TERRIFIC DAUGHTER

The car glided to a halt within the vast, sprawling compound that cradled the tremendous duplex that held mild of Zac’s childhood memories.




The chauffeur got out, opening the door for Zac and he stepped out of the car. His feet met the familiar pebble driveway and with each echoing footfall, his childhood memories replayed in his mind… the little but best times he spent with his mom.




Ava seemed to understand his mood. She remained silent and only walked beside him.




As they approached the grand entrance, the imposing wooden door, beautifully carved with amazing designs greeted them. Zac breathed, opened the door and went in with Ava behind him closely.




“Surprise!!!” Numerous jubilant voices rang out as Zac stepped foot through the door, the familiar scent of their home enveloping him.




Zac froze at the entrance. His brows furrowed in confusion as he scanned the room. Ava also exchanged confused glances with him as well.




“Uncle Zac!” Aurora’s tiny voice interrupted his mind. The little girl toward him, and Zac bent down to pick her up.




“What’s going on here, Aurora? Why didn't you tell me you were also coming to Chicago?” Zac asked, baffled.




Then Aurora grinned, revealing the rows of her white tiny teeth, “My mom and grandma wanted to surprise you. I'm sorry for not telling you,”




It was after her words Zac noticed Mia was also there with the unfamiliar faces. She met Zac’s gaze and gave him a small smile but Zac ignored her and looked back at Aurora’s face.




“And how’s my princess doing today?” he asked indulgently.



“I’m fine, Uncle Zac. We're celebrating Grandma’s birthday,” she showed him her balloons.




“I can see that, sweetie. And I guess you haven't seen who I have here with me,” Zac teased at the same time Ava came out of her hiding behind Zac.



Aurora’s eyes opened wide in surprise, “Ava!” she shrieked and wriggled out of Zac’s grip.



“Is that really you, Ava?” she yelled out happily, holding Ava’s two legs who then carried her in her arms.



“Of course, it’s me, baby. I missed you,” Ava giggled a sound, staring at the girl with pure adoration.




“I missed you more, Ava. Are you also here for Grandma’s birthday?” she asked, elated.




“Of course, that's why I'm here,” And like that, they both engaged in a long conversation that didn't seem to be ending soon.




Zac looked over and asked no in particular, “Where’s Genevieve?”




“Here I am, dude,”



The familiar, soothing tone of his mother washed over Zac, wrapping him in a comforting embrace of familiarity. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he turned around.



His gaze underwent a thorough examination of his mother, from head to toe, to ensure her well-being, searching for any signs of illness or grief. Seeing none, a wave of relief washed over him, “Mom,” he opened his arms to her.




Genevieve Gonzalez’s face gleamed as she weaved her way through the small crowd and into her son’s arms. For the first time in a long time, she felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and love as he embraced her.



“It's good to see you, Genevieve,” Zac murmured against her.




“It's so good to see you too, Jamal. Christ, I've missed you so much. You don't wanna come home anymore,” her tone was sad.




“I'm sorry, Mom. I've been so busy,” he apologized with a grimace, his expression filled with guilt and regret.



Ava watched them. Genevieve looked like an old, petite, feminine version of Zac. She had an average body type with a smattering of gray in her black hair. She was stunning.


As she watched the heartwarming exchange between mother and son, an unfamiliar warmth spread over her chest as a soft smile graced over the older woman’s face.



She had never felt this kind of warmth before as it could be said that she had a mother like who doesn’t have at all.



“Let me guess, Ava?” Genevieve asked with a smile, giving Ava her attention now.




Ava inclined her head respectfully. “Yes, ma’am. Happy Birthday to you,”




“Come on, dear. I told you I’m not ‘ma’am’ It’s either Genevieve or mom, are we clear?” She chided amiably.



Smiling, Ava nodded that she got it.



“Now come on in. Let me introduce you to my guests,” Genevieve took hold of Zac’s arm and pulled him along with him into the house where some two elderly men sat.




“Meet my fiance, Fred. Fred meet my son, Zac,” she introduced amiably.




Alarmed, Zac gazed at his mother and she nodded, hinting at him to take the man’s hand.



Embarrassed, Zac reluctantly shook hands with the old man who looked around of age with his father if he were alive.




“It's nice to meet you, son. Your mother has told me a lot about you,” Fred said in a gentle man’s voice but Zac only nodded without interest and took his hand away first.




“And this is my friend, Wade. We’ve been good friends since God knows when,” Fred continued, patting the man standing beside who was also stretching forth his hand for a handshake.




Zac scoffed silently and took the man’s hands and before any of them could say another word, he walked away, clearly pissed.



Ava, who had been ignoring Mia’s intense gaze by engaging in the men’s introduction, was taken aback when his man suddenly walked away without excusing himself.




She planned to follow him when Genevieve obstructed her way and said softly, “Let him be. I’m sure he'll come around soon,”


Mia came to stand beside Ava after Genevieve walked away. Ava saw her and wanted to leave the place when her words stopped her…



“I’m not going to hurt you,”



Ava looked at her and saw the remorse etched across her face.



