The venue was close, just as Mrs. Winslow had said. Ava found an empty table in a hidden spot, close to the window where she could see people walking in.

Although it was early, some tables were occupied as most businessmen were having business dates and meetings.

The establishment was owned by her family and it had a good reputation among business men. So it was mostly used for dinner dates and business meetings.

It was actually a hotel below and where she was, was on the rooftop which was a café-lounge.

The Winslow family's wealth came from their strong hands in luxury hotels and real estate business. Ava was supposed to follow her father to learn the ropes for her to properly inherit everything but her mother just happened to arrange numerous blind dates for her.

Ava's focus was on the window as she waiting on the first guy. She pulled out the file from her bag and went through it for a while.

The name, occupation, hobbies, and address of every man was properly spelt out in it. It was very much overkill to Ava.

The file was thicker than she expected with many more information in it. She squinted and saw that it had pictures of the men in question. It would be helpful to know their faces.

"Excuse me. Are you Miss Ava Winslow?" A pair of knockles was hit on the table to get Ava's attention.

Ava looked up to see her first blind date. "Yes, I am. Hello, Mr. Mellor."

The brown eyes staring back at her, and his facial expression matched with his photograph in the file.

"I apologize for coming late, may I sit?"

"Yes, please." Ava motioned for him to sit. "I was the one who came too early."

"We have up to fifteen minutes before my time is over." He glanced at his watch. "So we better get started."

He looked like a time conscious person and quite busy at that. His actions and attitude made Ava relax a little.

Ava knew nothing about what to do at blind dates or what to talk about. So she first offered him to order something to eat.

"It's quite early. I'm guessing that you haven't had anything to eat?"

"I'm afraid so." He smiled.

"You can order. I'll have what you are having."

He took to menu and went through it. "Any allergies that I should know of?" When he noticed how Ava was staring at him, he added. "I don't know if the data I got covered everything."

"No allergies." Ava shook her head.

"Alright then." He made sure to order Ava's favourite dishes. At least that what's the data he got said they were.

Ava didn't make any complains so he sighed in relief; he didn't mess that up. He was as clueless as Ava, and didn't know what to talk about during the blind date.

They both cracked their brains looking for things to come up with for a conversation to start.

Ava tried out his idea first. "Your family owns several resorts and vacations spots right? Is it hard to manage them? From what I have heard they are a lot of them."

"Err, sometimes. My father normally delegates who handles where and it has been working out pretty well for a long time."

"Oh." That sounded realistic. Having teams handle one spot each, increases quality services. "You must have a big working force."

Seeing as Ava was so interested in this topic. He decided to keep the conversation going.

"Miss Winslow, your family handles various hotels around the country, am I right? Do you know how the working force are being managed?"

Ava shook her head, sheepishly. "Unfortunately, no. I am about to start working with my father but I am currently just a spoilt child at heart."

"Well, at least you are willing to learn." He smiled at her.

Ava knew nothing about business but since it was a family business it was her obligation to at least not let the family go down in ruin when the company is handed over to her.

Calculations, maths and business talks made her dizzy but she was adamant to learning them regardless. As long as someone was willing to explain it down to her level for her to understand.

Luckily, she met someone like that today.

"Think of it like this hotel, the staff employed here will focus on working here right? But there's a lot of other branches, does that mean that those hired in this branch can wake up any day and choose to work in another branch, then wake up the next and work in a different one..."

"No..." Even she knew that would be a little too much.

"Right! Although there are other branches, if you are hired here, then this is your 'working spot' or so. You can't move to another place unless with the right paperwork. Honestly, this is how all businesses are and that's how my family business runs too."

Ava could understand what he was getting at. "They also have separate teams to handle each branch then..."

"Correct. It's actually basic knowledge-" He cut himself off when he saw Ava's face falling. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

Ava almost pouted, her voice sounded dejected. "I don't even know basic knowledge like this."

"It's fine. I was just like you once. I was not interested in business before but I knew I had to step up if I wanted to keep the family business going. Just take it slow and you'll learn everything once at a time." He assured her.

"Thank you." Ava showed her appreciation, seeing that he was trying to make her feel better.

The table got quiet after that and Mr. Mellor looked around, shyly. Ava was around his age but he wasn't that used to bringing up conversations on a date.

He sighed, glancing at her. He decided to tell her the truth.

"To be honest, I didn't want to come." He hurriedly tried to explain himself when Ava glanced at him. "What I mean is that, I actually am in a relationship with someone."

Looking at his expression, Ava made a guess. "Your parents don't approve?"

"Yeah. Her family isn't really among the rich class so my parents are skeptical, that's why I was forced to come here. I'm glad I did though, it was nice."

"You're talking like this because our time is almost up." She deadpanned.

He laughed at her look. "I'm guessing you were forced on this too? I can't believe you having ten blind dates a day."

"It will stretch for five days. Thinking about it is already getting me tired." She sighed and they shared a small laugh.

Mr. Mellor winced as if he could already feel her pain. "I can only say good luck."

"Or you can help me escape to one of your vacation spots?" Ava's eyes twinkled as she thought this up.

"That may end up with us getting a beating from our mothers. You know that they are close friends."

Her mother had so many friends that it was shocking how she remembered all their names.

"Well, good luck and drink plenty of water. You're going to talk a lot."

"Ha ha! Laugh at my suffering." She joked.

That was how her first blind date ended. The guy was alright.

Ava had to give remarks at the end of the date, she wrote in the file, on the remark spot.

'Satisfactory but no.'

She had a short five minutes break before the next one came.