In Love With My Rival

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: around my shoulders

                “How is it like?”

                “Boring?” Ava answered, brows slightly furrowed. “I mean, I wished I have at least one sibling, but no.” She added. She did not seem sad at all. She might have gotten used to people asking her about life as an only child.  

                Xavier had been asking her questions since they picked him up from the campus. Zephyr drove straight to his place because Xavier insisted that they should prepare something for their lovely guest. Zephyr did not have that in mind at all. He was not in the mood to invite Ava in their place and he never had a plan of doing that ever. This was all Xavier’s doing. He could just drop Ava at her place, but she also wanted to spend time with them.

                “Yeah, that’s really sad. You should hang out with us more often.”

                Zephyr almost choked on the pasta he was eating after hearing Xavier say that. He hurriedly poured himself a glass of pineapple juice and gulped on it. They were gathered around their kitchen island. The guys cooked carbonara for Ava. Again, Xavier insisted on everything and he just left with no choice but to help. The only choice he got was to sit beside Ava. That made Xavier facing both of them.

                “Are you okay?” Xavier just had the nerve to ask him that.

                Zephyr tried to calm himself down as he also tried his best not to stuff his brother’s mouth with all the pasta to stop him from talking too much.

                “I’m fine.” Zephyr coughed, glaring at his brother.

                “Here.”

                Zephyr looked at Ava who was holding out a glass of water for him.

                “Thanks.” He muttered and drank water.

                “Alright. Easy there.” Ava chuckled, rubbing his back.

                Why are you rubbing my back?

                From the corner of Zephyr’s eye, he could feel his brother watching him and Ava with curious and suspicious eyes. He felt he had to get ready himself later for his interrogation. He knew Xavier. The guy would never stop asking questions until he got satisfied with people’s answers.

                “I’m good. Thanks.” Zephyr smiled at Ava.

                With that, Ava smiled and faced his bodyguard’s brother again. “I would love to, but I am a really busy woman. I’ll try to clear my schedule sometimes, though.”

                “Cool.” Xavier hummed. “What do you think of my big brother?”

                “Huh?”

                Zephyr closed his eyes. His head was starting to hurt because of Zephyr. He could feel Ava looking at him now and then. She must have sensed that he was not feeling good. He wanted to drag Xavier out of the kitchen. They were opposites and Zephyr was always the one to adjust. He was always the one to understand.

                “I mean, what is he like is your bodyguard?” Xavier shrugged, but there was a knowing smile that was playing on his lips and Zephyr wanted to wipe it off.

                Ava, on the other hand, just chuckled a nervous one. She thought Xavier was way too bubbly but she liked him. He was a funny guy, she thought. She turned to look at her left and just stared at Zephyr. She squinted her eyes at him as if she was trying to study him and Zephyr was just trying to act cool when he was really annoyed inside.

                “Well… he is… really…”

                “Really what?” Xavier pushed, raising his brows at Ava while trying to avoid his big brother’s scary glare.

                “Really protective.” Ava finished with a smile.

                “Oh, how so?”

                “I guess he was just doing his job. He’s a great guy overall. I hired him because he seemed nice and I wasn’t wrong about that.”

                Why are they talking about me like I’m not here?

                Zephyr thought. He wanted to not listen because it made him uncomfortable when people talk about him and he was right there with them. He just stayed silent, feeling so helpless.

                “He’s not nice to me, though?”

                “What the hell are you talking about?” Zephyr scowled at Xavier.

                “You. Just kidding bro.” Xavier faked a laugh and then turned to Ava. “You’re right. He’s a nice guy.”

                “Yeah.” Ava smiled, finishing her pasta and drank on her pineapple juice.

                Are they done now?

                “So… do you have a boyfriend?”

                Right. They’re not yet done.

                Defeated, Zephyr just looked down at his juice like it was the most interesting thing at the moment.

                “I don’t,” Ava answered honestly.

                “I’m sure you have many suitors, though.”

                Ava hummed. “Yeah. I mean, there are few.”

                Someone suddenly choked on his drink for real. Zephyr turned his back from Ava as he terribly coughed.

                “Fuck.” He muttered between coughs. “Damn it.”

