The Last Warning

The limo rolled to a stop right in front of Ava's apartment. She sucked in a deep breath and then tilted her head to look at the man who had helped her in her time of quandary.


The streetlight streamed through the windshield and penetrated into the car, giving her access to take in his breathtaking face.


His eyes were tender, and his masculine jaw had the most perfect contours. His roman nose, prominent cheekbones, and sexy thin lips, his outstanding features made him look damn handsome.

Parting her lips, she lowered her head and thanked him, “Thank you for saving me again, sir”


Zac pursued his lips, discarding his gaze from her face, and looked out the window, “Is this where you stay?” he asked plainly, ignoring her initial words.


Ava nodded her head twice, “Yes, sir” she answered in an extremely low voice.

“Do you stay alone?” he asked further, looking at her face again.


“No, sir. I stay with my elder sibling” Zac nodded slowly.


Watching how Ava subconsciously tucked the loose strands of her hair behind an ear, but they kept cascading forward and cover both sides of her face like a curtain.


He reached over to sweep away a strand of hair that was covering her ear and tossed it behind it. He kept his hand stretched in front of her forehead and then gently caressed her cheek.


“Have a good night rest” he told her, his face not giving away any emotion.


Ava, who had become frozen and stunned by his affection, quickly nodded her head and immediately came down from the car.


Seeing that Ava was now coming into the house, Charlotte instantly let go of the curtain and left the window viewpoint.


Staring at the door opening, she clapped her hands as Ava set her foot into the house.


“I'm sorry, Charlotte. I never knew I would stay this late” Ava apologized immediately, looking so sorry.


Charlotte laughed out maniacally but stopped almost immediately, moving closer to Ava.


“How much did he pay you?” she asked with a lopsided grin, her gaze resting on Ava's bag.


Ava's brows furrowed deeply with a puzzled expression, “I don't understand, Charlotte, what are you talking about?” she quizzed.


Suddenly, Charlotte pushed Ava, and she fell like a parabola to the floor.


“You bitch! I saw you coming down from an expensive car just now, explain to me what that means if not that you're a one-night stand” Charlotte cried out hysterically, her chest heaving up and down.


Ava's eyes filled with tears at once, she could by no means understand why Charlotte always think of her that way.


She slowly stood up and boldly looked her square in the eyes, “I'm not whatever you think of me, Charlotte. Let this be the last time you'll ever accuse me of such” she seethed, wearing an annoyed expression.


Charlotte scoffed, thinking she had probably heard wrong.


The tears in Ava's eyes finally fell and left wet tracks on her cheeks, adding a trace of desolation to her beautiful face.


She spun around and walked off in the direction of her room, leaving no chance for Charlotte to say anything.


Ava got to her room and slumped to her bed, hissing loudly in irritation, she couldn't help but wonder if by any chance virgin had learned how to become a one-night stand these days or whatever Charlotte had named it.


***


“I don't understand why you keep denying it, Caleb, I caught you staring at her, and you know it yourself” Freya half yelled, a hurtful expression showing on her face.


Caleb sneered relentlessly, “What's with that tone of yours, Freya? Are you jealous?” Caleb taunted, obstructing her way.


Freya made a face as she intertwined her elbows beneath her breasts, halting her pace, “Get out of my way now” she ordered, looking earnest, but Caleb wouldn't budge as he continued to tease her,


“Tell me, Freya. I know you're jealous”


Freya exploded with rage, “Jealous of who exactly, Caleb?” she questioned gloomily, “Jealous of you?” she laughed maliciously.


“Stop dreaming, Caleb. I'm not jealous one bit, you can do whatever you want with your life for all I care” she blazed, surprising Caleb.


However, her last words hurt his heart so much. “Freya…” he called softly,


“Excuse me” Freya interrupted him mid-sentence then hastened her steps to catch up with Ava, who had purposely left their midst, so she could have some time alone.



