30
“No, Ava, you’re going to get hurt.” Andrew said it loud enough for me to hear, but not to the hearing of others.
“You greatly underestimate me. That annoys Andrew.” I remarked sarcastically, placing my hand over my heart.
I walked past him and found the girl in the ring; I walked up to her through the ropes.
She was a few inches shorter than me, but I could tell she worked hard.
The doorbell rang. I wanted to study her fighting before attacking, so she took a fighting stance. So I let her go first; she tried to punch me, but I quickly dodged it.
She threw more punches, which I all avoided. She was getting frustrated and tired, and she was becoming sloppy. I could see Andrew out of the corner of my eye, watching us.
She attempted to land another clumsy punch on me, but I was able to dodge it and capitalize on the opening to uppercut her. She took a few steps back, surprised that I had attacked her. She regained her composure and lunged at me, I took took the punch which barely hurt. I punched her twice in the stomach and once in the face.
She collapsed to the ground, her lip cut and her nose most likely broken. I exited the ring and approached Andrew.
He gave me a wide-eyed stare. “Are you impressed?” I inquired.
“I’d say I’m more surprised because Ashley can beat up every other female in my Mafia.” He responded.
“Well, she can hardly punch and gets sloppy after about 5 minutes, but I told you I could defend myself.” I said.
“Just because you can knock her out doesn’t mean you’re safe from the rival Mafia.” Andrew said as he walked away from me.
“What is it going to take, Andrew?” Following Andrew, I inquired.
“Nothing, Ava; I cannot let you get hurt.” Let it go.” Andrew stated.
“All right, so what are we going to do now?” I inquired.
“Do you know how to use a shotgun?” Andrew inquired.
“No…”
“Today you’re going to learn.”
A gun?
Andrew led me into another room, a shooting range.
A girl was shooting a handgun and hitting the target every time. I noticed how she would switch from one hand to both while still hitting the target.
“Andrew, I’ve never held a gun before.” I lied in order to avoid whatever he had planned for me.
“Well, you’re going to today.” He motioned for the girl who was shooting to come over.
She put the gun down and approached us. She was a few inches taller than me, with tanned skin and gorgeous curly black hair.
“What do you need, boss?” She inquired, her arms crossed across her chest.
“Train her,” Andrew said as he motioned to me.
She nodded, and Andrew walked away without saying goodbye.
Rude.
“Hello, my name is Melissa.” With a smile, she said.
“I am Ava,” I said as I walked over to where she was shooting.
I took up the gun and aimed it at the target. How difficult could it be to shoot a gun?
“Wow, girl, slow down.” Melissa explained. “Shooting a gun is more than just pointing it and pulling the trigger.”
She re-positioned my gun grip and “fixed” my stance. “All right, now aim the gun, and when you’re ready, pull the trigger.” She stated.
I aimed the weapon, wrapped my finger around the trigger, and pulled the trigger.
My aim was terrible, and I barely hit the target.
“Fuck it.” Under my breath, I hitched.
“It’s all right, practice makes perfect.” Melissa explained.
After a few hours of practice, I was hitting the target square on. I was pleased with myself.
I reloaded and continued to hit the target, while Melissa shot her target next to me.
“Ava, it’s time to go.” Andrew said, scarring me while I was shooting.
“You shouldn’t scare me when I’m shooting, Andrew.” I said while placing my hand over my heart.
“Come on, come on.” He grabbed my waist as I set down the gun.
“Thank you very much, Melissa.” I said before Andrew dragged me out of the room.
Melissa received a small nod from him.
As we walked to the car from the base, he wrapped his arm around my waist. We climbed into the car, and the driver began driving us to Andrew’s house.
“Why are you different at work?” I inquired, noticing that Andrew rarely spoke at work and sounded annoyed when he did.
“People at work aren’t people I want to hang out with, and I’m their boss.” They need to know who’s in charge,” he said without looking at me.
“I don’t like you at work,” I shrugged, looking out the window.
He smirked and returned his attention to his phone.
We finally arrived at Andrew’s house a few minutes later, and I jumped out of the car and ran upstairs, desperate for a shower.
I stepped out of the shower, threw on an old jersey and some short shorts, and picked up my phone, which had 5 unread messages.
