Love at first crash

It was spring again. Cherry blossoms bloom along bustling street, their pink petals adorning side walks. The colour of bright green trees contrasts those of the colourful flowers in parks. People stroll in typical spring clothes, a sleeveless top and a Jean or a pretty flower coloured dress. Sidewalk cafes hum with chatter as people soak up the warm sunshine.

This would have been the perfect spring for Ava. She would have spent the days with her friends taking a walk or just enjoying the warm sun. They could go for ice cream or go to the movies. They were so many things to do during spring.

She wore her Sneakers and pulled her bike out of the sidewalk. Pretty pink petals had fallen on it. She picked them one by one.

"Will I be lucky today or unlucky" she says as she picks the flowers from the black seat of her bike that was starting to ache her butt because they were old and shrunken already.

She picks up the last petal with her dainty fingers as her lips part and whisper the word "lucky".

She didn't think much of it because she never believed in luck, she believed in hard work as grandma always taught her.

She puts the boxes of cake gently at the basket of her bike and mounts it. Pedalling away not too slowly but not too fast either.

The scent of freshly baked vanilla and chocolate cakes filled her nostrils.

"Hard work" she murmured to herself as she tried to steady her pedalling pace.

Everyday at night, after a day filled with deliveries, she wondered what hard work has gotten her or her grandparents. They owned this family bakery for a decade now and they still couldn't afford a fancy vacation.

She would often tell grandma as they whisked the butter and eggs every morning

"If I ever see a way to get rich quickly, I'd take it as long as it isn't illegal"

Grandma would often smile revealing a set of white tooth. "You'll understand why hard-work can be so fulfilling someday"

That's how the conversation went most days, today was no different.

Ava arrived at the office. The big glass doors stood like a giant in front of her face. She parks her bike at the sidewalk and the security men let her in with a smile. They knew her now.

The one on the right probably in his thirties was definitely from texas. He had the looks, the accent and most especially the charisma. Ava would often stop by for a few laughs everyday after making deliveries.

The man on the left was African American. He had dark skin, fuzzy hair and the typical African American accent. He had a more serious face but he was nice. Sometimes grandma would pack a few cupcakes for them. Today was one of those days . She handed them the box with a smile and stepped inside the office

The ambience here was starting to feel familiar. They had been ordering different types of cakes and scones for a month now. Ava always wondered why but decided it was none of her business. As long as they paid, it was good enough.

The walls were painted a deep blue. The ceiling so far away she often wondered how the light bulbs were installed. Workers sit on their cubicle always focused and clicking away at keyboards. They made a clattering sound Ava found irritating. She walked up to the receptionist. A smile was plastered on her white face as usual. Her face though was pinker than normal. Must be all the spring air.

"Good morning"

"Right this way" The receptionist said pointing to the break room. Ava dropped the cupcakes on the large mahogany table. The break room looked good enough to be used for a fancy dinner. Ava wondered what it would be like to work here, to wear a crisp suit and her hair done nicely, clicking away at keyboards and having breaks for cake and coffee. She doubted she could work here. She studied Chemistry in college and still hadn't gotten a job.

She wouldn't lose hope though. She would keep working hard like grandma said. They would soon expand their bakery. She stepped outside and took a moment to feel the warm sun on her skin. This is why she loved spring. Everything about it was perfect.

She was on her way to having the perfect day. She could just feel it. She pulled her bike from the side walk and mounted on it after waving the friendly guards goodbye. She pedalled away slowly, picking up her pace. The streets had become busier. They were always a lot of tourists in New York City during spring.

Ava pedalled away slowly, enjoying the view of the bright green trees and bright flowers. The sound of children laughing as they went to school filled her heart with warmth. It made her remember her own days in middle school. She had little worries then and her parents were still alive. They weren't rich but they never made her feels like she lacked anything. Then one fateful day in winter, everything changed. She remembered coming home from school in a hurry. Leaving her classmates behind. It was one of the few days her parents got off from work. They had promised to build a snowman with her and then watch movies in the evening. It would be a memorable day. It was a memorable day.

Little Ava opened the door to their little home just beside the supermarket in a small neighbourhood. The house was quiet. Her parents weren't home, they probably went to run an errand. She decided to take a quick nap.

It was dark when she opened her eyes. She rubbed her eyes to shake off the sleep. Her parents still weren't back. It was unusual.

"Ava, Ava, Ava"

The sound rang in her ears jolting her to reality. It was too late. She tried to dodge the incoming car that had lost control.

"Ohhh no" she heard a woman scream.

It was the last thing she heard. Everything went black.

