Their flight back to Los Angeles was eventful. What started with a purpose, nearly ended in confusion.
Frodd slammed his glass of wine down, sloshing the red fluid onto the table in his business class seat. " Why in the world will you not let go Ava, and understand l only wanted to enjoy your company, and make you feel the luxury of LA."
Ava said nothing.
Frodd ruffled his hair quickly, standing in full view before her, he looked down at her stroking Alfred's hair.His head was resting on her breasts, revealing her cleaves through her half buttoned velvet pink tank top. The way she reclined her head, and let her long lush hair fall freely, made him even more restless. He thought to stoop, to make his plea more intense, his dark eyes softened as he caught the scent of her perfume, and when she turned to smile calmly at him, he thought he had entered heaven.
"Ava, l lied. He continued, hoping his words would make sense. "But l had a good reason to. I want you Ava. l have been looking for ways to tell you how l feel, you wouldn't just let me. You either resent me ,or keep our relationship formal. Give me a chance to proof we can be a power couple." He finished with a tone that almost stirred his heart to tears.
When she didn't speak, he took Alfred from him and laid him on his reclined sofa. Pulling her up gently, he drew her into his arms ,holding her close. His heart beat with firece protectiveness...And something more. Something he had acknowledged to her over and again. When he spoke, his voice choked with emotion. "I'll care deeply for you Ava. Let me keep you and Alfred safe."
She drew back from him, and sat back on her seat. A mild turbulence shook the aircraft, reminding Frodd too, that that they were still air bound. He returned to his seat, his eyes locked in Ava's.
Ava didn't understand what Frodd wanted.
She knew it wasn't love, but it confused her why it was obsession. In just three days, she had seen how he relentlessly searched for the man who asked him a question that nearly cost his pride. She wanted to know why. Why he was so overly interested in people he knew had what he needed to stay in power.
"You fired your personal assistant. Why?" Ava asked, searching his eyes for answers, his words might not reveal.
Frodd frowned slightly.
"What was she trying to do? Why is she bringing this up?"
"He failed on an assigment."
"Which was?" Ava's eyes still locked boldly at his.
"Why does it bother you?"
"You made a request of me—my responses are hinged on what you have to say.
Frodd wasn't expecting a turn in this conversation. He thought he could control the flow, and eventually make Ava agree to his proposal.
How wrong he was.
Each time this girl proves herself intelligent to his utter shame.
His eyes had given way to what his mouth felt heavy to say—just as she had anticipated.
When he kept quiet, still holding her gaze, Ava saw his confusion and recognized his resistance.
"You met a smart,intelligent and very audacious stranger, whose question filled you with fear bcause he had no answer to it, and you desired to have him on your team at all cost, to boost your plans for the conference in NewYork. A confident right thinking Boss, would come up with a plan, to search this stranger's profile, even if it took two weeks or more. But no, you shoved an impossible assignment to a man who had been so resourceful to you for four years, only because he told a truth, he wasn't afraid to report boldly."
Pensive,he lowered his gaze away from Ava's.
"I gave him time." Alfred retorted. His anger filling in steadily.
"Less than 24hrs? Ava defended. "Why didn't you do it yourself if it were so important to you."
Alfred went cold.
"Why are you saying these things to me."
"Because you are about to loose another employee for your disgusting pride and lust for power."
Frodd's anger returned full force this time, but he quickly realized it was a meaningless threat to use against Ava.
Fear filled him instead.
He stood and came to her, his mind seeking desperately for the argument that would sway her to sanity. It didn't bother him that he was beginning to make other passengers very uncomfortable.
Gently he took her hand in his.
"Listen to me Ava. I understand you are rightly upset with me on a couple of things, that's why you must calm down first and think long on what l just heard you say. Look how far we've come together and the great things we've been able to accomplish together."
"W—Weee?"Ava stuttered, clearly irritated by Frodd's manipulation tactics.
"We were never an item. Every thing you achieved, you did with your team—every single one of them including the one you sacked." Ava pulled her hand away, struggling to keep calm.
"Is everything ok here?" A beautifully dressed air hostess said, assessing Frodd first, then Ava.
"My apologies Ma'am." Frodd said, adjusting himself back on his sofa, he turned to Ava again.
Ava was no longer interested in having this conversation with Frodd. Everyone in the cabin, had become fully aware of them, including Alfred, and because she didn't want to risk any trigger of any sort against his health, she was no longer going to give attention to him. She had shared what had been sealed within her since last night, and now, she was free to unthink herself as Frodd's Private Chef.
Frodd bit his lips repeatedly.
He closed his eyes. Shook his head, wanting to deny everything that just happened, wishing it were all a thought in his head.
I shouldn't have said anything. He murmured inwardly. He realized his error, the moment Ava smiled at his words.
Her smile meant danger, but he misread it to be haven.
He looked at her and realized there was no use for further debate.
Her mind was made.
Whatever he would say at this point would be friutless and possibly hurtful.
He looked at her again, and wondered.
How could she be so bold? How could he let her go?
"I don't want you to go Ava," he said quietly.
Turning fully at him, Ava calmly replied, "Let me go!"