Chapter 25

Ava's pov

Aiden called me earlier in the morning informing me that he will be late to pick me up.

Last night we decided that he will be picking me up at three in the afternoon but since he had an unexpected meeting, he is not entirely sure when he will be able to make it to my place.

I decided I would take the bus and be there on the time we agreed. Since I haven't been in a skating rank for the past couple of years, I thought it would be a great idea to stake on my own for a while before Aiden would arrive.

Taking my handbag and keys I left my apartment. Once the door was locked, I walked down the hallway of my apartment block.

'Hello, Mary' I greet the old woman who lived across from me. It has been a while since I had last seen her.

I was starting to get worried but had too much work going on to dwell on the sudden disappearance.

'Hello Ava, how have you been my dear' she greeted as we came closer towards each other. I noticed she had a plastic bag with her that was filled with things I am assuming she bought from the shop.

'Let me help you with that'

'Thank you, you are ever so kind' she praised as she gave me the bag.

I turned around and we slowly walked towards the direction I came from.

'I haven't seen you much lately. I hope everything is well?' I asked with concern in my voice.

'Everything is perfectly alright dear. I have been spending more time with my son and my grandchildren' she reassured while looking up at me.

'That is wonderful. How are they?'

'They are doing well; Joanna is about to give birth to their third child. They need extra assistance with the children'

Joanna was the mother of Mary's grandchildren. She was a lovely woman who cared deeply for her family.

When she is in town visiting Mary, she would always find time to come see me. I must remember I buy a gift for her to congratulate her on her new addition to the family once the baby arrives.

'That's wonderful news, please extend my greeting to her'

'I will, I don't want to keep you. I know you have places to go'

'It was a pleasure seeing you, dear. We must organize dinner at some time when things aren't as hectic' she suggested

'That would be wonderful. see you later. Send my greets to the family' I said as I left her door.

Once I got out of the apartment building the cold air greeted me. The weather wasn't as hot as the previous days. It was warm, no sun in sight because it was covered by clouds. It would have been the prefect for driving lessons with Damien.

Damien and I were unable to have the driving lesson today. He too had an unexpected meeting, but his meeting was oversees.

As surprising as this may sound, I was looking forward to having the lesson. Overcoming my fear of turning last week had changed my view of driving tremendously. I do not look at it as an obstacle that is impossible to overcome as much as I did previously.

I no longer see it as daunting as I once thought it was. There is still an element of fear, but it has been overcome significantly.

After walking for a short period. I had finally reached the bus stop. According to the digital timetable the bus will me here in two minutes.

Since it was Sunday there wasn't much traffic nor people. The place was quite with just a few people wondering around.

The bus arrived shortly after, I got on greeting the driver in the process. I used my bus card which I had topped-up earlier to pay for my ride.

The bus was empty. It was only the bus driver and myself. I looked out the window staring at nothing in particular just watching as natural did its own thing.

The bus stops suddenly. I hear the door opening and the sounds of footsteps.

I turned my head towards the direction of the person who had just entered the bus. Their face was covered but I could tell it was a man and by his clothes he looked disheveled and unclean.

He wore a cap, with his head down. He had his hands in his pockets as he walked to find a seat.

He made his way down the bus and sat two seats away from me. I turned my head back to the window not wanting to stare for too long or get caught doing so.

As I looked out the window, I couldn't help but feel his gaze on me. I hadn't turned around to confirm this, but I had the feeling that he was burning holes into my back.

Needing a distraction, I pulled my phone out and downloaded candy crush. I wasn't on social media. It just wasn't what I find entertaining.

What is the joy in taking pictures for people to like and praise you? It feels like a facade. Half the people you follow aren't even people you know in real life.

Once the game was downloaded, I started playing it. I forgot how addictive this game was and how much time passes when playing it.

The bus had finally reached my destination. I got up from my chair quickly, putting my phone in my pocket in the process.

I walked out of the bus, saying my farewell to the bus driver before I got off.

I turned around once more only to see, the faceless man following right behind me. I continued to walk not thinking much about it, since it was a common place for people to stop.

I took out my phone once more to look at the time. It was thirteen minutes past three. Mr. Morgan hadn't updated me of his whereabouts since the last update.

I didn't know exactly where the skating rink was.

'You look lost, may I be of help' The disheveled man from earlier asked coming closer to me.

