THE GOOD ADVISER

Ava Taylor straightened her back with a muffled groan. She looked so tired as she began to clear her table since it was closing hour already.



“What are you doing?” Stephanie’s cold voice filled the cabin, just when Ava was preparing to stand up from her seat.



Ava looked over at her colleagues to ensure that she was doing the right thing and yes, they were already setting up to start leaving.



“I’m preparing to leave the office, Miss Stephanie,” she replied politely, having a gentle smile on her face despite the callous look on Stephanie’s face.



“Are you done with the assignment I gave you?” Stephanie asked again, getting up on her feet little by little.



Eyes closed, Felix rubbed the space between his eyebrows in frustration.



Smiling, Ava also got up, “I’m sorry, Miss, but I can't complete the task today. I'll be here as early as possible tomorrow morning to finish it. I'm so tired right now,” she explained smoothly.



“Are you out of your mind? See the way she was talking as if her boyfriend owns this company. This is not Zachary’s company, do you understand? ” Stephanie lashed out at Ava, her blue eyes growing darker.



By this time, Felix had stepped in front of Stephanie and faced her squarely. “I already told you that she can't finish those works today, Stephanie. What in the hell is your problem?”



“And who are you to tell me what to do, Felix? I'm the boss here in case you've forgotten!” Stephanie scowled harder, fixing him a firm gaze.



“You’re misusing your power, Stephanie. You're bringing in hatred into your work and you'll regret it,” Felix barked back, his jaw clenching.



Ava could only sigh deeply as all the traces of smile had finished from her face and replaced by a miserable expression.



She met the stony gazes of the other two ladies who had carried their handbags and seemed to be waiting for Stephanie.



“You’re crossing your bounds, Felix. Stay in your lane if you still value your job here,” Stephanie threatened Felix before shifting her hard gaze to where Ava stood behind her desk.



“And you, if you know you're not going to complete the task I gave you today, then don't bother coming here tomorrow,”



As soon as she finished talking, she grabbed her bag and stomped off, leaving Vera and Gabriella to follow behind her.



Sighing, Felix looked at Ava’s face and fell silent for a moment.



“I’ll talk to the manager about it, Ava. Please don't worry,” he pronounced softly, feeling extremely bad for Ava as he was completely powerless.



“No, Felix. You don't have to report her. I'm sure she will come around soon,” Ava emitted, her lips twisting into a small smile.



Felix sighed again and nodded his head, agreeing to what Ava just said.



Sitting down back and picking up a file, “You can go ahead first, I’ll finish up with this very soon,” Ava told Felix but to her surprise, Felix brought his chair closer to hers and picked up the next file on her table.



“We’re leaving here together, Ava. I’m not leaving you,” he said in a final tone and got to work immediately.



Two hours later, Ava took a glance at the window and discovered that it was already getting dark.



“I appreciate your help, Felix, but it's getting late already. You should start going home,” she pronounced softly and the man lifted his eyes to look at her.



“We’re almost done. Stop talking so that we can finish as soon as possible,” Felix said eagerly, compelling Ava to let out a small laugh.



She looked back outside and the smile on her face gradually came to an abrupt halt as it was just dawning on her that she hadn't heard from Zac since morning.



She had not contacted Zac nor did he call her either. But how could she be so sure that Zac had not called when she'd not even gotten the chance to operate her cellphone since in the morning.



Thinking of this, she quickly grabbed her bag and fetched her phone and then double-clicked to wake the screen.



“Oh my God,” she gasped softly after seeing the number of missed calls from Zac and text messages from him.



Without bothering to open the messages, she took the initiative to return his calls when some indistinct chaos got across the cabin.



A look passed between her and Felix and they instantly leaped up from their seats when the noise became distinct.



Rushing out of their cabin and reaching the passageway, they saw a few staff scampering out of nowhere and running toward the elevator.



Felix ran after them and caught up with the last man behind, “What’s going on, man? Where is everyone rushing to?” he asked.



The man looked at Ava and then back at Felix’s face, “Zachary Gonzalez is here according to the security men. So we're all going to confirm whether it's true or not,” the middle aged man explained quickly and hopped in the elevator.



“What?” Ava murmured, her brows furrowing deeply.



“Let’s go,” Felix grabbed her hand and together, they joined the team in the elevator.



‘What could he be doing here?’ Ava mentally asked herself, staring into the space worriedly.



‘Please don't tell me he's here because of me’



“Zachary Gonzalez had never come to our company in the past. What could he be doing here all of a sudden?” a brunette lady from the back spoke up, curiosity and enthusiasm flashing in her eyes.



“Could the rumor be true then? He's here because of our new staff… Ava Taylor,”



Ava looked at the gossiping people behind her from the metal reflecting surface and the four people— three men and a lady were also staring back at her.



Ding-dong!



The elevator chimed and stretched out and the people trudged out, pushing Ava and Felix out of the way.



Nevertheless, Ava and Felix followed the nosy people who were ought to be getting ready to leave the company by then.



