Contract Marriage

Chapter 10: Pre-Engagement I

We made it inside the restaurant after the mandatory photo session. Both of us being from the same circle and appreciating the media's influence on our empires made things easier. There is somewhat of a common understanding...no matter what your problem with me don't jeopardise the family empire.

We're shown to our table which is secluded but we still have to pass by a lot of people we know and just smile and nod.

Bradley maneuvers me to our table with his hands still circling my waist. We arrive at a table with a gorgeous city view. There is a candlelit tackle set out and he takes out my chair like a perfect gentleman.

The house wine arrives compliments of the owner and Bradley nods at someone behind me. The appetizers arrive showing me that he frequents this place quite often. It's all delicious so I'm eating contently, no point in starting a conversation with Mr Minimal Conversationist.

"You like your food?" he says fascinated.

"It's delicious and I'm a surgeon, Yes Med school hours and my schedule didn't allow me to always eat properly or on time."

"Didn't you live with Emile? She has her personal chef just like I did".

"I lived with Emile while I studied law, I lived on my own when I studied medicine."
"Right, I didn't realise you went back." He says seeming like the last piece of his jigsaw puzzle was just found.

"There's a lot you don't know about me Mr Constine."

"Well I'm trying, aren't I?" he mutters.

I'm shocked as I look up into his intense Hazel eyes. They seem to be gauging me, assessing me for my response. Well I'm never one to back out of anything. If you think you can intimidate me you have another thing coming Mr Bradley Constine.

"Why are you trying Bradley? Because you just do as Gramps says? " my voice is icy and I'm staring daggers at him by now.

He seems to be a bit taken aback by my little outburst but quickly recovers. "There can be other reasons too Ava, it's not all about what Gramps says. "

"Really Bradley, because last time I checked you hated me, couldn't stand the site of me and judged me for my decisions. You wouldn't even acknowledge my shadow forget who I was as a person. "

I'm shaking with anger by now... I'm actually furious. Noone has ever affected me in this way like this infuriating, I'm above everyone else, inconsiderate, egotistical, hunk of a man!!!! Whoa.... Hunk... He is not a hunk! The hulk maybe but not a hunk!!! Ever!!!

"I didn't realise you noticed, that it mattered to you so much." he says rather quietly.
I'm a bit taken aback by his reaction. He's not even looking at me.

You know what though he's made my life so difficult for the past 10 years, shunning me since his 18th birthday and my 16th which was two days later. He was so disgusted by what happened to me that he shunned and ignored me. I wasn't a quitter but his behavior really hurt me. I isolated myself from everyone, even when they repeatedly comforted me and said the events and what I went through didn't matter to them... I was still the same Ava. When nothing else worked Gramps and Nonno finally agreed to my conditions and took me away.

Ten years...10 years of my life away from everyone I love and hold dear. Everyone had to take sides they would spend certain holidays with me then join him and his friends. It was the saddest time of my life.

Now he prances back when it suits him and wants to woo me! If it weren't for Gramps and the rest of his family I would have turned him down before he could finish his sentence.

I'm a very compassionate person but I never said I was forgiving. I was going to hurt him. Make him feel like what it's like to be crushed by your circumstances.
He will feel the loss I've been living with all these years.

I'm in my own world of thoughts when I look up at him clearing his throat and before I realise he has placed his hand on mine. I look up at him surprised by his actions and the sincerity in his gaze.

"I'm sorry Ava, truly for all the pain, discomfort and despair I've caused you for all these years. I really and truly didn't realise how it would have impacted your life and outlook. You never said anything. You just left."

"What could I have said Bradley? I needed my friends but you decided you weren't available for friendship and I didn't want to cause Conrad any further pain or guilt.... So I left... You seemed fine I mean.... "

"Brad...Bradley Constine!!!!!!" There's a shriek coming from a beautiful blonde.

Elisa Bloom, of course I should have guessed.

She eyes our hands together and raises an eyebrow in question. I pull away, I'd rather not create more complications in our already strained dinner.
As I'm thinking this I hear a very familiar friendly voice which puts me at ease straight away. "Is that you Ava? "

Dante Bloom, Elisa's older brother and one of my closest confidants.

I immediately get up and he engulfs me in a bear hug. He can sense something is off and whispers "is everything alright Princess?"
I look up at him and nod with a smile plastered on, I know my voice will give me away and he knows me too well. He's going to join the dots in no time himself. As we're still locked in our non-verbal exchange there is a clearing of a throat and we both turn to see a Bradley Constine staring daggers at us.

Dante let's go of me and nods to Bradley. "Bradley" he says not giving anything away.

"Dante, I didn't realise you were so well acquainted with Dr Luciano."

"Ohhhh they have been inseparable since high school senior year! "Elisa quips.

Something registers in Bradley's eyes. He looks directly at me and says in almost a growl "Looks like I wasn't the only one that was Fine".

What the hell is happening... I barely register the waiter bringing a chair for Elisa. All until Dante asks me "Would you like me to take you home cupcake?"

"Cupcake... Isn't going home with anyone... I'll be taking my date home if she's done here".

"Date!!!!" They both exclaim the shock apparent in their faces.