es

v

we going?

irror and gave me a soft smile. "The Pond

wild plants. The road was deserted and dark. I hesitated for a

Ocean." He glanced at me briefly, seeing my hesitation. "You

ling safe? It is the last t

f the huge brownstone building. My eyes widened as I caught the sight of the beautiful house nestled b

t but before he could speak, he h

if you called me

ad. "Mr. Franci

th to speak, bu

He'll spend the night with his friends in a farmhouse a few miles

band. If he wanted to spend his night with his girlfriend, t

m behind. I glanced at him over my shoul

rge enough to cook for a bunch of people. I reached the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water; it was stocked with fresh food: chicken, cheese, eggs, juice, bread, and a few more fruit

didn't want this Dave. I want my teenage Dave, who used to wear baggy clothes and thick glasses. I smiled, remembering my first kiss in the cafeteria. Travis had given me the dare to kiss the first boy who would enter through the g

ork's voice inter

d at him

ou need anything, please don't he

e live here

me she stays here. Mr. Rowan Capone owns a property in the city because of his work so most of the time he is out of town.

know. I hated that woman, but at the same time,

ed his eyes. "She pass

ears gathered in my eyes as I

***

h

d the unfamiliar room. The white wall, white curtain, fluffy pillow

h

he bed and walked to the window,

h

lowed the sound out of the room. I turned to the right and descended

ed, the sound

Someone

inside. I sucked in a sharp breath when my eyes caught sight of Dave's half-naked body. His muscul

I chose his room was because it reminded me that someone was living

missed and his fist landed on the wall. I winced when I saw the red spots. But he didn't react and sta

ce my presence as I grabbed his hand but before I could examine it he grabbed me by my neck and slammed me into the wall, knocki

s of my father ru

sobey me!" He punched my fa

won't disobey your fath

n't disobey your father! You won't disrespect him! You won't raise your voice aga

disobey you! Please...please..don't hit..don't hit me

va

s, shaking my h

voice. "Open your eye

on was blank, but I could see the hint of concern

tled me..

efore I could sp

asked coldly, n

e?

My fa

tell me you wanted to hurt me?" I looked into

moment, his eyes fell to my lips. "I wish I had never met you, Ava!

n't you ask me why I hate your mother so much?" The muscles in his back flexed as he stopped in mid. "Why

e gritted hi

eserved my hate. She treated me so well..." I lost my voice

twice about busting your fucking lips! J

sor

completed my thought process. "Baggy is also dead with her. You'll be responsible for everything I have endured, Ava! You'll pay for her! You'll pay for my fucking

***

for coffee. I had never really tried to cook food in my lifetime, and now I regretted it. I should have learned things so that I could feed my stom

up at her. "Come inside breakfast is ready," she s

going to

. Dave in the middle, Tim to his right, and Rowan across him. R

ill serve us," Dave sa

m one by one. Baked chicken for Dave and Rowan, to

etly. "Good mo

e briefly, who stared at us. "You got a sweet s

. You just need to ask,"

nly one who treated me like a friend and I did

asily." I gathered a few strands of spaghetti between the fork and put it in my mouth. I almost moaned at the taste of foo

nothing to you? They would turn this peacefu

osalyn stood up and hurried to th

"What happe

egnant," T

egn

by," Rowan fini

d my head at him. "S-She is pregnant

is gaze was fixed on the

he marry

roducing offspring!"

ffing. After a moment, a knock sounded on the door. I hesitated for a bit before opening it. "You left your breakfast," Rowan said a

't it? If he thinks he can hurt me through all these shits, then it is just a waste of his time. Everyone knows who he loves and who will end up hurtin

about her. She is a se

stared at Dave, who was

***