FULL OF MOCKERY

“Forgive me, Ava,” Surprise and something else flashed through Ava’s before she blinked and it was gone.


 She didn't know for sure why Cole was suddenly apologizing to her but in fact, she really didn't want to hear it.


 Regardless, what could she do when she'd followed him to this place? While sitting her ass back on the seat, she gazed at Cole’s hand that was holding hers to his face.


And she was thankful Cole got the message because he quickly withdrew his hand, looking even more sorry.


 “You don’t know how long I’ve been longing to get those words to you, Ava,” tired blue eyes filled with masked pain gazed at her.



 “I’ve wanted to apologize to you since you caught me and Charlotte across your street that night, Ava, and when I saw those tears in your eyes… I knew right in that moment that I was a monster that didn't deserve your forgiveness,”


Against Ava's better judgment, memories flooded her mind unbidden and unwanted and she didn't realize her hands were now curling into fists.


 That night she dreaded the most out of the dreadiest that had occurred to her. That night that was a slap to her face.


 That night she felt betrayed by her own sister. That night she’d come back from the coffee shop late and saw Charlotte entangled with Cole on his car bonnet.



 On a silent sigh, she said straightforwardly with a very calm expression, “Even though I'll never forget that night, Cole, I'm cool now. I hold no grudges against you whatsoever,”


Cole’s lips curled, “You’ve become so different, Ava. Feels like you're a whole new person,” he spoke his mind.


 Ava only shrugged, “One of the perks of going out with an effective man like my man,” she smiled a little at the end of her words and took the glass of water an attendant had brought earlier to their table.


 As she sipped from the water, the anguish written all over Cole’s face couldn't go unnoticed by her. It was then she allowed her lips to stretch into a broader smile.


“If that's all, I should get going now. I have somewhere to be,” she enunciated quickly and got to her feet swiftly.


 “Charlotte has ended our relationship, Ava,” Cole said in a broken voice, his head slowly looking up at Ava's stunned face.


 Ava had purposely feigned ignorance, not willing to make Cole notice that she'd heard the news from Charlotte herself.


 “Oh my god, when was that? I’m so sorry to hear that, Cole. If you want, I can talk to my sister,”


The crease that set between Cole’s brows after Ava’s words made her realize that she had gone a bit over the top.


But that was the plan. To rub salt into Cole’s wound. He must have been so stupid to even have the mouth to tell her that Charlotte had broken up with him.


Sluggishly, Cole stood on his feet, all this time gazing at Ava’s radiated eyes.


 “You’re full of mockery right now, Ava. Like I said, you've truly changed,” he pronounced word by word, guilt underlining his words.



 Ava sucked in her teeth and raised her eyebrows, “You shouldn't expect less, Cole. You sharpened my teeth so you should foresee them digging into your body,” she teased but there was a hint of brutality behind those words.


 And with that, she turned around and left the coffee room, leaving Cole standing there shell-shocked.


 Reaching out and getting closer to her car where it was parked, she was quite surprised to see Nick leaning casually on her car bonnet—standing straight as soon as he saw her approaching.


 “Nick?” she called out, stunned. “Yes, it's me, Your Highness,” Nick replied with a chivalrous bow of his head.


 The shock on Ava’s face disappeared, replaced by a deep and passionate smile.


Nick would never get tired of addressing her as a royal member no matter how much she'd complained about it.


So now that she'd come to terms with it, she'd really come to like it. It really makes her feel so special.



 “What are you doing here?” she asked warmly, her gaze meeting Nick’s car behind her own. “What else, Milady? His Majesty had sent me to fetch you,” Nick said with a broad wink.


In an instant, Ava’s lips curled into a grin as a wave of excitement washed over her, “Zac had sent you to come and pick me up here at work?”


 Smiling and nodding his head, Nick responded, “Yes, Milady,”


Ava jumped on her feet and practically ran toward her car but just as she planned to unlock the car door, she suddenly recalled the night party, and the big smile on her face at that moment drifted off at once.


 “Is there a problem?” asked Nick, as soon as he noticed Ava’s long face.



Ava answered ‘yes’ and walked over to where Nick stood, “I need your help, Nick,” Nick nodded once, hinting at her to spit whatever the aid was.


“I need you to tell Zac that you didn't find me. Tell him I've left here before you arrived, please,” Ava implored, her eyes also pleading.



Nick scoffed, “Why do you want me to lie to the boss, Ava? Are you going somewhere?”



 “Yes, Nick. There’s a get-together party I need to attend tonight and Zac might not allow me to attend it and I have to, Nick. My friends wouldn't be pleased with me if I didn't come to the party,” Ava explained, fluttering her eyelashes in an irresistible way.


Holding the back of his neck and looking up momentarily, Nick looked back at her face and said firmly, “The boss musn't learn the truth, Ava. I'll be doomed,” he conveyed, his fear evident in his eyes.



 “No, he will never know about it. Don't worry, I'll take care of it,” Ava smiled.


“But what if he called and asked about your whereabouts?”


