FORGIVE ME, AVA

Reid? The name sounded very familiar.


Ava gazed up at a grinning Charlotte as she spoke into the phone seductively, twirling the tip of her hair around her fingers.



As if she just recalled where she'd heard the name from, Ava’s eyes suddenly opened wide in disbelief.



Reid… Reid, Zac’s very close man who could pass as his best friend.



Could he be the Reid Charlotte was talking to? No, it couldn't be. After all, he's not the only Reid in the whole country.



Soon, she discarded the thought and planned to lay back when Charlotte’s next words stopped her from doing so.



“You mean I'm really going to meet Zachary Gonzalez? Are you for real?”


What Charlotte had just said only confirmed her guess. She pursed her lips in confusion as to how on earth could they have collided in the first place.



She didn't know much about Reid’s personal life style but as far as she knows, he didn't seem like a man to be trapped by a girl.




The more Ava dwelled on this thought, the more curious she became. She suddenly had an impulse to give Zac a call but it was late already. Moreover, she was still upset with the fact that Zac had ended the call on her earlier.



At this moment, Charlotte was done talking to Ried over the phone and the call had ended. A deep sneer embedded around the corner of her mouth as she moved to where Ava lay on the settee.



“You’re surprised, aren't you?” she winked at Ava as she occupied the empty space beside a stunned Ava.



Ava could only stare at her face wordlessly. Not that she didn't know what to say but she couldn't wrap her head around what those two were up to.



“Are you two-timing Cole?” the words escaped her mouth after biting down her lips to stop them.



Charlotte chuckled a rough sound, reaching out her hand and removing the strands around Ava’s forehead.



“Now you're worried about that jerk?” Even though Charlotte was asking, the words were more of a statement than a question.



Saying nothing, Ava only kept staring at her sister coldly. She wouldn't say she was worried about Cole, she didn't care whether she was conned by Charlotte or not.


In fact, whatever the case might be, Cole deserved every bit of it.



However, what got her edgy was how Charlotte and Reid got entangled. She was most definitely sure that it was not a coincidence. No, it was not.



“Y-You dumped Cole for Reid?” she couldn't help but ask the only question lingering on her tongue.



Clapping her hands, “Wow, Ava. You're a genius!” Charlotte praised, her face spreading into a broad smile.



“Cole has got no stand beside someone like Reid, am I wrong? But to be honest with you, sister, I'm only going to use Reid as my bait to catch the big fish. I’m certain you know who that is,” a tiny smirk tugged up at her lips as she dipped her head closer to Ava.



“Zachary Gonzalez. I'll make sure I have him for myself, Ava. I want to also relish the pleasure of having the most wanted man’s dick buried in my hole, dear sister. Resent me all you want, Ava. But I won’t stop until I have Zac wrapped around my fingers,” Charlotte noted firmly, determination latching into her sharp eyes.



A small smile feathered Ava’s lips for the time while she nodded her head repeatedly, “Are you sure about all you just said, sis? Do you really think you can get Zac for yourself?”



“Hundred percent sure. Let him just lay his eyes on me first,” Charlotte smiled.



“I’ll just have you know this, dear sister,” Ava began, curling up her legs together on the sofa.



“Your opinion is irrelevant and I—”



Ava interrupted her coldly, “Your legs will shake in fear when you stand before him, Charlotte, and if he gives you his full attention you will either pee in your panties or you'll faint,”



A gasp flew out of Charlotte’s mouth after hearing this but she quickly pressed her lips together to hide her fear.



Seeing the panic in her eyes, Ava chuckled and patted her exposed thigh. “You can do this, sister. I'll await your positive news,”



With that, she stood up from the sofa and left for her bedroom, the smile on her face just now fading away.



The next day.



Ava’s fingers had not stopped hovering over her phone screen in conflict. She wanted to give Zac a call badly but her self-pride was on the line.




How could she give him a call first when he'd banged the call on her last night?




Did he think it was easy for her to have slept alone last night too?



Sighing, Ava thought in her that people always looked up to Zac as a big and mature man but little did they know that he could be very childish when it comes to relationships.




Heaving another deep sigh, she let go of her phone and leaned into her seat. Her mind was in an extreme conflict at the moment.



Her ears and body were terribly itching to hear Zac’s voice but if she should give in to their request, what about her pride?



Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!



The shrilling sound of her phone snapped Ava out of her thought and with a reflex and reckless action, she grabbed the phone and answered the call without glancing at the caller ID.




“Hello, Zac!” she sat up with an immediate effect and spoke enthusiastically into the phone.




“Hey, easy girl. This is not Zac but your friend, Freya,”



Ava couldn't stop her eyes from rolling after recognizing the voice that just met her ear.




“So you don't miss me at all but miss someone you practically see each other everyday?” Freya’s tone carried a hint of grief.




