Talk to Her

Ava was half shocked to find the little boy she helped standing in front of her. How could he be here?

"Yes, I came here to meet you," Lukas said calmly, without feeling guilty at all.

"You were with an adult, right?" Ava was very surprised, looking around for any adult or guardian accompanying the mischievous little boy. However, she didn't find anyone who seemed to be with him. "Oh my god! Don't tell me you ran away from home again!"

Unfortunately, Lukas' answer didn't make Ava happy. "What's wrong if I run away from home?" Lukas asked back with a cute face. He knew that adults, especially women, were very weak against the cute face he was making now.

Ava sighed, feeling a sense of responsibility towards the little boy. "Lukas, you can't keep running away from home. Your parent must be worried sick about you," she said gently.

Lukas pouted, crossing his arms. "But my dad doesn't understand me! He never let me do what I want," he complained.

Ava sat down on a nearby bench and motioned for Lukas to join her. "I know it can be frustrating when your dad doesn't understand you. But running away is not the answer. Let's talk about what's bothering you," she said, trying to reason with him.

Lukas hesitated for a moment but eventually sat down next to Ava. "I just want to talk with you," Lukas said. "But I know that Dad will not let it happens."

Ava knew where it comes from. She then patted his shoulder and said, "Wait, kid—"

"Lukas! My name is Lukas," Lukas said, looking at Ava with a stern expression.

"Okay, Lukas," said Ava, swallowing her smile. "How about if we go inside and talk."

Lukas was beyond happy with her offer. That was what he wanted for now. He wanted alone time with her beautiful benefactor. He wished to talk to someone who looks a lot like his late mother.

Quickly, they went inside the house. As they walked through the hallway, Lukas couldn't help but notice how quiet and somber the house felt. The walls were adorned with less expensive artwork, but they seemed to lack the warmth and liveliness of a home filled with love. Salary workers stayed there. What would he expect from cheap rented housing?

Ava led him to the dining room, which was surprisingly neat and organized. The living room was decorated with minimalist furnishings that exuded elegance and sophistication. A plush white sofa was placed at the center of the room, complemented by two armchairs upholstered in a soft beige fabric. A glass coffee table with golden legs sat in front of the sofa, adorned with a vase of fresh flowers that added a pop of color to the room.

The walls were painted in a soft shade of gray, and a large abstract painting hung above the sofa. The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the soft glow of the city lights that seeped through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The stunning view of the city skyline was a breathtaking sight to behold, the twinkling lights of the skyscrapers and buildings creating a beautiful tapestry against the dark night sky.

The moon shone brightly, casting an ethereal glow on the room. The night sky was clear, and the stars twinkled like diamonds, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The silence was only broken by the occasional hoot of an owl or the distant sound of a car horn.

Ava gestured for Lukas to take a seat on the sofa, and she sat down on one of the armchairs. As they talked, Lukas occasionally glanced around the room, taking in its beauty and elegance.

Despite the opulence of the room, Lukas felt a sense of comfort and warmth.

They talked for a while, and Ava listened attentively to Lukas' grievances. She could understand why he felt the need to run away, but she also knew that it wasn't a sustainable solution. After some time, Lukas seemed to calm down and started to open up to Ava.

"He even forced me to study at home from today," the cute boy said again, "Dad is always like that. My grandparents said that he used to be a kind person. However, since Mom left … he changed."

A face, full of sorrow, painted in that supposed to be a cheerful little boy. Ava had no heart to see him like that. Ava then hugged him tightly, and the boy hugged her back, feeling a sense of warmth and love that he had missed for so long. He cried in silence.

"I missed my mom so much," he said. "If she is still here, I will be surrounded by happy parents."

As Ava tighten her hug, she couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness for Lukas. She knew that his family had money and privilege, but it seemed like they lacked the one thing that money couldn't buy - love and affection.

Ava whispered, "I know you're doing all of this because you're sad. But you should go home so that the people who love you won't worry." She then kissed Lukas' forehead gently, conveying her affection for the young boy. "I think I'll help you call your family," she said as she let go of him and reached for her phone in her black purse.

However, Lukas quickly grabbed her hand, stopping her from telling his strict father where he was. "No!" he exclaimed, his expression panicked. "Please, let me stay with you just for a little while longer. I promise I'll go back home tomorrow." He pleaded with Ava, his eyes pleading with her to understand his plight.

Ava looked hesitant, unsure if she should grant the little boy's request or not. But seeing how Lukas begged, she couldn't bring herself to say no.

"Alright, you can stay with me tonight," Ava said, giving in.

Lukas' face lit up with joy, pleased to hear Ava's response.

"In that case, you can take a shower first. Can you use the shower by yourself?" Ava challenged the little man's pride, but he was quick to defend himself.

"Of course, I can!" Lukas said, a little annoyed at being treated like a child.

As Lukas showered, Ava prepared some food for the two of them to eat. She glanced at her phone several times, tempted to call the Montgomery family and inform them of Lukas' whereabouts. However, she remembered Lukas' sad expression and his troubled relationship with his father.

"Well, I guess it's okay if I turn a blind eye for a moment. Someone as arrogant as William Montgomery needs to be taught a lesson so that he knows he's too hard on his son," Ava thought to herself, feeling annoyed.