Chapter 26 - Dream Destination

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Chapter 26 - Dream Destination

Ava

A few days later, it was late morning when I suddenly got a call from my dad. It was unusual for Dad to call at this time.

"Hey, what's up, Dad?" I asked once I picked up the call.

"Hey, honey. Nothing much, actually. Just wanted to let you know something. Thought you might be interested," Dad said.

"Really? What could that be?" I inquired, intrigued.

"Well, it's just Natalie's in your city for some reason, and she's staying until tomorrow, so she was wondering if you would be free around the evening today," Dad informed me, and I almost squealed.

Finally, I was going to get to meet my dad's girlfriend.

However, I regained my composure and told him, "Yes, I'm free at that time." I needed to test the woman who was taking care of my dad while I was gone, and if I was going to go meet her, so was my dear husband. "But do you mind if I bring Ace with me?"

Dad chuckled. "Of course not, sweetie. In fact, I was going to ask you to bring him but was afraid of you."

"Dad, I'm your daughter. I'm supposed to be scared of you, not the other way around." I pouted.

He chuckled some more and said, "True, but you have gotta admit, you're pretty scary like your mom."

I suppressed my giggles and asked in a much more serious tone, "Dad, you really like that woman, don't you? You're not just dating her because I asked you to, right?"

"Of course, honey."

"Do you, uh, think you will love her as much as Mom?" I asked hesitantly.

He let out a deep sigh. "Here's the truth, honey. I don't think I will ever love anyone as much as your mom, but you want me to be happy, and I'm sure Eleanor would want that as well. Plus, it is getting a bit lonely around here without you. But don't worry, I do like her, truly. I have hidden nothing from Natalie, and she's okay with all of it. So I've been happy with her."

I smiled. "That's all I have ever wanted for you, Dad. I love you."

"I love you too, sweetie."

###

"Why am I here again?" Ace deadpanned.

"Because you are my husband, and you vowed to go through everything I did," I answered, my eyes locked on the entrance of the cafe I was meeting up with Natalie.

"This isn't a martial trial, Ava. It's just meeting with your dad's girlfriend. You don't really need me here. I could be at the office working right now—"

I finally turned to glare at him and said, "Did you or did you not, again and again, say you were never busy for me?"

"Yes, that's true. But this is different—" He tried to argue, but I heard the bell chime of the cafe ring, so I immediately turned my attention back to the entrance and saw a beautiful brunette woman in her late-thirties walk in. She was dressed in a navy blue knee-length dress.

It didn't take me longer than a few seconds to recognize her and quickly shifted to the mode I intended to test her with. The woman made her way over to our table when she took notice of us.

"Hi. Are you guys Ava and Ace?" she asked, and I looked up to nod. "It's great to meet you guys. And aww, you guys really do look as cute together as you look in the photos."

"You have seen our photos on social media?" I asked in a cold tone without bothering to greet her.

"No, Robert showed me. He absolutely adores you two to death," she said with a smile.

A smile in response threatened to form on my lips, but I restrained it and let out a 'hmph.'

"Robert even showed me your childhood and teenage album, Ava. You were absolutely adorable as a child, and you grew up beautifully. Do you know I even follow your blogs?" she said enthusiastically.

Unfortunately, she was met with my cold reply. "Oh, I see."

That response made it clear that I did not like her, so Natalie backtracked.

"Anyway, Natalie, what business brings you here to Utah?" Ace inquired since the table was starting to get quiet. While he usually loved silence, he would rather not be a third wheel between two people's awkward tension.

"Oh, I'm actually here for my cousin's daughter's wedding. It took place in the city hall just a few hours ago," she replied with a smile.

Well, that answers why her outfit was so formal. I was thinking she was trying too hard to impress me.

"I see. No wonder your outfit looks so formal. Weddings are a pain, aren't they?" Natalie nodded in agreement. "By the way, what do you do, though?" Ace tried to continue the conversation while I started scrolling on my phone.

"I'm an English teacher— Ava, will you please put that phone down?"

I was startled by the sudden change in her tone. "Sorry, what?"

"It's rude to be on your phone while you're in between a conversation," she scolded me, but her tone wasn't harsh, it was gentle yet firm. Just like Mom's. "Look at Ace. He's trying his best to get to know me, and meanwhile, you are busy being—" She broke off, not wanting to complete the sentence, and cleared her throat. "Sorry, my teacher-personality came out for a moment." She pulled up a smile and said, "Anyway, I think we all should try our best here for Robert's sake. So please, if you could, Ava?"

I nodded and put aside my phone. Then, I got out of my seat and went over to her side to hug her.

She was clearly surprised as I pulled away and giggled. "Was my acting good?" I asked mischievously, and she gave me a disbelieving look. I laughed and said, "Don't worry, Natalie, you're really cool. I like you. I was just pretending until now to test you, to see if you'd say anything to me, or just suck everything up."

"Oh, dear, sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not like that. When you do something wrong, I will most definitely call you out on that and try to fix that. If anything, my sixteen years of teaching career has taught me that much," she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"I like that. Honest and outright."

After that, one conversation led to another, and we totally hit it off. Meanwhile, poor Ace was abandoned. But he didn't leave. He stayed until we parted ways with Natalie, and that just made me fall for him deeper.

"So what's your opinion on her?" Ace asked when we got settled into the car.

I smiled and replied, "I can see why Dad would fall for her."

"And why is that?"

"She's just like Mom. She would always scold me whenever I would do anything else other than eat at the dining table. But at the same time, she was really kind-hearted, soft, and fun. I think Dad will really be happy with her."