And to Ava’s surprise, the four staff were not only the nosy-poker as she saw more of them in the lobby, the receptionist included.



A few of them were about to exit the entrance when they saw him from the transparent sliding door and they quickly rushed back.


Just then, he strode into the building, flanked by a number of bodyguards on both sides. He was sporting a tailored suit that complimented his tall figure.


He was thin yet wide. His waist was very narrow and he didn't have any flabby tums. It matched with the lines of his hips. He looked balanced and straight.

The enchanting lights on the ceiling merged with his straight body into a line. He looked elegant yet unruly. His greatest capital in seducing women was his wealth, power and appearance.

While almost all the ladies present were awwwing, holding their faces and even looked close to tears as if watching their idol, Ava on the other hand had stopped breathing and she felt like hiding her face somewhere especially when his gaze met hers.

The man has a look of pure anger and vengeance on his face.

“What are you doing? Get your things now and let's leave,” Zachary Gonzalez spoke in a tone of command, his gaze remained fixed on Ava.

Meanwhile, Ava pretended as if she wasn't the one Zac just spoke to. She tilted her head back and left and then right and left as if also searching for who Zac just commanded.


“Ava Taylor,” Zac called out decisively and Ava's shoulders slumped in sheer defeat immediately.


Gliding closer, she wanted to speak but found herself at a loss for words.


The people crowding over were not making things easier for her. She really wanted to speak for herself and tell Zac to go home before her.


“Didn't you understand what I just said? Go and get your things, Ava,” he spoke in a flat but frightening tone.


Ava panicked for a moment before slowly raising her head to look at his furious face, “I’m at work now, Zac. Can you please go ahead first?” she requested timidly, batting her eyes in a pleading way.


“Are you joking around now, Ava? This is almost 7pm and you're telling me you're still working? What are you? An official?” the muscles in his face tautened as he spoke coldly.


“You’re just an ordinary intern for God Sake! And where the fuck is the manager?” he directed his question to Felix since he was standing close enough.


“Uhmm…” Felix had no words as he was not certain whether their boss had gone home or he was still around.


“Here I am, Mr. Gonzalez,” a deep masculine rumbled through the air followed by the manager’s appearance.


Biting her lower lip, Ava lowered her eyes as she felt her heartbeat pick up pace, she obviously didn't like where things were heading.


“Why is an intern still working up until this moment, sir?” Zachary asked plainly, sarcasm enclosing his last word.


The manager raised his chin up defiantly, “I’m not in the right position to answer that question, Mr. Gonzalez as I'm not the intern boss but the intern boss’s boss,” The manager also answered with as much sarcasm as he could muster.


He appeared really fearless of Zachary.


“And who the hell is the boss, Ava? Who kept you working overtime? Answer me!” The frustration still got out no matter how hard he tried to stop it.


“It’s t-the Head of our department, sir,” Felix replied nervously for Ava and everyone's gazes landed on him directly.


“And where’s the person now?” Zac asked him, impatiently.


“She’s gone home, sir,”


Zac’s eyes narrowed shrewdly, rage and disgust engraved into his face.


With both hands pocketed, he walked over to the manager, their eyes leveled.


“Your employee wouldn't like to face my wrath, Mr. Manager,” his tone was dry but it carried a hint of challenge.


Ava stared at the two tall men, looking anxious and terrible.


“I won't have this conversation again,”


After his words, he tore his hard gaze from the manager and fell on Ava.


He clasped her wrist and looked at one of the bodyguards, “Get her things,” he instructed coldly and started walking away with Ava.


“Zac, you can't do this_”


“Tinkerbell, it would be wise you don't irritate me more,” he interrupted, while shooting her a firm glance.


Ava looked like she was about to say something again but she closed her mouth at the last moment, allowing him to pull her along.


Back in the hall, the staff were already accusing Felix for mentioning the head of department to Zac earlier.


“How could you do that, Felix? I thought you and Stephanie were more than just boss and employee. I thought you guys were friends,” a male staff yelled at Felix as soon as the manager left the scene.


“Yes, we are friends! But I don't know what exactly has gotten into Stephanie. You guys wouldn't believe the amount of work she gave to that poor girl and said she has to finish it before leaving here. Isn't that wickedness?” Felix also fired back.


“And what does that have to do with you, Felix? She got what she deserves!” the brunette lady from earlier countered, jealousy evident in her dark eyes.


“Why didn't you say this when her man was here?” Felix retorted and the girl could only lower her head.


“See, I know most of you ladies are envious of Ava and even some men,” Felix began in a lower voice, glancing at the dude that just yelled at him.


“But you all should remember the kind of man Zachary Gonzalez is. Someone who has always taken precedence over us and never for once appeared here in the past but he did so today because of Ava which only implies that girl means a lot to him.


Rather than keeping hostile toward the girl, I would advise us to attempt to be her friend instead. I'm certain we could win Zachary’s favor by doing that. Ava’s influence is enough for our company to do a lot better this time,”


Everyone fell in silence as soon as Felix concluded his words. They all looked as if they were thinking over his suggestion.