CHAPTER ONE

"Honestly, Ava, I think it’s high time you got over Liam. He does not want you anymore," Andy said as she brewed her coffee.

"Andy, will you keep bringing this up because I refuse to go on dates? I thought you should understand me better," Ava said raising her right hand to demonstrate her last sentence. "Heaven knows I am trying. You know that I don't want to talk about this anymore, yet you bring it up every single time we meet," Ava said as she stared outside the kitchen window.

Andy dropped her coffee cup and walked towards Ava, who sat on the kitchen table with her leg crossed. "I am really sorry dear; I just want you to move on. I know I keep bringing this up, but I just cannot ignore you," Andy said with a smile, trying to meet Ava's eye. Ava shot straight at the view outside trying hard not to look at her childhood friend.

Ava and Andy are age mates and they have been friends since college. Andy's parents died in a plane crash and being the only child, she stayed with her grandmother all her life. She lost her grandmother two years ago at age twenty-four. Ava has twin brothers and a divorcee mum whom she stays with. She sees her brothers and dad occasionally. After her parents' divorce, she had lived so quietly at school – just like Andy.

She had met Andy at the school library, back at college. That was how two sober kids grew to love one another.

"Andy, it is fine. I just don't want you to worry anymore”, Ava finally said as she stood up. “I need to go right now; it is getting late." Ava stood up as she hugged Andy briefly and hurried out.

"I thought you were sleep…ing o…ver," Ava had already slammed the door before Andy could finish her statement.

Ava hurriedly stopped an Uber and entered with so much interest in her bed right now. When she got home she felt too tired to read any emails, but she went through her old chats with Liam. She cursed irritably at Liam for breaking her heart, tears fell down her cheeks as she thought of the memories they had together. She met Liam at college through Andy. He always sat by Andy, so it was very easy for her to approach him.

In fact, she shot him the question, "Can we date? I really like you," which, to her surprise, he said yes without thinking. She felt he probably liked her before. He must have been shy to walk up to her. Later, on prom night, they had their first kiss.

Andy would also lose her virginity that night to Wesley – who had wanted just sex, like Andy.

Ava had cried the night of prom because she realized Liam had little interest in her. He cut all ties between them that same night. Finally, two years after college, she heard the news through Andy that Liam had traveled to Paris to further his education. Liam had always wanted to be an interior designer while Ava just wanted to teach. Andy loves trade so well, presently she is doing fine at a company where she involves in online trading. Last year, Ava had met Liam at a bodega. She was so happy to see him, they exchanged numbers and all and finally got back together again.

Ava rolled on her bed as her thoughts became deeper. Just when she thought she finally had him forever, he broke up with her two months ago – a day to her twenty-sixth birthday. The thought of his words hurt her so much that she almost puked. He had invited her to her favorite restaurant where she usually orders Manhattan clam chowder. Honestly, she was surely expecting a ring but she felt it was too early. Who knows? She didn't mind since it was Liam…until he shot her a bomb.

"Ava, I think we should break up; I can not do this anymore," Liam said with a frown.

"Liam, are you breaking up with me right now? I thought we loved each other," she said with doubts written all over her face. When she said love, he must have smiled in his mind. The tears in her cheeks began to fall more as she thought of his next reply.

"Did you say love Ava? I never loved you! You came at me first; I just did not want to embarrass you, so I said yes. I am sorry, but I never loved you."

She smiled and replied, holding back her tears as she replied, "Really? Am I some sort of joke to you Liam? Coming and leaving whenever you please? If you are trying to test me, you better stop right now, this is no longer funny."

He just stood up and left her without any word. Ava cried so hard in her pillow till God knew when.

“Mum, I told you to always knock," Ava retorted as her door opened noisily. She raised her head briefly and placed it back on her pillow.

“Ava, are you not going to work today? You even slept in your work clothes! Anyways, come down for breakfast.” Mrs Miller shut the door

“Okay mum,” she murmured to herself as she stood up from bed to brush her teeth and hurried down. Her mum had just made her omelette. "Mum, I just want coffee," she sat quietly on the chair and stared at her mum who came to sit beside her.

