Back to the villa

After Ava cleaned up she came out of the bathroom and stood in front of Oliver. She was hesitant and uncomfortable. Just now she almost slept with Oliver and she felt guilty toward Daniel. Although they were not real husband and wife but she still felt loyalty toward that relationship. Moreover, just a few days ago she promised Daniel she will seriously think about their relationship and make a decision but now here she was with Oliver in the very suite where she lost her virginity to him. Ava wanted to blame it all on Oliver but deep down inside she knew she wouldn't have denied him if he took it further. Her stupid heart still beats only for him and she hated herself for it. Why can't she let him go?

Oliver noticed her uneasiness which made him a bit angry, why she always be so uncomfortable around him? Did she completely forget how she loved to be in his arms once. Did she change so much? However, Oliver didn't say anything. He picked up the car key, held Ava's hand, and led Ava out of the hotel suite. Oliver took the elevator and came to the underground parking, the whole time he was holding Ava's hand as they walked silently side by side. Like a gentleman, Oliver opened the door for Ava of his black Bugatti.

As soon as Ava got inside the car, her eyes fell on the Talisman that was hanging in the mirror. The yellow rope looked a bit faded, Ava took a good look and her eyes widened seeing it was the same one she hang on Oliver's Aston Martin four years ago. Why does he still have it? Ava's mind went completely blank. This was a simple gesture, she hung it there for his protection, why did he have to keep it all these years, even when he has changed his car? These simple and little things were shaking Ava's heart deeply and reminding her of the bitter sweet past. However, she didn't dare to ask him anything, she was afraid Oliver would say something that will throw her into a pit of darkness. His every action, every word was screaming how he has been preserving their memory all these years. On the other hand, she not only ran away but also betrayed him by marrying another man. but was she wrong, after all, it was him who betrayed her first. Ava looked outside, she didn't want to think about these things.

As Oliver got into the driving seat he started the car. There was an uncomfortable silence in the car as it sped up on the busy street. One's future could really be unpredictable, Ava never thought she would sit beside Oliver again on his car, and here she was but it was nothing like it used to be. Ava kept staring out of the window, it was dark, Ava could only see the neon lights passing by. Sitting beside Oliver Ava suddenly recalled, once he would proudly say it was only her who had the right to sit beside him but now things have changed and Ava wondered if any other woman sat beside him in all these years. Ava didn't know why she felt sour at that thought, she had nothing to do with him. It didn't matter how many women he has been with, then why did her heart hurt at the thought of him being with another woman?

Ava sighed, she needed to stop thinking about all these and remember she was here only for Nina. Ava suddenly remembered she hadn't called Daniel, he must be worried sick at home. She should at least let him know she was ok and so was Nina. Ava took out her phone to call Daniel but found that her phone was dead. Ava wanted to ask Oliver for his phone so that she could call Daniel but she couldn't recall his number. She only memorized Oliver's number which hasn't been changed in all these years. Ava sighed again and looked away.

Ava was very surprised when Oliver drove through a similar street and stop in front of the villa she used to call home once. She never thought Oliver brought Nina here. Looking around Ava felt nostalgic and a bit sad, a lot of things happened here, she made a lot of good and bad memories in this place. If Nina wasn't here, she probably would never come back here again.

Ava entered the living room and looked around at the unfamiliar space, everything was different, looks like Oliver has changed the interior of this place. Ava walked forward with steady steps and suddenly a Piano tune came into her ear. Ava's eyes instantly roam toward the place where her piano used to be and even though the whole interior of this room has changed, but the piano corner still looked the same. Seeing the familiar Piano again Ava recalled, it was Liam who accompanied her and bought that Piano for her. Daniel told her Liam's whole family had died mysteriously, Ava felt sad thinking the heartless fella, full of mischievous has left the world at such young age. However, what she didn't know was Liam killed his own family and committed suicide because he thought she was dead.

Ava and Oliver slowly approached near the Piano corner and saw Orion and Nina were playing together. They both stood there listening to the two children without interrupting their music. Ava was smiling unconsciously and looking at her sweet smiley face Oliver couldn't help but smile too. she looked so much like her old self.

After Orion and Nina ended the tune Ava called out, "Nina."

Nina heard her mother, she jump out of the bench and run toward Ava. "Mommy!!"

Ava hugged Nina tightly in her arms thinking she must be very scared being away from her family in an unfamiliar place. She never let Nina go anywhere by herself, after all the girl was only two years old. However to her surprise Nina was actually smiling and looking very cheerful, Ava wondered if she was worried for nothing. Nina let go of Ava and said excitedly, "Mommy, did you hear, me and brother Orion have been playing the piano. It was so much fun."

Ava was dumbfounded, she thought Nina would be crying her eyes out but she was smiling and playing happily without even caring where she was and the fact that none of her parents were with her. Although Nina has always been carefree by nature and would not shy away from strangers, but she still thought the little girl would be sad for being away.

However the moment Nina saw Oliver she got a little rigid. Ava instantly realized she was afraid of Oliver so she quickly said with a smile, "Sweetie, don't be afraid, that's Uncle Oliver. He is a friend of mine."

Nina was a bit confused because she thought her parents were having a quarrel with Oliver the other day but since her mother said he was a friend she shrugged and believed it.

"Dad!" Orion also came and stood beside Oliver, he didn't ask to hug him or anything, he just stood there and looked at the mother and daughter in front of him.

"Orion, didn't you want to learn Piano from the famous Mackie? See dad brought her home for you to become her discipline." Oliver said with a smile but he thought son I am paving the way for you to get close to her the rest depends on you.