CEO's Contract Obsession-Chapter 292: Unannounced Arrival

Despite the early hour on a Saturday, the Bellory Cafe branch at Century Hotel is filled with customers. Ava intended to purchase coffee and pastries to bring to Ash’s father upon their arrival at the Brighton Mansion.

Yawning in the car, Ash waited for Ava while she insisted he take a nap while she placed their takeout order. He had a restless night, unable to sleep well due to his thoughts on how to introduce Ava to his father.

Although he didn’t verbally object to their relationship when it was first mentioned, his father isn’t someone who offers unconditional support to his child, which made him hesitant. The thought of his father behaving rudely in Ava’s presence worried him, as it might compel him to make choices he’s not inclined towards.

Having grown up feeling unloved by his father, there was always a sense of emotional distance between them. He believed that his father’s only interest in him lay in his status as the heir, with no genuine affection involved. Losing his mother at a young age, he found a mother figure in Amy’s mom and spent a significant amount of time at their house.

Due to his father’s constant busyness with work, he never had much time for him. Thankfully, Amy’s mom willingly stepped in and cared for him as if he were her own child. The loss of Amy’s mom was even more devastating than losing his biological mother, as he couldn’t recall his own mother anymore.

Shortly thereafter, Ava arrived, holding three cups of coffee and a bag brimming with pastries. "Did you manage to get some rest?" Ava inquired as she settled into the passenger seat.

"No, um... could you do me a favor?" Ash asked, and Ava nodded in agreement.

"If my dad says or does something offensive, can you promise not to take it to heart or hold it against me?" Ash asked, seeking reassurance from Ava.

Ava, who was arranging the pastries on her lap, turned her head to Ash, furrowing her brow in confusion. She couldn’t help but feel perplexed since Ash had previously mentioned that his father knew about their relationship and did not object. Now, she wondered, what was the reason behind his current statement?

Ash scratched the back of his neck, expressing his concerns. "My father can be a typical wealthy parent who prioritizes money. While he may not have reacted negatively in the past, there’s a chance he might do so in the future. I just want you to be prepared for the possibility that he may not approve of you. But please remember, whatever his opinion may be, it’s his alone, and it will never reflect my own. He cannot force me to do something I don’t want to do."

Ava nodded a small smile on her face, and reassured Ash, "I understand. Don’t worry about me. I’m here to stay, whether you like it or not."

As they drove towards Brighton Mansion, Ava’s gaze wandered outside her window, captivated by the picturesque scenery that unfolded before her eyes. The grandeur of the mansion’s location impressed her, situated on the outskirts of the city, the urban landscape seamlessly merged with the tranquil embrace of the countryside.

Lush green fields stretched out in the distance, painting a vibrant backdrop against the clear blue sky. The gentle sway of tall grasses and the occasional glimpse of grazing livestock added a touch of serenity to the surroundings. The air felt fresher, carrying a hint of nature’s fragrance.

Ava couldn’t help but imagine the stories hidden within those rolling hills and meandering pathways. It was as if the mansion itself drew inspiration from the tranquil countryside, embracing a sense of peace and tranquility amidst its grandeur.

Lost in her musings, Ava’s admiration for the scenic journey was only surpassed by her excitement to meet Ash’s father. The idyllic surroundings seemed to reflect the hope in her heart, reassuring her that despite the challenges ahead, they could find a sense of harmony between their worlds.

As they approached the entrance of the mansion, Ava’s gaze returned to Ash, a tender smile gracing her lips. She knew that regardless of the outcome, they would face it together, their love as strong as the intertwining of city and countryside, creating a beautiful and resilient bond.

But wait... As their car approached the main door of the mansion, a sense of urgency gripped Ava. She realized she had forgotten to inform Ash about something impulsive she had done the previous night, just before going to bed.

"What in the world is happening?" Ash exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise as he noticed a familiar car that had arrived before them.

Ava’s face scrunched up in a mix of worry and self-admonishment as she glanced at the window beside her, silently scolding herself for her oversight. She mustered the courage to explain her actions to Ash, feeling a rush of nervousness about meeting his father.

"I tried my best to remember the layout of your house, but it was too much to grasp in just one sitting," Ava hurriedly explained, her words rushing out. "So, while I was in the bathroom, I called Amy, and well, this is what happened. I’m sorry, please don’t be angry. I was just so nervous about meeting your dad that I forgot to tell you."

Ash blinked in surprise, trying to process Ava’s explanation. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the unexpected turn of events. "You called Amy? In the bathroom?" he asked, a playful grin spreading across his face.

Ava’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, realizing the absurdity of her actions. "Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous," she admitted sheepishly. "But I was desperate for any assistance in familiarizing myself with the layout of your house. And Amy happened to be the only one I could think of at that moment!" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"And I suppose it is both your ideas that she comes here with Henry so we can distract my father while the two of you search the house. Am I correct or did I miss anything?" Ash said.

Ava nodded in response, her eyes reflecting a hint of concern as she bit the inner side of her cheek. She couldn’t help but worry if their plan was a risky move, contemplating the potential consequences of their actions.

Ash burst into laughter, the tension from earlier dissipating into a light-hearted atmosphere. "Well, I have to say, that’s some impressive dedication. And I can’t believe you were able to convince Amy to even help you, knowing how she hated me and my father," he teased, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Ash, Amy doesn’t hate you. Yes, she was angry, but perhaps she’s not as upset anymore," Ava replied with a hint of assurance in her voice.

Ash shrugged in response, bringing the car to a halt just behind Henry’s vehicle. The couple was already engaged in conversation with Ash’s father, who turned around upon hearing the sound of Ash opening the car door.

"Look, Ash, guess who’s here? What a pleasant surprise!" Lucas exclaimed the moment Ash opened his car door.

Ash turned towards Ava’s side, intending to open the door for her, but their butler was already assisting her, hastening her arrival by his side.

Lucas beamed with pride, addressing Henry and Amy directly, "It’s a pleasure to have you here, Mr. Welsh. It’s fortunate that you decided to visit today; you’ll have the opportunity to meet my son’s beautiful girlfriend."

With an eager gesture, Lucas invited Ava and Ash to approach him. "Introduce her, Ash," he urged, eager to make the introductions.

"Dad, she already—"

"W-We actually work in the same building," Ava quickly interjected, cutting off Ash. She noticed that Lucas didn’t recall her from Henry’s party, and she saw this as an opportunity to make a favorable impression. To avoid raising suspicion regarding her plans, she decided it was best not to reveal yet that she worked for Amy.

"I already know them, but they might not know me," Ava added smoothly. "By the way, I’m Ava Lopez. It’s a pleasure to meet you." With a knowing glance toward Amy and Henry, Ava extended her hand in a friendly gesture.

Amy and Henry followed Ava’s lead, going with the flow, while Ash mirrored their actions.

"Ash is so lucky to have found Ava, they look good together, don’t you agree Amy?" Lucas asked Amy, astonishing her.

Amy smiled awkwardly in response to Lucas’s comment. She understood his intentions, but her focus remained on supporting Ava and Ash. She knew that Ava had put in tremendous effort to help them, and she was determined to reciprocate that support in any way she could.

"Absolutely," Amy replied, choosing her words carefully. "We are sorry for barging in, we didn’t know you will have a family gathering. We were on the way to the farm so I suggested to Henry to visit you."

"We can go, and just come back some other time to talk about business," Henry said, his tone emphasizing that they are there to talk about business matters to avoid making Lucas suspicious of their unannounced arrival.