"Is there something I need to know? You don't look fine, Ava."

She sipped her coffee and replied, "I am fine mum. I am just stressed these days."

"Then you need to rest, dear. I will call Andy to come over to..."

Ava quickly cut in, "Never mind, mum. Everything is fine. You should probably go to work now."

Mrs Evelyn Miller pecked her daughter's shinny forehead before leaving for work. Ever since her divorce, she struggled to provide for everything Ava needed. Ava had her mum’s glossy skin and forehead, a tiny waist with a big butt. Her mum had a twin sister with whom she shared striking similiarities. Ava had a petite figure unlike her mum, but the velvety eyelashes and pretty face was unmistakable resemblance.

Ava got back to her room to find six missed calls; it was Andy. She picked up her phone and called back immediately. "Hello, Andy. I just saw your calls, is everything alright?" Ava asked as she fell on her bed.

"Nothing is wrong; I am just checking on you. Do you want to hang out after work? I will pick you up," Andy asked, waiting silently for Ava's reply.

Ava sighed heavily then replied, "Actually, I think I might be busy. I have lots of work on my desk."

"Really, Ava? You know I won't take no for an answer. I promise I won't bother you about personal issues ple...eas...sse," Andy said in a teary tone.

"Okay, pick me up by seven; I really need to get ready for work right now," Ava said as she stood up from her bed.

"Bye, Ava," Andy hung up before she could even tell her bye.

"Andy really needs to stop hanging up on me in this manner," Ava murmured to herself as she hurried to the bathroom with lots of thoughts in her head. Where was Andy taking her this time around? Andy meets influential people, so she gets many invites to lots of foreign and home parties that involved New York celebrities. She began to wonder what outfit might be suitable for their outing. She dried her body and applied her cream. Taking her undies, she wore them quickly and opened her wardrobe for a dress. Suddenly, the thought of probably meeting a new guy crossed her mind, which she quickly waved off since Liam came to her mind that same moment.

She picked a short black gown with a slit showing little of her thighs. She braided her blonde hair back. She wasn't so good with makeup, but her face was pretty enough. Andy always said she looked her best without makeup, so she applied just a bit of powder and applied a red lipgloss. Her oval face was just like Andy's face, but she had a fairer complexion with small red lips. Ava brought out her red heels and wore them very fast, picking her bag and phone to call her driver.

Ava was so bad at driving, she almost wrecked her car while trying to drive. She had learnt for some time and thought she could handle it alone. She had told her driver she was good and decided to drive till she caused an accident on the road. Since then, she gave up on driving.

"Good morning Mr Taylor. Can you please come as soon as possible?"

"Morning Miss Grey. I am waiting outside already" Taylor replied

"Ohhh! Thank God," she hung up and hurried outside.

When Taylor sighted Ava, he hurried back into the car. He knew Ava hated pampering, if not he would have carried her bag or opened the passenger's seat for her. On getting into the car, Ava spoke first as she stared at her phone, “You don't have to pick me up after work today."

"Okay, Miss Grey."

Ava got down at the front of the school she teaches at; fortunately, she got there just in time. She was not ready to deliver any speech to the school director about her coming late, she smiled briefly and walked very fast to her office trying to avoid Mr. Raymond, the director's younger brother who lurks around the school aimlessly. She sighed of relief at the thought of her finally getting rid of him as she got to her office door. But to her surprise, Mr. Raymond stood there waiting.

"Morning Miss Miller, I was just passing by.” He looked at her from head to her toe as he rested on her door.

"Morning, Mr. Raymond."

"And whom are we mourning today? Don't you think black in school premises is just too much Miss Miller? Anyway since it looks good on you, I will let it pass." He looked at her over again and bit his lips.

"I am sorry, Mr. Raymond. I need to be in a class right now, if you may excuse me," she frowned as she walked past him.

"Nice hips, Miss Grey," Mr. Raymond commented before he left.

"He just needs to stop getting on my nerves," Ava murmured as she hurried fast to her class.