I thought he was gone. As he got closer, I still could not see his face because of the face cap.

'Mmm, I'll be alright. I will use google maps' I waved my phone in front of him hoping he would get the hint.

Not wanting to stay in his presence any longer I walked away. I googled skating rinks in the city, and a few came up.

I decided to click on the first one. It looked simple. It had a huge skating rink, it also sold junk food, but the only problem was it was far from where I currently was, and it would take an hour for me to walk to it.

I decided to check other rinks. I was able to find one which was only five minutes away. I didn't bother looking to see what it had. I just got directions for the place and started walking.

I didn't bother looking back to check if the man was still standing there.

I followed the direction of the map. As it said in five minutes I was there.

It was an open space rink with a few stalls around it. There were a few people there. Some were leaving while; others were with the children teaching them how to skate.

I made my way over to the stand where I'm presuming the skates were sold.

'Hello, how much will two stakes be?' I asked as I came in front of the woman who was in the stall.

She was a petite girl who looked to be in her twenties and by her expression I'm guessing she hated her job.

She examined me while chewing her gum slowly and replied 'that would be ten euros'

'I'm waiting for someone, so I'll take one and once they are here, they can take the other'

'Sure'

I gave her a ten euro note.

'What's your size?' she asked looking through the rental skates that were hanging on the wall.

I took my phone out to text Aiden to update him on what staking rink I was in.

She gave me the stakes once I told her my shoe size.

I walked over to one of the benches that was in front of the rinks. I placed the skates down while I sat down on the bench. I bended down to untie my shoelace. I removed both my shoes and placed them on the ground beside the skates.

I reached for one pair of stakes and placed my feet into them. Once one foot was placed tightly in the skates, I placed my other foot in the second pair.

I got up and went over to the stall once again. There was someone in front of me, so I waited patiently for them to be attended to.

I looked at my surroundings in the meantime.

To my left I noticed a person who quickly turned their back towards me as they noticed I had turn towards their direction.

'Susan, Is that you?' Susan turned around confirming my suspicion.

I walked to her direction which took longer than it should. It was difficult for me to walk with these skates on.

'Ava, I didn't know you were going to be here'

'Are you alone?' She asked once I was close to her.

'I am waiting for Aiden; I mean Mr. Morgan to arrive. He had an unexpected meeting he had to attend' I replied trying to hold my balance.

'Be careful, you don't want to fall' she reached her hand out to hold me in place.

As she held my arm I asked, 'what are you doing here?'

'I'm also waiting for someone' she replied quickly.

'Your new man?' I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively at her.

'No.... yes. He's also running late'

She exclaimed looking around.

'I hope you're balanced now' she stated 'I should go get my skates too'

'Alright, see you tomorrow. Enjoy yourself' I replied as she walked pasted me.

'You too' was her answer.

I pulled out my phone and saw that Mr. Morgan had texted me back. It read ' I'm on my way there, I should be there in twenty minutes'

Since it was sent five minutes ago, it should take him about fifteen minutes to get here.

Remembering I still had to give the woman at the stall my shoes, I turned around and made my way slowly to the stall.

'Can I drop my shoes here?' I asked once I had reached the stall.

She took my shoes that I had placed in front of her and without a word she placed them on the floor.

Not wanting to waste any more time I made my way to the rink.

I opened the small door that lead to the ice rink. I placed one foot on the ice and slowly placed the other foot.

I wobbled a little bit, but I was able to stop myself from falling. I pushed myself watching as my skates glided the ice.

It immediately brought me back to the good old days. In this moment it was almost as if I was back. No responsibilities or worries.

I continued to glide my way through the ice luckily there wasn't much people on the rink, so I wasn't restricted much.

'Ava' I heard my name being called from behind me. I turned around to see Aiden standing outside the rink.

I waved at him as he waved back. I smiled while skating to where he was.

When I got there, I rested my hand on the board that separated us to hold my balance.

'I'm glad you can make it' I exclaimed as I smiled up at him.

'I couldn't miss you teaching me how to skate'

He smiled back looking down at my feet.

'That reminds me I need to get a pair of those' he said while pointing at my skates.

'I will come with you'

I quickly made my way out of the staking rink.

'Don't fall' Aiden warned as he reached out to hold me. He grabbed me by my waist in his effort to prevent me from falling.

'Thank you'

I pulled out of his hold once I felt I was stabled. We walked towards the stall where I had previously gotten my skates.