                “Deep breaths.”

                Zephyr heard Ava whisper. Before he could even protest, she inched closer to him and rubbed his back.

                That is not necessary.

                He wanted to tell her but he was afraid that might offend her. He grabbed the glass of water once he was calming down.

                “Are you not feeling well?”

                Seriously, Xavier?

                Zephyr glared at him. He was not that stupid to know that Xavier was totally aware of what was happening to him. With his head down, his jaw clenched as he looked at Xavier with an expression that was screaming he would have a word him sooner. Xavier swallowed and cleared his throat, starting to feel nervous.

                “You’re okay, now.” Ava softly said.

                Why did she have to sound like an angel?

                “I am.” He muttered, standing up from his chair and started cleaning the table up. Everyone was done with dinner. Silence filled the kitchen as he loaded the dishes in the sink.

                “It’s really nice talking to you, Miss Ava. I–”

                “Just Ava.”

                “Right, Ava. I think I need to go to my room now.”

                “It’s nice meeting you too, Xavier.”

                Zephyr was just listening as he washed the dishes. When he heard retreating footsteps, he looked up and just breathed out. Shaking his head, he continued washing the dishes when all of a sudden, a hand stole the sponge he was holding.

                “What are you doing?” His eyes widened as he looked at Ava who was now taking over and scrubbing the plates they used.             

                “I’m helping, obviously.” Ava shrugged and glanced at him shortly.

                “It’s obviously not helping. I was doing that. Give me the sponge.”

                Ava just stayed silent, acting deaf.

                “Ava.”

                Zephyr sighed and Ava did not say anything, he snatched the sponge from her gently pushed her aside with his shoulder. He thought hit was just gentle when Ava almost lost her balance. Good thing she took a hold of the edge of the countertop.

                “Hey.” She complained.

                “I’m sorry.” He held her arm, forgetting that his hand was wet and with bubbles. Ava looked down at her arm, making Zephyr realized what he was doing. “Oh, shit.” His mouth slightly opened as he looked around for something that could wipe off the bubbles.

                “It’s okay. This is not a big deal, Zephyr. Why are you so uneasy? Are you alright?”

                Zephyr stopped looking for a cloth or a table napkin and got back to Ava who was looking at him with confusion. But, there was also amusement in her eyes. He just sighed and shook his head.

                “Just… Can you just sit there? Let me just finish this, okay?”

                Why am I so stressed? I’ve never been this so messy.

                “Are you shooing me away?” Instead of feeling upset, Ava just laughed. She thought Zephyr was cute at the moment.

                “No, no, no. I didn’t mean it like that. This… I mean I can finish this right away.” Zephyr scratched his head and looked away from her for a moment. “Just sit there, okay?”

                Ava pursed her lips, trying to stop her smile but it was just so difficult not to. A giggle escaped from her until she finally chuckled and laughed.

                “What’s so funny, O’Kelly?”

                “Nothing.” She giggled.

                “Obviously, there’s something.” Zephyr shook his head and suddenly pulled Ava by the arm.

                “What are you doing here?” Ava asked and just shrieked out when Zephyr just lifted her up without a warning.

                “You sit there.” He pointed a finger at her like a child after sitting her down the kitchen island.

                “Seriously?”

                “Yup, I’m not joking. Just sit there.” Zephyr said in a warning manner and continued washing the dishes.

                “I’m not a kid!”

                Ava complained, feeling so helpless as she sat upon the island like a child being scolded by her mother after running and playing around the kitchen.

                “Who says you are?”

                “You’re treating me like one right now.”

                He could hear the pout in her voice.

“Behave.” Now, a smile was dancing on his lips.

                “Fine.” Ava sighed.

                As she patiently for Zephyr to get done, she could not help but check him out. Sexy back, broad shoulders, nice booty. Ava pursed her lips at the thought. He got changed into a pair of grey sweatpants and a white muscle tee. He looked so damn sexy. Ava found herself crossing her legs and planting her palms flat on the marble island. She looked so creep at the moment, but she did not care. She had touched all of it already. Hard.

                “I can feel your eyes raping me.”

                Ava almost laughed at that, but she just said instead, “You have a nice booty.”