Chapter 2

The sterile scent of antiseptic filled her nostrils as she slowly blinked her eyes open. The fluorescent lights above her flickered gently, casting a pale glow across the room. Disoriented, she tried to piece together what had happened, but her memory was a haze of fragmented images.

"Grandma" She said gasping as soon as she became more self conscious of what happened.

Grandma wasn't there. Instead, a man stood looming over her. Ava blinked, once, twice. Ava didn't recognise him from anywhere. He looked....terrified.

"Who are you?" Ava managed to say after a few moments of starring.

The man sat down beside her. His cologne filled her nostrils, she was glad because it took away some of the smell of antiseptic.

"How are you feeling?" The man asked, trying to mask the terror on his face with a smile. Ava wondered why he looked so terrified.

"I have a bit of a headache"

The man was looking into her eyes fondly and she wondered why he did that. His eyes was a cool blue colour and his jawline was chiselled. His hair was sleek and combed to the back in a neat bun. He wore a grey suit. He looked like a business man. He was a business man. Ava tried refreshing her memory. As far as she could remember, there were no business men in her family. Heck, she must have hit her head hard. Of course there were no business men in her family. If they were she wouldn't be making deliveries in a rusty old bike.

"Who are you?" Ava asked again.

She returned his gaze fiercely this time. She wouldn't look away until she got an answer.

The man stood up and walked towards the window, gazing outside. The view wasn't very romantic he thought. Skyscrapers and business buildings. Cars and trucks were making their way through the busy roads. Honking and cursing. Typical New York City day.

"That doesn't really matter" he said turning back to Ava.

This time a sweet but sinister smile was plastered on his face. He came back and loomed over her again.

"You're coming with me" He said with a slight grin.

When Ava woke up again, she was in a different environment.

She woke up in a family sized bed. The bed and pillows were fluffy and soft. The duvet that was placed over her was thick and silky. The smell of lavender coming from the humidifier filled the room. She looked around, the room was dimly lit with candles. She wondered why. Who still uses candles instead of light bulbs.

So many thoughts were racing through her mind. What happened? Where was she? Should she scream for help? And if she did, would they hear her? And if they heard her, would they help her? Or was she abducted? Kidnapped?!!!

The door creaked open, disturbing her chain of thoughts. A man stepped in wearing a silk robe. He smiled as he closed the door. It was the same man she had met at the clinic. His hair was loose now, Flowing to the back and resting on his shoulders. Ava felt an eerie feeling as he sat on the bed beside her. The familiar scent of his cologne filling her nostrils again, this time almost choking her.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?" Ava asked this time screaming.

"I'm the one who ran into you" he said his expression numb. "I brought you back to nurse you back to health."

Ava didn't know what to say. First he ran into her. Then, he kidnapped her.

"I'm fine" Ava said. "You just be glad I'm not filing a complaint, now let me go"

Ava threw the duvet off of her and immediately regretted it. The cold air from the air con immediately hit her naked body and she quickly threw it back on herself as realisation hit her. The man quickly looked away.

Her eyes widened and her cheeks reddened in anger.

"How dare you?"

He stood up quickly.

"It's...not what you think" he said stuttering. Your dress was soiled with blood, so one of the servants helped you change.

He walked over to one of the wardrobes in the closet and brought out a T shirt and sweatpants.

"Here" he said, dropping them on the bed. "Change into these first. I'll be back soon.

Ava's gaze didn't leave him until he had closed the door.

Her cheeks turned red in embarrassment. What had just happened. So much for a lucky day, she thought.

Her mind immediately went to her grandparents. She should have been long back by now. They would be looking for her. She slid the clothes on and stepped outside the hallway. The tiles were cold against her bare feet, but she didn't care. She wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

"Going somewhere sweetheart?"

She stopped in her tracks. A sweat tricked down her spine. It was him again she knew it.

"Home" she said without looking back and continued walking.

A hand grabbed her hand from behind, jolting her to a stop.

" I don't think so" he said, pulling her towards him.

Ava's heartbeat quickened. Her patience was wearing thin. She raised her hand to slap him but he caught it mid air. He carried her back to the room and dropped her on the bed.

"What do you want from me"?!!! Ava screamed, breathing heavily.

"Help"

"Help? Is this how you ask for help?"

"How else should I ask sweetheart?" He said grinning.

Ava took a deep breath. She felt like she might just explode. She calmed herself down. She had to leave this place first, before getting her revenge.

"What exactly do you need help with?"

The man smiled, staring her right in the face, not looking away. He was too close, the smell of his cologne gently teasing her nostrils.

"I need you to fall in love with me"

Chapter Three

"Huh?" Ava said almost in a whisper. She didn't know what to say. What was she

supposed to say? She had never heard such a request in her life. It was stupid, it was dumb, it was crazy. It was all the negative things.

