CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Ava rushed into Green Specialist Hospital, frantic with worry. As she ran inside, she spotted Kira sitting in a corner and quickly made her way over.

Kira burst into tears as Ava approached. "ava, ava!" she sobbed.

Ava wrapped her arms around Kira, offering comfort. "Don't worry, everything will be fine," she whispered.

The two friends hugged for a while, then decided to take a walk around the hospital to clear their minds.

As they strolled, Ava asked, "What's the situation now? How's your dad?"

Kira shook her head, uncertainty etched on her face. "I don't know what to say... I just hope he gets better."

Ava offered reassuring words. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be fine."

Kira nodded, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

As they continued strolling, Ava and Kira found a seat and sat down. Ava revealed, "You know what? I resigned."

Kira's eyes widened in surprise. "What? You resigned? Why?"

Ava explained, "The chief was getting on my nerves, and it was really annoying. You know the Shadow Killer case we were working on? We'd dropped the investigation, but the chief came and asked why we stopped. I just couldn't take it anymore."

Kira asked, "But doesn't he think investigating the Shadow Killer cases is dangerous?"

Ava nodded. "I know, right? That's why I told him I will submit my resignation letter. It was the only way to let go of all the frustration."

Kira sympathized, "Oh, that man..." Ava considered sharing her kidnapping experience with Kira but decided against it, not wanting to worry her friend.

Ava asked "are you coming home tonight?'

Kira said, 'I don't think so, I'll be staying at my family house for a while"

Ava understandingly replied, "No problem, take your time."

As the evening wore on, Ava glanced at her watch and saw that it was 5:43. She turned to Kira and said, "I think I should head home. I don't want it to get too dark before I get there. You know how dangerous it can be at night."

Kira nodded understandingly. "I understand."

Ava prepared to leave, but Kira offered, "Let me drop you off."

Ava declined, "No, no, I'll find my way."

With that, Ava bid Kira farewell and set off into the evening.

Ava couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, worried that the same incident from last time might happen again. She was cautious about the route she took, standing still, confused and unsure.

Just then, her phone rang, breaking the silence. She picked it up to hear Ethan's masculine voice on the other end.

"Hello?" Ava answered.

"Hey Ava, are you home?" Ethan asked.

"Not yet," Ava replied. "I just went to see my friend at the hospital. Her dad had an accident."

Ethan offered, "Okay, fine. Where are you? Should I come and pick you up?"

Ava hesitated, but then remembered she needed to be careful. "Yes"

Ethan ended the call, and Ava decided to wait at a nearby restaurant instead of standing on the street.

She ordered an orange juice and sat down, but her peace was short-lived. A guy approached her, and Ava thought, "Oh no, not again."

The guy said, "Hi, I'm Samuel."

Ava lied, not wanting to reveal her real name to a stranger. "I'm Queen."

Samuel smiled. "Queen? That name suits you well."

Samuel asked Ava, "Can I sit with you?"

Ava looked up at him, her expression stern. "Sorry, I don't need a comforter. I don't need someone to sit with me. Please, I want to be alone."

Samuel stood there, seemingly taken aback by Ava's blunt response. His friends, who were watching from the corner, snickered and whispered to each other. It was clear they had made a bet on if Samuel can get to have her laid.

Samuel tried again, "Just let me sit with you. Let's get to know each other."

Ava's patience had worn thin. She stood up, poured her orange juice on Samuel's face, and glared at him.

The corner erupted in laughter from Samuel's friends. They laughed and laughed, provoking Samuel's anger.

Just as Samuel was about to lunge at Ava, a hand grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around. It was Ethan.

Before anyone could react, Ethan landed a punch on Samuel's face, sending him crashing to the ground. Samuel's friends fell silent, shocked by the sudden turn of events.

Ethan turned to Ava, his eyes scanning her face to ensure she was okay. He took her hand, and they walked out of the restaurant together.

The time was 6:18. Ethan opened the car door for Ava, got in and they drove off into the night, leaving the chaos behind.

Ava thanked Ethan profusely. "Thank you, thank you for rescuing me! I'll pay you back, I promise. This is the second time you're saving me, and I'm really grateful."

Ethan waved his hand dismissively. "No, no, it's fine."

Ava looked at him curiously, and Ethan asked, "I thought you had a car?"

Ava chuckled. "Oh,Yeah, I have a car, but it's broken down."

Ethan suggested, "You should have just gotten it to the mechanic instead of entering cars here and there."

Ava explained, "Yeah, I should have done that, but you know I'm always at work and have no time. So, I just had to park it in my compound."

Ava continued, "But don't worry, since I have resigned, I'll get the mechanic to fix the car as soon as possible."

Ethan's expression turned serious. "Don't tell me you're really going to resign?"

Ava replied firmly, "Look, that's what I'm going to do, and you can't stop me."

Ethan fell silent, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. He stepped on the brake, bringing the car to a stop.

Ava asked, surprised, "Why did you stop?

Ethan's eyes locked onto hers, his voice low and serious. "Do you love me, Ava?"

Ava's words caught in her throat. She hadn't expected that question.

Ethan pressed on, "You need to let me know. I need to stop getting confused. Sometimes I feel like you love me, and sometimes I feel like you don't. You need to tell me with your own mouth."

Ava's mind went blank. She vowed not to talk about love after her previous boyfriend had used and dumped her. She didn't think she was ready to love again,but her heart was saying otherwise.

But before she could respond, Ethan's face drew closer, his lips inches from hers. And then, they kissed passionately, lost in the moment.

Their lips danced together for nearly twenty minutes, Ethan's hands exploring Ava's body, her hair, her face.

Finally, Ethan pulled back, his eyes apologetic. "I'm so sorry about that."

Ava smiled childishly, her face flushed. "You don't have to be sorry."

Ethan's face softened, and he smiled back at her. Then, he stepped on the gas, and the car glided back into motion.

Ethan smiled back at Ava, and they shared a warm, tender moment. The tension between them had dissipated, replaced by a sense of comfort and connection.

Ava looked away, her eyes drifting out the window as the city lights whizzed by. She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest whenever Ethan was near.

Ethan, sensing her gaze, glanced over at her. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, his voice low and gentle.

Ava nodded, turning back to him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just lost in thought."

Ethan's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Want to share what's on your mind?"

Ava smiled back.