Chapter 26: Counterattack

... Shyn's Point of View ...

Ugh! The pain in my neck is electrifying! The more that I stretch it, the more it hurts! I need pain relief patches. Owww...

The other teachers put pressure on me back there. They offered to have a dinner party because I am new at work. They said it's tradition...

A tradition my ass! It looked like they just wanted to have drink, and vent their frustrations out. Sigh, If they only knew mine...

Sigh! So tired...

Need to be in my- room...

Damn, I think I saw something in the corner of my eye! (O.o

I went back a few steps and peeked through the open door that I just passed by.

This room is Mr. Smith's safe place when he is not working at the company; his private library. Usually, this room is not left open. What is up?

From inside, I heard a girl's voice... and saw a glimpse of her too!

A-Ava? Ava's here... I can not believe Ryan actually convinced her to come here! What does that make me?!

I gulped, cleared my throat, and knocked on the door. Here we go... I entered the room with few creases displayed on my forehead..., "Mr. Smith, I am... home."

"Oh, Shyn," Mr. Smith chuckled. Ava is beside him, strangely smiling at me. "It must be tough, Ava told me you taught her class today."

Yeah, except his granddaughter skipped classes today.

I smiled and nodded, "Yes, it was tough. Some kids skipped my class. But today is my first day, so I guess that is okay," I smirked!

I watched Ava's smile turned into a forced one, added with an annoyed stare.

"Is it possible that I can fire him?" Ava turned to Mr. Smith asking. I heard the subtle hint of annoyance in her voice... Oh, it is about what she said earlier.

This brat... Huh! Unfortunately, she can not do that! She's still cute though for trying.

"Kidding," Ava smiled, glimmering her eyes at me. "But, eventually it is not impossible, right?"

Mr. Smith laughed out loud!

He is the only one who is laughing in the room! That is not funny.

Mr. Smith then smiled at Ava and said, "Yes, sure, he is yours. If you do not like him, we can change your bodyguard."

I am not a bodyguard. (-_-)

Plus, Mr. Smith asked me to do this job for him! Is he trying to be on Ava's good side? Now that she is talking to him like a granddaughter?

"Wow," Ava smiled, smirking at me, "I can do that? So I guess, I am your boss." She said looking directly into my eyes.

"Yes, but even if you fire me..." I will still haunt you every day, "You will still see me every day."

"What do you mean?" Ava should look at the worry in her face right now. Pfft!

"I live here."

Hahahaha! Not bad playing your move, Ava; but in this round... looks like I won.

~*~

It is already past midnight, however, I still can not get myself to sleep. It has been a peaceful night since Mr. Smith kept Ava occupied, showing her all kinds of things from what amazes Mr. Smith to the things that he kept in memory of her daughter, Miss Jayva...

Sigh... Well, that is natural, I guess. A loving grandfather willing to do everything for his granddaughter, huh?

They are family after all.

Ooop, I am parched... I should grab some water and sleep already. There is school tomorrow, and Ava too.

I will be lucky if I won't have the need to drag her tomorrow. Sigh!

I stopped staring at the ceiling and got up. I walked down the stairs right after leaving my room. And strangely, the lights in the kitchen are still on... I peeked silently from the dark part of the short and broad hallway to the kitchen. There, I saw Ava at the kitchen island, spacing out.

"I didn't know, we have a mouse here," I teased.

Ava looked in my direction. She furrowed her brows, removing the spoon in her mouth. "Have you ever seen a mouse eating an ice cream? You are more insane than I thought." She leered at me while stabbing the gallon of ice cream once in front of her.

"Kidding!" I gulped, "I am just kidding, chill." Woah! Is she really a girl? This is not good! I am more awake now!

Water! I will just drink water and leave her alone immediately! Her aura is totally different right now!

"Why?" she asked suddenly... but, about what? I stared at her to hear the rest of her questions. She just glared back...

"Are we going to stare at each other all night?"

"Why do you live here?" Ava asked.

"What do you mean? Ryan is here too," I pointed at Ryan, who stepped out from the dark, looking sleepy and currently walking towards us.

"I am just here for tonight. The young miss stayed at the cafe too late for me to go home," Ryan commented as he grabbed the water and chugged it down. He walked back with his shoulders down and glanced back to me and Ava once more. "Are you two fighting again?"

"I don't really care about him," Ava shrugged. "He is so annoying, he doesn't know who is his boss," she hissed.

"Hey! You are not my boss!"

"See, that is what I am talking about," Ava nodded.

Ryan sighed hopelessly, "Sleep it off, both of you."

"He is talking like a normal person...," Ava shockingly whispered.

"My work hours ended, Young Miss. I will leave you both now and your who-is-the-boss game. Good night... even though, it's not." Ryan whispered while leaving.

"Who is the boss game?" Right... both of us treat our bickering like a game... full of provocation, waiting for each other's move like taking turns playing. But, wait- "Why are you eating ice cream anyway? It is almost one in the morning. You have to go to school tomorrow."

"Talking to Mr. Smith is draining. He is all bout this and that, my mom and stuff. Why am I even telling you that?" She said while looking at the ice cream she is eating.

"Why do you always talk to me like that?"

Ava raised her brows, waving innocence at me.

"Mean, bitchy, and sarcastic? Why do you always try to make a fight?"

"Because I don't like you. My gut tells me not to trust you."