Chapter 3: This is too hard to believe

Staring out of the window was Ava who seemed lost in thoughts. Her face held a placid expression and her lips were pursed causing a slight frown to appear on her forehead.

Shortly, Otto walked over to her table and took a seat in front of her. Taking a sip of the iced americano coffee in front of him, he snapped his fingers right at her face a few times before she jolted right out of her thoughts. 

Darting her gaze from outside the window to her front, Ava was a bit stunned by seeing Otto seated in front of her. Finally righting herself, she cleared her throat in a well-behaved manner and asked, 

“How long have you been here? And how did you find me?” 

Of course, she needed to know how he found her. This morning she had warned him never to come close to her as she was not in a good mood. Hence, she quietly walked away and hid in a restaurant where she had only ordered water.

Otto's lips quirked up. After being mum for a long while he glanced at her and replied, 

“Why were you lost in thoughts? What were you thinking about?” he asked rather than replying to her questions.

“I wasn't lost in thoughts,” Ava itched the back of her head and added in a voice lower than before. “I was only thinking about a few things as usual.” 

The reply from Ava seemed to have cracked up Otto and he couldn't hide his laughter but let it all out. But, the frost gaze from Ava stopped him from going further with his laughing.

He cleared his throat and sat upright, “I didn't mean to laugh but your reply to my question cracked me up. I mean...” 

A sudden beep sound came from Ava's handbag interrupting his ongoing speech. As much as he wanted to continue with his words, Otto kept quiet instead and watched as she searched for something in her bag.

Finally getting a hold of what she had been looking for, Ava quickly brought it out and unlocked it instantly. It was her cellphone. A message was boldly written on the top of her screen.

As her eyes wandered all over the screen, Ava suddenly let out a scream. Although it was obvious to Otto that it was a scream of joy, he was startled at first.

“Is there something wrong?” He asked as soon as she stood up from her seat.

Waving her hands in the air, Ava answered nonchalantly, “I've got no time to chat buddy. I will see you later.” She replied rather and took a sip of his coffee before dashing out of the restaurant.

Watching the young lady till she was eventually out of sight, Otto turned around and drank his entire coffee in one gulp. The taste of strawberry in the aftermath got him smiling as it occurred to him that it was from Ava's lipstick.

“Sweet!” he rubbed his lips softly.

•••

Seated on a chair at the extreme, close to the window side of an ice cream shop was Xerxes Mikealson as he rolled his eyes dramatically at Clarissa who was seated in front of him.

She seemed not to be the least interested in what his conversation was all about as she was busy with crocheting. As though Xerxes understood her plight, he simply decided to keep shut and munch on his lollipop instead.

“Did you meet with her?” Clarissa's voice was heard after a few minutes of being a mum. Although her eyes were all fixated on what she was doing, her whole attention was on Xerxes this time around.

“That is exactly what I have been trying to tell you, Clarissa.” Xerxes munched on his lollipop angrily and the sound of it crushing inside his mouth was heard by a few of the customers behind them.

Being the least bothered about the situation he continued in a more frosty tone, “I was in the middle of searching for her when a crazy lady accused me of being a pervert.” he banged on the desk as his brain wandered back to the scene.

Chuckling lightly, Clarissa asked, “Pervert? How come?” 

Xerxes sighed deeply and rubbed his temple before replying shortly, “I certainly have no idea how. Here is what happened, I helped her get on the bus because she seemed like someone who was in a hurry for her business. But then she ended up calling me a pervert and addressed me as a young somebody.” 

He brought out another pack of lollipops and inserted it inside his mouth before he continued. “I just don't understand how a child would have the guts to address as a young somebody...I mean I'm old enough to be her father or brother.” he hissed angrily at the last word.

Clarissa, who was all focused on her crotchet, dropped all materials on the space provided on the table and began laughing her lungs out.

 She knew Xerxes too well and understood that if there was one thing that pissed him the most, then it would be addressing him as a young man.

“Stop laughing!” he said, anger evident in his voice as he rubbed his temple.

“Ok, I will stop laughing now...” Clarissa uttered in between laughter. Finally righting herself, she raised her hands in surrender and inhaled deeply before speaking, “You must have been so angry, judging from your expression.” 

“Of course, I was angry, too angry that I had to give her a piece of my mind and walk away.” he then muttered, “I can not believe a child would embarrass me in public by calling me a pervert.” 

Having heard the word *child* from his mouth again caused Clarissa to squint her eyes, “Child? What do you mean child? Is she fifteen years old?” she asked.

Shaking his head tiredly, Xerxes replied nonchalantly, “No she is not fifteen years old. She is a bit of a grown woman, probably 20 years of age.” 

“So tell me, Xerxes. How is she a child?” Clarissa picked up her materials and continued from where she left off. “You need to stop this habit of calling people a child, just because you are older than them.” 

“Well...” Xerxes trailed off his words as his eyes came in contact with a familiar figure at the other end.

Letting out a sky smirk, he turned to Clarissa, “That is the child I was talking about.” He averted his gaze from the scene and so did Clarissa.

“Ava Evander?” A middle-aged woman called and took a step towards her. Letting out a sad sigh, she began, “I'm sorry Miss Evander but spaces are all occupied, you will have to look for somewhere else.” 

“But you texted me to come over for the interview. You can't take back your words ma'am.” Ava took hold of the woman's hand. “I need this job ma'am and I promise to work hard.” 

Tears had already welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall on her flawless cheeks as she looked at the woman waiting for a reply. She wasn't going to give up, not now when she needs the job to support her family and herself.

“I'm sorry miss,” the middle-aged woman withdrew from her grip and walked away almost immediately.

“Ava Evander?” Clarissa uttered unbelievably, followed shortly by a scoff. Turning to Xerxes a chuckle left her mouth, “What were you saying again? Someone called you a pervert?” 

 “This is too hard to believe Clarissa. She is Ava Evander? My mate?” Xerxes who still hasn't recovered from the shock of his life uttered almost inaudibly.

But how come he wasn't able to perceive her scent? How come he couldn't feel their bond? Most importantly, how about the mark he gave her? He needed so many answers.