OLD WHITLOCKS DAY III

After finishing her meal, Ava decided a walk would do her good, a chance to clear her mind and maybe check on the gift Wadsworth had mentioned preparing for her grandfather. She hadn't yet seen it, and the fresh air would certainly feel good.

As she slipped out through the mansion's back exit, she heard her name in Sasha's voice. Irritation flared as she turned to face her, only to find Sasha extending a wrapped box toward her with a fake smile.

"Here," she said warmly, "a gift... for you."

Ava held the box, hardly blocking out her annoyance from the deva ju that hit her. Hard. Regardless, she feigned a smile. "What's this, Sasha? Why would you give me a gift?"

Sasha's face dulled into a gentle guilt, one that Ava knew was far from genuine. "To apologize," she said so delicately, like she had committed some sort of unforgiven crime.

When Ava's brow arched, she stepped closer to her, clasping Ava's hand that contained the box with one of hers, and Ava's other free hand in her other. "I realized I acted so terrible to you earlier at the dining table. I am really sorry, Ava," she pleaded.

Ava's jaw tightened. Every muscle in her body became taut. She had once blamed herself for falling mindlessly into Sasha's traps, but never again. Now that she watch this devil's incarnate in action, she realized just how hard she had been on her previous self.

If she hadn't lived before and experienced firsthand all the terrible things Sasha had done, she never would've believed she could be so evil even if a gun was pointed to her head.

Sasha stiffened as Ava pulled her hand from her grasp. "There really is no need for the gift, Sasha, but I do appreciate the thought," she said. Ava did her utmost best to stop the venom from entering her voice, but some had slipped.

Sasha tried her best not to react to Ava's strained voice. "What do you mean, Ava? Of course the gift is needed. It is to show my sincerity in my apology. People say actions speak louder than words." She lowered her eyes like she was hurt by Ava's lack of enthusiasm toward the gift. "I only intend to show you how sincere I feel, instead of using my words, but I'm sorry if I've overstepped my boundaries."

Ava unwrapped the box and opened it. At the sight of the beautiful diamond necklace, she unconsciously almost shed a tear as memories from her past hurdled her mind.

Sasha, not knowing the reason for Ava's sudden change in mood, grinned satisfactorily, with the thoughts that Ava was so touched by the gift that she almost cried.

Riffraffs like her were easily swayed by shining things, thought Sasha, so she'd expected Ava to behave like this when she saw what was inside the box. "It's a beautiful one, isn't it?" She asked, hardly controlling herself from laughing.

Ava sniffled, trying to control her emotions from consuming her as she turned back to Sasha. "Yes, it is," she said quietly.

Sasha's grin widened. "Then do me a favor and wear it for Grandfather's party this evening. It'll be a killer finish for your outfit." She patted Ava's shoulders and walked away.

.

Night descended upon the Whitlock's estate with an almost delibrate urgency, the kind that felt like a warning to Ava. As she watched the sky darken from her window, Ava frowned. It was almost time for her Grandfather's party, but she had hoped for more time, a few extra moments to herself before the night's charade began.

From downstairs, she could already hear the soft hum of classicals playing, courtesy of William's favorite music band.

Taking a deep breath, Ava glanced at her reflection, adjusting the last details of her beautiful attire, a flawlessly made versace white dress that accentuated her defined curves.

She'd dressed in white to match the attire her Grandfather was going to wear, after she slyly made him tell her while she spent the entire afternoon with him at the garden.

As her fingers brushed over the diamond necklace resting on her neck, her eyes darkened. Once, she'd adored it. She'd stood before this very mirror, watching it sparkle as it caught the light of the room with a smile.

She'd been overwhelmed with joy, so overjoyed that she turned to catch it glinting from every angle. The way it made her attire glow had been enough to lift her soul. But now, all she could think about what was happened at the party, and how she'd regretted putting it on.

Ava inhaled deeply, pressing down her simmering rage before it bled into her expression. Taking one final glance at herself in the mirror, she lifted her chin and gladly stepped out of the room.

Above the grand stairs that led to the large hall where the party was held, Ava stood there, busying herself with the sight of the guests below her as she waited patiently for her grandfather. She was meant to lead him into the party. He'd specifically asked her for it earlier in the day, and she was still as thrilled as she was when he'd asked her.

Ava's eyes were nonchalant as it hovered above the most elegant people in all of Lebron City, until they caught sight of her family members, and Sasha. They all wore beautiful smiles as they greeted the guests one after the other.

That sight infuriated her, but just as her hands balled into fists to control the rage, she heard a warm, gravelly voice behind her. "Well, what do we have here?"

Ava turned, seeing her Grandfather standing a few steps away from her. Dressed in a dark, tailored suit with a crisp white shirt beneath, William looked nothing short of the patriach of the Whitlock. She blushed from the impressed look on his face, obviously from her attire.

"You look stunning, my dear," he complimented genuinely, making Ava grin even more.

"You look just as stunning, Grandfather," she said coolly, covering the gap between them.

He extended his arm to her, and she hurriedly slipped hers into his with a smile.

As they descended the staircase together, Ava whispered into William's ears. "Don't be nervous, Grandfather. I am here with you."

The old man went speechless. Why would he ever be nervous from walking down the stairs into a party? Not once had he ever been nervous even while he attended interviews with numerous cameras, or when he gave public speeches in front of thousands of people. He finally found his voice in between his smile. "I'll keep this in mind," he said, earning a smile from Ava.

Heads began to turn, eyes widening at the sight of them as they joined the party. The room stilled momentarily, and whispers began bubbling inside the hall.

Amidst the whispers in the room, Sasha caught sight of the necklace she had given Ava earlier and smiled satisfactorily. Without wasting any more moment, she whispered to her mother. "Isn't that your necklace on Ava's neck, mother?"

Matilda's lips tightened, and her gaze narrowed as she followed Sasha's pointed glance to the diamond necklace glittering on Ava's neck. Her fingers clenched the silk of her gown, and a cold fire burned in her eyes.

"It most certainly is," Matilda murmured with disdain.