CHAPTER 26

Mia stormed into the room, her eyes wide with disbelief and frustration. "Who makes out on a yoga mat?!" she yelled, her voice echoing with exasperation.

Xavier, caught off guard, quickly pulled away from Ava, his face a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment. "What the fuck are you doing here?" he demanded, his tone sharp and defensive.

Mia crossed her arms, looking down at him with a steely gaze. "If you forgot, let me remind you that this house belongs to my best friend," she said, her annoyance evident in her voice.

Xavier's irritation flared. "Everybody is waiting for you downstairs and you guys are busy..." Mia trailed off, shaking her head in frustration.

Ava looked at Mia, her confusion evident. "Everybody?"

Mia nodded, her expression a mix of impatience and exasperation. "Yes, I planned for us girls to watch some moments of Christian Grey and Anna Steele, but the boys decided to join, so now we're watching something else."

Ava's eyes widened as she processed the information. "So Xan and the great Noah Smith are downstairs?" she asked, heading into the bedroom. She reemerged wearing an oversized black shirt, looking casual and relaxed.

Mia added, "Including your boyfriend and his sister."

Ava turned her attention back to Xavier, her expression softening into a sweet smile. "Xavier," she called, her voice laced with a hint of innocence, "Would you take the boys outside so we can watch the movie peacefully?" She flashed him a pair of pleading puppy eyes.

Xavier's lips curled into a smirk as he looked at her. "So that you can drool at Christian Grey's abs, right?" His words hung in the air, and everyone's jaws dropped in surprise.

Ava's eyes widened in shock. "I am damn sure that Noah knows it too. Don't take us for idiots," Xavier continued, smirking at the girls.

Ava looked at him incredulously. "You said you don't watch movies," she said, her voice a mix of surprise and disbelief.

Xavier shrugged, his expression nonchalant. "I don't, but my sister does, and this time I'll be watching with you," he said with a sarcastic smile.

Ava turned to Mia, her curiosity piqued. "And what is Alexander doing in your house?" she asked.

Mia shrugged, taking a sip from her drink. "I called Lia, and he came with her," she said casually.

The group settled into their spots. Mia, Amelia, and Ava sat comfortably on the couch. The boys, including Xavier, Noah, and Xan, took their places beside them. Xavier chose to sit on the floor, his head resting against Ava's folded legs, creating a relaxed but intimate atmosphere. Noah was seated next to Mia, and Xan took his place beside Lia. Everyone's attention was fixed on the screen, where Fifty Shades of Grey played.

Mia pointed at the screen as a steamy scene approached. "They're gonna kiss now," she said, her voice tinged with anticipation.

After the movie ended, the group chatted and relaxed, their conversation flowing easily. One by one, they began to leave, until only Ava remained.

Mia, now rummaging in the refrigerator for a few beer bottles, asked, "Have you packed everything for the school trip?"

Ava popped the cap off her bottle and took a long sip, her gaze focused on the drink. "I did, I just have to pack my shoes and sandals. Are Xan and Lia coming too?" she asked.

"No, they're going somewhere else. It's only the science, math, and art departments on the trip," Mia said, taking a drink of her own.

Ava chuckled, remembering. "It's been many days since we drank together; Noah and Xavier would always disturb us."

Mia nodded, a hint of annoyance in her tone. "Remember that time we went to the mall and they popped up out of nowhere?" she said, reminiscing about a past incident that had been both surprising and amusing.

Ava and Mia sauntered into the mall, each with a drink in hand, enjoying the relaxed vibe. Ava took a sip and set her boundaries firmly, "I'm not buying any lingerie or anything."

Mia, clearly on a mission, led Ava straight into Victoria's Secret. "Just go buy whatever you want, but I'm not buying anything here," Ava repeated, her tone resolute as she navigated the aisles.

Mia, however, was relentless. "Why not? You could seduce some men or, better yet, your nonexistent boyfriend. The bras here will make you look sexy, Ava. Come on, at least get one set," she urged with a playful grin.

Ava shook her head firmly, waving her off. "I'll pass."

Mia paid for her purchases with a triumphant smirk. "Nice, I bought three pairs—one for you and two for me," she announced with satisfaction.

