She’s My Responsibility

Staring at Ava deeply, Zac's eyes slowly changed from anger to calm. Little by little, he walked wholly into the area, his eyes never leaving Ava's figure. This time, everyone had their eyes too on Ava, thinking in their minds that she would soon be in trouble with Zac, for they couldn't comprehend why Zac would be staring at her in such a manner. It only means that Ava was going to be chastised soon. Getting to where Mia Dawson was standing, the corner of Zac's eyes crinkled as he narrowed his eyes a bit, his eyes were cold and lacking any warmth. “What are you doing here, Mia Dawson?” His voice was deep and sharp, his hands in his trouser pockets, emanating an aloof aura. Raising her head defiantly to look at Zac's face, “What do you mean by what I'm doing here, Zac? You might be the owner of this place, but I also have every right to be here” Mia said firmly, a touch of confidence displaying on her pretty face. By this time, Hazel, who had been searching around for Ava, ultimately found her. She was about to scold her but soon noticed the scene that was playing, although she wasn't surprised to see Zachary Gonzalez, for she knew that he was the originator of the boutique. However, she wasn't familiar with Mia Dawson's face at all and couldn't help but think in her mind if she was his wife.
“Who's that woman, Hazel?” Ava questioned curiously, as soon as she discovered Hazel was now standing beside her. Shaking her head, “I'm not sure either” She muttered, endeavoring to have a close look at Mia Dawson. After throwing the last furtive glance at Ava, “Come with me” Zac ordered, in a low, crisp voice, and spun around. Watching his receding figure, Mia's hands suddenly gathered to a fist. She'd not hoped to encounter Zac anytime soon, and now, she knew that she would be castigated by him. Her gaze fell on the staff who had infuriated her earlier, her teeth gritted in annoyance, and with all the strength in her, she threw the girl off to the floor. Almost everyone in the compartment let out an exclaim in silence, including Ava. Hazel's eyes became red and seemed to fill with chilling anger the moment she watched the girl fall to the floor helplessly. “That was not nice,” She said openly to everyone's hearing. Mia Dawson, who had thrown a final glance at the poor staff and was ready to evacuate the place but heeding to Hazel's statement, her pace ceased dead on tracks. In a swift, she looked over in Hazel's direction, brimming with anger. “Who are you to tell me what is and what's not nice? Do you even know who I am?” She questioned in an arctic cold tone. Ava gulped then slowly reached over to hold Hazel's hand, “Let's get out of here, please” Hazel tossed out her hand from Ava's clasp immediately, without removing her gaze from Mia's face. Ava's lips curled up, knowing Hazel too well that she wouldn't back off so easily. “Who you are doesn't matter, Miss. You shouldn't treat anyone like that just because they are working under you” Hazel enhanced, walking closer to where Mia was standing. Everyone in there was astounded by Hazel's outburst in an attempt to let out their gasp, the majority of the staff covered their mouth with their hands. Mia was fuming steam at this point, in the past, no one had dared raised their heads to look at her straight in the eyes, let alone condemn her. Well, except for Zachary Gonzalez, he is by no means a man even Mia could control. “Hey, you don't get to talk to me like that. Do you understand? And do you even realize who you're talking to?” She paused for a moment, probably thinking Hazel's expression would change from frigid to ardently, but Hazel's face was just devoid of any humanity, she was fuming inwardly as to why was it common among these wealthy folks to anyhow bully the commoners. Mia clenched her fists then continued, “I'm Mia Dawson, the only heiress of Dawson's group of companies all over the globe” As she bragged about her identity, it was then Hazel's eyes dimmed a bit, thinking in her mind that no wonder Mia's face had rung a bell earlier. Dawson's were quite prominent for their automobiles and appliances around the countries. The founder of Dawson's group, Dawson Wright, had willed all his properties to his only daughter, Mia Dawson before he passed away several years back. Mia chuckled silently then put forward a pace, “Seems you know who I am now, and I
don't need to introduce myself more. Or do you care to know my relationship with Zachary Gonzalez?” Hearing these words, Ava's eyes lighted a bit as she stared forward at Mia, wishing she could continue and tell the relationship between her and Zachary Gonzalez. She didn't want to admit that she was anxious about Zac's marital status. “The next time you repeat something like this, believe me, I won't forgive you” Her voice was colder this time as she warned ferociously, staring at Hazel heatedly as if studying her face, so she wouldn't forget her. Meanwhile, Hazel had put down every action she had in mind against this woman standing in front of her. Although, she was not afraid of her; however, in her opinion, Mia Dawson was someone one should avoid like a plague. “Miss Mia, Mr. Gonzalez is waiting for you outside” Blake stood at the entrance then notified, after a brief contemplation of right words. In Blake's opinion, Mia was the ideal match for his rigid boss. A fiery lady plus an icy CEO, wouldn't they make a perfect match? Throwing a final dreadful glance at Hazel, Mia finally trotted out of the boutique, glaring at Blake as she passed by him out the door.

Outside the boutique…

Standing beside his Ferrari all the time, Zac was now wearing a shade on his usual cold face to avoid recognition. Honestly, back inside the boutique a while ago, he had the impulse to reach over to Ava and asked how she has been doing, but his ego was pretty big. Moreover, he could see that Ava has been doing great, just these past few weeks, she was looking more beautiful than the last time he had seen her. Pressing his cold lips in a tight line, Zac clenched his fists, why did he have to see her again when he was already setting out to forget her? His heart missed a bit, recalling how Ava was speaking of a guy that night. Was the guy her boyfriend? He reached out to rub his forehead, “What's wrong with me?” He muttered to himself, pursing his lips. Furthermore, he dispelled his thought about Ava then stood upright, waiting impatiently for Mia to appear, so he could rebuke her, severely. Mia got out at that moment, looking at the man in front of her bit by bit. He looked tall and distinguished, displaying the aura of a successful man. “So, what's up, Zac?” She moved closer and asked nonchalantly. Zac then looked over at her, a deep frown etched on his forehead. “Is it that you're ignorant, or it's just insanity?” He showed a discontented expression as he asked this question rigidly. “How many more times do I have to warn you to stay away from me completely?” Tossing the strands of her hair behind an ear, “What do you mean to stay away from you? Remember, your child is with me, and it's your responsibility to take good care of her. And since you can't do that, it is better you overlook all that I do. Collecting dresses, jewelry and all here is part of your responsibility” Mia had run out of patience, her intense aura could be felt by others. Zac scoffed slightly, he couldn't help but think in his mind that this woman is crazy. Since when does his brother's child become his child? He looked over at Blake, who had been standing in front of the car all this while. Meeting Zac's sharp gaze, Blake silently withdrew his gaze and pretended to be dumb. “Bring her to my house tomorrow. Henceforth, she's my responsibility” Zac pronounced his short sentences, word by word. Stunned, Mia was suddenly overcome by extremely uncomfortable feelings. This was precisely what she had been afraid of, she knew that if a day like this ever come, then she would lose her chance of getting close to Zac. “I can't leave my daughter's side,” She said, reducing her gaze from Zac's face. “She's also my brother's daughter, so…” Mia was suddenly rendered speechless as she watched Zac immediately open the car door and got in. She stomped on her feet, nibbling on her bottom lip tightly until a few white spots were peeking out on her rosy lips.