CEO's Contract Obsession-Chapter 57: Only a Fool

Their lunch was soon served and Ava’s eyes twinkled at the sight of the delicious Japanese dishes in front of her. It is not every day that she gets to eat something like this.

"So what is it that you wanted to tell me?" Ash started off to break the silence, he didn’t think that Ava would be this quiet when she would always be assertive whenever she was guarding Amy against him.

"My boss, Amy, wanted to meet with you secretly," her words raised Ash’s brow in surprise with a bit of excitement and hope. What would be the reason that Amy would want to disobey Henry, even using other means to relay the message to him?

He is hoping that perhaps Amy had a change of heart, that she finally realizes that he is the right man for him and is able to see the bad side of Henry. Deep inside he wished that one day Amy will see all his effort in the past and see beyond the brotherly love that she feel for him.

"Really? And why is that? Did she finally realize that Henry is not the man she used to think?" Ash snorted at the thought of that.

Ava looked intently at Ash trying to gauge his reaction before she spill the beans, "They are actually progressing positively in their relationship. It doesn’t look like it’s just a mere agreement between them anymore if I must say; I think those two are in love with each other."

Ava did not remove her gaze from Ash as she take a bite of the Wagyu beef. She saw how Ash’s face became sour in a brief moment before he swiftly fixed his expression again. He continued eating and he sipped a bit of tea before speaking to her again.

"I see..." Ash then took some sashimi and placed it on her plate before adding, "So why would she want to meet me? She can text me anytime, but yet here you are being her messenger."

"Well, she wanted to talk about your involvement in her loan with your Aunt’s bank. She found out that the bank agreed to accept the land in the south as the third collateral with your father as the guarantor."

Ash squinted his eyes as he sliced the tender Wagyu beef on another plate then he gave it to Ava. She is totally watching his every move and every expression to assess the truth in his words. She had a certification in forensic psychology as part of her job and because of this, she is confident that she can evaluate people quite accurately.

"I am not aware of that transaction and I have nothing to do with it," he defended.

’He is lying,’ Ava thought and is sure about it. She was disappointed about her findings, somehow at the back of her mind; she was hoping that Ash is innocent. Him being part of Amy’s problems will break Amy’s heart, but she cannot conclude that yet. They need proof for that and cannot just accuse him just because of mere psychoanalysis.

"Why do you keep putting food on my plate?" Ava decided to change the topic since she is sure that Ash will not admit his involvement in any of the dealings that his father did but whatever his reason is, she will definitely inform Amy about it, she is her boss after all.

’There must be a reason why Ash is covering the truth. He loves her and I am sure he will not do anything stupid that would hurt her,’ Ava mused.

"Because I can see that you are enjoying it, so I am helping you out," he exclaimed with a grin.

’He is surely handsome, I wonder why Amy didn’t fall for that face?’ she can’t help but compliment him in her thoughts. There is no way she’s going to make a mistake again in blurting out her flattery for him to his face.

"You are so thin, you should eat more," Ash casually added.

"I train every day, you know part of the job... so even if I eat more, I will stay the same, so stop giving me more, and I’m full."

"Alright, alright, if you say so. I guess it’s just a habit. I used to do this for Amy and Mary, I treat them like princesses."

"That must be wonderful; I wish I have someone like you."

"We can be friends if you want, but anyways, tell Amy I’ll meet her when she gets back just tell me when and where."

Ava nodded and that was the last time they both mentioned Amy or Henry. To Ava’s surprise, Ash was very easy to talk to, even though it was awkward at first, as soon as they both relax in each other’s company, she finds him funny and savvy.

Their meeting didn’t end there, since they both had nothing to do that day. They decided to take a walk in the park just outside the restaurant talking about anything under the sun. Ava was impressed that Ash didn’t even mention Amy even once in their conversation, making it feel like a real date.

’Only a fool will not fall for this guy...’

********

Back in Brookegrove...

It was finally operation day for Jayson and everyone woke up early to go to the hospital. Amy woke up without Henry by her side so she decided to get ready on her own before going to the dining room for breakfast.

She was both thrilled and anxious about the upcoming surgery that she has no appetite to eat anything. However, she knows that Jena will be having breakfast downstairs and she misses her niece a lot.

Last night Jena fell asleep while Henry was carrying her so they didn’t have any bonding time when they got home. Amy got ready as fast as she can and quickly went downstairs.

Before she can reach the stairs someone hooked her by her waist. "And why are you in a running? Is someone chasing my beautiful angel?" Before she can react, Henry already pinned her on the wall and sealed her lips with his.

It lasted for some time until they heard a giggle from a little cute voice, "Why are you smooshing each other’s faces?" Jena cackled.

Amy almost pushed Henry away but he reaches out for Jena first to carry her as she loves that. "That’s not smooshing, that’s kissing," Henry chuckled as he pinches Jena’s fluffy cheek.

"Henry!" Amy grouched at his remark but the two just laughed at her.

"Can I kiss you like that too Uncle Henry?" Jena innocently asked.

Henry chortled, "No, you can’t only Aunt Amy can do that to Uncle Henry and children cannot do that. Wait until you get married, understood?"

Jena nodded and waggled to make Henry put her down, and ran downstairs as soon as her feet touched the floor.

"Why did you say that?" Amy grumbled as she cross her arms.

"I just said the truth, I don’t want her to misinterpret and try to do it to other kids. I won’t be happy at all, she will not kiss anyone until she’s thirty," Henry said as they descend the stairs.

"You’re a cruel uncle," Amy remarked but she didn’t mean it in a bad way. She was glad and he is also protective of her niece and nephew even if they are not related by blood. She is sure that if her brother is alive right now, he would definitely say the same.

She often misses her brother at times like this, the things that they do when they were young, and she hopes that the two siblings will experience the same. Her brother was protective of her, she was treated like a princess and that’s why there are not many men who tried to woo her when he was alive.

His brother would always scare any man who would try to come near her to express their admiration, and she didn’t bother stopping him. She thought that if the man really likes her then her brother wouldn’t be a hindrance for him to approach her.

Oh, how she misses those old times, it was unfortunate that Jena and Jayson would grow up without their father. But seeing how Henry acts towards the kids was kind of gratifying for her.

She somehow feels that Henry is giving off that father-figure vibe whenever he interacts with the kids. It was not the first time that she felt that way about him. She just hopes that it would last, she would accept him if he decided to stay in their lives.

At the dining table, it seems like Jena was the only one who has an appetite to eat. Even Henry and Rei almost didn’t touch their food.

"It will be a long day for all of you in the waiting area, so you better eat that food," Martha complained after seeing everyone stare at their plate.

"The food is great Martha but with all the jitters we are feeling, I don’t think we can finish this," Alice was the one who spoke for the group.

"Shall I pack them for you then? I heard the food in the hospital cafeteria is bland," Martha frivolously said and everyone nodded at her suggestion.