Charis: Girl, where are you? You’ve gone missing.
Jenny: Why didn’t you tell us you were moving?
Charis: YOU MOVED!!!
Jenny: Are you all right?
Charis: ARE YOU DEAD?
I laughed and opened my phone to respond.
Me: I’m not dead, but a lot has happened.
Charis: Are you all right?
Me: I’m fine and secure.
Jenny: You really need to explain everything.
Me: Let’s go out, I’ll explain.
Charis: What about coffee?
Jenny: Today?
Me: What time?
Charis: 9 at your favorite bakery?
Me: Works for me.
Jenny: Excellent.
I smiled and decided there was no need to tell Andrew right now.
My stomach grumbled, and I realized I hadn’t eaten since the morning before, and I was starving. I went downstairs to look for the kitchen.
I could go two days without eating because of the conditions Sylvester had me in.
I found the kitchen, which had a few chefs walking around.
“Excuse me?” I asked quietly.
“Yes?” said one of the chefs.
“Could you please get me something to eat?” I asked.
Even though it was late, I told the chef that I wanted pancakes. He nodded once more and then went to work.
As I waited for the chef to finish my meal, I looked at my phone and began playing games. After a few moments, the chef handed me a plate of three enormous fluffy pancakes.
I put down my phone and took a bite of the pancakes. I was in heaven; they were sweet and perfectly cooked. I poured syrup all over them and inhaled my food; when I was done, I noticed syrup all over my shirt.
“Great,” I remarked sarcastically.
I grumbled and walked upstairs to change my clothes. I walked into my room and dug through my closet for a shirt, but I couldn’t find any.
“Fuck,” I muttered.
I was not going to sleep shirtless with Andrew and whoever else was in the house.
Wait a minute… Andrew.
Andrew must own a countless shirts, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I borrowed one for the night. I exited my room and crept over to Andrew’s office, checking to make sure he wasn’t in his room.
When I opened the door and peered inside, he was sitting behind his desk, looking at paperwork. I smiled as I quietly shut the door.
I dashed into his room and began looking for a shirt. When I opened his closet, I discovered hundreds of black shirts. He wouldn’t miss one, I thought to myself.
I took one of the black shirts and undressed, revealing my black lace bra. When I felt another presence in the room, I let my dirty shirt fall to the floor.
I turned around, still shirtless, and saw Andrew smirking at me in the doorway.
Shit….
“Take a photo, it’ll last longer.” I rolled my eyes.
I took his shirt and pulled it over my head, covering my entire body. It was big on me, reaching past my high thighs and nearly to my knees. I inhaled deeply and noticed his enticing scent on the shirt.
He raised his brows and approached me.
“What are you doing, wearing my shirt?” he inquired.
“I figured you wouldn’t miss one,” I said, “all mine are dirty.” I shrugged my shoulders in response.
You obviously did, I suppose.
“Great, I’m going to leave.” “You know where I am.” I said as I walked past him.
I exited the room and entered mine. I shut and locked the door behind me. I sat on my bed and drew the covers over my head.
*********
I realized Travis would most likely be at the bakery when we arrived, and I still hadn’t told Andrew about me meeting my friends and having to be there in half an hour.
I got dressed and left my room to find Andrew.
It was around 8:30, so I assumed he was working in his office.
I entered his office and opened the door. I found him working at his desk, not looking particularly happy.
Great…
When he heard me enter his office, he raised his head and looked me in the eyes.
“Oh, Andreweee.” I said as I walked around his office.
“What exactly do you want, kitten?” I’m at work.” He stated.
Oh, he hasn’t called me that in a long time. He could be having a good day.
“I’m leaving with my friends; where is Seb?” I inquired.
“Who and where are they?”
“Haha, yeah, so about that.” I told him, knowing that if I didn’t, Seb would probably snitch or something.
“Ava, who are you going to see?”Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
“I’m leaving with my friends; where is Seb?” I inquired.
“Who and where are they?”
“Haha, yeah, so about that.” I told him, knowing that if I didn’t, Seb would probably snitch or something.
“Ava, who are you going to see?” He stated firmly.
“Charis, Jenny, and Travis.” I responded while avoiding eye contact with him.
“No.”
