"Stacy, Baltimore is not safe anymore. Imagine sleeping with my heart tucked in my mouth. Just last night l had the locks changed because only yesterday, after we saw Mr Fodd to his car, l can swear on my mother's grave that l heard someone call my name. And as soon as l turned to see who it was, there was no one in sight Stacy. The car park wasn't even crowded."
"Beats me. So you changed the locks yourself?" Stacy asked, not wanting to believe what she just heard.
"Yeah, mother taught me these things as a little girl. It's one skill that saved my ass that night." Ava shook her head, still terrified of what happened on the night of Alfred's birthday.
"NewYork is a lot crazier Ava, the city never sleeps. Everyone seems to be in some sort of steroids.,hurrying to some place,they never arrive at. Sometimes l miss ths quietness of Baltimore."
"I heard." Ever since Ava joined Froddstar Tech, NewYork had been the most talked about city in America.
"I'll be attending a conference there in two weeks with Mr Frodd and his team. " She said dryly, not excited at the thought of visiting NewYork. Her life was already clanged with noise, she needn't any more.
"Huh!The last time l checked, you were a skilled Private Chef, not a Tech Guru? When did that change?"
Ava smiled quietly.
"Same thing l told Mr Frodd. But he said something about the culinary side of the pitch, being a new criteria to getting our clients hooked to our delivery."
Stacy laughed.
"Anything to keep you within his reach, he will. There's absolutely nothing your experience can add to the conference. It's tech themed, not food. Ava, you're simply a huge distraction to a man's peace of mind."
Ava thought she would smile, but she didn't. The things Stacy said were true. She was two decades older, so she sees the matters of men from a realm she didn't know yet. She shouldn't be in Los Angeles now. The conference wasn't an emergency, so the training shouldn't too, and it was only right he had informed her a week or two to fully prepare, if her expertise was part of what the conference needed.
"I always have a good reason for resenting men Stacy."
"Like you did with Dr Phyl and his patient." Stacy replied hastily. "I understand your ish with Dr Phyl, but what did Mr Marcus ever do to you?"
Before Ava answered, she looked across the bed to check on Alfred. His breathing had changed in just 48hours since last night. His birthday party—the first she was able to afford without weighing in on its expense, started in calm, but ended in a kind of trepidation that still caused her trauma.
A swift pain stirred her heart. Alfred had been sullen during bedtime while she read to him that night,whether it was from the scare of being called out by someone she never saw, or Marcus Thompson, failing to show up for Alfred, as he promised he would, she wasn't sure. She had asked him not once, what the matter was, but he wouldn't share.
That night, she slept with her eyes open and her hands wrapped around Alfred. Morning came swiftly. They had little time to pack their suitcases before heading to the airport, and as soon they settled in their business class sofa, only then, did her eyes get some rest.
Her life was far from peaceful till Alfred's heart transplant was done, and his health restored. It was the cost that worried...
"Ava, Are you still there?"
Ava didn't realize she's been lost in thought too long to make Stacy think she probably slept on her.
"My eyes still ache Stacy. Alfred's has been sleeping since we got here. What worries me is the way he's been breathing for almost 48 hours."
"It's time he does the surgery Ava. It's been over 3 years since he's lived without seizures."
"I can't afford it yet Stacy. A bill resting close to a million dollars, isn't what l can handle on my own."
"Then ask for help Ava."
"No!"
"Why?"
"Cos l promised my self l'd work hard to wealth to handle Alfred's bill solo."
"Ava, you know that's impossible now, it's not like you have control over what could happen to Alfred..."
"Nothings happening to him Stacy. He's been fine three years, and he'll be..." She couldn't continue. Her heart was heavy, and the only thing she needed to do now was cry. It's been building up since last night, but she had to resist breaking down through it, cos she didn't want it affecting Alfred too.
"I'm sorry Stacy, l didn't mean to be fearfully defensive." Ava said through a stream of quiet tears.
Stacy said nothing. She understood Ava like she did when they first met. Somewhere in the middle of her strength, she knew Ava was weak. Weaker than a strand of Alfred's brittle hair. Still, she was grateful for her courage, cos it saved her from been ill at ease with Dr Phyl's crass behavior. She had endured enough of his placidity, and she had Ava to thank for opening her eyes to see it and walk away.
She heard the intercom ring on Ava's end.
It was her hotel's reception, asking if she needed her dinner served in her room, or preferably lounging downstairs.
Stacy smiled.
Ava's courage and resilience paid off afterall and she had no doubt that she would become a Billionaire like she wanted to. What she wasn't so sure was if it would happen soon enough for Alfred's sake.
"I'll prefer room-service, thank you." Ava said, heaving a sigh through her sobs which she hoped was unnoticed.
"Mr Marcus did two things Stacy." Ava started, fully relived of her tears.
"Three years ago in Dr Phyl's hospital, his presence, nearly cost Alfred's death, and only recently, did his absence in my house, on a day he promised he'd be with Alfred, is the reason he's been so sullen. He's done enough to proof he's as selfish as Dr Phyl, and l promise he'll pay for it."
"Ava, be careful what you think to be true. Marcus was a patient too, remember? He was as needful as Alfred was at that time.
Ava said nothing.
And she didn't think what Stacy said made sense, because it didn't.
This time, she was right.
Marcus Thompson's behavior reminded her piercingly of another she had known —Her father. It was thoughts amd memories of him that plagued her now. How resenting him, for years made her feel revengeful to any man who threatened her peace—even if they meant well. As much as she longed to purge herself from it, she didn't dare. It was all she had to keep fighting till she lived her dream. It was useless reliving her past cos her present triumph against helplessness, was full proof that she would be where she needed to be in her future.
"I need to go Stacy. We will definitely see in NewYork. I love you so much." Ava hung up quickly. She knew why.
Stacy's wisdom had a way of pricking her heart to measure her steps against life. She wanted it fast-paced instead. There were times, she wished she listened. Other times, she was glad she didn't.
Now. she won't and she prayed silently she wouldn't live with regret, just in case she sat with the wrong choice.
Evening had come.
Night time in Los Angeles had the same stirring as Tangy island in Baltimore, the only difference was the exlir of soft music from designated places. The ambience here smelt wealth and luxury too tempting for her heart.
She heard someone knock.
Experience had taught her to double check before opening her door to anyone.
It was room service.
Opening her door fully to let the Chef in, she caught a glimpse of someone two rooms away from her, talking to a man dressed as a pilot.
She thought he was the most handsome face she had seen in a long time. Ava had some seconds to stare before looking away,and quickly shutting the door after her.