Nick pressed on, “I’m not saying this for your good sake but for mine, Ava. You're his woman, he will never think of hurting you but me…dude, I'm good as dead once he discovered that I lied to him,”


Ava chuckled and held his hands, “I’ll take care of it, Nick. You can start going back now. Bye,” She shot him one last warm smile then moved toward her car and opened it.

**************


The sky was getting darker by the time Ava arrived at the venue Freya texted her.


From the moment she had seen the address, she had guessed that the location wasn't a lounge or anything but probably a villa.


And it truly was a villa. Ava parked her car outside the bungalow and came out of the car. She dialed Freya’s number and put the phone to her ear.


While waiting for Freya to answer the call, Ava took her time to scrutinize the house. It was a wooden bungalow— a modern wooden house that was so cool during the summer weather.


The courtyard was covered with large and lush camphor trees with dense leaves that could block out sunlight during the day.


“I’m outside,” Ava spoke into the phone as soon as the call got connected and hung up immediately.


Just then, Ava looked over and saw Freya scampering out of the villa, her arms opened widely. Smiling, Ava also stretched out her arms, ready to welcome her.


“My love,” Freya whispered in her ear the second she pounced on Ava, “I missed you so much,”


 “I missed you more, babe,” Ava uttered softly while disengaging from the hug and looking straight into her face.


“You look more beautiful than before, Freya, or is it just me?” Ava batted her eyelashes, her eyes looking at Freya up and down.


“The same way you got more beautiful when you officially became Zac’s woman,” Freya flushed red while talking which made Ava become even more confused.


Unable to help questioning, she asked, “Is there something you're not telling me, Freya?”


Freya grinned, “Come on, let’s get you inside already,” Inside the house was even more cool.


The temperature inside and outside were totally different as if she had entered an air-conditioned room.


In the dining room, there stood a familiar masculine back view backing them.


From the look of things, Ava could tell that the figure was busy setting the table.


“Caleb,” she called out at the same time Caleb tilted his head after noticing some movement behind him.


 “It’s our beautiful Princess,” a wide grin split Caleb’s face as he left what he was doing and came to welcome Ava in his embrace.


A chuckle bubbled in Ava’s throat at his remark.


 “Zachary Gonzalez is doing a great job on you day by day, Ava,” said Caleb after he unlocked from the brief hug.


Ava smiled, “You’re not looking bad either, Caleb. It seemed I'm the only intern student here,” she said, looking between Freya and Caleb.


“What makes you think so?” Freya asked, smiling.


 “You both are looking so cool, unlike me,” Ava expressed with a frown.


Freya laughed and Caleb joined her but the laugh died down the moment Freya caught something with Ava’s dress.


 “Why are you on corporate dress, Ava? You didn't go home to change from the office?” Freya called into question, raw curiosity flashing in her eyes.


Pursuing her lips, Ava looked down at her dress and thought that she was indeed a fool.


 How could she not have thought of changing her dress before coming for the party?


Although, she was escaping Zac by rushing out of Nick’s sight but she could have easily went to shop for a dress before arriving here.

But this thought never crossed her mind while driving here. She was only sad in her heart that she wouldn't be seeing her man tonight again.


 Jeez. She was literally obsessed with that man and it keeps getting intense every day.


 “Never mind me, Freya. I was looking forward to see all of us back together once again that the thought of going home to change my dress never crossed my mind,” she smiled but a heavy weight of guilt had settled in her heart.


 “Moreover, this place is quite far. I wouldn't have made it here so early if I had gone home to have my dress changed first,”


Nodding her head in agreement, “You’re very right, Ava. Anyways, do you like this place? It's my late Grandma’s house. I choose this place because the ambiance is always relaxed with its naturally occasional breeze outside,”


 Freya had taken Ava’s hand as she spoke, showing her around the house. 



“I love it, Freya, and I'm sure Hazel would like it too,” Ava confessed, her eyes roaming every single interior in the olden house.


 “Speaking of which, Hazel should be here by now already__” Caleb was saying but got interrupted.


 “I’m here, guys!” a enthusiastic voice boomed immediately the door opened followed by Hazel’s stunning appearance.


 “Hazel!”


 Both Ava and Freya squealed at the same time and rushed over to lunge on a grinning Hazel but Freya couldn't make it as she had tripped on her feet but was soon caught by Caleb who had practically flown to her side just to catch her in time.


He caught her around her waist while Freya’s hands went up around his neck.


As if they were the only ones left alone in the world, they stared right into each other eyes, beaming widely and unaware of the four pairs of eyes gaping at them.


 Ava coughed into her hands, getting back their attention while Hazel kept fluttering her eyes and when the two got back on their feet she couldn't stop the words from escaping her mouth.


 “Are you two…going out?” she asked tentatively, eyeing a blushing Freya.


 The two of them stayed silent but the growing smile on their faces confirmed Hazel’s question.

 
“You two are really dating now? Oh my god! Since when?” Ava asked, eyes widened in disbelief.


 As if running from Ava’s question, Freya went to hide herself in Caleb’s embrace. Her face buried in his chest.


Caleb adjusted his glasses, as he wrapped his arm around Freya.


“Oh my, you two are really something,” Hazel hissed and walked past them and completely into the room.


“Answer my question already, Freya,” Ava demanded, her eyes training on Freya’s burning face.