Mia sighed and crossed her arms around her chest, “I've learned that you can't always have everything in your way,”



Ava was still looking at her when she smiled at her warmly, “You’re lucky. He really likes you. I just hope you guys last longer,” she then walked off after she finished talking.



Ava twitched her lips and thought in her mind, ‘Did she squeeze her head between a door?’




It was time for dinner. Genevieve ushered everyone into the dinning Hall.




The table was elaborately decorated with fresh flowers and had an extensive spread of pastries, wine, and drinks. The entire dining hall was beautifully decorated.




Ava saw Zac coming out from a corner around the house and approached him, “Where have you been? Are you okay?” she asked worriedly.




Zac gave a curt nod and together they went into the sumptuous Hall and took their seats.




Continuous laughter and chatter kept going on at the table, only Zac was left out as he ate his food silently without contributing to their discussions.



Genevieve purposely didn't engage him in the discussion as it occurred that anyone with a sane conscience wouldn't want to talk to him at that moment.




“Why are you silent, Uncle Zac? Don't you like the food?” Aurora asked all of a sudden, and everyone turned their attention toward the little girl beside her mother.




It was a struggle to put on a little smile, “The meal is superb, Princess. And I'm fine,” Zac forced out.



After a moment of silence when Zac had resumed eating…



“Don’t you want Grandma to get married to Uncle Fred?” the little girl bit the bullet, throwing everyone to shock; including Zac.




He coughed slightly. He wasn't expecting that.



“W-What?” he murmured.



Then Aurora pouted, “You were full of energy and looked happy to see Grandma again but your good mood faded away when Grandma introduced Uncle Fred to you. Don’t you want Grandma to be happy?”




Zac’s eyes widened in fraction. His jaw dropped to the floor as he continued staring at his six years old niece but who behaved like a sixty years old woman.



“Uncle Zac, you just have to approve of their union. Do you know why? The last time when I had come here with my mom, Grandma was not looking as radiant as she is now. So I think she really yearns for a companion,” Aurora concluded and resumed shredding her beef naturally as if she'd not said anything just now.




“Oh my goodness,” Geneveive couldn't fight back her tears as she rushed out of her seat and went to hold her granddaughter to herself.




“Oh my, Aurora. How could you have said all my mind without seeing it? How I wish your father is here to witness how happy his daughter makes me feel,” she whimpered, kissing her face over and over again.




Ava didn't realize she was crying until the tears escaped her eyes. She has always known that Aurora was one quick-witted and clever little girl.




Mia couldn't control her tears too. Her daughter was too smart for her age and she never cease to amaze her everyday with her words. It makes her unhappy most of the time as she always wished Aurora’s father was here to see his terrific daughter.



The older men and some other neighbors present were all awed and doubted if the girl was really six.




During this time, Zac had left the table quietly and went to the courtyard, rethinking Aurora’s words.




“Do you really don't like me to get married again?”



He turned around when he heard his mother’s voice.




Sighing, he went closer and slowly held her hands in his. “Don’t you think you're a bit old for marriage?” he didn't look angry but worried.




“No one is too old to have a companion by his or side, baby. Fred acts more like my best friend than my lover. He also found solace in me since he lost his life several years ago,” Genevieve explained, smiling softly.




“Do you really want to get married to him?” Zac asked after a momentarily silence.




Genevieve nodded eagerly, more tears slipping out of her eyes, “Yes, Jamal. I want to spend the rest of my life with him,”



Then Zac smiled genuinely, “Then you're getting married, Mom. And I'll make sure of it before we return to NY,”



“Really?” Genevieve cried joyfully, “Thank you so much, son” she hugged him tightly.



A WEEK LATER.



“How have you been, Nick?” Ava asked cheerfully as they all strode toward the villa.




“I’ve been well, Princess. I missed you so much,” Nick made a face and said in a crying tone but upon seeing the glare his boss tossed at him, he quickly composed himself.



Ava just laughed and walked ahead of them. “I will go freshen up first. I'm tired,”



Zac nodded with a smile and made sure Ava was completely out of sight before he stopped walking and faced Nick.




“What have I missed?” he asked.




Nick, who seemed to have wanted to talk to his boss since he'd went to pick them up at the airport quickly started talking.



“You didn't miss much, boss. But there is an important invitation I just received today,” Nick said, fetching a envelope from his back pocket and handed it to his boss.



Zac took the envelope and produced the in invitation card that was inside it. Directly, his heart inexplicably made a flip in his chest.



‘The Annual Mafia Party’




“Yes, boss. It's the Annual Party and you have to be there like others and with your woman as mentioned in the IV,” Nick gave more information, looking a bit worried.




Zac frowned deeper and skimmed at the theme of the party and it was confirmed; every leader must be there with his woman.



“Why on earth didn't you keep track of this damn party, Nick?” he growled, his nose flaring.



“I’m really sorry, boss. I completely forgot about it,” Nick quickly apologized.





A muscle of Zac’s jaw ticked, “There’s no way in hell I'm ever going to allow Ava to attend the party with me,”




Nick nodded. Even though his words were not directed to him.




“B-But Boss, the consequences?” Nick stuttered his fear for his boss.




“Damn the consequences,” Zac gritted out and flung the IV away.