Beyond the darkness

Chapter 12

Ava's POV

When we alighted Sofia paid the driver while I held our shopping bags. After the driver left we walked to the bakery and I unlocked the door. As soon as we stepped foot inside, a car stopped in front of the bakery.

"Ooo looks like Prince Charming missed you" I couldn't help the smile that painted my face. Tony stepped out and stared at me intensely. His passenger door also opened and a man stepped out. Sofia gasped beside me which made me turn to her

"Do you know him?" She nodded her head vigorously with a wide smile on her face

"He's...he's...you know what...I never got his name. I met him at the party."

"Ah so he's 'your' prince charming right?" I asked with a sly smile and she laughed nervously

"What do you mean? I just found him dangerously handsome that's all" I shook my head smiling and placed the shopping bags down, going out to meet Tony.

"Good evening" I greeted when I reached them.

"Ah...so this is the mysterious girlfriend huh?" When he said that I blushed and looked down....we arent dating yet!

Tony smacked his head and he winced apologising to me. I smiled and shook my head indicating that it was nothing

"What brings the both of you here?" Tony came forward and held my hand

"I came here to eat, he came here to see your friend" I glanced at Sofia who was looking elsewhere probably to hide her blush. I smiled internally...welcome to my world girlfriend.

"Well then....both of you come in. We just came back from shopping so I 'm now about to cook. I hope you can wait for a while" they nodded and I gestured them inside. After making sure they were comfortable, I tied my hair into a bun and wore my apron.

"I'll help" I nodded whilst Sofia put on the apron and held my arm pulling me into the kitchen. When we entered she took a deep breath and squealed. I laughed and took out the ingredients to make pasta, tiramisu and a salad.

"Are you here to help me or you're just here because your heart couldn't take anymore" she smiled sheepishly and rolled up her sleeves

"Both" we laughed then started cooking.

<<< Dinner time >>>

After setting the table and getting the drinks ready I went to call them

"Tony, food is ready" he nodded and stood up with his friend in tow. He walked over to me and pulled the chair for me to sit down. I smiled showing my appreciation and sat down.

Sofia entered with glasses and Tony's friend also helped Sofia to sit down then seated himself beside her....interesting.

Tony took my glass and poured me wine setting it in front of me. I could see the other two smirking out of the corner of my eye but I ignored them.

Tony's friend cleared his throat "I haven't introduced myself yet, my name is Dominic. I work with Tony in the same company as the president." He extended his hand to shake me but before I could take it Tony slapped his hand away and held my hand. I turned to find him eating non chalantly which made me snicker.

"Hey Tony what's the big idea! I just wanted to shake her hand." He looked up from his food and drank wine

"Not with those sticky fingers." Sofia was laughing and I shook my head smiling. We continued a little small talk at the table till all the food was finished. I gathered up the plates and glasses on the table.

"I'm going to put them in the dishwasher, I'll be back." Tony nodded wiping his mouth and I entered the kitchen. I threw away the scraps and placed all of them in the dishwasher. I opened the tap to wash my hands when someone held my waist from behind.

"You want croissants?"

"No" he held my hands and rinsed it under the tap then he dried them off with the napkin. He rested his head on my shoulder and spoke into my ear.

"I've missed you" his warm voice reverberated through my body. I placed my hand on his hand around my waist.

"Me too" he turned me around and hugged me. I could feel tension in his body like something had happened. "Did something happen? Are you okay?" He pulled back and stared into my eyes

"I'm fine. I just....can't find someone that's all" he seems like he doesn't want to talk about it so I won't pry. I hugged him hoping it will make him feel better.

He pulled back after a while and caressed my cheek, warmth showing in his gaze. He leaned in about to connect our lips when the kitchen door opened abruptly.

"Ava I'm back!" Gabriel....what horrible timing and with the chills radiating off of Tony, I could tell he agreed. Gabriel saw Tony standing beside me and holding my hand then went wide eyed.

He looked like he was about to ask a question but I interrupted him "Where's my souvenir?" He extended his hand and I saw a box of dark chocolates. Actually there were like 5 boxes. I smiled and pointed to the table and he set them down.

"Okay now...you can leave"

"Huh but I just got here"

"Yeah we'll catch up later. You need to rest after a long business trip." I emphasized on the long then he sighed

"Fine fine I'll go and rest. Sorry for interrupting your make out session" he walked out leaving me a dumbfounded, blushing mess. That fool.

"That's my childhood friend. He's a...." He sealed my lips with his catching me by surprise. He pulled me closer and the warmth from his body made me melt. This....this is what a kiss feels like....I never want to stop. I pulled lightly on his shirt and he deepened the kiss resting my back against the counter. After a few seconds he broke the kiss and stared into my eyes. My knees almost gave way and he held my waist to support me.

"Are you okay?" He asked lowly, his voice a little breathless from the kiss we just shared. I didn't trust my voice so I nodded dazedly holding onto his shirt tightly. He smiled a little and hugged me. We stayed like that till someone cleared their throat.

"I don't mean to interrupt you...but I'm leaving Ava" I couldn't bear to look at her face because of the position so I nodded. She laughed

"Bye Ava, Bye Prince Charming" I smiled in his chest and he pulled back.

"It's getting late, I also have to go" unfortunately...

"Okay and....whenever you're ready to talk, I'm here to listen." He nodded and planted a long kiss on my forehead.

When we entered from the kitchen, Dominic was also gone. He took his phone and I escorted him outside. He opened the door and we saw Dominic and Sofia exchanging numbers....very interesting.

Tony turned to me caressing my cheek "I'll see you tomorrow, in the evening" I smiled and nodded.

He entered the car and Dominic entered the passenger seat. Tony smiled at me then started the car and drove away.

I turned to find Sofia walking away but I stopped her "Hold it right There Missy, we have a lot to talk about. Lets have a very nice sleepover" she laughed nervously and I smiled pulling her into the bakery and locking the door.