Chapter 42

Ashley

"Daniel" She called.

As soon as the man turned around, I stared at him eyes wide open. "I want to introduce you to someone. Meet my grandson I told you about Daniel. And Daniel meet Ava"

"You!" He said pointing towards me. My surprise didn't stop there.

"You two know each other?" Mrs Grace's words revamped to my ear. "We met at your restaurant" I answered still staring at him. Now that I got a closer look at him, he resembles her a little. Mrs Grace clapped her hands together.

"That's good then. I didn't know you two know each other already. Then I'll let you guys have a talk. My attention is needed there " The happiness on her face was dimmed visible. It was as if introducing me to Daniel is the best thing in the world. A pile of silence fell on us as the woman left us to talk. To kill off the thickness, I decided to speak up first.

"So you're the guy Mrs Grace has been telling me about. Her previous grandson" I could swear I saw the corner it his lips twitched up. But for what.

"Yeah. You can say that. By the way, you're looking different today"

"Yeah. That is because I regard your grandmother as an important person. You don't expect me to attend the party looking all shabby. Will I?" I sarcastically threw back. A chuckle resonate out of his lips.

"I must say you have a good sense of humour"

"That is because she has a good husband" I almost flinch at Neil's voice. He snaked his hands around my waist. If not because of Damiel that was staring at us like a good medal, I would have smack him a little.

"I didn't know you came with your husband. I would've asked you to have a drink with me"

"I-" I began when Neil cut me off.

"That won't be necessary. My wife doesn't drink with strangers and why would she when she has me. So, if you'll excuse us" Both Daniel and I were left staring at Neil who was consciously calm as he talks. Intertwining our hands, he pull me along to god knows where while I allowed him to do so.

"I didn't know I have a protective husband" I joked nudging him lightly on the chest. As we made our way to the bar counter, I spotted my mom. She offered me a smile and I found myself smiling back. After the party, I will apologize to them. I want things to be back to normal again.

Taking the empty seat, Neil settled beside me his hands still secured around my waist.

"You know no one is watching us right" I said my eyes going to his hands ack to his face. His mouth curved up into a smile. "I'm not doing it for them. I'm doing It because I want to" Just that particular statement sent a tug down my heart. Neil might not know but one way or the other, being with him excites me more than I could imagine.

Without knowing the answer to give him, I turned to the bartender. "A glass of cold beer please"

"Same"

Silence resonate within us. Me with my thought and Neil with his. I wonder what's going on in his mind. Within two minutes, our drinks were served. "Don't drink too much" Came his voice.

"I'm only taking one glass"

"One glass can turn to two, three and before you know it..." He didn't complete his statement and took a sip from his glass. A small smile made it way out of my lips as I rested my cheeks on my palms.

"Are you worried Mr Neil?" He squint his eyes for a before another smile form on his lips.

"What will I become if I don't get worried for my wife?"

"Now you're resulting to flirting right?" He shrugged in return. I gulped down the remaining drink, the coldness getting in contact with my tongue.

"I think I will need another glass" I said purposely to hear what he will say and as I expected, he threw me a glare which made me burst into a fit of laughter.

"Chill man. I'm joking" I ushered resting my hand on his shoulder.

"I know you are" And we broke into another fit of laughter.

"Good evening to you ladies and gentlemen" Our laughter died down to the speaker echoing through the hall. There stood Mrs Grace shining elegantly with a killer smile on her face.

"Thank you all so much for coming to this gathering. I'm seeing old and new faces which made my heart swell more with happiness. The reason for this gathering is for the people from the village and our neighbouring village to meet together like we used to do back then. I'm happy to see it happening. Thank you all so much"

With a smile, she passed the microphone to Daniel.  The hall emerges with claps. The woman must be popular seeing how people are all waving at her. The smile was visible on my parents face which shows they're also enjoying themselves.

My eyes travelled back to Neil whose attention was on what Dajile was saying. How in a short time Neil became an important aspect of my life. I didn't know how or when I started falling for him. However, one thing is for sure,  I want to be there for him through his good and bad times. Some might be seeing you all giddy and happy but deep you have your own worries one way or the other. And my fear at that moment is that I won't be able to be there for him like I intended to.

If I want to keep our relationship, then I need to be strong and put an end to everything. "What are you thinking about?" His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Nothing. Just...." I trailed off finding the right word to use. His eyes didn't leave mine. It was as if he knows what is going on in my mind. Yet, I masked it up with a smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the main event is starting now. I would like to invite the couples of the night to entertain us with their dance on this stage" Both Neil and I glanced at each other at the same time. Just when I was about to get back to my drinking, Neil held my arm.

"Would you give me the honour of having a dance with you. Mrs Ava?" He pulled out his hand also offering out a smile.

"Is that really necessary?" I mumbled.