“Andrew, we’ve discussed this before. Either you let me go and you know about it, or I leave and you don’t.” I said.
I noticed him sigh in defeat. “Fine, but Seb will always be with you.”
“I appreciate it.” I said while leaning down and kissing him on the cheek.
I watched as he was pulled away from my action, but he grinned in recognition.
I smiled as I exited his office and descended the stairs.
“SEBBBB.” I yelled, hoping for a response so I could get moving.
“There’s no need to scream; I’m right here.” As I spun around to face him, he said.
“Haha, let’s get started.” I basically ran outside and into the car, I said.
I waited for Seb to get into the driver’s seat before telling him where to go.
We arrived at the bakery after about 20 minutes, a billion traffic stops, and Seb cursing at traffic 5 times.
I walked out, half expecting Seb to follow, but when he didn’t, I was relieved.
As I entered the bakery, I saw Charis and Jenny sitting at a table near the center of the room.
“Hey,” I said as I approached where they were sitting.
“Thank goodness you’re okay.” Jenny said as she stood up to hug me.
“You can’t die on me yet.” Charis said as she joined us in a hug.
“Hey guys, I really missed you.” I said.
We all sat down, and I told them about how I had to relocate due to my job. I didn’t mention Andrew and Mafia because they lived normal lives and I didn’t want to ruin it for them. After I explained everything, they just said they were glad I was okay and that if I ever needed to move in with one of them, I was welcome to do so.
We then discussed Jenny’s boyfriend and how they finally said “I love you” to each other. I admired their relationship because it was normal and honest.
Travis wasn’t showing up for his usual coffee, and I was almost disappointed because I wanted to introduce him to my friends. Just as I was about to give up, I noticed a familiar face walk into the bakery and order a coffee.
I stood up and approached Travis. “Hello, blue.”
“Hello, shortness.” He returned the smile.
“You’ll be late for whatever you have after this because you’ll be meeting my friends.” I said as I walked over to my friend’s table.
“Fortunately for you, I don’t have anything else after this.” He said following me.
“No mafia talk, please.” I warned him before we came within hearing distance of my friends.
“This is my new friend, guys.” I pointed to Travis and said,
Jenny and Charis raised their heads, and I swear I saw Charis droll at the sight of Travis.
I noticed Travis staring at Charis when I looked up. “Matchmaker Ava,” I thought to myself.
“This is Jenny, and this is Charis.” I said.
“My name is Travis.” He continued to stare at Charis.
I spent the rest of the morning at the bakery with Charis, Jenny, and Travis until Jenny and Charis had to leave for work.
“Bye, girls; I’ll see you later.” I hugged them goodbye outside the bakery.
“OK, we love you, and please call us.” Jenny stated.
I let them both go and watched them disappear around a corner.
I smiled as I returned Travis’s gaze.
“What?” Travis inquired.
“I am the century’s Matchmaker.” Giggling, I said.
“I’m not sure what you’re on about, shortness.” He said while turning away from me.
“You’re hilarious. You got Charis’ phone number and couldn’t stop staring at her the entire time.” I responded.
“OK, she’s really pretty, and I’d like to take her out on a date.” He stated.
“I had a feeling.” I yelled and jumped up and down.
“Shut u-” Travis’s whole body tensed up and he grabbed my hand and moved me behind him before he could finish what he was about to say.
“What the hell, Travis?” I inquired.
“Good day, cousin.” A deep, sinister voice spoke up.
My spine tingled, and I was terrified of the man without even looking at him.
“Robert,” Travis said, hiding me at his back.
Robert… Robert, Andrew’s main adversary and Travis’ cousin.
“You’re being so impolite, aren’t you going to introduce me to that pretty little thing behind you?” Robert stated.
“Don’t refer to me as that.” I hissed as I emerged from behind Travis.
“You also have a mouth.” He said as he turned his gaze away from Travis and down to mine.
He was tall, with pale skin and midnight black hair, and he was well-built, but his stare terrified me. When I first saw Andrew, I thought I saw Sylvester’s eyes, but when I looked into Robert’s, I knew there was no good in them. He was destructive, ruthless, and merciless.
Seb, where are you when I need him?
“I’m leaving right now.” I said this as I walked away from Travis and towards the street.