His girlfriend

"Oh my God!" Tara exclaimed as she rushed to help Ava up from the ground. Although a few passersby were looking on, none of them dared to approach the women.

"Are you okay, miss?" Tara asked as she tried to assist Ava to her feet.

Ava, who appeared to be struggling to catch her breath, raised her head to meet the lady's gaze and nodded slowly. "I'll be okay," she whispered.

"You really should see a doctor," Tara insisted, pulling out her phone.

"No! Don't, I'm fine," Ava replied, mustering the strength to stand up. The last thing she wanted was to get involved with anyone else from the city.

'Who knows, I might get checked up by Doctor Scott.' Ava thought to herself, as she vividly remembered the fictional doctor in her novel, whom she wrote about a couple of times.

"You should. It's not right you ignore your health. It's obvious you're not doing very well." The lady advised.

"Just let me call Doctor Scott, I'm sure he'll be of great help." Tara suggested and Ava almost choked on her saliva.

'Damn your life Ava.' She mocked inwardly, as a mocking smile was apparent on her face.

"I'm fine. It's... it's just that I've heard your name before." Ava replied. "I think I've even read about you. I guess I was just so starstruck to realise you're the one'' Ava lied.

"Oh. Well, what can I say? But that shouldn't be a reason for you to grow weak in the knees miss" Tara said with a grin.

"Your boyfriend is Tyler, Tyler Declan, right?" Ava asked.

"Yeah. He is." Tara replied with a sigh as her countenance dropped a little.

Ava's voice barely above a whisper, she nodded slightly and said, "Oh, I see. Then it truly is you."

Tara responded with a look of indifference, saying, "Ugh, please don't give me that attitude. I'm just a girlfriend who could get dumped any minute."

Ava managed to say, "You're more than that," as she raised her head to make eye contact with Tara.

Although she meant what she said, Ava wasn't in the mood for a conversation. If Tara was going to keep causing her delays, then she had to put an end to their conversation.

One would expect Ava's first instinct to be taking to her heels, but she didn't. And she couldn't quite understand why. Maybe it was the same reason she defended Prince Kinsey, but she didn't understand that either.

The only thought on her mind at the moment was getting a new phone. She couldn't afford to waste any more time. She had to find a way to get out of this situation and get back to her life. The one she's familiar with.

Tara stared into empty space absentmindedly. "Well, I hope so. As a girl who grew up in the trenches, meeting all these rich people now, I guess I have some orientation to clean up," she said.

Ava cleared her throat, bringing both of them back to the present. "Um, I have to get going, Miss,"

Tara apologized, "Oh, my bad. I'm sorry for the stops. But we're almost there, you don't have to worry."

Ava smiled politely, "Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.". Almost immediately, she wore a smile on her face again before tilting her head slightly forward.

"Thanks." Ava said in a polite manner before she proceeded, ahead of Tara.

Despite their desire to ask each other endless questions, another round of awkward silence ensued between them.

The only sounds were the footsteps they made and the occasional passerby. Ava decided it was time to count the beautifully planned and luxurious buildings.

As she counted the buildings, Ava realized how lush and picturesque their exteriors were. Some were more impressive than others, with grand entrances and intricate designs.

As they continued walking, Ava couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur of the estate. At this time, Ava was sure her apartment was the least in the estate in that term.

"Nevertheless, it's just perfect for someone like me. I still have all the privacy I need, just like the others_Wait, what am I thinking? What's wrong with you, Ava?! You don't have a future here! That should be the last thing on your mind right now!"

She murmured in frustration, forgetting that Tara was walking next to her.

Tara couldn't help but sigh slightly. The lady next to her was a handful. There was no need asking what the problem was when she was going to get 'nothing' for a reply. But she couldn't help but wonder what the problem was nonetheless.

Tara had her own problems to deal with, but she decided to take a walk to clear her mind.

The blonde haired Tara had gotten into an argument with her boyfriend Tyler Declan moments ago. According to her, it was his fault they had a misunderstanding, and as per usual, he left immediately without apologising.

And then came his sister who is nothing but a sly fox. The drama with her was enough for a day. First the argument with her brother and then the mentally draining argument with her.

And to think the day was just getting started! Tara couldn't help but scoff.

And now she had just met this dramatic lady. A handful of people everywhere! Tara concluded with a chuckle. Ava who heard her chuckle then turned to throw a glance.

"Is everything okay?" Ava asked.

"Yeah. I think so." Tara replied. But almost immediately, her mind flashed to over an hour ago when she and her boyfriend were having an argument. Particularly the word he threw at her.

"How dare he call me overly sensitive?" Tara muttered under her breath, her frustration evident in her tone_ just like Ava heard.

'He called her overly sensitive.' Ava mused inwardly.

'Hold on!' Ava exclaimed inwardly, as though something had just dawned on her.

'If he called her overly sensitive, that means... that means this might probably be their last argument before_ Oh no! Did he leave the house? Did his sister come visiting this morning? If she did then...' Ava paused as she tried to process the whole thing.

'No, it can't be.' Ava said to herself as she glanced at Tara who wore a look of indifference on her face.

'Of course it can't be.' A voice in her head spoke up. 'Remember_'

'Remember what?!' The second interjected before it continued,

'You said earlier that they aren't real. That they are but fictional characters, so that means that if you remember your plot and you can tell something bad is about to happen then, you have to do something about it. Or are you that cruel to see someone life in danger and still choose to_'

'What life?! These are fictional characters Ava. You don't have a business with them. They are not even real. Do you think they even have blood?' The first countered.

'Ava, don't you remember how you saved the Prince? That is who you are! Kind and empathic. You have a heart. You know what she'll go through if you watch this happen.' The second voice said.

'Then you don't have to watch it happen. You'll be leaving soon anyway.' The first replied quickly.

'Do you think you'll sleep well at night knowing that Tara is suffering through what she has no idea about?' The second voice asked.

'Oh you mean a fictional character?' The first voice countered.

'Come on Ava. You have a heart. Why don't you just assume she's real, like she looks.' The second voice advised.

'But how do I do that when we're strangers? How do I explain why I know so much about her?' Ava mused inwardly, with a confused look visible on her face.

'You'll be leaving soon won't you? During coffee you should relate everything to her then disappear after that.' The second voice advised.

'Or better still, disappear now!' The first voice advised.

'No. I'll do that. I'll tell her what I think she should do and then I'll disappear after that. I won't even wait for coffee anymore' Ava decided inwardly.

And immediately, it was as if the voices were silenced! Ava could not hear anything_ or as she thought, she could not argue with herself anymore.

Ava concluded it was because her mind was made up, that was why she did not feel the urge to contemplate inwardly anymore. However, that was partially the truth.

And so with her mind made up, she glanced at Tara one more time before clearing her throat. But just as she opened her mouth to speak,

"We're here'' Tara announced with a small smile as she tilted her head slightly towards the Retail store.

Little did she know that her fate was being decided by the lady next to her.