Ace brought my knuckles up to his lips and kissed them. "Well, of course, Robert deserves it for raising such a smart, gorgeous woman."

"You're such a flirt."

"Who else would I flirt with, if not you?"

I didn't respond to him anymore and started smiling again as I recalled our meeting with Natalie.

Finally, now, I can be relieved with the assurance of Dad being in good hands.

###

Later that night, I started to say, "Hey, Ace," before I kept my iPad on the coffee table in Ace's study. I had been drawing some new designs I had in my mind, while he was engrossed in his work in the study.

Even though I could do my work in our bedroom, night-time was the only time I could spend with Ace. He stayed busy in the office from morning until late evening. He usually worked in his study after dinner until bedtime. He had even gone back to work immediately after driving me home. So I didn't want to miss any opportunity to spend time with him. After all, he was the love of my life.

"Yes?" He raised his gaze to me, waiting for me to speak.

I opened my mouth to talk but immediately shook my head and mumbled, "Never mind. Nothing."

"What is it, Ava? You know, you can tell me anything."

"I know, but you are busy right now, and—"

I was interrupted by him as he said, "Just earlier this evening, you were telling me that I said I am never too busy for you, Ava. Then, why are you saying this right now? Haven't we already established that you are my first priority, more than my work?"

I smiled at his words and got up from my seat, walking towards him. "Let's go somewhere."

"Where? For a late-night snack or a vacation?"

"The first one sounds good, but I meant a vacation." I was feeling blue and lacking the motivation to work, that's why I needed a change of environment to get back on track.

"Well, who says we can't do both?" I shook my head, chuckling at his dedication to fulfilling all of my wishes. "So where do you want to go? Have a place in mind yet?"

"Seriously, Ace? You are asking me where I want to go? You know everything about me, so you tell and surprise me."

He chortled and took his phone, and texted someone before looking back at me. "Get ready. We are going to your dream destination tomorrow."

"Oh, my God? Really?" I squealed. "Are we really going to Paris? Will I finally see the Eiffel Tower in person?"

"Yes, baby," as soon as he said that, I jumped on his lap and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a hug after giving him a peck on his lips.

"You are the best, Ace. I lo—" I stopped midway, realizing what I was about to say. I was such a fool!

I couldn't confess my feelings for Ace casually. He deserved a grand love confession, not such a blunt one like my last one. I think I should wait till we return from this vacation and think of something unique and special. In the meantime, even he would be able to decide his feelings for me if he hadn't already.

"Thank you, Ace." I was about to get off from his lap, but instead, he snaked an arm around my waist.

"I know how much you have always wanted to visit Paris, but something always used to happen, and the trip would sadly get canceled. The last time the trip got canceled because of your dad falling down the stairs at home, you were so upset that you gave up your dream of ever seeing the Eiffel Tower in person," he said, brushing a strand of my hair aside, while I stayed quiet.

He was right. The trips used to get canceled for even more reasons. Either my bodyguard got sick, some university club project came up, the jet had some issues, the pilot got loose motion, or I got my periods, which were irregular, so I could never keep a track of it.

"Did you know that I was about to give you a fully funded vacation to Paris as your wedding gift?"

I was surprised at the revelation. Even though he didn't like my wedding to Simon, he still wanted to give me the best wedding gift.

"Why?" I couldn't help but ask him.

"I can never let you give up on your dream, Ava. As long as I am alive, I will always fulfill it, come what may," he murmured, and my heart melted hearing his words. He was such a sweetheart!

"See, you are giving me my wedding gift," I pointed out.

He arched an eyebrow. "When will you give me mine?"

"Aren't I, your most precious gift ever?" I said innocently, batting my eyelashes at him.

He pinched the tip of my nose. "Indeed, you are, but this technique won't work here, Ma'am. You have to give me an actual wedding gift."

I feigned a sigh. "Okay, so what do you want? You already have everything."

He twitched his lips, thinking for a while, and then answered, "I will let you know what I want. Till then, it's pending."

"Okay." This time, I got up from his lap. Before he could say something, I said, "I have a lot of packing to do. It will take a whole night, so I better start now." With that, I rushed to our bedroom and started packing.

###

We were in the jet now.

I was so excited about being able to be in Paris, at last! I kept looking at the clock. It would take around twelve hours to get to my dream destination. That peace!

"By the way, Ava," his voice brought me out of my imagination. I looked at him, waiting for him to continue speaking, which he did, "Do you remember Lora Violet?"

"Your friend whom you met during an important meeting in Italy?" I asked to be sure.

He hummed in response.

"Yes, I remember her. You told me how she forced you to be friends with her, and you didn't deny it 'cause you thought about the double profit you could make if you were friends with her. You businessmen always think of how to make more money, don't you?" After all, I saw my dad always working to make more money than usual.

"Be grateful, otherwise, you would be struggling to find some decent food," he retorted.

I shook my head with a sigh. "Anyway, what about Lora?"

"She's in Paris now because she wants to celebrate her thirtieth birthday there. She invited me a long time ago, but I rejected it. However, when she heard we will go to Paris, she insisted on attending her birthday party. So do you want to go? If you don't, let me know and I will decline the invitation."

There was no harm in attending a birthday party, that too of Ace's friend. Even Ace would feel better. Besides, it was too sweet of him to even ask me whether I wanted to go or not.

"Sure, we will go. I see no reason we will decline to be on someone's happy day," I replied to him.

"You sure?"

"Yes, Ace."

What's the worst that can happen? I would always stay with Ace, wouldn't I?

Here I come, Paris!


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