It begins with us.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Yaakov's POV

"Why is this so fucking difficult." I mumble in frustration, throwing yet another outfit onto the light grey carpet of my walk-in-wardrobe. The floor around my feet started to become cluttered with various pants and dress shirts that I deemed not good enough for Ava and mines first date. I had planned the evening with care and precision, wanting to show Ava the side of Israel that I loved so much. Ava wasn't the only one who liked lists and organisation, being the controlling OCD that I was, I had written down every last detail for tonight, making sure it would go the way I planned. I wanted this to be perfect, our first date that we would remember for the rest of our lives, sharing the story with our children one day, like Mama did with us. My heart began to pick-up in beats at the thought, wondering why I had just gone down that road. I never entertained the idea of children too much, having never found the right woman in the past 32 years, I honestly gave up on it all together. Even with Mama's constant nagging, I hadn't felt anything close to what I did with Ava. And I knew I never would. She was it, the perfect shade of white to match my darkness. It wasn't about her beauty that I craved, even though she was a masterpiece to me, it was how she made me feel. How my heart rate would spike while thinking about her, how she was capable of having me bounce from one emotion to the other. All I crave is to put her happiness above my own, doing whatever it takes to just see her smile. Ava makes me feel inspired. She gives me a can-do attitude that I can approach anything, anywhere, anytime, and not as Mr Avraham, but as Yaakov. A wide grin took hold as I began to move hanger after hanger over, my mind taking over as images of her flashed through my mind while ignoring the clothes all together. I couldn't help it, whenever Ava was on my mind, I completely forgot about the world around me.

"Well, this is new."

My eye's snapped over to Rivka standing at the bottom step that leads down to my walk in, her posture relaxed as she leans her shoulder on the door frame, arms crossed over her chest while she gives me a wide smirk.

"Having trouble, dear brother?"

I smirk right back as I shake my head at her teasing tone, my focus returning to the glass cabinets that hold my clothes as I scan the items again. I can see her from the corner of my eye, taking careful steps as she maneuvers around the scattered clothes that lay everything about us on the floor. She begins picking up the various clothes, draping them over her arm as she makes her way towards me with a sigh.

"This is quite a mess you've made" She announces, placing the items over the back of the leather lounge before walking to a rack filled with my casual attire. "For just a simple date" She grins over her shoulder, looking through the items as I drop my arms to my sides with confusion.

"I never said it was just a date Rivka....what are you doing?"

I question while she pulls out a pair of my AX Tasche jeans from one of the draws, dropping them onto the lounge behind her before turning her attention back to the rack. She has completely ignored my question, walking past me to the other side of the room while humming softly to herself. I watch as she stops at one of the many cabinets in my wardrobe, pulling open the glass doors before moving a few shirts aside. I look down at the jeans she had pulled out a moment ago, wondering if she has decided to mess with me a bit before my date tonight. Something that my anxiety isn't going to handle right now, because I was already feeling anxious enough regarding what I would be wearing.

"I can feel you staring. Relax brother and trust the process."

She sings while I just roll my eyes at her behavior, walking towards her as she pulls out a white nylon dress shirt.

"This will do just fine."

She announces, walking past me while I turn to watch her lay the shirt down over the back of the lounge next to the jeans.

"Now the shoes."

Her smile beans little a kid in a candy store as I shove my hands deep inside the pockets of my pants. My eyes taking in the items she has picked while I frowned.

"Rivka, these clothes are too simple for the date I have organised."

It was true. I would be taking Ava to the most glamorous and upscale restaurant in the heart of Tel Aviv, with fine wines and excellent dining that was fit for a Queen. The restaurant in question had a black tie policy, one which had been put in place for the elite of Israel. A pair of jeans and a simple shirt would not cut it, even if they were designer.

"The date you have so carefully organized, is not something you do for a first date."

She sighs, still bent overlooking for a pair of shoes to match the outfit while I contemplate her words.

"Especially for someone like Ava."

She turns with a pair of my black Saint Laurent Court Classics in her hands. She goes ahead and collects all the items off the lounge before shoving them into my chest.

"Ava doesn't want fancy brother, she just wants you"

She smiles up at me, and my body begins to tighten with anxiety from her words. I was sure I was doing the right thing, organizing a night were Ava shines under the thousands of lights that decorated the high ceilings of Tel Aviv's finest restaurant, Azura. Did Ava say something to my baby sister? If so, why couldn't she come to me with her thoughts? I felt a moment of jealousy towards Rivka, having able to get Ava close to her that she would share her wishes.

"How do you know this?"

I ask with a bit more bite than necessary, narrowing my eyes down at my sisters confused orbs staring back at me.

"Um, because Ava isn't like all the other פְּרוּצָה who you have been with? Maybe because Ava loves you for you, and not for the title you can give her?"

She points her long nail into my chest, jabbing me while she narrows her eyes right back. One thing is for sure, Rivka isn't afraid of me. Not even my dark side. Having one herself. But my world stops spinning quite fast, slamming into my sternum while heat begins to crawl up my neck and flush my cheeks a scarlet red. I can see the smug look on Rivka's face, but my vision soon blurs while my mind begins to twirl around. I'm not as stupid to dismiss my feelings as I did so in the past, I know I am in love with Ava, but to hear that it might be possible for her to love me?! My heart was ready for that, but my body reacted the opposite, wondering how this woman could love someone like me? After all I had done. Did the heavens truly bless me with someone I could have a future with? And if so, should I confess my love for her tonight? Would she say it back? What if Rivka was wrong about Ava's feelings towards me and I end up embarrassing myself. Or push Ava away more? Christ, put me in a room with 10 men armed to the teeth with weapons, and I am calm as a cucumber. But navigating through a date with the woman I love, and I am a complete mess.

"Stop, before you give yourself a headache."

Rivka scrunches up her nose before shaking her head. "Your over thinking brother, just relax and enjoy yourself. Everything else will fall into place."

She nods knowingly while patting my arm. "Now go and get dressed, and remember brother, just be yourself and not the King of the underground."

Easy for her to say.

פְּרוּצָה is Hebrew for prostitute, whore, slut, harlot, bitch, moll. (I got the translation from Google, sorry if it's incorrect)