CHAPTER 28

She fell harshly to the ground and looked back to see two boys standing over her.

"You're quite weak and have the guts to be involved with the Black Knights and their people. This is your punishment," one of them said, approaching her. However, Ava swiftly held his legs with her own and rolled to the side, pulling him down. She landed a hard punch on his face.

The other guy was about to attack her when she kicked him and hit the back of his head. She then ran away, holding her bag tightly.

The next day, everyone arrived at the college for the trip, and they enjoyed themselves for three whole days. They engaged in various activities, and some couples even had secret romances.

After three days, everyone returned home. Ava packed her luggage and left for her hometown to celebrate Christmas. They all planned to meet up at her house after celebrating Christmas with their families.

Arriving at her house, she knocked on the door and observed that it was open.

"Where's my little tigress?" a man said, coming out of the room.

"Dad!" Ava yelled and hugged her father.

"I missed you so much," she said, hugging him tighter.

"Me too," he said, kissing her forehead.

"All hugs for your dad and nothing for your mom?" said a woman in her mid-forties.

"Mom, I missed you too," she said, kissing her mom on the cheek and hugging her.

Ava's mom, Bethany, is a doctor, a neurologist, and her dad, Marc, is a journalist.

After eating dinner with her parents, she unpacked her luggage and talked to Xavier for a while. She came downstairs and saw her dad watching television.

She sat on the couch and put her head on her father's lap.

"You're a grown-up woman, yet you like me to rub and pet your hair," he said, petting her head while watching the news.

Ava hummed with satisfaction, watching the news with her dad.

"A new murder has been committed by the great mafia group, the Black Knights. The victim is recognized and belongs to the Black family, who were recently sent to prison for corruption," continued the reporter.

The news reminded her of the incident that happened a few days ago when she was attacked by those men.

"Dad?" Marc hummed.

"Who are the Black Knights?" she asked.

"They are one of the most ruthless mafia groups, but till now, they have not done anything bad. But their name itself sends shivers to the people. Many journalists, including me, tried to find who was behind the group, but none of us were successful. You do not need to worry about it," he explained.

Ava nodded and started to think.

What connection does she have with the Black Knights?

Who were those people?

By the Black family, did the reporter mean Tristan Black?

Who was the leader of the group?

Why did those men think she was involved with the Black Knights?

Was she in danger?

With those thoughts roaming in her head, she dozed off on her father's lap.

After a while, Bethany returned from her shift and found her husband watching the news, with their daughter sleeping soundly, her head resting on his lap.

"She must be exhausted from the trip," remarked Bethany, placing her bag on the coffee table.

"Yeah, she nodded off a while ago," Marc replied, gently patting Ava's head.

"She's going to graduate in a few months, has a boyfriend, and even saved a girl's life. She's all grown up now," observed Bethany, settling on the couch beside Marc.

"Our angel," Marc said affectionately, looking at their beautiful daughter, now all grown up.

"I hope she has a happy life and is strong enough to handle anything," Marc added, placing a pillow under Ava's head before standing up.

Bethany smiled reassuringly. "She will."

"How was work today?" Marc asked, tucking a blanket over Ava's body.

"As usual, hectic. There were many patients. I'm going to take a bath," replied Bethany, heading toward their room.

"I'll arrange dinner," Marc called after her, heading to the dining room.

The next day, Ava woke up on the couch, stretching her arms. She folded the blanket and headed to the kitchen to make coffee. Glancing at her parents, still asleep, she smiled at how her mother was nestled in her father's embrace. Silently closing the door, she left.

With Christmas approaching, Ava ordered a tree and other decorations. After freshening up, she came downstairs to find her parents enjoying their morning coffee.

"Ava, I'll be going to the hospital and will be back by 3 p.m. Then we can start decorating for tomorrow," Bethany announced, getting ready to leave.

"Okay, Mom," Ava replied as Bethany kissed her cheek and bid them goodbye before heading to the hospital.

"Dad, how long have you extended your leave?" Ava inquired.

"Another five days, dear. And then it's back to the same routine. Did I tell you I'm retiring in another six months?" Marc shared.

"Yes, Dad. By then, I'll probably be doing my internship," Ava responded.

"So, what are your plans for the future?" Marc asked, taking a seat in front of her.

"Many of the students are graduating after the exams, which are coming soon. Mia, Noah, and Xavier are graduating, but I am not," said Ava.

"Why not?" Marc asked curiously.

"There is a business management course for six months. Then I can add that course to my resume, and it will give me many job opportunities," explained Ava.

"Why aren't your friends doing such courses? It would really help them," suggested Marc.

"No, Dad, there are no courses for the art department, so Mia and Noah are free after their exams and are starting to work. And for Xavier, he now owns a company, which was passed down from his father, so he doesn't need to continue to study," said Ava.

"Oh, so you will be graduating in six months then," asked Marc.

"Yep," replied Ava.

After chatting and enjoying their time, Bethany arrived home from the hospital. By nightfall, the entire house was decorated for Christmas. Ava waited until midnight, then she went downstairs and saw their gifts.

She found her gift lying near the tree and opened it with excitement. Inside was a small aquarium with two goldfish.

"I love it so much," she said, looking at her parents.

"Thanks, Mom and Dad."

After opening each other's gifts, Ava checked her Instagram to see everyone had already updated their stories. Lia, Xan, and Xavier were in one picture, and Noah, Mia, and Mia's mom were in Mia's Instagram story. Ava posted her own story, tagging her parents.

Returning to her room, she called Xavier.

"Merry Christmas!"

"Happy Christmas!"

Both yelled at the same time.

"It's 'Merry', you dumbass," Ava teased him.

"Both mean the same," Xavier rolled his eyes.

"You guys are coming, right?" Ava asked him.

"Yes, Mia, Noah, and I will leave tomorrow," he said.

"I heard you were attacked when you went to the university a few days ago," he asked, looking at her seriously.

"Yep, but I escaped," Ava said, calming him down.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, controlling his anger.

"What do you mean why didn't I tell you? I don't understand," Ava replied to him.

"I mean you should have told me that you were attacked. What if something major had happened?" he replied, chiding her.

"Oh, come on, Xavier, I am alive, nothing happened to me," she replied, consoling him.

Xavier took a long breath, understanding the issue.

"Ava, after returning, I have something important to tell you."

'Is he going to propose to me?' Ava thought, feeling excited.

"Sure," she smiled at him.

"See you tomorrow, Xavier. My dad is calling me."

"Bye," he said, hanging up the call.