ash stopped and quickly offered his hand and smiled, "Call me Ash, and don’t be so formal, it’s just us here."
Ava shook his hand in return and nodded, but before she can speak again Ash pulled her hand gently and guided her toward the table. He pulled her a seat like a gentleman and said, "Please take your seat, Ava."
So she did, she watched Ash walk to the other side and pack up his laptop and eyeglass.
"Why are you here already? You said we will meet at 12 sharp," Ava asked him.
"You are early too," he cheekily said, "I have nothing to do at home. It’s Sunday and I usually spend my weekends on Amy’s farm but lately, I don’t feel like going there anymore... you know why."
Ava nodded and asked, "So why do you have your laptop? Working on a weekend?"
"Yup, I thought to do some advance work so I can go out early on Friday. You’re going to Mary’s birthday party right?" Ash asked as he handed the menu to Ava and added, "Here see what you like."
"Yup we are going and so is Mr. Welsh, are you going to be ok there?" Ava asked.
"I am sure I will not be ok but I can handle it. Plus I have no choice, Mary will literally kill me if I will not go," Ash answered and Ava noticed that Ash he is not checking the menu but was just staring at her.
"Aren’t you going to check the food?" she was curious why he is staring at her instead of choosing their lunch.
"I already know what to order, you should try their Wagyu beef, it is really good. Order anything that you like, this is my treat," he smiled and Ava noticed that he has dimples on both cheeks, which caught her eyes thinking how cute they are.
"Do I have something on my face?" Ash touched his face to find what was on it that was making Ava stare at her.
Ava was caught off guard and blushed due to embarrassment, "Oh, I was looking at your dimples, they look good, it just briefly caught my attention, sorry about that." She quickly hid her face on the menu after realizing what she just had done, ’Why did I say that?’ she scolded herself inwardly.
Ash on the other hand can’t help but smile and felt a little shy with her compliment. He knows that he is good looking but it is not usual for him to receive such praise since the only women he spends his time with are Amy and Mary, who does nothing but tease him about his bad habits just like how normal friends are.
"I ordered some appetizers and drinks in advance since it takes a while for them to make the main dish since they prepare everything on the spot to keep it fresh. Should I ask them to serve it now?" Ash asked and Ava nodded.
The atmosphere between them is starting to get awkward. Eating and drinking something would be a good way to kill the stiff air in the room, Ava thought.
It was just so different seeing Ash with Amy, Mitch, and Dave which felt light and casual. But now that they are alone in a private dining room it feels so different for her, the situation just made her tongue-tied.
