Chapter fifty-six: "Ava"

What a minute, Grandma?!

I looked at Cloud then at the old woman with a small smile on her face, Cloud's arm went around my waist and gently pushed me up to her. She eyes me up and down
I felt uncomfortable with the way she observes me, it's almost like I can sense what she is about to say "Is this the best that you can do Cloud?"

"Could you calm her down sweetie? She looks like she is gonna faint at any moment from how stiff her body is"
I can't even hide my nervousness and the old lady can just see right through me

The polite way to ease this situation is to introduce yourself
Yeah I should do that

"M-my name..."
WHY THE HELL AM I STUTTERING?! STUPID FUCKING MOUTH!!

The grandma giggled "Let me finish your sentence for you, your name is Penelope correct?" her eyes still glued on me waiting for my answer

I nodded immediately

Cloud sensed my nervousness so he came to my rescue by suggesting we all head inside since the night is quite chilly and the old woman might get a cold. When he is about to come close to his grandma to be her aid she stopped him with one hand "I want Penelope to accompany me to the living room"

His eyes landed on me with worry "I can join you guys-" "Sweetie this is a private talk between women, how about you could get us something warm" her hand went to squeeze one side of his cheek for a quick moment before her hand went to my arm

Me and Cloud locked eyes and I said to him reassuringly "Don't worry, I'll be fine see you in the living room"

"Are you sure? I can come even if you want"

"Love, it is an unwritten rule in my family to respect elders. Even if it is from your family"
With a large family like mine comes with family values and moral respect for one another especially the elders

I'm not sure if the Marshall has the same family values but I'm certain he would go against his grandma's wishes just to keep me at ease

He was restless, he wanted to join us but I already asked him not to. So with a worried face, he kissed my forehead and went the other way to the kitchen area of the manor

I was now left alone with the head of the Marshall family, Cloud's grandma

We both started walking slowly to reach the entrance back to the manor "Pardon if I slow us down but due to my accident I haven't been able to control my legs properly"

If Sophia has class then Grandma Marshall is classier because Oh my God

"It's fine, we can enjoy the fresh on our walk back to the manor"

She exhaled like she was relieved that I wasn't bothered by her slow walking

With this silence between us, I decided to try and start a conversation with her "So umm..."
How am I gonna address her?!

Grandma Marshall? Old lady? Head Grandma?

She sensed my confusion so with a slight chuckled she responded "Just call me Ava"

"Your whole name is Ava Marshall?"

"It's Ava Blythe Marshall to be exact dear" she gladly said as I opened the door for her to enter the manor before me

Her cane made a click sound every time it touches the marble floors of the ground floor in the manor, her entire demeanor made it seem like she was made to be born for wealth

"I heard so much about you from my grandson Cloud, I never expect to see you right now of all time but I'm glad I did"
She's glad to meet me?

"I didn't expect to meet you today too Ava"
Talking so casually to an elder made me feel like I'm being rude because usually, it has something like Grandma or Mamita before saying the name

"Seeing how you and Cloud interact with each other, you suddenly remind me of someone"

Did I remind her of someone? I wonder who it is

We both managed to reach the living room and above the fireplace was an old man with Ava beside him
Before I always wondered who those two were in the picture when I first stepped into the manor, now I know it is Ava

"Is that man beside you in the picture your husband?" I asked her politely while gently and slowly helping her sit down on one of the couches

Her blue eyes went to look at the painted portrait above the fireplace "That is my husband, his name is Arthur" 

Within her eyes showed that she was longing for her husband with love and sadness both mixed within her expression. The light from the fireplace lit up the enormous living room showing the extravagance of every little detail put into place from the bottom up

"What was he like?"

She was caught off guard when I asked her and I immediately slap to cover my mouth with one hand "Sorry, am I not supposed to ask?"

"No, it's just it has been a long time since someone wanted to know and remember about Arthur"

"Not even his children?"

She shook her head slowly "Not even Cloud's father or his siblings wanted to remember him"
What on earth happened between Arthur and his children to cause such a riff even after his death?

"Do you have any idea why Ava?"

"It must be perhaps his views on life and especially his history of having embarrassing grades when he was in school came back I haunt him"
Wait, was Arthur like me?

I sat beside her and she didn't mind we were sitting side by side in front of the warm fireplace

Ava sighed as she stares at the fire while stroking her thumb at the top of her cane "His children were embarrassed having him as their father due to his grades even though he is one of the richest people with good family background, I don't turn a blind eye so I know people tease my children because of their father"

Her words gave me a new kind of fear
Having my children be embarrassed by having me as their mother

Arthur's children are embarrassed to have him as their father even though he has money and a good family background

"Which is why you remind me a little of him, my husband" she patted me on my head "To be honest I was kind of excited to meet you"

My eyes widened in surprise "Really?"

"When I heard how Cloud described you I wanted to meet you immediately so I could see the similarities" Ava chuckled is a hint of happiness

The door of the living room opened with Cloud entering with a tray that has 3 mugs on it, the scent of coffee and chocolate hits my nose and I couldn't wait to taste the chocolate that would be soon in my mouth

He gently set the tray down on the coffee table and handed the mug with coffee inside to Ava, Cloud then handed me the mug with chocolate and got the other mug for himself then sat beside me

With one arm around me, I leaned my upper body toward him and he pulled me closer to get cozy

"So what did you guys talk about?" he asked Ava and me

Ava rolled get eyes at her grandson "Don't be so nosy Cloud"

He playfully stuck his tongue at her for a quick second before looking at me giving the puppy eyes "How about you tell me, Angel"

I put a finger under my chin "How about...no"

Me and Ava giggled at Cloud who was left in the dark as we enjoyed the warmth within the living room in this chilly night