OVER AGAIN

The moonlight filtered through the closed curtains, casting a line of brightness across the bed where Ava lay, sleeping soundly.

She had no idea of the man sitting on the bed with her, holding her hand. His strong and straight silhouette could be seen looming across the wall. His eyes were dark like a bottomless lake while he stared deeply at a slumber Ava.

She had a beautiful face, a smooth forehead, a pert nose and lush lips. Her features were delicate and adorable. Her skin looked so supple.

After learning the truth from Ava’s supposed parents tonight, this man felt extremely attracted to her.

Just thinking about the whole admission had him trembling with outrage and his hand that was holding Ava clutched, causing Ava to wince from her sleep.

Catching sight of her displeasure, Zac quickly came back to his senses and lessened the grip.

He raised his other hand and stroked her cheek with his fingers, resting on her brows. He paused and a little smile graced his lips while he recalled how he'd almost unleashed the other part of him before them tonight.

“If you think I'm joking, then just allow me to count to three and you still keep mum,” he spoke in a flat but frightening tone.


“No, no, Mr. Gonzalez, you don't have to count. I'll tell you the truth,” Dylan panicked, his chest heaving while he gave Emma a look.


Emma, who had lowered her head, had already had tears in her eyes. She had no inkling on how Zac had got to know the truth but anyhow, she was most definitely sure the truth would hunt her.

“I don't know how you've managed to find this out, Mr. Gonzalez, but it's the truth. Ava isn't my real daughter and my husband isn't her father,” she uttered in a low yet calm voice, still unwilling to raise her head to look at Zac’s face.

Perhaps Zac wouldn’t have found this out if she'd treated Ava well from the beginning.

“Like I didn't know this? Tell me what I don't know, Mrs. Taylor. Who's Ava's real mother?” Zac’s expression tightened while saying the word.


“Marinette. Emma’s older sister,” Dylan quickly cut in, not liking his wife's hesitation at all.


Zac then narrowed his eyes at Emma and thought in his mind that, ‘Ava is still related to Emma anyway,’

“Marinette, my sister entrusted me with her eight-months-old daughter after she'd discovered that the father of the baby was into some kind of mafia gods game or something, and their criminal attitude was to no bounds,” Emma’s features twisted into pain grimace as she emitted word by word.

Zac could feel himself shaking on his feet, literally. What? Did he mishear just now?

Neither Emma nor Dylan noticed the perplexity that had etched into his features. He looked like he just heard the least he'd expected.

“Marinette pleaded with me profusely not to ever reveal this horrible secret to her daughter as no child would love to hear such a thing about her own father and then she told me to forget about her completely and never to look for her.

I was stunned and begged her to tell me whatever was going on with her but she refused and kept saying she was fine and alright,”

Zac’s eyes narrowed farther, his lower lip going in between his teeth.

However, to my utmost shock, my sister's lifeless body was flying all over the internet the next day, showing that my sister was gunned down,” Emma burst into tears as she couldn't hold them back any longer.


“Who killed her?” Zac’s voice was a deep, masculine rumble.


Sniffing, Emma lifted her head and took a glance at Zac’s ferocious face before shaking her head sideways.


“No idea till today, Mr. Gonzalez. My sister died unjustly and nothing was done about it,” Emma cried even more, the pain growing intense in her heart.


She hated to talk about her sister’s death. The pain has still not diminished and it always arises fresh whenever her sister is mentioned.


“Did she not mention the name of the baby’s father at all?” Zac pressed on, having a very bad feeling about it.

“No, sir. But she'd mentioned once that she regretted falling for Ava’s father.”


He shut his eyes as the whole scene flashed before his eyes and then raised Ava’s slender to his lips and then pressed a long kiss to it.


“I’ll protect you no matter what, Ava, even if it costs my life. I promise you,” the promise delivered in a deep growl.


The next day went by quickly and Ava couldn't be less glad. She was a bit exhausted from the work and it could be traced to the fact that she took the day before off.


Coming back into the cabin and slumping onto her seat, she let out a tired sigh while staring into the void.


“Do you need me to give you a massage?” Gabriella teased and Ava was forced to look at her grinning face.


“Why do you need to give her a massage when she'd gotten plenty of them from her man yesterday?” Vera countered, her lips full of smirk as she eyed Ava playfully.


Ava flushed, shaking her head. “I went to his office, guys,” she defended, darting a look between them and ignoring the redness booming across her face.

“Then why is your face going all red like tomatoes, Ava? Does it imply that you did more than a massage in his office?” Vera gasped, her eyelashes fluttering surprisingly.


Ava instantly covered her face and rose from her seat, “I-I don't know what you're talking about, Vera,”


She was already scampering out of her seat as she spoke, causing Vera, Gabriella, and even Felix who hadn't contributed in their contribution to erupt in light laughter.


However, Ava didn't make it to the doorway before the door flung open and disclosed the manager who had the widest smile on his face.

“Hi, Sir,” Ava greeted warmly before glancing back at her colleagues who had gotten to their feet, upon seeing the manager.


“Have I interrupted anything?” the manager asked jovially.


“Not at all, sir. I was just on my way to the restroom. Do you need something?” Ava asked politely.


Still smiling, the manager shook his head and took a glance at the head of the department seat, “I just finished talking to your boss and I'm happy to tell you that the deal was successful!”


