Chapter 25

Jack smiled, knowing fully well that it was an empty threat " Oh , you'll do no such thing. Now let's go, shall we? "

If looks could kill, Jack was sure he would be on the floor now " Cut it out Alex, she's staying with you, now should I help you up? " He offered again and didn't expect his brother to accept his help knowing how stubborn he was.

Just as he thought, Alex ignored his offer " Maybe you should consider taking her with you then, I'm sure Liam needs a babysitter badly " And he huffed.

Jack rolled his eyes to show that he was bored " She's perfect for you Alex, not Liam. Trust me, you need it more than my son does " Jack answered with ease.

Alex pondered over what his brother said and his head shot up as he understood what he meant " Is that supposed to be an insult?! "

Jack shook his head " Take it as an advice instead, you need someone to keep you back on track. Now, let's get you back into the life you're used to, or do you wanna stay here all day? Maybe you wanna consider living here perhaps? " He chuckled.

It was Alex's turn to roll his eyes and he did " Not funny. Let's go " He replied dully and stood without any help from his brother.

Outside, Ava paced back and forth the hallway, now regretting what she had said back in the ward. She would not be surprised if he kicked her out her ass. So tell me honey, what did you gain from proving to them in there that you're a smart mouth? Her inner voice taunted.

Ava just rolled her eyes, not ready to battle words with the little lady right now. She would be lucky if if she got paid at all.

" Oh what am I going to do if I get kicked out? Where will I go? " She lamented and was on the verge of crying. Now she regretted talking back to her boss. She had stopped pacing and was resting her back against the wall now.

" I'm a fool, a big one " She mumbled to herself, all the while slapping her forehead with her palm. A tear slipped down one cheek. Followed by another. And another. Her head shot up when she heard the sound of a door opening two minutes later and Alex and Jack came out.

While Jack gave her a reassuring smile, Alex on the other hand stared at her as though a word from her would make him throw her out finally. Jack's smile eased the tension in her a bit and she sent him a grateful one of hers which didn't quite brighten her eyes.

Alex frowned and studied her face closely. Then he saw the dried tears and realized that she had been crying. Well, he would be damned. She cried after what she did?! He asked himself and looked at her in scorn.

Jack cleared his throat " Uh... Can we go? " He preceded them to the car and they followed quietly.

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It had been weeks since Alex recovered fully and resumed back to work. Ava saw less and less of him and didn't mind at first. She did her daily tasks and as he had recovered completely, she usually spent the day helping Maggie in the kitchen. It got to an extent that they didn't see each other at all. Alex usually came back from work late when the mansion was quiet and would leave before day break.

Ava began to think he was avoiding her because he detested her so she made a mental note to apologize and talk to him but how?? The question kept ringing in her head.

One particular morning when she was performing her daily tasks, her inner voice suggested " Perhaps you can go wait for him in his bedroom? " Ava waved off the idea immediately.

" No young lady, that won't work. I have issues to iron out with him and hiding in his room would only worsen the situation. He may think I'm a pervert or a desperate woman so that suggestion of yours is a big NO "

" And if you really want to help, " Ava continued " Your silence will be so much appreciated "

Immediately, her inner voice kept more of her horrible suggestions to herself.

Ava then thought of how to go about her plan carefully without making the whole thing look like she planned it. She snapped two of her fingers together when she finally arrived at an idea. Smiling in self appreciation, she continued her work while she calmly waited for the night when she would execute her plan. She worked late into the night until she couldn't continue anymore. She finally collapsed on the couch and checked the time. It was past eleven. What the fuck?! Did he usually stay out this long? Her surprise became worry and she looked on. She waited for almost an hour before she got sleepy and decided to take a nap before he came back. It was part of her plan anyway.

It was a little bit past 1am when she heard the sound of his car coming up the driveway.

" Finally " She whispered to herself and closed her eyes while she waited for him to come in which he did some minutes later. Ava pretended to be fast asleep and the room was dark so he didn't notice he had a company until he heard her soft snore.

He frowned at that, wondering why Maggie wasn't in her bedroom. She must have slept off on the couch, he thought and smiled to himself. He put on the lights and a curse escaped his lips when he saw who it was.

" What the hell?! " He said with a start.

" What is she doing here? " He asked himself and slowly walked to her, careful to make little or no sound at all. She was fast asleep, he noticed as he leaned down to her eye level.