A LONG WAIT

Leonardo woke up. He felt a bit of pain in his shoulder. He slowly got up. He saw that Ava was sleeping on the couch. She brought morning coffee for him and slept. Ava slept late at night. Due to sleepiness she again slept while she was waiting for Leonardo to wake up. Leonardo starred at Ava. He took his coffee. After finishing he put the cup on the side table so it made a sound. He did it on purpose so Ava woke up with a jerk.

Why are you here girl? Leonardo asked

How are you feeling now? Is pain got less than night? I think I should check your wound. So you may need redressing. Ava asked him and raised her hand towards his shoulder. Leonardo held her arm tightly. Meanwhile Frank knocked on the door. He left her arm and said; come in frank.

I think you are busy. I will come later. Frank said.

No, you come inside. The girl will go. Leonardo said and starred Ava. Ava left his room quickly.

What was the problem with that disgrace Mandela?

They threatened to kill James or You!! But Mr. Francis's grandson is not a boy to be bought through money. He will not do this. But how we will escape him from their web?

Mandela!! Leonardo roared.

Tell me what should I do? Frank asked

Just report to me everything they do. If he managed to calm down, we will have a meeting. Leonardo said.

I put medicine on the table. Eat it. I will come later to change your bandage. No need to tell me what I have to do. Ava entered Leonardo's room and said.

I don't need any medicine. Stay away from my matters. Leonardo looked at her and shouted

Ava quickly left his room

'Phone bell rings'

I told you I will be back in the studio. I think I should focus on my work so I can bear my own expenses. I don't want Lucas's uncle to spend his expenditures on me. And I want to say thank you for being with me on my worse days. I will come tomorrow. Ava was talking to Aiden on the phone while Leonardo opened the door of Lucas's room. He was sleeping. He listened to her that she was committing someone to meet the next day. He didn't know to whom she was talking or what made him angry with her. He closed the door and went back to his room. Ava got up and went to Leonardo's room. She told him that stains of blood are visible on his shoulder. So re-dressing should be done. She put her hand on his shoulder. Leonardo grabbed her hand angrily

Girl, I can do my own things. Leonardo said with anger. For a moment, she realized that something is in his mind that's why he is responding to her aggressively. She encouraged herself.

Remove your shirt from the shoulder. I am not here to listen to your lecture. I have to do it. Otherwise, you should go to the doctor. Ava said

Leonardo sat on the couch. Ava clean the wound and redressed it. While Ava was taking the first aid box from the table a braid of hair waved on her face. Leonardo's eyes widened on her face she was attracting him. He quickly slides his eyes. The next day Ava told Lucas that she will come back in a few hours. That she has to do some work. She left the mansion after breakfast. Leonardo kept his eyes on her. He followed her way. Ava went to Aiden's house. Leonardo saw that Aiden was already waiting for her near parking. Ava talked to Aiden which he couldn't understand. Aiden handed over a laptop bag. Ava and Aiden both went to the studio. Leonardo followed her to her destination. Then he quickly went to the mansion in anger. The way he was angry did not match his mood. Frank was leaving the mansion when he saw Leonardo coming out of the car very angry. He went to him and said, 'Sir, the cargo has arrived.' Leonardo did not answer him and immediately went to his room. Ava worked at the studio for long hours then she managed to leave the studio before sunset began. But it was a lot of traffic so she reached late at the mansion. Leonardo's mood was not good while all family members were together at the table for dinner as Ava was not there. Sophia told Emma to present herself as a caring aunt to Lucas so Leonardo may be happy and she may get chances to get closer to him. Emma sat with Lucas and served him dinner with a tough heart. She presented herself as well as she could so. Sophia exaggerated in front of Leonardo for Emma's workout. Leonardo nodded his head and left the dining table. Ava went to Lucas's room. She saw Emma was busy on her phone and Lucas was sleeping. Emma looked at her and left the room quickly. Ava kissed Lucas.

Forgive me, my dear. I won't be late again. It was a lot of traffic so I didn't reach in time. Pinky promise my sweetheart. Ava said

Are you sure aunt? Lucas asked

Oh! So you were not sleeping? Ava asked

Because Emma's aunt was playing videos on her phone. I pretended to her that I am sleeping. I wanted her to leave the room. But she didn't leave. I thought I could play with my boats until you came back. Because I knew you will come back. But I am angry. Lucas said

Come on my angry bird. Forgive your aunt. I will manage from tomorrow. I will not let you complain. Ava emphasized and hugged him tightly. Then she told him and the fairytale. Lucas went asleep while listening to the story. Ava was a little ashamed in front of Lucas. She went into the kitchen as she didn't eat anything during the day. Leonardo listened to a crunching sound from downstairs. He quickly checked the camera. He saw security guards were sleeping. He took his gun and slowly went out of the room. He saw everyone's room door was closed. He went downstairs. Ava took some bread, a cheese slice, and sausages from the refrigerator. She made a sandwich and a cup of tea and went outside. Ava and Leonardo hit each other. Leonardo put the gun on Ava's head.

So this is you! Say thanks to me that I didn't shoot you. Leonardo rudely said

Cup fell down. Tea was shattered on the ground. Ava stared shivering at Leonardo and tried to take pieces from the floor.

Stop this. The servant will clean it. Leonardo said and step forward.

Ava again started taking pieces.

Girl, learn to listen to the other words. Leonardo roared.