“Wow! Finally!” Vera screeched, jamming her hands together and others joined, including Ava even though she was not really certain of what was going on.


“Stephanie made it known to me over that phone that it was obvious the Gonzalez Group purposely let it go to us this time which has never happened in the past,” the manager asserted, still maintaining his smile.


Others too were following his happy mood except for Ava, she couldn't continue smiling as she couldn't comprehend what the manager was trying to get at.


“Apparently, it was all because of you Ava. This company is going to evolve into a big contract again after a very long time. Thank you, Ava. And I'm sorry for the times I've treated you in an unkind manner,” the manager expressed, a hint of repentance etched across his face.


Surprise flashed in Ava’s eyes and for a long minute, she couldn't speak.


“No, sir. It had nothing to do with me. We won the deal because of our qualifications. It really had nothing to do with me at all, sir” she said positively.


The manager smiled wryly, “You really know nothing, do you? Anyways, the chairman would like you to consider to be retained after your program at school,”


“Whoa!” Another round of applause broke out in the cabin, compelling a blush to creep to Ava’s cheeks.


“I’ll think about it, sir. Thank you very much,” Ava said in a deep sense of gratitude.


The manager nodded and after a few more chats, he left their cabin and walked out.


“Aw. We’ll be glad to have you work with us here, Ava,” Gabriella gushed the words, staring at Ava wholeheartedly.


“Please don't say no, Ava. Believe me, I don't want you to leave us, I've grown to like you so much,” Vera also expressed, almost choking on the words, and came out to hug Ava.


Ava got too emotional and she had no idea when her eyes welled up with tears as she also hugged Vera back.


“You guys are making me emotional right now, do you know that?” Felix poked fun at the ladies, fanning himself dramatically with his hand.


They chortled softly and then returned to their respective seats to round up for the day.


A couple of minutes later, Ava’s cell phone buzzed on her table, and she peeked at it to see a text message from her man on the notification bar.


‘Are you almost done? I'm waiting for you outside,’


Excitement lit up her whole face in an instant as she quickly grabbed her phone and replied to his text.


‘Really? I'll be right down in a jiffy. And I want to believe your guards are not with you,’


She was already packing her stuff as she sent the message.


“Is he here already?” Vera was asking but her tone was affirming after she'd noticed Ava’s delighted mood.


“Yes, Vera. I'm leaving now. Will see you guys tomorrow. Bye,” Ava snatched her handbag, waved at them, and didn't allow them to respond before dashing out of the cabin.


“I'm so envious of her,” Vera smiled, adoration flashing in her eyes.


Felix cleared his throat, scratching the skin behind his ear, “Would you l-like to go on a d-date with me someday?” he asked nervously, trying to meet Vera’s gaze.


Vera felt her heart skip while fire hit her cheeks. She avoided Felix's gaze and began twirling the tip of her hair around her finger, saying, “I’d love to g-go out on a date with you too, Felix,”


“Oh, no. Shoot me! Am I invisible here?” Gabriella exclaimed, her eyes flickering.


Outside…

Zachary Gonzalez angled to the side at the same time Ava scurried out of the company premises and then raced across the street where his car was parked.


A hint of a smile played around his cold face as she admired this woman who had never been far from his thoughts all day— she was clad in a baby-blue blouse that she had buttoned to the base of her throat, a suit jacket over the top, and a black office skirt.


Meanwhile, Ava unlocked the passenger door and hopped into his black SUV.


The excitement on her face was giving it such a radiant glow that only enhanced her beautiful features.


“It’s so good to see you again, Mr. Gonzalez,” Ava gracefully raised the corner of her lips and revealed her white teeth. She looked beautiful and cute.


Zac frowned, “What happened to my man? Why am I suddenly Mr? Gonzalez?” he asked, displeased loud and clear in his deep tone.


Ava also frowned, “Aren't you Mr. Gonzalez? What's wrong with me addressing you as Mr Gonzalez?” she tucked some strands behind her ear and pouted.


Suddenly, Zachary approached her, crouching above her and she could see the fire and deep bottomless water in his eyes. It was clearly passionate but in force of restraint.


“I'm Mr. Gonzalez to others but your own man. Don't ever address me like that again, got it?”


Ava smiled and hugged his neck spontaneously, “Got it, baby.” With that, she kissed his lips gently.


“I need to change the furniture in my bedroom, Zac. Let’s go there first,” Ava stroked his cheek after the brief kiss and announced.


Zac hummed and sat upright to start the car. However, Ava suddenly clasped his shirt as if she just recalled something.


“Speaking of furniture, were you in my bed last night?” she asked in a quiet voice, her eyes narrowed.


“Yes,” Zac confessed, having a compassionate and sincere grin on his face. “How did you know though?”


“I woke up to a crumpled sheet beside me this morning and also your cologne on it,” Ava replied, smiling as she recalled how she'd clung to the sheet this morning, inhaling the magnificent cologne of his.


“Oh. Aren't I incredible?” Zac tipped her a broad wink and focused on the road.


Giggling, she held his free hand and looked up at his side face. “Incredible you are, Mr. Gonzalez,” Her smile became radiant and her wrinkles deepened when Zac glared at her.


She laughed uncontrollably before moving closer and pecking his earlobe. She had fallen for this man over again.