Ava's Pov:
Great, another 'exclusive party'.
I rolled my eyes at Leon from a distance, then took another drink alongside the one in my hand.
I started to think he was setting me up for Max but I had to trust him.
He slowly walked up to me. I turned my back on him.
He stopped inches close to me,
then whispered in my ears. "Max isn't allowed into these parties. Everyone knows who he is."
"So good news, bad news?" I turned around.
"Where's the bad news?" He leave back.
"Everyone knows who he is meaning he's a psychopath,"
"Well.."
I looked at him with my eyes widened and mouth opened. "Oh wow."
"It's not like that. He's just really popular because he has a really strong empire and heads shady gambling agencies."
"So what does he want from you?"
His sad, longing eyes looked directly into my mine , "I want to tell you. But I don't think you'd be able to handle it."
"I will, if you'd just trust me. The same way I trust you."
"We'll talk about this when we get home."
I nodded. He walked off.
I took a deep breath. It felt like I had been holding it in.
More people greeted me. Each one made me more disgusted than the last. It all felt fake to me.
An hour later, Leon found me again signaling that it was time to go home. I followed him downstairs and got into the car.
"Why'd you call Noah first about Max's sudden appearance?"
"Because I would've said something different."
"And what did he say?"
"Something other than relax."
I could see him looking at me from the windows reflection.
"What, were you planning on telling me something other than that?"
His eyes shifted back to himself. "I wish I could tell you. But you can't handle it."
"And you really think keeping it from me is a better option!"
He stayed quiet.
I scoffed and leaned back on the seat.
The car was silent after that.
When we got home, I got out on my own and walked away before he did. He let me go in without opening the door for me.
I went up to my room, took my clothes off, got into the shower with the intent to wash all the anger off. Minutes later, I got out, got into my pj's and took a long breath.
I still had to sing to Leon. He was being lenient but the contract says slacking off or refusing to work can cause a breach. Who knows how long it'll take before my attitude finally pushes him to fire me.
I knocked on his door. I faintly heard him say 'come in'
I walked in and sat at the bedside table again.
He walked out of his walk in closet.
"Are you ready?"
He didn't answer, but he laid down and covered himself.
"You're always going to have questions aren't you?"
I hesitated.
"Yes, I will. Starting from what triggered your insomnia,"
"I'm guessing Noah?"
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"Why would I care about that?" he answered quickly.
"It kinda sounds like you care."
"I don't."
"Will you answer my questions?"
"I will when the time is right."
"I'm guessing that means I need to stop asking."
He didn't answer.
"I'll take that as a yes."
I warned up and started to sing. He kept his eyes opened like he was trying to fight it.
Eventually, he fell asleep.
I crept back to my room and laid down. I picked up my phone and saw a text from Mirabel. She was asking to see again. I didn't mind it so, I agreed.
The next morning, I bumped into Leon while waking into the kitchen. His coffee spilled all over us. I leaned back while he rushed to get a towel.
"Can I?" he asked.
I reluctantly agreed. He knelt on one knee and started wiping my legs.
He gently lifted up my shorts.
"Does it burn really bad?"
"It poured on you too."
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine."
This man was making it extremely hard to keep it professional.
He went back to wiping.
We made eye contact for a second. Then, his hands slowly went up my thighs.
I tried to adjust myself on my seat but his hands gripped me tighter. I couldn't lie that I hated it.
We made eye contact again.
"It's okay, you can stop" I stood up quickly. "
"I'm heading out with a friend. I'll be home later."
He nodded then stood up. He looked a bit disappointed I pushed him off.
I rushed upstairs to get ready.
So much for keeping it professional.
Thirty minutes later, I had finally picked the perfect outfit. My intention wasn't to show off, I just didn't want to look like a bum.
Marvin was staying home that day so Marvin was free. I asked him to take me to the restaurant Mirabel agreed to meet in.
I texted Alicia to tell her I was meeting up with Mirabel. ai wanted to be more honest with her.
Minutes later, we got to the restaurant. I walked in and scanned the room for her.
She was sitted at the far end. I smiled and waved at her.
I looked beside her.
My smile instantly dropped.