AVA
"Sit." Arlen offered at a lounging area while a waiter sat two cups of coffee on the round table.
I didn't want to sit, but I could feel every weight of my body descending to my legs at the anxiety of the whole matter. The thought of collapsing, though, didn't leave me with many options; I settled in the seat, facing him and tried to consolidate all my confidence by gripping the arms of the chair until my fingers could no longer dig into the leather.
For precautions, Evie and Tori are disguising themselves around the area as lifeguards with baseball caps and whistles around their necks. God forbid someone smart to care, but they could be easily recognised, mainly because they look suspicious and weird. I want to laugh. However, for Arlen to crack the puzzle, the chances are mild; given he hadn't been here for a while, it could be possible he doesn't remember Evie, whereas, for Tori, the odds are entirely thin, for she joins hills high the fall he left for college. Not unless he's stalking my social media accounts, then I can say shit, as there are many pictures of the girls and me there. But that could be labelled as an outstanding level of creepiness.
He wouldn't stoop that low, would he?
"How are you?" He asked when he reached for the sugar, adding a decent amount before be stir the coffee with a teaspoon.
I was lost in every move he made, fearing he might flare any second that I forget to answer his question until he brought up the cup halfway to his lips and had hooded eyes observe me from head to my cross ankles.
I was too conscious of his stare; it made me feel naked and defenceless.
"I'm... I am good. How are you?" The thickness of my accent matches the one of my saliva.
He took a sip of the coffee, set the cup back down, and shifted in his seat, crossing his arms over the table. His intent gaze was spine-chilling; it combined with the sneer on his bruised face and provoked my fears.
"Broken ribs. Messy face. Everywhere hurts. It's why your hours exceeded the scheduled time." He wasn't angry, but it was scarier because he sounded icy. And deep in his eyes, I couldn't find any emotion.
I look away from his unblinking eyes and stare at the polished floor beside his boots.
"I am sorry about that." It came out timid.
That isn't how I wanted to sound, but there is something about him that kept me restless. My heart was drumming in my chest, too loud it deafened me for silver of time.
Somehow though, I grasped something as his lips continued to move. He claimed, "Leigh is barbaric."
His choice of words suddenly had me dazzled with anger.
My eyes flew to him. I was seething when I scoffed with disgust, "You taped me while I was changing in your closet and sent it to him; what do you gain for doing that?"
He started all that to ruin me just because I came across him unknowingly.
"Look on the bright side. You don't have to go through the detail of why you broke up with him." He smiled weirdly, confident that he had won. What he doesn't know is I will not let him keep me in a box; I would not be his puppet to be manipulated and trifle with.
"I didn't."
The smile slowly slipped from his face.
"Ava..." He swallowed loud and roughly. His stare is now fierce, and his emotions are displayed as he uncomfortably adjusts in the seat. The prime emotion that is simmering in his dark gaze is indignation.
"I couldn't..." I trailed off, thinking I shouldn't owe it to anyone for choosing to follow my heart. Why am I here to explain to this man that I am in love and happy with someone that isn't him?
Arlen's jaws were clenched like his balled fists on the table, but surprisingly, he spoke without rancour, "You know he doesn't have to force you to be with him." His voice was actually calm and soft; I didn't have difficulty explaining sincerely, "He isn't. It's my choice, Arlen. I love him. I've always loved him since the first time we meet."
He scoffs and looks away briefly, clicking his tongue against the wall of his mouth.
"Take your coffee."
That was not pertinent.
He fixed a death glare on me; it was intimidating. How do you offer beverages to someone with such authority and insensitivity?
"I prefer tea." I grumbled, mostly under my breath, but he heard because a creepy silence passed, arousing goosebumps on my skin, before he snapped loudly, "Take. Your. Coffee." Slamming the table with his palm-the cups almost lost their balance, spilling drops of coffee over the surface.
I squirmed while my heart jumped in my chest. For a moment, I almost ran. But when I glanced around us, people looked concerned. My best friends were on their feet approaching.
Memories streamed through my brain like a breeze flipping pages of an abandoned book. Suddenly I decided he would not physically hurt me. The Arlen I know wasn't a monster. But a part of me is beginning to doubt my certainty.
"Look, here." He collected the cup I didn't know I had picked between my hands. His voice is steady and natural. It is unmistakable that he must have recognised his outburst was a dumb move. "I will order a cup of tea then."
He smiled, but it wasn't pleasant.
I stood up and smiled small, signalling with my hand at the girls to stand down. Arlen's face is twisted with confusion as he watches me leave the table.
"Is not necessary; I will just leave."
"You know whatever happens next is all on you, right?" He stated when I turned and began to leave.