                “Funny how you just said that now when you’ve already touched it.”

                “I didn’t look at it until now.” She reasoned out.

                “Sure, sure.”

                Zephyr turned around and she assumed he was finished with the dishes. But, she did not change her position though. She still sat there like a wild cat waiting for her prey to take her. Ava watched him walked over the refrigerator and wiped his hands dry with the cloth hanging on the handle. Ava realized they have a small, but cozy apartment. It was clean, even though two guys were the ones occupying the place.

                Ava slid down the island and followed him out of the kitchen.

                “Do you really have to be guarding at my place tonight?” She asked, following him upstairs.

                “I’ll be checking on the CCTV works well,” Zephyr answered and turned around to face her when they finally stopped in front of his bedroom door. He turned around because he did not get why she was still following him.

                Is she going to come in with me? Man… this woman.

                Ava’s raised as her eyes widened a bit when Zephyr just stared at him while leaning his back on the door behind him.

                “What?” She could not stop herself from asking.

                “I’m just going to grab a jacket and we’ll see ourselves out.”

                “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

                “You want to come in?”

                “Yeah.”

                Oh, man.

                Zephyr stared at Ava, hoping that she was going to change her mind but it was all seriousness on her face. She looked so damn innocent to be refused. Left with no choice, he opened the door to his bedroom and walked in.

                Ava saw herself inside Zephyr’s bedroom and the first thing she noticed was his king-sized bed and the walls painted in gray. Almost everything was actually gray, even his duvet, sheets, pillowcases, and curtains. She walked deeper until she sat on foot the bed.

                “Gray?” It came out more like a question from Ava.

                “I know what you’re thinking,” Zephyr said and sat beside her.

                “What am I thinking?”

                “That my room is dull.”

                “It is.” Ava nodded.

                “I love the color,” Zephyr said, his voice turning low.

                “It’s nice, though. I never imagined you’re a neat person.”

                “Thanks to Xavier for maintaining the place. He didn’t like seeing the mess around.”

                “Oh.”

                Zephyr smirked as he turned his head to look at her. “I’m dirty.”

                What did he mean to say?

                Without waiting for a reply, Zephyr stood up and walked over to his wardrobe to his right to get a jacket. It was his signature black leather jacket this time. Ava just watched him wear it.

                “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

                “Okay.” Ava got up and followed him out of the door but he walked to the other door and knocked on it.

                The door opened and Xavier walked in who had headphones over his head and remote control on his hand.

                “We’ll go now. I’ll be guarding up at her place. I’ll get home probably dawn.”

                “Sure. Take care. Till next time, Ava.” Xavier smiled at waved his hand at Ava.

                “Till next time.” Ava smiled back at Xavier, turned around, and follow after Zephyr who was walking down the stairs.

                “Can you wait for me?”

                “Move fast.”

                Ava hurriedly slipped into her heels and finally saw herself out of the apartment with Zephyr.

***

                “I saw here you in this very spot.” Zephyr halted from walking and leaned on the railings of the bridge over the pond.

                “Really? What was I doing?”

                “Taking pictures of two swans kissing.”

                “Oh, yeah. I remember that. How come I did not see you?” Ava frowned and stood beside Zephyr. They were supposed to be at her place, but Ava wanted some fresh air and the park was in Zephyr’s mind. It was actually beautiful at night. Really beautiful.

                “I walked away before you could even see me,” Zephyr replied as he turned his head to look at her.

                “Oh, why?”

                “Because I owe you an apology and I wasn’t in the mood to say sorry.”

                “You can say you’re sorry now.”

                “I’m sorry… for being rude to you when we first bumped into each other.”

                “Apology accepted.” She smiled.

                Zephyr sighed in content as he looked up and gazed at the stars above. He did not know what to say. The silence was comfortable already, but Ava seemed to like having a conversation going.

                “What made you leave Mexico?”

                “I didn’t expect that, huh?” Zephyr chuckled, thinking about what to say. He hummed until something finally pop into his mind. “Xavier wanted to study here so we went here, rented an apartment, and experience New York life as well.”

                “How’s living here so far?” She really wanted to talk to him.