'One pair of skates please' I requested once we reached the stall.

'Aiden, oh my goodness. You are more handsome in person. Those pictures do you no justice' the woman at the stall gashed once she noticed him.

I was surprised by her action since she was so hostile towards me earlier.

'Can I please get your autograph?' she asked

'I'm actually here with someone' he turned to look at me ' I don't want to keep her waiting any longer than I already have' he turned his attention back to the woman at the stall.

'Just one, it will make my day' she begged resembling a child who wanted her parent to buy her sweets.

'Alright'

'Yes' She turned around frantically, she bent down to pick up her bag. She unzipped her bag and retrieved a pen and a piece of paper.

She dropped her bag and handed Aiden the pen and paper.

He took it from her and leaned his arm on the counter of the stall, while he was signing his name, she was moving her arms frantically excited about her accomplishment.

Aiden moves away from the stall slightly leaving the pen and paper on the counter.

She jumped gleefully while picking up the paper staring at it and holding it to her chest.

'Best day ever' she exclaimed as she jumped up and down with her eyes closed.

'Can I make my order now?' Aiden asked

She calmed down a bit 'What size are you?'

'Twelve and a half'

As she turned around to pick the skates Aiden reaches into the front pocket of his trousers and pulls out a twenty euro note.

'I have already paid' I told him as the woman placed the skates on the table.

'That was not necessary Ava. I need to repay you' he exclaimed while taking the skates from the woman, who still looked like she was on cloud nine.

We made our way to the bench I previously sat on. We both sat down.

While he was removing his shoes, I said ' it's no big deal, it's my thank you for last night'

'Last night was my sorry for Miranda's behavior. That definitely does not need repaying'

'Let's just draw the line here. You don't need to pay me back' I stated

'We are having coffee after this and I'm paying regardless'

He had finally put his skates on. I got up and tried to help him up. He wobbled a slight bit, but he was able to gain his balance.

I held his arm as we walked towards the skating rink.

'Take your time, there is no need to rush' I reassured as we slowly walked.

Once we were close to the rink, I opened the small door which did not go passed my knees.

I got into the skating rink first before I guided him into the rink.

'Steady, straighten your legs'

He had finally gotten into the rink, but he was not stabled at all.

'I am going to fall' he kept repeating.

'Hold on to me. You will be fine'

I took one of his hands as we attempted to skate side by side.

'You're doing well' I reassured in the attempt to give him a boost of confident.

We continued to skate holding hands. Feeling that he had his balance and is more confident on ice I said ' let go of my hand'

'Are you sure that's a good idea?' he asked sounding spectacle.

'Have faith in yourself'

He slowly let you of my hand ' follow my lead'

I skated in front of him expecting him to follow my actions.

I slowed down so he won't have to catch up too much. I turned around only for him to come colliding into me.

Before I could react, we were on the floor.

Not know what else to do I began laughing embarrassed by what just happened.

'At least my first fall was not alone' he laughed

'Was that planned?' I stated more than I asked.

'Maybe' he replied teasing me.

'Aiden come on, there was no need to drag me down with you' I exclaimed looking at him with a fake pissed off look.

'I couldn't fall alone and embarrass myself. It's less embarrassing when two people lose their balance' he exclaimed matter-of-factly.

'That is so unfair'

I got up from the ground. Aiden held his hand up for me to lift him off the ground.

'No' I screamed before skating off. I turned around to see him struggling to get himself off the ground.

Laughing I skated back towards his direction and held my hand out for him to grab onto.

'Now you want to help' he said in disbelieve before grabbing on to the hand I held out for him.

'I had to get you back after that stunt you pulled. I couldn't allow you to get off that easy' I laughed pulling him up.

'I am in need of coffee' Aiden stressed out as we slowly made it out of the skating rink.

'that makes two of us. It is not easy pulling your heavy self-up you know' I joked

'This is all muscle' he expressed referring to himself.

All I could do was laugh. I enjoy seeing this side of him.

--------------

Hello readers, I hope you are doing well? This is chapter 25 of Mr. CEO & I. I really hope you enjoy it. What do you guys think about the chemistry between Ava and Adien? Are you here for it or not? and also does anyone actually like Susan? Whold you see her as your top five Character in this book? Let me know and I encourage people that read but don't usually comment to answer this question. Thank you all for the support see you in the next one.