The Billionaire's Twins Play Matchmaker novel Chapter 75

Ava breathed a sigh of relief when her mother finally departed. Tracy gave her a brief hug before following Grace out as she had driven the older woman to the diner. Before Tracy left she whispered she would call later to check up on her and that she was proud of her. Perhaps Ava should feel bad about how the conversation had gone but she felt light, as if a weight had been lifted.

“Ma’am.”

Ava glanced at her escort who had stood silently the entire time. His brow furrowed and he looked conflicted.

“About what you were talking about…something Mister Prescott doesn’t know and would cause him to rampage?”

“Oh. My sister pushed me down the stairs.”

“What!”

Ava grimaced. She supposed that should be the natural reaction but honestly she didn’t feel much of anything when she thought back to the incident. Perhaps it was too far in the past or maybe she was simply inured to the pain of betrayal after all it wasn’t exactly the first time her sister had done such things.

“She pushed you down the stairs…intentionally?”

Ava nodded.

“Why?”

“She wanted to be an only child.”

Mike’s mouth dropped at the candid response.

“So she pushed me down the stairs, knocked me down in front of the limo, spooked the horse I was riding, gave me severe food poisoning…I don’t remember all of them anymore, for better or worse.”

“And you haven’t told Mister Prescott?”

Ava shook her head, “Could you imagine his reaction if I did?”

Mike grimaced. Knowing Silas’s temper he would certainly go on a warpath. But still… “You should tell him.”

“Maybe,” Ava frowned, “but it won’t change anything. It’s all in the past. I’d rather focus on the future. Is that wrong?”

“No. It’s admirable you want to put the past behind you and move on. That takes real strength.”

“Thank you.”

“You okay honey?”

Ava turned as Gretchen approached. She smiled and nodded. Amazingly she really did feel all right.

“Good. It looked like it was getting pretty tense over here. Who was that woman anyway?”

“My mother.”

Gretchen blinked. She hadn’t seen the resemblance especially now with the fresh, flush of life in Ava’s cheeks. Glancing at the silent escort Mike merely gave her a nod to confirm.

“Do you have time for a coffee?” Ava asked. “There are a few things I owe you explanations for.”

“Honey, you don’t owe me anything. From the moment you set foot in this diner I knew you were running from your past. But if you’re willing I would like to hear as much of your story as you’re willing to tell. Go on, have a seat. I’ll grab the coffee.”

* * *

“Mister Prescott?”

Silas looked up from his paperwork to see his secretary nervously fidgeting in the doorway. He raised a brow and gave her a curious look.

“I’m not sure if you care but Mister Carlisle is on the line for you. I tried to convince him you weren’t interested in speaking to him but he’s insisting.”

“I’ll take the call. Line?”

“Line One.” With a sigh of relief she quickly departed thinking she narrowly avoided punishment for wasting his time.

Tapping the speaker button Silas retrieved the call, “What is it you want Emerson?”

“You don’t beat around the bush do you?” Emerson’s disgruntled voice replied.

“I don’t like to waste my time. I have somewhere to be after work so I can’t be late. People are waiting for me.”

“Those people wouldn’t happen to be Ava and my grandchildren would they?”

“My children and my fiancée, yes.”

“I’d like to see them.”

“You and I both know that is not going to happen.”

“Then I’d like to see you, talk face-to-face.”

Silas considered the offer. He didn’t have any reason to accept but his curiosity was piqued. Emerson Carlisle wasn’t likely to take no for an answer. Denying him could lead to issues in the future so hearing him out now might prevent future interference.

“Let me take a look at my schedule for today,” Silas finally said. “I’ll see if I can’t block out some time and I’ll have my assistant call you.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Silas hung up glancing at Thomas. There really wasn’t anything pressing so making time wouldn’t be difficult. The question was where. Emerson would not want to come to his office and Silas had no reason to go to his. Neither needed the publicity of meeting in a public place since both would be easily recognizable. Having Emerson come to the brownstone was out of the question. Silas had no intention of allowing him anywhere near Ava and the children.

“Call him back. Tell me to meet me at my condo…say five o’clock,” Silas finally said.

“Are you sure that’s wise? You really don’t have any reason to meet with him.”

“Call it curiosity. The fact he called at all is strange.”

Thomas smirked. Well it wouldn’t do any harm to hear the old man out as long as Ava and the kids weren’t around.

* * *

“Come right in.”

Emerson hesitated as Thomas held open the door. He stepped into the large, luxury condo peering down halls and into rooms he passed as he was led inside.

“They aren’t here.”

Jerking to attention Emerson turned to see Silas. The younger man had discarded his jacket and tie. With a gesture Silas led him to the living room. There they sat across from each other in matching chairs. The glass coffee table between them was devoid of refreshments. There were no distractions and nothing to interrupt their discussion.