TRIP TO BAHAMAS

"Who could this person be?" Ava couldn't help but wonder. She stood up hurriedly, dusting her clothes.
"Are you okay?" Her saviour faced her, turning his back at her attacker.
"Nick?" She couldn't believe her eyes.
He didn't wait a second before running after the tall looking strange guy who pulled out a little pen knife to stand Nick. But he was so stupid after all. How dare he aim so carelessly at a mafia member? A high ranking one at that.

Nick threw him several punches that blood began dripping from his nose.
"Next time, you think before going on such errands." Nick threatened amidst gritted teeth.

The man left and Nick returned to Ava's side.
"Are you hurt? Is everything okay with you?" Concern was written all over his face.
"I'm fine. What about you? It seems like you received some punch from that asshole."
"It's okay, not a new thing."

"I guess you're going home, right?"
"Sure" Ava nodded her head, picking up her items for her work.
"I'll walk uou." Nick offered and Ava didn't bother saying against it. Deep inside her, she was still scared about what might happen and if the scary man would return. But wait, how did Nick know where she was? Has been on her trail all along? Damn!, Ava couldn't just believe it.

Then again, she needed to clarify her doubt. She looked up at Nick, still on the spot thinking of how to ask about her thought
"Aren't you going home?" Nick asked with his hand in his hood pocket.

The two began walking together with Nick standing a little behind her like a bodyguard. Well, that was what he was assigned for the past days.
"Next time, you shouldn't walk this late." Nick advised breaking the cold silence that descended between them.
"It's not my habit, it just happened that way today." Ava replied, biting in her lips.

"Sure, but you should always get someone with you whenever it's this late."
"Well... I have no one to call." Ava murmured silently.
"What did you say?" Nick asked, not sure if he heard her right.
"Ahh, nothing." She shut her mouth up quickly. She was freaking nervous in front of Nick. Not because of anything, but the possibility of having Zachary protect her without her knowledge despite what she said to him and her thoughts about him we're the cause of her nervousness.

"What of Z......?" She immediately kept quiet. She didn't want it to feel like she missed him or something. Curling her lips in displeasure and fighting herself from asking about Zac for minutes, the words eventually tore out from her lips.
"How is Zachary doing?" She finally asked, not without looking away from where Nick stood.

There was no need to tell Nick what was going on. A smug smile appeared on his face as he took a brief glance at Ava.
"He's doing fine" he replied simply.

For some reasons, Ava felt bad when he answered her question .
"He's fine? Without me? Has he finally forgotten about me?" A part of her was hurt. How could he not check up on her at the least? Fuck!, Who is she kidding? If he didn't check up on her, Nick wouldn't be here with her.

"You have nothing to worry about Ava, he cares about you. Your heart can't denyt that fact."
"Well, I'm not worried about him. He can go to hell for all I care....." She paused, finding her words. Nick chuckled at her and she can't help but feel awkward.
"Wait... Did you just mention care? He cares about me? I doubt it."
"Why do you say that?" he asked.
"I have no idea. All I know is that's how I feel about him at the moment. I can't believe he acted that way to me" Ava opened up to Nick. By now, they've gotten to the entrance of Ava's hostel.

"Alright, I guess it's time for me to leave." Nick said with a smile.
"Yeah, thanks" Ava uttered heading inside her house and waving at him. Nick made sure she gets into her apartment before leaving.
*
*
The next day came so fast just like every other day. Ava was still stuck in her and Zachary's staying apart. She felt incomplete without him. All she needed at the moment was a call from him. Even if it's just a little time. She wanted to hear his voice.
"Hi, guys" Hazel greeted as she entered. They were all in her house at that moment.
"Hi," everybody replied her except for Ava who was staring at a magazine. Though, with an absent minded mind.

"Hey girlie, what's up? How was your night?" Hazel tapped her arm, jolting her out if her reverie.
"Oh, you're here. How's everything going on with you?"
"As you can see, I'm all well and good."
"Yeah, she seems better after days. Seems like she's getting off the shock." Freya teased munching on some cookies.

"Damn!, You guys won't imagine what I did when I got home the other night?"
"What night are you talking about?"
"The night of the day we discovered who the real Zachary .... Is, of course."
"So, what did you find out?"
"All Mason said is true. You guys should have seen his shooting pictures caught by the CCTV camera. Man's so fucking cute."

"Shut it, just shut it!" Caleb nudged his head giving them a sign that they should keep it low as Ava was sitting with them. She noticed the signal and felt more bad.
"No, you can talk guys. I mean I'm over him already." Ava braced up to speak."
"If you say so, I'll continue with my words. It's incredible to have someone like Zachary look at you. No insults. Boy's dope man." Freya added as she scrolled through her computer showing him the different scenes and pictures of Zachary.

