RICHARD Taylor had taken things in good faith. Richard wasn't expecting her reaction to the information. Infact, she had taken it better than he thought. If there was anything, she seemed super excited about it. That was okay with Richard but he still told her to keep things between them. He wanted to be the one to let things out in the open when it'll get to that. At least, that'll be the right thing to do. It might get messy if word got out and the media got hold of it. He can't risk that. Ava might not handle it well. He'd lived in the eyes of the media for a very long time to know how brutal they could get just for a scoop. He stood at the mirror and was buttoning up his white crisp shirt when Taylor entered and stood behind him. Her hair was tied in an unruly mass and bunched on top of her hair. Her eyes still looked drowsy but she was fully awake. She stood at the door way of the closet and leaved against the door jamb. "Good morni

RICHARD It wasn't the thought that Ava would be waiting for him, that had Richard literally running home. It was more about the fact that he couldn't wait to see her. Aside his daughters, he'd never been so anxious to see someone. Infact, there were lots of things he was sure he'd outgrown. But recently, he wasn't sure anymore. He found himself doing crazy stuff. He'd never cancel a meeting no matter how tired he was, but after long hours of inspection and survey, he'd told Victoria to cancel his last meeting and reschedule to a later date. All he wanted was to go home to Ava. He curled his lip in a little smile as he thought of how poetic it sounded. Home to Ava. Things were getting fast, he thought as he sat in the cool interior of his car and looked out through the window as Henry sped past the bright lights. That was one of the days he appreciated the bright lights. Even as the cars sped and weaved through traffic, slowing and stepping on

RICHARD The wheels in Richard's head were turning wildly on their own. He couldn't control what was happening but he was sure he'd fallen helplessly for the girl that had kissed him right at that moment. Richard wasn't aware that he could feel so much emotions for someone else, after Daphne. But now, he was certain he could. Her eyes gleamed with tears and the emotions he saw in them matched his. He was feeling a lot of things at that point. As Richard smiled up at her, she returned the smile and blinked playfully. There was so much at stake if things took the wrong turn, so he had to keep things down. The media can be very cruel and he knew that and wouldn't want her to be exposed to that. But, first things first. Placing his hands on both her sides on the table, he leaned in, catching every fleeting emotion on her face. "I'll want to speak with you when you're not not here..." "So..." She smiled shyly at him, trying to look past him but

AVA The first thing that hit Ava immediately she stepped inside the apartment she shared with Nicole, was the burning aroma of something peppery. Nicole had never been a great cook. She had never been a cook at all. She could only try once or twice but she always ended up burning them or putting an excess spice or something stupid in the food. Richard had insisted on driving her home, but she'd declined and rather let him drop her off at the bus stop. Holding her hands against her nose, she shut the door with her foot and toed off her shoes. "Nicole, what's burning?" She shouted, her voice muffled as she found her way to the kitchen, blinking away the stinging tears. Nicole was at the counter. She'd turned off the stove but the smoke was still in the air and would take a few minutes to clear. "Hey there! You're home." She called over her shoulder, without turning to look at Ava. Ava stood at the kitchen door jamb. "Why do you always burn whatever you cook?" She asked. Thin

AVA The next morning, when Richard had called her and told her to pack a bag that they would be spending the weekend together, Ava wanted to say no. She really wanted to, but found herself agreeing to it. Even when Nicole sat on the bed and trailed Ava's every move. She wanted to believe that for once, everything would fall in place and she'd be happy with someone she cared about. Even when there were so many signs that told her that she shouldn't be with a man who still haven't broken up with his girlfriend. There was still Simone, she hissed silently as she pranced around the room taking a few belongings to stuff into the bag. Nicole didn't say a word to her, she'd obviously said too much already. The only thing she'd muttered to Ava as she was at the door, ready to leave was, "I hope he treats you well, Ava." Ava halted and turned to look at her. She attempted a wary smile and a nod, before letting herself out. She had worn her best outfi