The pair moved on to the next store. Ava picked out several practical shirts and pants, her selections practical but conservative.

Mia's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Ava's choices. "I swear I could fit two people of my size in that shirt. For once, can't you buy something revealing? You only look sexy to me when you're in gym clothes. Try this," she said, tossing a daring backless red dress at Ava and shoving her towards the fitting room.

Ava's face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm not wearing this," she protested, glancing nervously at the saleswomen who were eyeing them with curiosity.

Undeterred, Mia handed her more short dresses. "I know, but there's no harm in trying," she insisted.

"Fuck you," Ava mouthed as she retreated into the fitting room, her cheeks burning with a mix of frustration and shyness.

Inside the cramped fitting room, Ava wrestled with the fourth dress—an extravagant backless number with intricate strings. As she struggled to tie it, a sudden knock on the door startled her.

"Mia, how do you expect me to wear this? It's like I'm tying ropes around my body," Ava complained, opening the door slightly while holding the dress precariously in place.

To her shock, Xavier stood in the doorway. A smirk played on his lips as he stepped into the room and locked the door behind him, shutting out any chance of escape.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Ava demanded, her voice a mix of surprise and irritation.

Ignoring her question, Xavier said, "Turn around and give me your band."

"What?" Ava asked, confusion etched across her face.

With a sigh, Xavier turned her around so her back was facing him. He took the band from her wrist and began to fashion her hair into a neat bun, his fingers brushing against her skin.

Ava's eyes were locked on his reflection in the mirror. "Stop ignoring my questions and tell me why you're here," she pressed, trying to keep her tone steady.

"Noah and I saw you and Mia shopping for underwear," Xavier revealed, his voice nonchalant.

Ava raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You're not the type to frequent the mall."

"Well, I thought since Ava's here, why not come and disturb you? I've always wanted to annoy you a bit. But who knew you'd be dressing up for me?" he said with a teasing grin, finishing her bun with a satisfied nod.

Ava rolled her eyes, a mix of exasperation and embarrassment. "Oh, please. If not for Mia, I wouldn't be dressing up at all. She just wanted to see me in this dress. By the way, where is she?"

"Gone," Xavier replied, his fingers still lingering on her bare back as he adjusted the dress's strings.

"What do you mean, gone?" Ava asked, her confusion deepening.

"I mean she ditched you for Noah and went off with him," Xavier explained, his fingers tracing lightly along her exposed skin.

Ava pushed him away, her face flushed with both embarrassment and irritation. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just checking if the dress fits perfectly," Xavier said, leaning in closer, his gaze intense.

"Now I see it from the front. We should definitely buy it," he suggested, his eyes roaming over her form with approval.

"Oh my god, look away," Ava said, turning around quickly, her cheeks burning.

"Actually, get out. I need to change," she insisted, opening the door and giving him a gentle but firm push.

When Ava finally emerged from the fitting room, she found Xavier holding a shopping bag. "You bought it?" she asked, astonished.

"I liked it on you," Xavier said, handing her the bag with a self-satisfied smile.

"You're crazy. I'll pay you back later," Ava said, taking the bag and heading toward the exit. Xavier followed closely behind, a smug look still on his face.

"Yeah, that was actually creepy," Mia said, downing another bottle.

"Okay, no more boy talk. Let's sing," Mia suggested, trying to change the subject.

"Bring it on, milady," Ava agreed, switching on the karaoke machine on the television and holding the bottle like a makeshift mic.

*

Tristan opened his eyes to find himself in a dark room. His hands were bound, and he could feel blood trickling down from his head. He screamed as the ropes dug into his skin from his struggles.

"You've reached your hell, Tristan. Welcome back," a deep voice echoed behind him, sending shivers down his spine.

"Who are you?" Tristan asked, attempting to move.

The lights flickered on, revealing Xavier smoking a cigarette.

"You," Tristan screamed when he noticed Xavier pulling a gun from his back.

"I warned you not to mess with my sister and my girlfriend, but you never listened, did you?" Xavier said, cocking the gun and aiming it at him.

"Your time's up," he declared, pulling the trigger before Tristan could protest.

Blood sprayed onto an emblem behind Tristan—a symbol of the most dangerous and ruthless mafia group in the world, the BLACK KNIGHTS.