                “Fast. Everything and everyone moves so fast like they’re always in a hurry.” Zephyr yawned and wandered his eyes around.

                “Including me?”

                “Maybe.” Zephyr shrugged and turned to face her.

                “What?”

                “Someone is watching us.” He whispered. “A guy is sitting on a bench, all black, and I saw him starring at you and me. We need to get out of here.” He took her hand right away and held her by the shoulder as they walked back to the car.

                They were walking fast and when they finally reached the car, Zephyr swiftly opened the passenger side and shove Ava inside. Yes, shove. He kept a keen eye on his surroundings. When he looked at the bench where the suspicious guy was just sitting there, no one was there anymore.

                “Shit.”

                He hurried to the driver’s seat, buckle himself up, and started driving fast to her place.

                “Who was that?” Ava asked. Worry was evident in her voice. She could not hide it.

                “I wish I know but I don’t. I remember his face. I’ve been watching him for a while since he arrived there. He just wore a hat when he had sensed me noticing him.”

                “Oh, God. This is just insane. Who would be doing all this?”

                “I don’t know but I intend to find out.”

***

                “Will you stay here with me?”

                Zephyr’s heart clenched when Ava asked her that once he was done setting up the monitors controlling the CCTV camera outside her unit. He closed the door behind him as they faced each other. He could see the worry n her eyes. He felt bad for her but he made a promise and he meant to keep it.

                “I’ll stay here with you.” He assured her.

                “Thank you.”

                Ava suddenly closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around him. Zephyr stiffened for a moment, but he soon relaxed and hugged her back.

                “I’ll be right here with you.” He whispered, running hands across her back comfortingly.

                Pulling away, Ava took his hand and pulled him with her upstairs to her room. She opened the door to her bedroom and Zephyr kicked it close behind him. The moment it shut, Ava stood on her tiptoes and kissed Zephyr right on the lips. He responded right away, pulling her close to him as she snaked her arms around his neck. Ava let out a gasp when she was suddenly being lifted and brought to her bed. She felt the soft mattress behind her as she shrugged her blazer and kicked her heels off.

                Shrugging his jacket off, Zephyr climbed the bed and laid down with her. He pulled her to him and she laid her down to his chest.

                Ava just did not know what to think at the moment. She thought she needed him to stay with her, right in his arms where she felt safe. As long as she could hear his heartbeat, she felt she was safe.

                It was so bizarre for her. It was odd that she easily found comfort, safety, and protection from a stranger. Yes, she still saw him as a stranger because she basically did not know much more about him. Gone was her plan to teach him a lesson to not apologizing. She did not see it as a big deal anymore. The big deal was herself who seemed to be longing for Zephyr's presence now and then. 

                "What are you thinking about? You seem to be in deep thoughts?" asked Zephyr. His long fingers were a fetish for her. They were running through her locks. 

               "You." She whispered back, completely being true and honest. "I am so weird about wanting to keep you with me." She mist have gone insane for bein too transparent to him, but she could not care less anymore. She could say whatever she wanted to say to him. "You've only been with me for a week and many things happened already." She swallowed the lump in her throat. Her eyes were just staring into space, particularly on the monstera plat beside the balcony doors in her room. 

               "Are you not scared?" 

                Zephyr was not sure where it was going, but he felt like he needed to have this kind of conversation with her. She was being honest with her feelings and he needed to take advantage of the situation. 

                "Scared of what?" 

                "That you might fall in love with me." He bluntly finished and he did not expect her response. She laughed. the sound vibrated against his chest. Although it seemed a bit offensive, he just thought it was cute when she laughed freely. Indeed a piece of music to his ears. She was a woman who looked intimidating at times, but she got the sweetest voice ever. It was a huge turn-on for him. 

                 "You're not serious, are you?" She asked, the hint of laughter still dancing on her lips. Her face was lit up. She looked so carefree and wild with that green dress she still had on. Wild as the forest. 

                "I am. We don't know. Just what it?" Zephyr shrugged smugly. 

                "You got a bit of arrogance in you. You sound so full of yourself right now."

                "That is called assurance."

                 "Assurance that?"

                 "Assurance that you won't fall in love with me and that it is impossible."