"Did I stutter?" He said. The smug smile still plastered on his face.

Ava backed away slowly, from his gaze and what also seemed like a hug.

"No" she said plainly.

"No?" He repeated. "Never heard of it"

"It means I refuse"

"You can't"

"Then what am I doing?"

"You tell me"

Ava took another deep breath. She was losing it. Everything was happening so fast and didn't make any sense.

"Listen" she said standing up and walking towards a small sized shoe rack she saw in the corner of the room. "I don't know who the hell you are or where you came from". She bent down and picked a pair of grey coloured crocs. "But, I'm done with this madness, I'm leaving"

She slid the crocs in, they were a bit big for her but they were comfortable.

She walked towards the door, her hand on the knob, she hesitated. Why? She didn't know.

"Let's make a deal" his voice echoed behind her.

"Not interested"

"Just listen to me....please?"

Something in his voice changed, it was softer now. Ava felt compelled now. Like she had to help. But it didn't make sense to. She can't just agree to help a random stranger with a crazy task and besides, her grandparents, what would she say to them.

"What's in it for me?" she asked her hand still resting on the door knob. She turned slightly to face him.

He tapped on the bed. "Sit, let's talk"

"So let me get this straight" Ava said after listening to him explain what he wanted from her. "You want me to pretend to be your fiancé for a month?"

"Yes"

"I can't even stand you for a day"

"Am I that handsome?" He smirked. "Don't worry I'll try not to tempt you too much"

Ava scoffed. "Narcissist, all you rich people are the same, hard pass"

She stood up to leave. She must have made up the mind to leave up to a hundred times already, but he always stopped her. This time she wouldn't let him.

"C'mon sweetheart don't be like that"

"I'm not your sweetheart"

"It's just a month" he said. Then he looked at her, his upper lip slowly turning into a grin, "or are you scared of falling in love with me?"

Ava, let out a sigh. "I'm not gonna let him get to me" she said more to herself than to him.

"Find someone else" She said taking a step forward.

He held her hand, pulling her back and making her sit back down.

"You're not business inclined sweetheart"

He stood in front of her. His expression serious. Ava hated the fact that she had to look up before she could meet his gaze. But she wouldn't break her gaze away from his. She could also be intimidating.

"Think about it like this, you get paid, you're getting relationship experience and you get to be with me for a month"

"Yay, that's so exciting" she said sarcastically. "How much am I getting paid?"

"How much do you want?"

"How much are you offering?" Ava asked not looking away from him still. What was she thinking? What if he offers an irresistible amount? Would she agree to this madness? What would her grandparents say?

"One million dollars"

Ava's eyes widened. She had to look away at this point. That was a lot of money and she meant a lot. Was she really going to be a part of this madness. No, how could she?

Thoughts ran through her head. The voices in her head were screaming. 'You could get a new bike, open a new bakery. You would be rich!!! Plus its a quick way to get rich and most importantly, it's not illegal.

When Ava said she wanted a quick way to get rich, she didn't expect this. Ava looked up at him.

He raised a brow "What do you say sweetheart"

"I'm not fit for this. Proposal declined. Find someone else"

"That wouldn't do"

"Why not?"

"Because, sweetheart" he sat beside her. A little too close for Ava. She moved a bit to the right. "You're the 'wife' my mum describes"

"How so?" she said trying her best to sound natural. She was sure she heard wife, but that wasn't what he just proposed. This was getting crazier by the minute. And for some reason, she was still here. Taking in all the craziness.

"She wants a middle class lady"

"What happens after the month elapses?"

"We fake a break up, she thinks I'm heart broken and she stops bothering me about marriage"

Ava found this crazy, extremely so. She must have hit her head hard.

"Or, you could just find a middle class lady and get married. Ta-da!"

"I don't want to get married"

"Why not? You're not exactly young"

"That my sweetheart, is none of your business"

He stood up stretching his long limbs. He stood in front of her again. His eyes searching her face.

"So what do you say?" He said extending his hand. "partners?"

Ava had made up her mind, she was going to do this. It was high time she spiced up her boring life with a little drama, plus she'd be making money, so why not. Besides it was just a month. It would be over before she even knew it. Beach vacation, here I come, she thought to herself. She tried her best not to smile.

"Partners" she said with a smug smile on her face as she also extended her own hands. They shook hands. It was a sealed deal now and she wasn't backing out.

"I've agreed, can I leave now?" she said standing up and heading towards the door. This time, there would be no opposition.

"Not like that you're not" he said facing her. "You're Mr. Andrew's fiancé now"