Her mind had been absorbed by Zac since last night, she wanted to understand why he keeps appearing whenever she needed a helping hand.


Was he stalking her, or it was just coincidental?


“Are you okay, Ava?” Freya's voice seemed to snap her out of her deep thoughts.



They were now close to the school's central gate. She quickly put on a smile and nodded, “Of course, I am”


She looked back and saw that Caleb was still far behind them, “Is there a problem between you two?” Ava asked suspiciously, staring at Freya's face.


Freya folded her arms, avoiding Ava's gaze and ignoring her question. Ava smiled and nudged her arm playfully, “Tell me. What's it about?” she asked with interest.


Freya parted her lips to tell Ava the reason behind her cold attitude toward Caleb when a red sports car suddenly pulled to a halt right in front of them, they both turned to the car at the same time the driver came down from the car.


Ava stared at the man in shock, she was so shocked that her eyes widened very much.


His strong frame was dressed in a white long-sleeve top. The sun shone brightly on his blonde hair, which makes him look attractive and charming.


He removed his sunglasses and turned around to where Ava and Freya were standing, “Ava, please, can I see you for a minute?” he asked tentatively, looking as if he would cry any moment from now.


Ava planted a determined and confident smile on her face and said solemnly, “I'm sorry, Mister, I'm too busy now to have any discussion with you” finishing her words, she grabbed Freya's hands and stride away fast.


In Zac's mansion…


There stood some bodyguards at every corner of the extensive living room, looking vigilant in their all-around black outfits and revolver in their hands.


Zac stared at her niece, his face not showing its usual coldness. The little girl equally stared back at him while tugging at Mia's dress, “Is this my Daddy?” she asked in a tiny voice, peering into Mia's eyes for an answer.


Mia reached out her hand and brushed her fingers through her six years old daughter's black hair, which stopped at her waist.


“No, my dear, this is your Uncle, Uncle Zac” Mia explained, having a light smile on her lips.


The girl frowned, “Then why is he looking so much like my daddy?” she interrogated, not willing to hide her discontented expression.


Mia opened her mouth to talk, “Because I'm your Daddy's brother” Zac butts in.


He found the little girl adorable and pretty in her pink princess gown and white shoes. Her hair wasn't in style, just brushed down her back. “Come here, little one,” he told her with a gesture of his fingers.


The girl slide off the couch beside Mia and obediently went to meet Zac, who was sitting opposite them.


Zac carried her and made her sit on his thighs, “What's your name?” he asked, staring at her cute little face, which looks more like Mia.


“Aurora. What's your name?” she returned his question, donning an aloof expression.



A trace of a smile appeared on Zac's face, “My name is Zachary, but you can call me Zac” he told her, and then she nodded, looking around her new surroundings carefully.


“Would you like to stay with me, Aurora?” Zac asked, preferring to know the little girl's opinion.


“Yes, Zac. I'll get to see these men with guns every day” Aurora blurted her mind, flashing Zac a bright smile for the first time.


Mia became strung out and got on her feet, “Did you hear just hear that Zac?” she raised her voice, looking furious.


“How do you expect me to leave my daughter with you in your den with only gunmen surrounding the place? Who will bathe for her, cook for her, dress for her?” Mia asked a series of questions in a breath.


Zac could only stare at his niece's face, the first time he had met her was when she was born.


Now, he felt attracted to her and didn't wish to let her go, however, having a second thought about Mia's questions, he concluded it was dangerous for the little girl to live with him forever.


“Fine” he pronounced and then lifted his head to look at Mia's face,


“Aurora will only stay with me until their break is over” he proclaimed. Mia's face changed from anger to calm immediately, “But who will take care of her?” she asked,


“You don't need to worry about that, Mia. She's my niece, and I'll take care of her” his voice was neither too low nor high.


“Come on, girl. Let's go see your room”


He rose to his feet with Aurora in his arms, who had wrapped her tiny hands around his neck, and grinning. She seemed to be free with him already.