I felt every strike of the threat hitting my bones. When I spun, I was on the verge of tears, but I swallowed it; though it was thick in my throat, it stubbornly refused to work down.
"Why are you doing this?" I croaked.
He rose to his feet and innocently strolled over to me.
"I told you, he can't have it all. So if you choose him, you should know there are consequences and other things your family has to kiss goodbye."
"Want do you want from me?"
"You. Isn't it obvious? I want you." He spelt out.
My eyes travelled around the cosy space, everyone seemed concentrated on their company, but I know most of them wondered why I was still standing there. They must wonder if I am silly or naive or too scared to walk away, but none of them knows the stake at risk for me.
"You don't. You don't hurt the ones you want. You don't punish them for the choices they make. You don't manipulate them this way." I was being quiet to avoid attracting more curious eyes to us, but I was angry as I argued. He could see it. "Arlen, you survived a year without me. All this obsession started in the past few days. You were okay before. So don't come here and tell me I am meaningful in your life because it doesn't make sense."
He leans his head closer; I draw in a sharp breath.
"No, you're wrong, and you have no idea. But you can say that about Leigh." His teeth gritted behind his lips; his breathing increased pressure every time he exhaled.
"That is where you are mistaken." I sternly retorted, and he expelled a small laugh, his breath blowing in my face. It smells like tequila and lemon. He would be drunk.
"I heard he didn't come home since last summer. Is that how the UK define love? When someone runs away from you?"
"I asked him for space." I chew my inner cheeks.
His eyes surveyed me suggestively, with his lips quirk up arrogantly.
"I know he forgot about you. He was busy with football and probably with the girls who admired him. You were devastated. You flirted with boys from school the whole year."
His words force into my head like a loud release of a bullet. Tears blurred my vision; standing became challenging.
"As I said, I asked him for space." My lower lip quivered when I firmly repeated my earlier words at the man standing a few inches from me.
"Then tell me, what is so healthy in a relationship that had been poisoning-you had to beg for space?"
His fingers are fiddling with the strand of my hair while he inspects every detail of it.
I bite my low lip to soothe the wound his reminder had awakened from my memory.
"I will not break up with him because you're jealous of his achievements, so you want to use me to get back at him."
His sad eyes met my teary ones. He smiled and stepped back from me.
"Enjoy the festival then. It will be the last time you'll smile for the rest of the year or possibly for a while longer." His voice was cold, his deep stare frosty and distant.
I do not recognise him at all.
"You two used to be best friends." The tears finally escaped from my eyes with intense burning in my chest.
"As I said, I want you." He swallowed roughly and took another step away from me. "I hate to have to hurt you. So I will give you three more hours to rethink and change your mind. I will be here waiting. Please, Ava, do not make me step out of line."
He grabs his phone and sets down a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet.
I was still cemented to the floor, focusing on inhaling and exhaling when he left.
***
Evie and Tori grabbed me by each arm and pulled me outside the building. Different songs are playing, and everyone is dancing around the crowd that had quadrupled compared to the last time I was out here.
Outside, there are more business canopies than there were earlier when I got here. The heat of the sun wasn't gentle. Right away, it went on and scorched my miserable soul. Tori notices the ache on my face; she races to the nearest vending machines and trades some coins for a Fanta drink.
When she returned, the two quietly watched me gulp half of the cool content of the tin before they finally asked the question that had been pricking their tongue, "How did it go?"
"Bad... Really bad." I wipe the sweat from the back of my neck and sigh. "He is going to release the video in three hours."
"Motherfucker." Tori cussed under her breath.
"We need a plan," Evie declared, immediately terrified. My eyes began to water. The pity on their faces makes it hard for me to hold back the tears.
"He hates Leigh so much. He wouldn't back down. He is going to ruin my family."
"It's not going to happen," Tori assured, bringing the pad of her thumb underneath my wet eye. My breathing was hot and shaky. She watches me with a sad frown and suggests, "We just have to get to his phone."
My head automatically shakes at the idea.
"We can't. It's a phone. It's always in the pocket or hands."
"Unless we have to kill the bastard to get it." She furiously fired back.
"Tori." I choked.
"I didn't mean it. But I mean the bastard part." She rolled her eyes frustratedly and turned her back at both of us, her hands in her hair, pulling at the base. She remained like that for a while, but when she faced us again, she proposed something even crazier, "We should drug him."
Evie gasped beside me, and this time I turned away, uttering "No no." repeatedly.
Tori grabbed my arm and turned me over to face her.
"Ava, there is no other option."