                 "I won't fall in love with you and I am sure with it." She boldly promised but wished she could take her words back right after they rolled off her tongue. It was too late, she promised it right to his face. 

                "I'll keep that in mind, Ma'am."   Zephyr chuckled. It sounded forced because he was sure he felt something when she promised him the impossible love. She sounded so determined—as determined as he was when he promised his brother he would protect him with all his might. It scared him. It scared him because he felt she could not keep it. Hopefully, she could because he would be doomed if she would break that promise she just gave him. 

                  "Aren't you?" It came out more like a daring challenge from Ava. She was curious, curious if he could keep the same promise to her. Strictly, no strings attached. Strictly just this way, where there were no feelings involved. But Ava thought, How can I be sure that I will be not falling for this man?.

                   Zephyr was a charming guy. He had those heart-shaking smiles that could any make any woman weak. His voice could sway a woman because of how deep, husky, and sexy it was. His eyes were intensifying that any woman would want him to look at her and only her. His aura and hot presence have the ability to make any woman fall to her knees and beg for his attention. 

                   Am I almost that woman? 

                   Zephyr was almost flawless that Ava wanted to find a speck of dirt in him. It annoyed her actually. 

                    "I'm not scared I'd fall for you," Zephyr whispered in the dimly-lit room. 

                    "Really?"

                    "Really."

                    "Why so?" She pushed. 

                    "Because..." he said, then, unable to come up with a reason that didn't sound either affected or downright silly, drifted into silence. 

                    "'Because' is not a reason."

                     He wished she'd divert that unnerving stare to someplace either than his face. He felt like a bug pinned under a microscope. Helpless. At her complete mercy. "I guess I'm tired."

                    "You are? Oh, sorry for talking too much.

                    How can she be so innocent?

                    Zephyr was almost there. He was close to submission. Coming up for an excuse was so easy for him. Whereas Ava was a little bit disappointed not because her curiosity wasn't filled with satisfaction, but because she might have been annoying to him for talking too much. 

                    "No. It's not that. There's nothing to apologize." Zephyr sighed, feeling stupid of himself. 

                    "Okay. Tomorrow's Saturday. I won't be reporting to the office."

                    "We'll go to the police station tomorrow." His voice was calm, but it was firm. He had a feeling that all those suspicious people were connected with each other or they could be the same suspects of the firing incident.

                     "Oh. I think I would be out with my mother though."

                    "Then I'll be guarding you both," Zephyr said in a matter of fact tone. When he saw Ava just staring at him and not saying anything, he asked, "What? You don't want me to meet your mother?"

                    "It's not that. You don't have a suit here. If you will be wearing casual, she will think you're my..." Ava trailed off, not that she did not know the word, but because she did not want to say. 

                    "You're what?"

                    "My boyfriend." There, she finished it. She felt her cheeks heating up and she silently thanked the angels that the room was a little dark. She would be so embarrassed to let him see her scarlet face. She knew her mother. She had been bugged asked by her mother when she would finally get herself a boyfriend or a... husband. The latter sounded even scarier. Julia O'Kelly wanted a son-in-law and a grandchild already. Ava had told her mother many times that she was too young to get a husband or worse, carry a little human being in her stomach. 

                   "So?" Zephyr quirked a brow at her and almost laughed when he saw her eyes widened in shock. 

                   "So, we should tell her that you're my bodyguard and not my problem when you'll come with us tomorrow." She explained. 

                    "Exactly. So, what's the problem when we can just tell her exactly that?"

                    Ava groaned in annoyance. She hated it when he acted all smart on her. So sassy and sarcastic. "Let's just go to sleep."

                    "What happened? What's with the mood swing?" Zephyr said, chuckling. This woman was a bunch of cuteness and innocence that it was so difficult no to tease her. 

                     "You're making fun of me." Ava groaned, her voice was muffled against his chest. 

                     "I am not. It was just a matter of fact, Ava Lauren." 

                      Ava fell silent as it was the first time she heard him say her full name. Her father called her 'Lauren' and she did not like it. She hated it when it was just 'Lauren'. 

                       But why did it feel good coming from him?

                      "Good night, Ava."

                       "Good night."