Beneath the surface

Chapter 18

Ethans veiw

As I watched Ava walk away, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had just made a huge mistake. I had let my emotions get the better of me, and now I was stuck in this situation. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I had claimed Ava as mine, and she had let me.

But what did it mean? Was Ava really interested in me, or was she just playing me? I thought back to the way she had smiled at me, the way she had kissed me back. It had felt real, but what if it was all just an act?

I paced back and forth in my room, trying to make sense of everything. I knew I needed to calm down, to think things through. But my mind was racing, and I couldn't seem to focus.

One thing was for sure – I needed to know what Ava was thinking. I needed to know if she felt the same way about me, or if I was just a pawn in her game.

I pulled out my phone, hesitating for a moment before sending her a text. "Meet me tomorrow," I typed, my fingers flying across the screen. "We need to talk."

I hit send, feeling a sense of anticipation. What would Ava say? Would she agree to meet me, or would she ignore me?

Let's dive into the scene where Ethan gets confronted by his father.

I walked into the house, still reeling from the events of the night. I hadn't expected things to escalate so quickly with Ava, and now I was feeling overwhelmed.

As I entered the living room, I saw my father sitting on the couch, a stern look on his face. "Ethan, we need to talk," he said, his voice firm.

I sighed, knowing that this conversation was inevitable. "What's up, Dad?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Don't play dumb with me, Ethan," my father said, his eyes narrowing. "I know what's going on between you and Ava. And I don't like it."

My father's words cut deep, and I felt a surge of anger. "You don't know what you're talking about, Dad," I said, my voice rising. "You don't know Ava like I do."

My father leaned forward, his eyes blazing with intensity. "I know enough, Ethan. I've seen the way she operates. She's a master manipulator, and she'll use anyone to get what she wants."

I shook my head, feeling a growing sense of frustration. "You're just jealous, Dad. You've always been wary of anyone I care about."

My father's expression turned cold, and he stood up, towering over me. "I'm not jealous, Ethan. I'm concerned. I don't want to see you get hurt."

I scoffed, feeling a sense of defiance. "I can take care of myself, Dad. I don't need you to warn me about Ava."

The tension between us was palpable, and I knew I needed to calm down. But my father's words had struck a chord, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that he might be right.

The tension between Ethan and his father was palpable. His father had always been overbearing, trying to control every aspect of Ethan's life. But this time, it seemed like he was genuinely concerned about Ava.

"Ethan, listen to me," his father said, his voice softer now. "I'm not trying to control you. I just don't want you to get hurt. Ava is...different. I don't think she's good for you."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "What do you mean?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

His father hesitated, his expression uneasy. "I just don't like her vibe, okay? I think you should steer clear of her."

Ethan felt a surge of defensiveness, but he tried to keep an open mind. Maybe his father knew something he didn't. "Why don't you like her?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

His father sighed, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off a headache. "Ethan, I've told you everything I can. For now, just trust me when I say that Ava is not someone you should get involved with."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity. Why was his father being so cryptic? What did he know that he wasn't sharing?

"I want to trust you, Dad," Ethan said, his voice measured. "But you're not giving me much to go on. Can't you just be straight with me for once?"

His father's expression turned stern, and for a moment, Ethan thought he saw a flash of fear in his eyes. "Ethan, sometimes it's better to listen to your instincts," his father said, his voice low and serious. "And my instinct is telling me that Ava is trouble. Just be careful around her, okay?"

The conversation ended there, but Ethan couldn't shake off the feeling that his father was hiding something significant. What was it, and why was he so reluctant to share it with him.