"I thought you didn't mean it." When my stare shift between the two girls, they both look serious. No, Evie can't possibly be considering such ridiculousness. "Oh my goodness," I exclaimed as panic overwhelmed me. "We could be locked up in jail for that. I am not doing anything unlawful." While I sputter my refusal, some two guys furrow their brows as they pass by.
"Unlawful, unlawful, unlawful." Evie groaned. Her hands were over her hips. Her hair plunged around her shoulders. She seems tedious at the sound of my opinion. "He is going to make hell more than an outlawed decision. Everyone sometimes does. Look at me?" She throws her hands around.
"Easy for you to say, you're citizens? Me? I stay under visa."
"Oh my God. You're a wreck." Tori scoffed unbelievable, slapping a palm against her forehead as though I was too dumb to deal with. "Ava, no one is taking you to jail. Why are you even thinking about visas right now? Your stepfather is Mr Boyce. I don't think you'll ever go to jail."
"Legally, I can."
They both hiss at the same time.
Evie's lips parted. She was about to utter something when a familiar voice intruded our circle. "I heard jail. I'm curious."
We promptly twirl and find Jackson, with his small group of friends, except for Lucas. I would wonder why he isn't with them if I didn't have enough worries on my plate right now.
"What do you want, Jackass?" Tori grunts.
"Nice to meet you too, darling." He grins sickeningly, his eyes twitching behind an eyeglass I couldn't help asking about. "That can't be helpful if the lenses are just transparent." I blurted, and Lisa, from Remington's back, chortled.
Yes, she's clingy on his back.
"I said the same."
I would also wonder what she is still doing around these assholes. Well, Rem isn't that bad, but the company he clicks with aren't the most likeable people except for Lucas Nelson, who's preferably solo often.
"He is probably high," Tori whispered. Evie and I heard, our brows lifted in acknowledgement.
"My life, my choices." He dumbly opened his arms.
Taylor was here, too, with a cup of some cocktail and one hand in the pocket of his shorts. The four are all wearing my products. I hate to say it, but they look stylish.
When Rem noticed my scrutiny as I gawked at their outfit, he smiled politely, "I can't wait to get more of these sleeveless materials when your business is available. They're so light. We can survive Las Vegas heat finally without being naked."
I smiled sincerely at his comment.
"Why don't you join us? We are heading to the bar?" Lisa offered. "Jackson has a job there. We get free drinks."
Suddenly I feel bad for all the clueless population that would taste his recipe. Who is dumb enough to rely on Jackson anyway?
Taylor tilted his cocktail and sneered, with his neck chain twisted awry. I don't understand the point of his muteness.
"It's Margarita." Said a proud Jackson. He aimed his arms towards Evie's shoulders. I was emotionally glad she was quick to notice his mastered move; she shoved his hands before they touched her.
"We will pass." She informed him, and he feigned a frown, bringing his hands over the left side of his chest.
"I'm offended." He pouts stupidly. "Ava, darling? You coming? I promise I would not drug you." He chuckled. "I wouldn't risk having you cry, big brother, Leigh Boyce, on me. Clearly, in college, they give boxing training to the football team. That strength he put, beating down Summerlin this summer, it bothers me it might take down the entirely Vegas."
Asshole.
"Come." Tori urged and pulled me from the narcissists and drug addicts, winking when he noticed I had stiffened at his remark.
I heard Evie saying goodbye, but I was preoccupied with working on my breathing; I didn't care to look back.
What if people could see through us. What if they can tell our secrets?
***
At the time I was able to collect my thought, I looked around with an agape mouth, quickly comprehending the surrounding.
"Why are we back at the canopy?"
"You have to be busy," Evie explained. "We must distract Arlen that you're solely committed to the launching event. But what he wouldn't know is Tori is keeping her eyes on him. We will find the room he checked in, and I will see if he is here with a laptop or anything second that shares the same iCloud as his phone."
Tori's eyes bulge out with excitement.
"That's badass. I can do it."
While they are optimistic the plan would work, I couldn't help but calculate the possibilities.
"Let's assume he does. Do you even know anything about hacking or whatever it may be?" I ask a very confident Evie.
Her face contorted for three seconds or so before she recovered a medalist smile.
"Jacob knows one or two things on stuff like that. He would guide me." Her hands gripped my shoulders and made me face her. She assured me not to worry.
Yes, her little brother is smart, but she will need more assistance, "I can help."
"Arlen Garrett might be here. He has to see you in your canopy. That way, he would not suspect a thing."
That makes sense. If they have to do this for me, I must ensure they're not in danger.
"Thank you, truly."
She smiled and rolled her eyes, releasing my shoulders when she whined, "Oh, shut up."
