Chapter 118: Chapter 118

The pause was a little too long. For a moment, Ava had thought that the phone connection had been dropped before she heard Shelby say quietly, "How can I not worry? It gets to some time where we have to let life take its course!"

Ava nodded with a smile. It was so rare for Shelby to say such confident words. It made her proud that her friend was standing up for herself despite the situation. Shelby had gone through a lot at the hands of that cruel man and her indifferent mother. Sometimes, Ava wondered if Shelby would have been better off without a mother like she had.

Just then, Shelby asked,

"How .... H-ow is he?" Ava was a bit confused as her mind ran through trying to find out who Shelby was referring to. Shelby would not ask Ava about Rocky or even James. It was the hesitancy in her voice that finally drew Ava’s attention to the person.

"Don’t tell me that you still have thoughts about Royston?"

Shelby did not get the chance to answer.

"Elfin? Who are you talking with on the phone?" The thick masculine voice sent waves through Ava, even over the phone. She shuddered and then quickly said, "I’m gonna get ready. See you soon, Shelby!"

Ava dropped her phone and hurried to take a shower, thinking that it was close!

When she was ready about half an hour later, she found a sleek car parked in front of her apartment, garnering attention. In her area, such luxury cars were rare. However, she recognized the driver as the one who had driven Shelby and the kids the last time they had visited her.

The man got out of the car immediately he saw her and gave her a bow, making her very self-conscious.

"Hello, Miss Ava. It’s a pleasure to meet again. I will escort you to the estate," Albert said, opening the door for her and waiting patiently for the self-conscious Ava to get in.

’I could have gone there all on my own; why did they send the driver?’ Ava was very touched by that gesture, though.

Two thugs stepped out from behind the building just as the car moved off. The amount of cigarette butts on the floor told one just how long the two had been there. On closer look, one would recognize them as two of the four who had been there to ’take care’ of Marvin that day. Their boss was still in recovery from his bitten dick, and the other one was also still recuperating from the beating received from Rocky.

The hostility in their eyes was glaring.

"Do you think that she has a hand in the big boss’ issue?"

"I don’t know, but she has to pay for what she did that day. Just look at the car she’s riding in. She has more than enough money to compensate us!"

"But what?! Do you want to be a coward here?!"

"I’ll do it alone if you won’t. I don’t know why I brought such a coward with me!" He said while he lit up another cigarette, puffing deeply.

The one who had been referred to as a coward was still worried because he vividly remembered his boss’ warning about this girl. Their boss was supreme and feared no one. Therefore, the fact that he had warned them all to stay away from this girl spoke volumes, so he was unsure, while his friend insisted on taking revenge contrary to their instructions.

He took in a deep breath,

"Okay, What do you want to do?"

"I know that you would come around!" He received a big slap on the shoulder as they started whispering and finalizing their plans. However, the apprehension never left him. He unconsciously crossed his fingers hoping for the best.

Their ride back to the Thornston estate premises was uneventful, except for Albert, who kept making small talk to Ava throughout the ride.

Immediately after Ava stepped out of the car, Shelby flew into her arms.

"Hahahahaaaa! I should come here more often if I will receive these kindof welcome treatments from you, Shelby."

The two friends laughed, looking at each other fondly.

"Don’t tell me that you’ve been waiting out here, Shelby,"

"Of course! It’s not every day that my friend visits!"

"Thanks, Shelby! But you should take care of yourself. What if your husband blames me for your waiting out in this slight cool breeze? You are not wearing much!"

"This jacket is warmer than it looks," Shelby answered defensively. She was still in Ian’s oversized jacket.

"I can see that...." Ava let her voice trail as a teasing look crossed her face.

"Do I want to know what is underneath that jacket?"

Shelby pushed her head back fondly, "No! you don’t!"

The two burst out laughing, making onlookers smile and almost tremble. They knew from just that short while that Ian did not like people peeking at his wife, but they just could not help it, the woman was an eye magnet. She made people think of things that they would otherwise not do.

The bright, sunny Shelby with her short blond curly hair and striking blue eyes made both men and women alike melt with her very existence and her ebony tall friend, with looks to kill for. Her cropped, short brown hair had been matched with her usual nose rings and dangling long earrings that touched her shoulders.

It danced slightly with each sway of the breeze. On this day, she had on a tight crop top that showed her belly button ring that hooked to a chain around her waist. She paired this with a loose blue pair of jeans that lay low on her waist and added a slip-on with anklets as well.

Shelby was already used to the way her friend dressed, so she didn’t comment on it.

The two were a deadly combination but Ava did not hold a candle to Shelby’s raw looks.

"Welcome, Miss Ava. Madam Geneva is awaiting you inside,"

Ava turned to the new addition to their company. She sent a ’thank you’ to Albert and took in the older woman’s looks. Prim, tight updo in a bun at the back of her head with a straight but welcoming face.

"Ava, this is Katie; she is the head maid and oversees everything here."

Ava kind of guessed it even before Shelby had introduced her. The woman had an air of authority about her and she was not dressed like the other workers who were going about their duties.

Ava smiled widely, "Glad to make your acquaintance, Madam Katie,"

Ava nodded, and they followed Katie back into the house.

"You’re finally here! Come sit!"

The voice reached out to them before Ava and Shelby came to a standstill in front of Geneva, who had been waiting for them.

Ava exchanged glances with Shelby, and then the two of them stepped up and took the seat beside Geneva.

"Like Shelby’s friend, you look the part. Birds of the same feather do indeed flock together!"

"Thank you for accepting my invitation."

"Thanks for having me, Mrs Thornston."

"Oh no! Please call me Geneva .... Or mum, like Shelby does."

Ava looked shocked. This was her first time meeting the most powerful woman in T-Vino Island, and she was allowed to call her ’mum’? She unconsciously had tears in her eyes.

"Don’t be surprised. Shelby is my daughter, and anybody she holds dear will also be considered the same. Besides, anyone who can cook like you do, Ava dear, will definitely be welcome here at any time."

This had Ava burst out in laughter.

"I’m glad that you like my meals. I would be glad to cook up a few for you while I am here..."

Geneva’s eyes shone with stars.

"You would do that? That is so sweet of you! You know, We are having a family dinner tonight; how about whipping some snacks for that? The chef will take care of the rest."

"I would love to do that,"

"It’s settled then!" Geneva clapped her hands.

"Let Katie know what you need, and let’s get this done." Geneva made as if to get up, and then, as if remembering, she added,

"Shelby tells me that you work at the Dream Menu-"

Geneva narrowed her eyes, and Ava sighed, "I mean, Geneva."

That made the older woman nod in satisfaction.

"Since it’s part-time. Quit it!"

"Huh?" Ava’s heart sank. She had fought tooth and nail to get that job to be autonomous.

She had thought that Geneva was different. It turned out that she was one of those who loved to shove their wishes down on others because of their social standing.

Ava did not know how to phrase her next statement so as not to come off as being rude. However, she was just overthinking.

"I don’t know why someone would even employ a graduate with such skills on part-time. It’s a pity that such skills are going to waste...."

Shelby squeezed Ava’s hand in reassurance just as Geneva added, "You will be the new cook here .... No, I think you should be the co-chef at the estate and then get ready to be the main chef of our new wine-snack shop that will be open after the wine festival! Yes! That should be it!"

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