Chapter 06 — The Promise

AVA 

“I am floating on cloud nine, yeah, yeah, I’m floating on cloud nine—” I sang along with the blasting stereos emoting from my phone. 

Sophie sang along, passing the ingredients required to successfully bake delicious chocolate cookies. 

I paused in the act of whisking, using the whisker as a microphone instead. I extended it toward her, so she could also join in. 

She laughed, playing along. 

Short of breath due to excitement, I pulled away to focus once more on what we were doing. I was prepping the dough into the oven pan when the music abruptly cut off. 

“Mom…” I whine, storming my feet. 

“Hey, I’m glad you’re up and about. But do you have to be so loud? Don’t give me a migraine please.” She retorted, walking away. 

“Fine, I will reduce the volume.” I called after her, doing exactly that so she doesn’t have to come back in here and turn it off. 

“Hey miss cloud—“

I whipped around at the sound of Asher’s voice. He stood against the kitchen door, watching us with a smile on his face. 

“Hey Asher, did Beth come with you?” Sophie questioned, only interested in finding her best friend. 

“Yes, she got hold up in the living room. Something the servants were doing seemed to pique her interest.” He responded, stepping further in. 

“Okay,” Sophie nodded, making herself scarce. 

“Look at you, being all chirpy and happy, may I ask why?” He half teased, leaning against the counter to watch me put the cookies in the oven. 

I made a face at him as I straightened up. “You know why, I’m not going to be married off to your cousin. Now, I get to choose who to marry, it doesn’t get better than that.” 

He nodded, smiling. “So… what’s your ideal future partner? As your best friend, I’ll make it my sacred duty to find you the perfect match.” 

“Since when are you a matchmaker?” I rolled my eyes at him. “Besides, I don’t need your help. The whole point is choosing my partner myself.” 

“Blah, blah, blah. I still want to know,” he shrugged. 

“He should be handsome, like in a bad boy way. He should also have six packs… tall. Yes, about this tall.” I raised my hand above my head, indicating how tall I want my future partner to be. 

“Gee Ava, looks like you’re going to end up sculpting this guy yourself.” 

I frowned at him. “Why? Are you saying a guy like that doesn’t exist? Have you watched any romantic movies lately?” 

He made a yuck face at the mention of romance, which caused me to laugh. Being a guy that chases around everything in a skirt, it isn’t much of a shock that he hates the idea of romance. 

“No, because I’m the only guy who will ever look like that. Give me five years, and that’s being humble.” He bragged, flexing again. 

I pushed his slander arm away from my view, threatening to smack him with a big spoon that made him jump away from the counter. 

“You wish.” 

“Seriously, it’s bad news for you. Although, I did think your type would involve some lame dude in glasses, like that guy you had a crush on in eighth grade.” He laughs, awakening a memory I didn’t want to.

“Hey!” I advance toward him with the spoon. “Ron was adorable, and you know it.” 

“Yeah, with his freckles and running nose. He was a real catch.” He laughs harder, forcing an involuntary laughter from me in the process. 

“What about the girls you run around with?” I asked, a poor attempt to get my dignity back because those girls are always gorgeous. 

“You and I both know, I only go out with the best looking girls.” He brags once more, making me finally, playfully hit him with the spoon. 

“You’ll see. My future partner is soooooooo good looking, you won’t stand a chance. Then I’ll show you I have the best taste in guys.” 

“Eww, don’t talk like that.” He made a face at me. “When are your cookies going to be ready?” 

Instead of answering, I turned the music back on, and started yelling out the lyrics in his face. At first he tried to ignore me, which didn’t last as he ended up joining me. 

At the end of the day, I was still bursting with happiness. Because what do you mean I’m no longer betrothed to anyone? 

Around mid-moon, I went to the beach with Asher and we hung out with our other friends. Thanks to him talking to them about the current development, they have no problem hanging out with me again. 

I knew before the first period ended tomorrow, the news about my broken betrothal would have made its way around school. The sooner people know and stop associating me with him, the better.

Walking into my room, I switched on the light. My eyes widening at the figure that appears from the shadow. My heart dropped at the sight of Caden in my bedroom. 

I tried to reach for the door knob or at least scream. But my body seemed frozen on the spot, I couldn’t move. 

He stood up, making his way toward me. My eyes turned teary at the realization that he is going to hurt me. Part of me feared this would happen after seeing the way he looked at his uncle. 

Again, I delude myself into thinking that it was nothing. I mean his title was stripped away from him, and his future marriage broken. 

I thought it was normal for him to be angry, and I thought most of his anger was directed at the former instead of the latter. 

We didn’t know each other to actually take the proposal seriously. We were strangers, and the fact that he’s going to kill me over it shows how messed up he is. 

“Please…” was the only word I managed to get out through my tight throat. 

He stopped moving, leaving some distance between us. He tilted his head at me, watching me with a hint of hesitation. 

“Just—listen.” 

I nodded far too eagerly, letting him know I’ll do anything he asks—as long as he keeps his distance and doesn’t hurt me. 

“I’m leaving. But I’ll be back for you, I promise.” The words rushed out of him, like they were ripped from his lungs. 

I nodded once more, even though I had no idea what he was talking about. He took a couple of steps forward, closing the gap between us. 

I cried out in fear, tears dropping down my face. When he inches forward, I squeeze my eyes shut, fearing the absolute worst. 

As much as I didn’t know what I was expecting him to do—a fist in the face perhaps?  Instead I felt something soft graze my lips, forcing my eyes to fly open. 

His lips touched mine unmovingly, then he drew back, retreating backward toward the window. Something I kept open for Asher since he mostly comes in through the window. 

Caden stopped, looked at me over his shoulder, then slid out of the window. I exhale immediately with relief. 

Rushing toward the window, I closed it before he changed his mind and came back. Once the window was secure, I touched my lips, wondering what the heck that was about!