Red Strings: Love Comes Unexpected

1.4. Denouma

Those three words she uttered just shattered me from within. How could one kill for love? Or was it just plain obsession?

"Are you ok, dear?" Asks Dore tearing through my thoughts. "Thank goodness there was someone around at that time or I would not know what to do should something have happened," she utters silently as she comes in for a hug.

Slinging her arm across my shoulder, we both turn to see the commotion dissipating ahead of us. The police escorting Ava to the car, Devon recounting the events from when he stepped into the cafe to another officer in the other spot and another group gathering evidences and prints from inside the cafe to support their case. In my head, replays the scene from when Ava blurts out the matter on killing Lucas.

"It always had to be you. He never once paid attention to me even after our families had a mutual understanding that we would be engaged to each other once we were adults!" Ava screamed at me. "But a tramp like you had to walk into his life and no! Not only did you have to seduce him, you cast some sort of magic and blinded the eyes of his parents to believing that you are some sort of charming, little lady!"

Gasps Dore, whom we were unaware had walked in at that time. Looking at her stance, I knew she had done what Devon or myself could not do - Calling the police! The situation with Ava just escalated and Dore knew that.

Looking at Dore now, I don't know what would have happened if she were not there at that moment. Scratch that! I don't know what I would do without her in my life. Just as she always claims that I am the anchor in her crazy life, well so is she in my life. Just then, I see Devon heading in our direction.

"It is all over for now. At least that is what the officer said. But they may contact any one of us should something arise," he calmly explains.

I nod in understanding and thank him for all he had done. "Is there anything I can do to thank you for I know another cup of coffee just does not suffice all the trouble...."

He sheepishly looks from me to Ava and goes, "Well... I know it is probably not the right time to ask this given all that has happened to you, Andrea." He pauses for a bit and rubs his forehead ever so shyly before continuing to ask, "But will you allow me to take you out for a meal... or two...?"

Dore chuckles silently as she watches me blinking my eyes in bewilderment. Indeed I am shocked as this was not what I was expecting.

"No?" He asks as he probably thinks my silence as a rejection.

"NO! I mean YES!... Yes, I would love that," I reply feeling super flustered as it had been a long time since someone asked me out.

With a glowing smile, Devon excuses himself as he had to get back to work. I dread the thought of work now. Walking slowly back into the café with Dore, we begin to clean up the tables and organise the chairs. A cold wisp sweeps through us making Dore give me a questioning look.

"Lucas..?" She asks.

Glancing about I see him standing near the counter. I nod a yes to Dore whilst keeping my gaze on him.

"Well..?" Asks Dore as she picks my hand in hers and while rubbing it in comfort, she goes, "Go on. Do what you do best and close this chapter well." Smiling encouragingly, she nudges me forward. Indeed, this is something I do well but I always thought it would be easier when it is someone you know.

"I'll be here when you are done. Let me clean this up in the mean time," says Dore as she takes the towel from my hands while gently pushing me towards the counter.

I close my eyes and sigh as she is right. I did wonder why and had sleepless nights questioning where Lucas and I went wrong. Yet, it is too late to regret not go back to where we once were. I walk straight into the kitchen while ushering the wispy Lucas behind me.