His brows creased in question. "Why won't it be necessary. It's our first official dance. I can't let it pass by your mere resistant" He added with a wink. My mouth was left hang open. Neil doesn't fail in surprising me everytime. The look on his face left me with no choice and besides, I can't resist because I too want to have the dance with him. Our first dance and perhaps also our last dance.

"Yes. Mr Lucas. Lead the way" I answered back placing my hand atop his outstretched ones. Much to my surprise, my parents were also present on stage.

"I hope you guys will realize you can't stay away from each other" A voice whispered beside me which is none other than Kristine. Who else if not her. I glare at her in return and she shrugged it off. Good.

We locked eyes with Neil when a heartwarming cool music was played on the background. The whole hall went silent with only the music playing.

"Are you ready?" Neil ushered leaning closer. With our close proximity, my heart pick up it pace. "Yes" I answered leaning closer too.

He slowly circle his hand at the small of my back sending a familiar shiver down my spine. I'm already used to him touching me. He rested my one hand on his shoulder and intertwined our free ones.

How Neil held me tightly made me feel safe. It makes me feel like he's there for me. He'll protect me and I enjoy each and every moment we spent together. It will forever be engraved in my heart. We danced in slow tune. Synching with the music best. "What's on your mind?" He mumbled out enough to reach my ear.

I let out a small smile. "Nothing. I love this"

He smiled back. "I know right? Me too. It's our first and also last dance" And all of a sudden, our dance came to a halt. We stared into each others eyes longer than we intended to. I could feel his beating heart through my palms that was resting on his chest. As much as mine was. "Neil" I called now using both of my hands to circle them around his waist also resting my head on his chest.

"Do you love me?" I could hear his heart picking up it pace more than before. I want his heart to beat for me. Only for me. The need for him to tell me how he feels grew more stronger.

Pulling me away from his embrace, he stare into my eyes. "So much that I'm afraid to let go of your hand" He whispered reaching for my hand. Truthfullness was all I see in his eyes.

My emotions began to take the best of me. "Then can't you stay? For me?" I'm sure as hell my father won't allow him to keep being my bodyguard not after knowing about who he is.

Before he could give me an answer, the music was changed and I found myself taken by another person. "You! Again" I uttered with a roll of my eyes. He had interrupt our conversation. What a troublesome man.

"Your husband shouldn't be the onlybone to enjoy the privilege of dancing with you" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his remark.  I peeked at Neil dancing with Kristine. She winked at me for the second time. That woman surely is a funny one. Neil flashed me a smile. I think our conversation has to wait.

We danced and danced until my legs became weak and not to talk if the heel torturing my foot.

The party didn't come to an end after the dance as more games and discussions continues. I gulped down the remaining glass of cold water to calm my racing heart before making my way to where my parents were seated. Since our argument, we haven't exchange words much. At least I should start making things right.

"Hi Mom and Dad" I began as soon as I approached them and as cheerful as I can. "Ashley my dear. I can see you were enjoying yourself" Mom ushered.

"Yes. I saw you and Dad dancing beautifully on stage. I must say, you two look lovely together as always" Both of them flashed out a smile.

"We are gas you're safe and also happy at the same time. Everything will be back to normal very soon" I don't know why but I kind of get an assurance in Dad's words.

"Okay Dad. I'll just have a word with Mrs Grace"

"Okay dear. Take your time"

Mrs Grace was sitting alone at the bar counter which gave me to cue to say what I want to. "I must say you are a good dancer Mrs Grace"

The smile on her face grew wider. "Likewise. You an your husband were so far away from the dance floor. You know..." She trailed off with a wink.

"It's all thanks to you. I want to tell you something"

"Really? Then go on"

"Actually there's something important that I haven't told you yet but first I want you to meet my parents"

She gave me a surprised look. "They are here?"

"Yes. Over there" I pointed to their table. "Let me introduce them to you"

"Sure"

As we make our way to their table, some guy approach me. "Hello miss, this is for you" He passed me a white paper. I didn't get the chance to ask him for the sender when he alighted away. Shrugging my shoulder, I unfold the paper.

Meet me at the lake. I'll be waiting.

~Neil

I didn't know when a smile broke out of my lips. He was all flirty before and now he's sending me a plain message. "Um.. Mrs Grace can you go ahead. I will just have a word with Lucas" The woman nodded with a smile. The one I know so well.

I didn't even waste time in making my way out. Kristine is busy conversing with Daniel. I didn't know when they get along like that. The coldness of the evening weather got in contact with my bare shoulder. I should have worn something. Maybe a scarf or muffler. The walk to the lake didn't take me long maybe because I was eager to meet up with Neil.

My legs came to a halt spotting him, his back facing me. My lips curved into a smile. He looked way more handsome from that angle. Trekking in a fast pace, I stopped few inches from him.

"Hey" I commenced. My smile immediately fade when he turned around. I wobble back as a sharp pain shot through my head and just like that I found my eyes fluttering shut.