Ava shivered. She followed Leonardo and went into his room. Leonardo raised his eyebrows. Ava quickly finished her sandwich. Poured water into the glass and drank. Then she went into his dressing room. She brought a first aid box.

Remove your shirt so I can check the wound. Ava said. Leonardo was wondering about Ava's behavior. She checked the wound and redressed it.

It is recovered. A scar left. I will check it tomorrow. Don't forget to take your medicine. Ava flowed the conversation. Leonardo looked at her. He thought something while Ava left the room.

Check I have plans for Lucas's birthday party. I have all the templates on my phone. I will send you. Give a break to Lucas's aunt. She might be busy during the day as she joined her workplace again. So I thought I will be doing preparations for the birthday boy. Emma directly jumped into conversation while she entered Leonardo's room. Leonardo looked at her. Emma went for breakfast.

So we are going to do preparations for our little boy's birthday party. Sophia said

Sister, I told Leonardo about my plans. So I will do preparations accordingly. Emma said

Leonardo didn't reply and finished his breakfast. He went into his study room.

I cannot buy a gift even a dress from these few pounds. It's my nephew's birthday party and I am going to celebrate it for the first time with him. What the hell? Why I haven't worked before? I would have not wasted my money on buying a camera lens. Ava was talking sadly to herself loudly while Leonardo listened to her conversation from the doorway. He stood by for a while and went downstairs.

My dear sister. She started working again in the studio. She told me that. So you will look after Lucas as well. As she will not available on the day time. I think you should work great. Sophia patted shoulder of Emma and said with meanness. Leonardo listened to both sisters while he was coming downstairs. He quickly left the mansion.

I will work shortly. Everyone is doing preparations at the mansion for Lucas's birthday. Ava said

Wow! You know we have received the payment for the project we have done last time. The money will be transferred to your account. I received mine. Check your notification. Vanessa said

Oh, thank god. Finally, they did it. I really needed it. I have to buy a gift for my nephew's birthday. Ava said.

What about Lucas's monster uncle? Vanessa asked

I didn't inform him about my affairs. But I will let him know about my regular work. I need to earn to give rent. I took a loan while my dad was in the hospital. I also have to return that as well. I will work hard so I will get much. Ava said.

Yes, you are right! The model is ready. I think you should elaborate on the postures and style. I will take shots. Vanessa said

Okay. You should go to the cabin. I am also coming after this edition. Ava said.

Ava took her necessaries. She saw Leonardo was coming to her while she turned.

What? Ava wonder and mumbled

You should go with me right now. Leonardo said

How did you come to my place? If you followed me. You would have informed me before coming here. Ava said.

Leonardo held her arm and pushed. Ava quickly released her hand from his grip.

This is not your mansion Mr. Leonardo. It is my workplace. I have a lot of people here. They are looking at you. Ava said.

Meanwhile, Vanessa and Aiden come forward to them.

What are you doing here Mr. Leonardo? So you are going to ruin our work also? Aiden jumped into their conversation. Vanessa quickly held his arm to stay silent.

Ava looked at both of them. She thought for a while if Aiden did something wrong a bad report will be built in front of other people. So she managed that in a way.

I can do my work with full responsibility, you guys can go. Ava said.

Leonardo looked at them and left the studio quickly in an aggressive mood.

I am sorry. Let's go to the cabin. Ava said and went to the shooting room.

The next day Ava went to the studio as per her requirements. Leonardo also gets to know that Ava was not there. It was a special day at the mansion. It was Lucas's birthday. Ava thought she would work and will get a bonus from the previous company to buy the necessary stuff for Lucas's birthday. She was also known for the timetable of celebration. Leonardo was not known that Ava may arrive at the exact time. On other hand, Sophia directed Emma to wear a worthy dress and jewelry at the birthday party. They both were known to that Ava will not come till cake cutting ceremony. So they both were happy about their main hurdle will be removed from their life forever. Everyone at the mansion got ready nearby evening. The event started. Guests were coming frequently. Everyone got ready. Leonardo was also ready. Both uncles and nephew wore the same dresses. Leonardo and Lucas were continually waiting for Ava to have arrived. Emma took her sleeping pills and piss off them into powder. She put the powder in a glass. She didn't let Sophia know about her plans. She did so if Ava come during the celebration time so she will give her a glass of juice mixed with those pills powder. As per her thoughts. It happened right away. She went out of the room. she saw that Ava was also going into her room.

Ava, you came right? Emma asked

Yes, I am late I am going to get ready quickly. Ava said

Oh, my dear. You look dizzy. Drink this juice you will be fresh. I am waiting for you downstairs in the hall. Emma handed over the juice glass with extreme love and care presentation. Ava couldn't stop her to drink that juice as per Emma's behavior. Emma smiled and went downstairs. She smiled because she felt her mission got successful to stay Ava away from Leonardo on the special occasion. Ava entered her room. She saw a beautiful white square gift box on her bed. She quickly opened the box. It was a backless royal blue ball gown dress. Ava thought for a while who can give her this dress. She reminded herself that Sophia can do this as she is so caring to her. She got ready. She felt for a while that she got dizzy. But she encouraged herself to go downstairs. Leonardo was getting angry. He thought as Ava didn't reach the mansion yet. There he held the hand of Lucas to start the celebration. He called frank

'You should go with guys. Pick her up from her place of work and if she refuses, forcibly throw her in the car and bring her to the mansion.' Leonardo ordered frank and got aside. Guards came back to the mansion. They reported they didn't find Ava there. As Leonardo listened to that, his face got blushed because of anger.