We all separated for our mission. Mine is helping my stepsister institute our brand, which currently has two actual stores, one in paradise and the other set in Summerlin.
When I joined Lilith and her friends in the canopy, she appeared surprised to see me.
"Ava?" Her naturally arched brows pinched together. "I thought you left the festival."
"It's the opening. I can't miss it." My smile was a lie, though. I hope she can not tell.
Of course, I had always wanted to be here since she told me about the idea on my birthday, but the crises I am battling with on my way to this point have deprived me of the fun.
"Cool, come here; let's get you ready." She gaily tells, grabbing my hand, like always and tugging me towards the small dressing space.
When we were inside the quiet area, covered with thick curtains and a mini ceiling fan above our heads, she placed a finger over her smiling lips and instructed me to wait for her.
Lilith confuses me sometimes. My brows knitted firmly, trying to solve her.
"I thought I was going to choose myself."
"Trust me." She smiled and jogged out of the space.
It was too quiet after I pushed back the faint giggles of the girls out there listening to Harry Styles's recent album. But the quiet I summoned was too harmful. It reminded me of a lot of things I regrets.
The first thing I did was fetch my mobile phone from my pocket and began dialling Leigh's phone number.
I don't know why but I feel bad about how I left things last night. Affirmative, I wouldn't stay in with him in that condition, given he was becoming violent with every tick of the clock. The scar around my wrist is evident. I had to lie to Christian and mom that it wasn't anything serious. But the look on Leigh's face when I raced out of the house was too depressing; it was now replaying in my vision repeatedly.
The call ended, but I phoned again. This time with guilt rushing through every vein I have, knowing he isn't picking up because he is disappointed and inevitably mad at me.
A voice crept into my head, asking me, wasn't running away from him got us to this degree? If I had stayed last year, he wouldn't have found another habit. I could help him as he had begged me last night too.
When the call ended, my mind was too fragile for my body to be active; I was falling apart. My heart squeezed extremely tight in my chest. No amount of air was helping. There is no Evie or Tori to help alleviate my agony this time. I was alone, all by myself, in a small room that felt like my grave.
I didn't overthink my instinct; I slid into iMessage and began typing a text message. My fingers were shaking as they tapped the aligned alphabet on the screen, "Hey, Leigh. I'm at today's festival, which reminds me of why I preferable need quiet, my tea and you in an air conditioning space. So I am about to ask you a favour; I was wondering if we can trim the awkward part of yesterday out of the memory? Our time together was priceless, aside from the part where I ran us out of the road and into a rock, which I honestly didn't regret because you rode back with me close to your chest; it always has been my favourite place and comfort I will never get to express in words. The reason for this message, though, is that you should know I have concluded my stalling; I will be applying to Princeton. All I hope is that I have what it takes to fit in there, but I will give my best in the way to build our future together. Thanks for reading. I will see you soon."
I was halfway rereading to ensure there was no mistake when the curtains pulled back. I quickly hide my hands behind me.
"Here, it's the same as mine; the shade is the only difference." Lilith excitedly explains, holding out a rainbow crop top and matching shorts. "You like it?" Her eyes blinked over to me, and immediately a frown took over her countenance.
"It's cute." I grinned.
"It would make sense when two CEOs match the same outfit." She smiled slightly and reached out her hands for my face as I asked, "CEOs?"
Her fingers subtly stroked my cheek, and her expression hardened with a hint of sympathy.
"You are crying; what's wrong?"
Confused, I pulled back from her touch and found her fingers wet. Even more confusedly, my hands instantly run over my face. And to my surprise, I felt the tears against my fingers. My heavy eyes stared down at my palms as I brought them from my face, wondering how I had been crying without realising.
"Are you okay?"
I swallowed a spiky tangerine-size lump and reached out for the clothes in her hand.
"I suppose those are mine?"
She nodded hesitantly but handed them over after a long silence.
"Ava, if I did anything." I cut her off when she began, "Is not you. I'm just..."
"What?"
"I am sorry." I bite my tongue instead of admitting the truth. Her bright eyes and the concern they carried for me made my heart race faster than usual.
I was scared.
She was oblivious.
I can't hurt her with the truth right now.
"For what?" She blinked; I saw in her eyes how confusion petrified her thoughts when she locked her disturbed stare at me. Her lips had parted, with no word to tell.
Suri snaps the curtain back, drawing away the moment from us.
Her face scrunched up, perplexed probably, but she shrugged and informed me it was time to introduce our brand.
Lilith's throat shifted as she swallowed. Her voice sounded weird when she instructed, "Get dress, Ava."
She has a lot of unsaid words, but so do I.