Prologue
Contradiction apparent in her eyes, absence of interest marked her expression boldly stretching her patience further than the borderline she drew. Ava Lars sat across from her friend who’s been endlessly running her mouth about how enticed she is to roam around the island she managed to book beforehand. The sole conundrum there’s to resolve is the fact that Ava –again and again countless of times already– refused to join her.
“You booked that ticket to the island without my knowing. Now, you expect me to tag along? Am slumped with paperworks.” She may own one of the largest leading fashion companies in the country, still she firmly expresses her opposition in terms of slacking off during office days. “I’m not going.”
“The choice isn’t yours to decide. Everybody’s on a holiday. You’re coming with me whether you like it or not. It’s summer. You’re not slumped with paperworks. You’re simply missing out in life. Heard you turned down the model Sebastian. That man was a catch, what else are you looking for? Don’t tell me you ought to marry your work, Ava? Look, everyone else around you is already having their knots tied, some down to christening them childs, and you’re here acting like one wanker using her work as an excuse for a break. Just, what in the hell is your problem?”
“I understand your point—totally get it. However, what’s there for me to cling to a man, when I can be the man I wish for myself to have? I am completely, utterly, fine without a male in my life. In fact, life is better without ’em at all. Don’t go start ruining my peace now, I beg of you. I love my work and it makes me whole and that’s it, Keira. You don’t get to question my personal stance here.” Words firm, voice pitched high, Ava has set her mind. None of her friend’s reasons will drive her decision the other way around. “Off you go. Waste energy you beseech maketh with Charles, but exclude me with all the vacays and the free time in the world as I am of no interest with regard to the matter.”
Insanity peeking through, Ava was left alone in her office lost in wonder and guilt. “Was I too harsh?” There’s no one to attest nor there’s anyone to assure she’s on the right track.
Mid summer of the modern year, the sun above the sky shines bright as its heat pushes people off the edge craving for the rough tacts of the sands and gentle waves of the sea. It’s where the soul finds solace in a weather that screams burns louder than words. The mere crystal clear sight of the corals glorifying captivations beneath deep blue waters. Simply finding a place that steadies one disturbed heartbeat, eventually speeding by the breathtaking overview of the horizon at a distance—so inviting, extremely enticing.
“Strawberry smoothie for Ava?” The female server behind the counter called out Ava’s name, addressing her order to go.
“Thanks.” Feeling her throat drying from the crowding people of the cafe, Ava took a sip of her smoothie. Cold spiralled down through her pipe, calming down the rising agitation she harvests from the suffocating atmosphere the place begets her. “Should have dropped by earlier. Weekday afternoons sure are bustling.”
Content with the tranquil sensation her smoothie furnished the drowning system she revived just on time, Ava walked her way to where her car was parked. Alike blue moon gracing the world with its presence once in a long time–often expected but not fully predicted– rash wind blows up ever more virulent than it usually is in a brazen season. Sending what was once green and alive pieces of leaves stemming on branches of enormous trees towering around, flying here and there.
The sudden scream of nature’s element sent Ava aback as a piece of paper flew closer, landing before her soles. It’s no flyer nor local print. Bending, she was quick to lift it off the ground. “In earnest, who on earth dared flaunt ’em ticket insouciantly? Big time folks they must be, how foolhardy unwise.” Eyes scanning, tone unbelieving, low scoff set free off her red lips.
“Good miss?” Soft reverberation echoed in her ears, ringing a bell of her attention. Gazes casually leaving what’s on her hand, she’s brought it forth man situating afore her foreground. “I’d wish not to take much of your time, however, I believe you possess holding of mine ticket. May I please have it back? Crazy wind sent it flying off between pages of a book I had it clipped.” His words were polite and carefully spoken. Contagious his smile may, Ava reckon a skip of beating caged within her chest regarding his intense stare. His eyes converse in a way that pangs her visions a galaxy full of dots shining bright taking her sanity captive of a mesmerising sight that flaunts before her. What her cells beckon inside is more than a familiar feeling. It’s something she feared the most. Something she prayed not ever surface again.
“Is anything the matter, lush?” His tone still, yet pitch higher. Strong desire to call out her attention’s evident as the good woman was seemingly lost in wonder—expressions swiftly jumping over stunned to baffle and to spook.
“Apologies, you’re quite dishy–magnetic– I daresay. Perhaps, I’m the one taking much of your time. Pardon me, good sir.” Handing the ticket over a lofty figure affront her, Ava’s quick observant eyes caught a glimpse of the place it’s meant to be flown. “Greece?”
“Indeed. Ever been there? Best place for a getaway.” He produced a light smile as he gladly received his ticket off her hold. “That’s lovely of you.”
