A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE FORTY

THEME: A day with Hope and Ava

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

GOLDEN RESTAURANT

Raven wondered who the people were to have even known her name and asked to see her. On getting closer to the table twenty four, she saw the reason why her name had been stated specifically.

“Good morning, Mrs Crawford! Hi Ava.” Raven greeted both of them with a tight lipped smile.

This was the point Raven realized why most people would say; they wished the ground would open and swallow them. She was in such a tight situation right now and disappearing into the thin air sounds really laudable at the moment.

Raven’s mind raced at the sight of Christopher’s mom and his younger sister sitting with so much composure at the restaurant she worked at and also calling her out.

Her heartbeat accelerated about a four hundred meters and taking two beats at a time as she also tried to think of the reason they had showed up at her workplace.

“Hello dear!” Mrs Hope Crawford responded, smiling sweetly at her and her arms opened wide for a hug. Not wanting to seem rude, Raven leaned down and embraced her. She inhaled the smell of lavender that came from her mother in law. Ava got out of the chair and waited for her turn to get a hug too.

“Hey there sis. It is so good to see you again.” Ava embraced her too.

The young woman was just too carefree and it was certain that she was really obsessed with getting close to Raven but she didn’t notice how stiff Raven was in the embrace.

After exchanging all of the pleasantries, Raven was told to take a seat. And still with a rigid posture, Raven sat down wishing she could be anywhere else but not with the Crawford at the moment.

Raven composed herself with a feigned bright smile on her face. “What brings you here this morning?”

“We want to spend the whole day with you.” Ava replied after sipping from her glass of smoothie.

“I don’t have any intention to sound rude but I am at work and it is really hectic in the kitchen which also means that I am needed really bad in there.” Raven quipped.

Hope waved her off and chuckled. “Oh dear don’t worry about the work in the kitchen. I am sure they can do without you today. I already spoke to the manager to let you off and he is fine with it.”

Almost choking on her spit as she sat up. “You spoke to Allen to-”

“Yes, that’s his name. He agreed that you could leave and it shouldn’t be a problem… right?” Ava said.

“You look pale, Raven. Come on, we don’t bite or feed on humans. We just want to get to know you better and since the wedding is happening so soon then it is a good idea plus we might not get such chance before it. And again, my husband and I is heading out of town for a week vacation by tomorrow. So you and Ava can get to spend more time as friends.” Hope explained calmly in one piece without faltering. She oozed so much class and wealth and Raven wondered if she was birthed with it.

Raven smiled sheepishly. “That’s so nice.” She said.

Ava clapped into excitement. “I knew you would say yes! I really want to get to know you better. Don’t worry, we are going to have lot of fun today! We are shopping all of the city.” She beamed with a smile.

“Come on, stop exaggerating. You are scaring her already.” Hope cautioned her daughter when she noticed the uncomfortable look on Raven’s face. “Please go and get your things and meet us outside. And please don’t think we are trying to inconvenient you. We are just excited because it has been long since we had someone join our family.” She said.

Raven nodded in understanding. “I will be back.” She muttered.

“Alright. We will wait outside.” Hope replied.

Raven stood up and headed towards the kitchen in a hurry. “Tell me they are not about to steal you away to prepare a buffet.” Tiana held her hands together like she was about to pray in front of her.

Raven shot her a weird look. “Can you at least let me breathe first?”

Tiana rolled her eyes as if she expected such response from her friend. “Weren’t you just breathing fine now? Anyways, tell me what happened out there?” She threw out her hands.

“It is Christopher’s mom and sister!” Raven blurted out.

“Holy shit! Did they tell Allen who they were or your relationship with them?!” Tiana asked.

“Judging by how they sound I doubt it. You know how Allen can be in matters that concerns the customers. He just wants to satisfy their needs not bothering if they are serial killers.”

“Nah he might be annoying but he is not that stupid. They must have come up with something but I hope they didn’t tell him you are getting married to the only heir of Crawford Corporation.” Tiana whispered.

