"What the hell do you mean, what I'm doing with this man?" Alex's voice cut through the air, sharp and accusing. "Answer me, Ava! And what did he mean by 'home'?"
Ava didn't respond. She didn't need to. She owed him nothing anymore. Let him figure it out for himself. Without a word, she turned and approached Grayson.
"Are you… sleeping with him, Ava?" Alex shouted again.
Ava paused, her eyes locking on his. She didn't speak. Her glare said everything.
Alex scoffed. "Typical Ava… so this is why you never let me touch you. How long has this been going on?"
Ava's blood boiled. "Are you kidding me? You think I'm like you, Alex? You are the worst! This man just met me, but I've known him since I was a child. He's a friend of my father's. So fuck off!"
Alex snapped. "Just met? He brought you here in his car, and you're going home with him! I'm not stupid, Ava. I know the kind of people he is. Seeing you with him… it means something."
She felt the familiar frustration, the back-and-forth games that always left her on the defensive. Alex was trying to twist everything, make it her fault, as if her existence, her voice, even the way she breathed could be blamed.
She didn't have the strength to argue this time.
"You know what? I forgive you, Ava," Alex said suddenly, his voice softening, almost desperate. "If I can forgive you, then you can forgive me too. Let's just… forgive each other. I miss you. I know you still do."
Ava laughed, a bitter, painful sound that rattled him. Did he ever truly love her the way she loved him? She doubted it.
---
The hum of the Bentley filled the silence as they drove. Ava leaned back, trembling slightly, her fingers gripping the edge of the leather seat. Grayson drove without speaking, the city lights flickering across his sharp features.
She wanted to say something, anything, to break the tension, but the words caught in her throat. Part of her wanted to scream at him, demand answers while her world still spun out of control. Another part simply wanted to curl up, let him be the anchor she didn't know she needed.
"Why… why did you even come?" she whispered finally, voice barely audible over the engine.
Grayson didn't answer immediately. His eyes stayed on the road, one hand lightly resting on the wheel, the other tapping against his thigh.
"Because someone has to make sure you don't do something reckless," he said at last, his tone flat, yet carrying that unmistakable edge that made her chest tighten.
Ava huffed. "I can take care of myself, you know. I'm not ten anymore."
"No," he said, finally glancing at her, sharp gaze unwavering. "But right now, you're emotionally blind. You can't think straight, and you have a talent for getting yourself into trouble."
She opened her mouth to argue, then paused. He was right. Storming into Alex's apartment without warning, confronting him—it had been impulsive. And yet, every time she tried to calm herself, her chest felt heavy, as if carrying a storm she couldn't release.
Silence fell again, but it felt different this time—less suffocating. Grayson's presence was steady, quiet, and part of her didn't want it to end.
Finally, she broke the silence, voice trembling. "Do you ever regret not saying goodbye to my father?
Grayson's hand froze on the wheel for a moment. The hesitation twisted her stomach.
"I left for a reason," he said finally, voice low and guarded. "Regrets are dangerous, Ava. They make people weak."
She studied him, searching for the man beneath the controlled, dark exterior. The pain in his eyes mirrored her own storm.
Then, as if to lighten the mood, he asked casually, "So, what do you need now, kitten? Ice cream or chocolate?"
Ava chuckled softly. Grayson hadn't expected it.
"All of them, I guess," she said, looking at him with a small smile.
After a while, he drove to get it for her, and they left.
Ava's curiosity couldn't stay buried. "Care to explain what's going on? What was Alex talking about? Why didn't my father ever mention you all these years?" Her voice was tired. "If you're so rich, why hasn't anyone seen you on TV, newspapers, or the Internet?"
"Not every influential person appears in the media, kitten. Ever heard of low profile?" Grayson replied, voice calm. "I like my quiet life."
The car slowed as they approached a quiet street. Grayson parked in front of a modern, minimalistic apartment building—far quieter than Alex's.
"Home," he said casually.
Ava didn't move immediately. She wanted answers, but she didn't demand them. Instead, she let his steady hand guide her to the door. The click of the car door shut out the city noise, leaving only the weight of unspoken words between them.
Grayson didn't look at her as he unlocked the door, simply stepping inside and gesturing for her to follow.
"You okay?" he asked softly, almost hesitant.
Ava swallowed hard. "No," she admitted, bitter.
He didn't push. He didn't comment. He just nodded, as if understanding perfectly without needing explanations.
Later that night, they sat in the living room. Grayson, a light sleeper, had agreed to watch a movie with her—a small gesture for his friend's daughter.
Ava leaned against his shoulder, pale, eyes red, a bowl of ice cream in her lap. She glanced at him, the chatterbox she'd become now fully visible, a stark contrast to the quiet girl he remembered from childhood.
A trace of ice cream grazed her lips, and his chest tightened at the sight. She reached for him, and he held her back gently.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Nothing," she muttered.
"So… how old are you now, Uncle Grayson?"
"Thirty-five, kitten," he answered.
"When did you meet my father again?"
"We met again eight years ago, when you were twelve."
She shifted closer, muttering, "Fuck… I need a hug she said pouting her mouth."
His gaze shifted to her lips,where the ice cream silently called for the attention of his tongue sliding into it.Fuck!!he was regretting why he agreed to accompany her.
I'm no hugger he told her
But this little kitten of yours or should I said little broken daughter of your close friend needs it more than anything now please she blink her doe eyes rapidly.
Oh he would fix her in so many ways than a hug,he would have her forget Alex but that was crossing the line
This was his friend daughter and the same girl he raised oh Lord forgive him before his friend give him to her to continue raising after his death and not some other women who would be punished for being close to him
You are not into women like me right?she asked in her small voice
Oh and yes he fuck women but his little gotta believe he fuck he don't fuck kids because he don't wantu ruin her
Yes I do!! Grayson you dumb ass
Can I see your girls oict
Nope not now little kitten and he placed her head back to his chest.....Go to sleep with a hug or before I change my mind
Alright uncle Grayson she mumble against his chest and wrapped her hand against it
Remember father use to allow me to hug him like this whenever I'm down uncle Grayson thanks uncle Grayson maybe you haven't changed at all
Don't get wild ideas kitten because you won't get a second hug
Whatever Mr illegal uncle Grayson
And Grayson scoffed and glanced down at the middle man of his leg hoping it's cooperating with his brain at the moment and yeah it was and left out sigh of relief.
And when his little kitten got comfortable it didn't take ten minutes for her to sleep and her breath becomes steady.
Grayson continues staring at the space and wild thoughts he don't want continue to flash on his head
Images flashed and an ache struck on his abdomen.
He glanced down to look at his middle man of his legs and right there he saw what he's been dreading.
Haaaarrrrd and he whisper....
Hmmm oh fuck me Ava