Quickly, Ava put away her dejected mood and put on her brightest smile. “Of course, I miss you terribly, Freya. Believe me, I already had the intention to give you a call after work today. I'm sorry, baby,”




What she said wasn't true, but it wasn't a complete lie either. She indeed missed Freya. However, the thought of giving her a call soon had not crossed her mind but she had to lie to make Freya feel better.



Since they've all parted ways to do their internship, their communication has diminished.




“I’m sorry for just calling too, Ava. Anyways, Caleb and I are hosting a small get-together party tonight at my place. You can't miss it, Ava. Hazel too will be coming,”



A party tonight? Does this mean she won't be spending the night with Zac tonight too?



She sighed inwardly. Two straight nights without Zac will be a complete mess.




“Hello, Ava. Are you there? Can you hear me?”




“Sure, sure. I can hear you, Freya,” She readjusted her expression and smiled.



“Then I'll be expecting you, babes. I'll text you the address and also, I've got a pile of gist for you,” Freya said, emphasizing the word ‘pile’



Ava’s mood was lifted upon hearing the word gist, “I can't wait then,” she grinned.



After a few more exchanged of words, the call ended.




Breathing out, Ava held her phone close to her face and opened the message chat with Zac.



Her both thumbs kept gliding the phone keyboards in contemplation. Should she text him first or not?




“Good morning, Ava!” This cheerful voice reverberated in the cabin as soon as the door unlocked.




Ava quickly tossed her phone on the table and looked over to see Vera smiling at her with the most beautiful smile she had ever seen.




Huh? Not only had she took the initiative to greeted Ava first, but she was also showing Ava her charming smile.




What's going on?



“Uhmm… Hi, Vera,” Ava returned her greetings with an awkward smile.




“Why are you always here before any of us? Is it the agreement you made with the manager?” Vera asked curiously while getting seated at her desk.



Ava smiled, “I resumed late on my first day of work, and the manager was not pleased with the behavior so I promised not to repeat such ever again,”



Vera mouthed an ‘oh’ while nodding her head repeatedly.



“But you shouldn't overwhelm yourself with the work, Ava. You're just a trainee, you should do your own part and leave the rest,” Vera tutored, looking serious.



Ava gulped, not knowing how to feel around this new Vera. Why was she acting weird all of a sudden?



In a matter of a few more minutes, the cabin was now completed with other staff members—including Stephanie.



What is more surprising was that Gabriella too had joined Vera in speaking lovely to Ava. While working, they wouldn't stop engaging Ava in their discussion.




Meanwhile, Stephanie only kept her straight face, throwing glare at the ladies and continually told them to stop talking.




Seeing the girls getting along with Ava, Felix couldn't help but feel satisfied. Although, he was not putting his mouth to their conversation but he couldn't resist laughing along with them.




When it was lunch time, the four of them exited their desks and prepared to walk out of the office together.




“Do you mind joining us for lunch, Stephanie?” asked Vera amicably.




“No, I don't have interest,” Stephanie shot back without looking away from her computer.




“Alright then,” Vera responded and started walking away with others following behind her.



The long day finally came to an end and it was time for the workers to start going home.



Vera, Gabriella and Felix left in Vera’s car after sharing a parting hug with Ava and it was at that moment Ava told them about the party she was going to attend tonight. Just in case she came to work late the following day.




After watching Vera’s car drive out of the premises, Ava opened her car and planned to hop in the driver’s seat when she suddenly heard someone calling out her name behind her back.



Swiftly, she tilted her head and saw Cole approaching her with fast-paced footsteps.



“Yes, it's me, Ava. Please I need to talk to you, please I beg you don't say no,” he sounded as if he'd be breaking into tears if Ava said no to him.



Ava gazed up at the tall man towering above her. His body was wrapped in a plain blue t-shirt. His blonde hair was cut on either side but full on top.



He looked cute and attractive but in Ava’s heart, he will always remain a jerk in her eyes.




“What do you want to talk to me about?” Ava asked softly, her face expressionless.




“Everything, Ava,” Cole answered quickly and darted his eyes around the environment, “There’s a cafe opposite this building. Let's talk there, please,” he pleaded, his eyes clouded with remorse.




Ava stared at his face for a full minute before nodding her head in agreement at last.



With that, she got into her car and zoomed out of the company, and parked her car outside.



She was preparing to exit the car after taking her bag when she saw Cole getting out of his car which was parked in front of hers.


Together, they both crossed to the other side and went into the not-too-busy cafe.



Cole soon found a spot at the end of the room and led Ava there, helped her sit down, and also sat on her opposite.


“What would you like to have? Coffee, water?” Cole asked tenderly, his eyes watching her face.



“What do you want to talk about?” Ava questioned grimly, her hands going around her chest.



Cole chuckled dryly and lowered his eyes bitterly, “You don't even want to drink anything with me. I guess that's how much you hate me now,”



Frowning, “I followed you here just to spare you some minutes out of my occupied schedule, Cole. I'd like to take my leave if you’d brought me here to drink tea,”



Ava was getting ready to stand up as she spoke but Cole had held her hand back on the table.



“Forgive me, Ava,”