" so... How's work going for you?." Ava asked interested in the kind of work Trixie decided to take on. She growls in an exhausting manner.
" Tiring, I'm taking up a night shift for the next whole week, but I like it... different from my past jobs but, I love it."
" Yeah, you are killing the uniform, it's sexy." Ava smirked.
" Hey... don't tease me like that, I already have enough eyes goggling on me whenever I enter the room, it's unsettling."
Trixie giggles. They made a toast continued to catch up.
TEXAS.... QINN FAMILY RANCH.
Winter took in a few breaths before knocking on Alec's bedroom door, earlier. Jeffrey had told her Mr Qinn asked for her to approach his room, ' was she in trouble, did she step out of line by offering such a ridiculous thing to him?'. She thought.
" Enter."
Winter swallowed hard opening the door and walked inside, she managed to get hold of her clothes and changed into them.
" You called for me, Mr Qinn?."
" have a seat."
He told her. She hesitated for a while but eventually sat on the one seat sofa which faced the other sofa he was sitting on. Alec stared at her in silence for a long while, before saying....
" Winter Bloom, such a weird name," he began. Winter pressed her lips in a thin line, it's the second time he's said her name is weird.
" D-do you dislike it?." Her voice trembled staring down at her feet.
" Curious actually, to why a parent would come up with such a name."
' he's curious...?'
" I was born in Winter, according to my father...it was a snowy night when my mother went into labor and she had to be rushed to the hospital, the hospital was far from where we lived... and with the heavy snow raging from all directions it blocked their path, my mother gave birth to me in the car...it took her 2 minutes before finally passing away. My father was angry, broken, and shattered about her passing. He looked through the window outside, that's when he came up with my name...it reminded him of the bad weather that killed my mother, that's why he didn't hesitate to abandon me. He had a pretty good reason."
Winter clenched her fists tightly.
" You don't have a Texas ascent, where are you from?."
" London, my dad and I moved here when I was 10 years old to start afresh, he married Mary and stayed with her for a year before running away with another woman and leaving me behind."
" I will ask you a more serious question Ms Bloom." Winter swallowed nodding slightly." Why suggest to be a replacement, do you understand what role you will have to take up?."
Alec studied her face waiting for a fitting response, he had thought about it quite long and hard before calling her here. She would fit perfectly as a mother figure to Eli, at least he's assured of his daughters well being and up bringing. Winter has morals and dignity, respect and kind, she's the kind of woman he'll wouldn't worry leaving his daughter around her. If Eli and her become close enough maybe she'll feel less alone and feel a mother's love, Winter won't be replacing Emma in anyway... she will simply be a stand in.
" Uhm, I know you have a 6 year old daughter, I will care for her with everything have got, like a mother... But don't get me wrong I don't intend to take her mother's place I would never. And... and as a replacement wife, I-i understand that I -need to make sure you're happy, s-satisfied with me... Sir, as it is my duty."
She lowered her head and voice even more. " You'll break your neck if you keep hanging your head down Ms Bloom." Alec simply said. " Sit straight."
He demanded. Winter looked up to meet his enticing gaze, thinking about it ' how can I manage to stay with him like this? He's so intimidating and nonchalant, always serious and straight to the point. Am I making the right decision?.'
" How old are you?." Alec asked, looking at her she is so thin and looks like she can be blown away any second, it's difficult to guess what age she could be. ' she isn't a minor is she? But why would a minor suggest to be a replacement?.'
" I am 21." She responded.
' 21 huh, that's like 10 years difference between us... she's the same age as Emma back then when I met her, I was 24... but Emma matched her age than this girl here, is it because she rarely eats that she looks like a 15 year old?.'
" Ms Bloom. You talk about satisfaction and pleasing me as your sole duty, do you understand what lays behind those big words?." Alec simply asked nonchalantly.
" Uhm... I read lots of dark romance novels, so yes...I do know what they mean."
" But what you're getting yourself into won't be like the stories you read, this is a one sided thing, if you even think of falling for me you'll will end up getting hurt. So if that ever occurs I will have to let you go, is that understood?."
' wait! Does this mean he's accepting my proposal?.' Winter's heart skipped a beat.
" Understood, Mr Qinn." She nodded.
" We leave tomorrow morning."
He told her. Winter stood with a slight bow, she walks away closing the door behind her. Alec sighs staring at the ceiling.
" Now how do I explain to my little rabbit back home?."
NEW YORK CITY [ MANHATTAN ]
Ava took off her coat hanging in the hall way, she proceeded to the dining hall where everyone was having their dinner including Heather, Lucas' wife.
" Evening everyone."
" You're back, join us." Zain spoke.
" I already grabbed something to eat with a friend. I'll just freshen up and go to bed." She turned towards the stairs but stopped in her foots. " Oh, Trixie will be joining us for lunch tomorrow, I invited her over. Are the kids already in bed?."
" Yes." Zain nodded. " I will check on them." She proceeded upstairs.
Heather glanced at Lucas for a split second after the mention of his ex girlfriend, she saw him pause for a minute with an emotion she couldn't quite read. ' I wonder, Lucas. Do you still have feelings for her?' Heather asked no one in particular, just her inner thoughts wondering whether or not.
After dinner. Zain returned to his room, he unbuttoned his shirt taking it off and hit the shower. Ava glanced at him through the dressing mirror as the door behind him closes, she continues drying her hair in silence. Once done she stood in her black panties and bra heading to the dressing room to pick out a night dress, as she was going through her few night wears. Zain walked in with nothing but a small white towel wrapped around his lower body, his damp hair and dripping waters over his sexy built body... making it so damn hard to look away. Ava kept stealing glances here and there, but Zain was to distracted on finding his cloths that he never noticed her staring.
" Looking for these?."
Ava walked over with his favorite silk grey sleep wear, he has many others but still insists on this one in particular.
" Thanks. "
He took them staring into her grey eyes. Ava nods turning to leave but was held back by Zain. Not knowing what to do or say at this point, he's apologized many times but ends in the same way every time so what difference will it make tonight?
Ava stared at him. " Is there something else you need?."
" Uhm, no...thank you for finding these." He told her.
" You already thanked me."
Ava creased her brows staring at her wrist he was still holding onto. Zain released his hold apologizing. They both made their way to bed switching off the lights. As Ava went under the covers she moved all the way from her side of the bed to Zain's side cuddling to him.
" I'm cold so deal with it."
She said like a stubborn kid. Zain smiled pulling her in his arms, even though it wasn't that cold and made it as an excuse. If she wanted she could have set the AC in the room but she chose not to, ' does it mean she forgives him?'. Happy, Zain hugged her even more tightly.
" Zain, you're crashing me."
Ava said beneath his chest. " Sorry cupcake, just excited to hold you once again. Are you okay?."
" Hm, just tired." Ava responded. " Get some sleep." He kissed her hair.
****
Hello Bounders, thanks for all of your support and staying patient for the new chapter. Don't forget to leave a chapter comment below to know your views and thoughts, if there's any complaints you can contact me directly and I'll try my best to solve whatever queries you have. Vote for me and support me for you are my motivation ❤️