"Sorry to ask about this, but does he not have a family? I mean someone as handsome and hot as he is. I'd really love to get one to look at me." Freya rambled on.
"Seriously? Seriously, Freya?" Caleb chuckled.
"If at all he has a brother or family, would you go ahead and date him?" Hazel emphasized in the word date.

"Maybe, maybe not." Freya didn't reply. She just grinned at them all and before you know it, they all laughed it off except Ava.
Freya is mostly such a big tease whenever she wants or feels like.

Ava rolled her eyes and drew her knees to her chest. She was beginning to get less interested in the course of discussion.
"But come to think of it, we should be happy that Ava is together with him. You know, we could go ahead and try all these high stuffs. We can as well go to his clubs and make use of our influence." Caleb snapped his fingers at them all as he made his point clear.

"Shit!, What the hell are you talking about? I guess you've watched too much mob movies, Caleb."
"No, I'm right. Mafia bosses are basically popular."
"Reasons I told you you're fuckin lucky Ava. From my point of view, you have nothing much to worry about. He owns so many successful businesses over the world with a lot of million dollars piling in every single minute. You should be over the moon upon the discovery" Freya wanted Ava to come out her shell Hy saying all that to her.

"I don't give a fuck about his riches. The fact that he toyed with my feelings are enough reason for me to part with him."
"I hope you're thinking about this right" Caleb uttered after a long silence and less involvement.

Clearing her throat, Hazel decided to change the topic.
"That's enough talk about Ava, guys. We should find something more fun to do." She wasn't so pleased with Ava's countenance.
"What do you suggest?" Mason got out from his room, interrupting the conversation.
"Guy, you should learn how to be polite. How could you just chip in without being called?" Hazel glared at him but he winked at her playfully.

"What about going out?" She suggested, ignoring her naughty brother.
"Perfect! Let's go out for some fun."
"So, its concluded that we are going to Bahamas right?""
"Yes. We've got to shop things on our way. We go clubbing, shopping, then finally to the beach!"
"Ava, you're not saying anything." Caleb noticed her withdrawal.
"What do you expect me to say? I'm not going anywhere with you guys."

"What? I bet you don't want to repeat that to my hearing." Hazel snapped.
"Why? I'm saying I'm not interested. Is it a must? Just few days back, I nearly got killed on an outing. I can't risk my life, please."
"That's too flimsy of an excuse to use when talki g to me. Are we all in?"
" We're all in.. Woohoo"
*
*
The girls shopped all day long from every of their favorite malls. They got themselves new beach wears including bright coloured bikinis. Night was approaching and they all lodges I'm a guesthouse to change into club wears.

That night, the rented room was covered in different kinds of wears the girls have been trying on excluding Caleb since he was a male.

"I'm getting laid tonight." Freya mutters.
"Can you keep your shit in your pants?" Hazel yelled at her.
"Shut up, Hazy." Ava chuckled as she got dressed.

She was already getting perfect at dressing herself up. She stretched her hair and zipped her strapless black dress that hugs every of her curves as she put on her shoes. Finally, they hopped inside their car as she sped into the dark night.

Ava quickly shook her head and breathe in. With determination, she's forgetting about him and moving on.
"Yes! I can do this". But another part of her was not sure about her determination. It seemed impossible for her. Just seeing him makes her heart stop beating.
They got to the bar and alighted from the car. The four friends walked to the bar and ordered for shots because they really want to get high. Deep down, Ava was praying that she doesn't come across him.

He was always driving her crazy with his sweet memories with her. Everyone of them took their shots and a bottle of tequila as they walked back to our table.
"Do you know Zachary owns this club ?" Freya slurs and chug down her shots.
"For God's sake, why didn't you tell me ?" A a shouted amidst the public noise.

"What? Scared to make out? A club sex is always remarkable. Don't tell me you're scared of Zachary seeing you." Caleb said, drinking down his own shut.
"Don't worry breathe. He barely comes here i think." Freya uttered, but Ava wasn't still relieved.

"You think?." Ava scoffed and drank up two shots at once before standing up.
"Where are you going?" Hazel asked.
"Restroom , I'll be back." She flashed them a quick fake smile and walked to the direction of the restroom.

The loud music blared through the speakers as Ava pushed past dancing bodies. Her phone began ringing and she looked down at it to see some unknown number on the caller ID. The number has been calling for quite some time which she ignored regardless. She muted the call and shut the restroom door.

Washing her face, she returned to meet her friends. Laughter, games, and teases went on and on among them that Ava forgot about what got her mind filled up for days. Hazel's idea seemed to be right after all.

While they were chilling, messing with Caleb and some other handsome dudes in the bar, Ava's phone chimed. It was the same unknown number calling again so she picked the phone and walked out on them to answer the call.

"Tinkerbell.." at that moment her heart stopped. She wasn't expecting that at all. Not at the moment she was finally able to free herself from the shackles of her emotions.
"Tinkerbell..." the voice came once again and she was more than stunned to say anything.
"Are you there?...."