Raven panicked at her words. “I really hope they didn’t tell him. I will have to ask them.”

“But why are they here?” Tiana questioned.

“To take me out for the day.” Raven answered.

Tiana gasped. “Stop playing!”

“I am not even close to doing that! They intend to take me shopping and also get to know me better.”

Tiana faked a cry. “Oh my God! I really want to be like you.”

“Shut up, Tiana. Everyone is watching us.” Raven mumbled as she pulled off her apron and walked off to get her bag.

Tiana followed her closely behind. “This is a good life.” She muttered.

“I am heading out. See you tomorrow.” Raven waved.

“Ensure to shop for two!” Tiana winked and gave her a thumbs up.

Raven didn’t say anything else as she made her way out of the kitchen. It didn’t take long for Raven to get to the garage and she fought the urge to scream out loud. Hope and Ava stood next to a limousine. It must definitely be the latest model. She thought.

“Come on in, Raven.” Ava called out to her.

Raven tried her best to not look too shocked when she got into the car. She has never seen a limousine or been in any luxury car, not even on her prom night but meeting Christopher Crawford gave her this chance. For the past one week, she had been inside four best and different luxurious cars in the world! It was beyond her imagination.

“So, we are headed to dine at another restaurant first. I am sorry, we decided not to eat at your restaurant considering that you might not feel comfortable with it. To avoid any questions, I had told the manager who we are and that we are friends but I just needed your help to taste some recipe I was trying out since you cook so well.” Hope laughed. “Awesome right? Ava gave me that idea.”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

It only took her sixth sense to control her, if not Raven wanted to hug Ava so tightly for having such a thoughtful brain. The last thing she wanted was anyone in the restaurant knowing about her true relationship with the Crawfords except Tiana.

“I hope you don’t mind some Italians pasta?” Ava asked, punching into her phone.

“Not at all.” Raven muttered as her mouth watered at the thought of the Italian pasta. She had always wanted to have a proper taste of Italian pasta even though she prepared it on occasional basis at the restaurant. And now was was her chance to dine out. She smiled at herself.

“That settles it.” Hope said.

“Nelson!” Ava called out to the driver.

“Yes ma’am.”

“I already sent the restaurant location to your GPS. Please take us there. I am starving!”

“It is past eleven and we haven’t had breakfast.” Hope added.

They arrived at the restaurant in no time. The smell of sweet spice hit Raven’s nose and she wished she could also explore their kitchen.

“One day.” Raven mused to herself. One day she would own a restaurant of her own.

Judging by the interiors of the Italian restaurant, she could tell that it was super expensive so probably her place might not be this fancy, however the food would be the most fancy of all.

A pretty looking mistress ushered them to a table, took their orders and told them she would be back soon. And while they waited, they got served with a nice brewed coffee that tasted heavenly.

“This is very nice.” Raven commended.

“This place is one of the best coffee maker in town. I most times come here for the coffee.” Hope whispered which made them laugh. “So tell me Raven, I know this might sound intrusive but I find you really sweet and I also want to get to know you and be friend with you. What happened to your baby’s father?”

Raven shifted uncomfortably. Jacob’s topic was really sensitive to her.

“I am so sorry… I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. We can change the topic if you don’t want to discuss it.” Hope apologized sincerely after seeing her sad countenance.

“Oh don’t worry, he is an asshole!” Raven spat in distaste.

“There is nothing to talk about in terms of him. He rejected his son the moment he was conceived. So basically, he has no child with me. He is my son.”

“That’s the spirit girl! No man has the right to trample over you. We women are stronger and can handle our business. And I am sure you have been doing a great job at raising your son.” Hope said.

“Yes.” Raven nodded.

“I respect you more, Raven. You know what you want.” Ava praised her.

“Thank you, Ava.” Raven muttered shyly.

Just then their orders arrived. They decided to suspend all discussion and savor the taste of the food in a peaceful silence.