Ava's Pov:
Leon didn't say a word to me after his outburst at the hospital. He even drove home in a separate car. If only he knew his silence worsened the situation.
My plan was to get home, pack my bags and go back to the motel, but something held me back.
On the way home, Marvin didn't speak to me either. Even when I asked about Leon he just shrugged his shoulders. I wasn't too surprised though. Typical Marvin.
Until, I got home and realized it wasn't just Marvin. It was the entire household. Everyone just bowed politely. They all had this look in their eyes…. like they would be prosecuted if they so much as said a word to me.
Even Pearl, who I had grown to like, didn't look at me.
"Pearl? What is going on? Everyone is acting so weird."
"What do you mean Miss Ava?"
"First of all, it's just Ava. And you know exactly what I mean."
"I don't." she said, not turning away from the laundry she was folding.
I walked over to her and pulled her closer. "I just got checked out of the hospital and you won't even look at me!"
She looked startled. "I-I-I'm sorry, Ava. I can't talk." She broke free of my grip and ran off.
Now I really had to leave this house.
I stormed off to my room, pulled out my suitcase and stuffed all my things into it. I took a few things that didn't belong to me but it was more of a compensation rather than stealing.
"I can't believe this is happening to me. I can't." I said out loud.
I was so frustrated I didn't hear Leon walk in.
"What are you doing?"
I turned around. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"It looks like you're packing but why?"
"Ha. Are you seriously asking me that?"
"Ava you can't leave," he said calmly.
"Oh you're keeping me hostage now?"
"That's not what I'm doing, you need to trust me…"
"Says the guy who sent guards after me for a week because he was too much of a pussy to talk to me."
"You think that's what happened? I fucking saved your life Ava! I'm trying to be understanding but you're not making it easy."
I stared at him for a second. "Is this what you call saving my life?"
"I'm protecting you."
"How?! By telling everyone in the house to treat me like a ghost? I know that was your doing Leon, don't lie."
He sighed and looked down. It felt like he regretted what he said, but it was too late to take it back. I felt bad for what I said too but at that moment, I couldn't care less about how he felt.
"I completely understand why you'd be worried right now, Ava. But you have to trust me. Leaving here isn't a safe option and I know you want answers but that wouldn't do anything but worsen the situation."
"Leon, I…"
"Just please trust me," he continued.
"I can't do that. But I'll stay."
"Thank you."
He walked off.
I wondered why he looked so relieved. But that was the reason I was willing to stay. I couldn't trust him but there was something genuine about him. I could only hope I wasn't making the wrong choice.
I slowly unpacked my bags. I told myself I'd be more accepting. Part of me knew putting my faith in Leon's protection was a dumb decision but technically, I walked into this myself.
I picked up my Ipad and opened my page on Instagram. I scrolled through my posts. From the top with photos of the penthouse to the very bottom, where it all began.
I still had only a hundred likes on my first post, my recents were above five thousand. I had come a long way, and I was refusing to back down.
I wiped off a tear I didn't realize had fallen from my cheek.
Then, I called Alicia. She was all I had.
Most of my friends tried to reach out after my recent posts but I ignored them all. It took me a while to realize it but I finally saw through them, and this wasn't even the time to go back to that life, even if part of me wanted to.
Alicia didn't pick up. I couldn't decide what to believe. Whether she was still mad or she was just working.
Regardless, it still hurt. It reminded me of how completely alone I would be if she decided to drop me on a random Tuesday.
I couldn't handle being alone. I cried uncontrollably for minutes. I didn't mind being heard. If I didn't let it out, I didn't know what would've happened to me. Probably explode from exhaustion.
Soon, Pearl came in. Same expressionless face.
"Yes, Pearl?"
"Leon asked me to give you this."
She handed me a phone, bowed and started to walk out.
"Pearl." I called.
"Yes?"
"You don't have to bow all the time."
She gave me a faint smile. "Okay."
She turned around again, but stopped.
"You should trust him. He's protecting you."
Then, she left.
Leaving me to handle my thoughts on my own.