Sweet Temptations

Fernando stared confusingly at Ava as he waited for her to begin on what she was about to say. Ava thought clearly on how to tell Fernando without messing it up entirely. Despite whether Olalla was his wife or not, it could still hurt him.

"What about Olalla?"

"She's not who you think she is."

"Qué? So who is she really?"

Ava sighed. This wasn't the way she was expecting it to turn out. "The kidnapper, his name was William."

"What does he have to do with Olalla? I don't understand."

"She was having an affair with him, she basically back-stabbed me. You remember the day we went out shopping? She used me to get information, why do you think it was so easy for this William guy to find me? Because Olalla worked for him."

"No, she wouldn't do that."

"You weren't there to hear it, he told me everything. She was the one that sent the parcel to the house. Olalla knew where I lived because she knew I was moving in with Latoya and she overheard her say the address. She obviously gave him my number because we had already exchanged numbers that day we hung out."

"Ava-"

"The day I moved out from yours, before we had our argument, I saw her with him."

"Ava! Just stop."

"You don't believe me, do you?" She said outraged.

"I've heard some stupid things in my life but not as stupid as this."

"Why are you-do you think I'm joking? Like I just dreamt this up? It's true, ok remember back at the hospital? She was even hinting, don't tell me you didn't catch it Fernando, it was so obvious."

"I'm not listening to this." Fernando responded angrily. He got off the bed and begun to dress. Ava stopped herself from crying as she watched him finish off dressing as he slid on his jacket and then walk off out her room. Ava quickly put on her night robe and chased after him.

"I'm not finished." Ava yelled at him as she stalked after him. Fernando spun around on his heel and glared back at the blonde.

"I think we are and I'm leaving."

"So last night was just a cheap fuck to you? I thought I could actually be honest and tell you everything; I wanted you to listen and understand how lonely I've been. There was no one else I could talk to properly; I thought I could just tell you but instead you act as if you don't care, act as if your beloved wife hasn't done anything wrong. I didn't expect this to happen." She cried out to him. "If you really did love me then you'd believe me." Ava whispered. By now, they had both caused a scene. Not only were the house staff watching with prying eyes but so were Ava's parents from the top stairs balcony.

"I've known Olalla nearly all my life. We grew up along side one another." Fernando said calmly until he pursed his lips. "I know her better than anyone and I know she'd never do something like this, believe me, Olalla has done some mean things in her lifetime but she would certainly not be this cruel. You got what you wanted."

"Do you not hear yourself? This isn't you, you'd never say this. The Fernando I know would never react this way."

"I think, you should just forget about me." Was the last thing he muttered before he glanced at Ava with hurtful eyes. Ava couldn't believe this was happening. This was definitely not the way she had planned it to go. Ava choked back a sob as she watched him leave. She froze when she looked around, seeing everyone staring back at her.

"What are you all staring at?" She swallowed, trying to push the tears back. "Go away," she ordered. The staff rushed off in different directions as Ava wept to herself. Vincent watched his daughter in concern as she eventually broke down into tears. Lucia already hurried off and captured her weeping daughter in her arms just as she was about to fall to the floor.

-

For the remainder of the day, Ava had locked herself in her room unless she came out when she needed to. Lucia and Vincent returned later that evening from their last day at work. They were about to tell something Ava important but they didn't know how she were going to take the news, especially after the earlier events from this morning. The only problem was that Ava had now disappeared from her room and happened to be nowhere in sight. Vincent had ordered the staff to search the whole grounds for her before something drastic happened. Lucia had checked the bottom half of the house while Vincent checked the gardens. When the elder woman walked along the corridor, Lucia heard silent sniffling coming from the home library. Lucia sighed and she tried the door handle to the room, but it was locked. She could hear her daughter's sobbing inside the room. There was no movement.

"Ava honey, please let me in."

On the other side, Ava was huddled up against the wall with a woolly blanket wrapped around her body. Her face was tear stained and her eyes were sore red from crying. Ava heard her mother who was still knocking on the other side of the door, desperately trying to get in.

"Sweetheart open the door." Ava wiped her cheeks. She struggled to sit up but she eventually managed to. Ava hobbled over to the door and unlocked it. She swung the door open making Lucia jump up in fright. Ava instantly wrapped her arms around her mother who shushed her and comforted her gently. Lucia guided Ava back in the room and lead her over to one of the sofas.

"I don't know what to do anymore," she wailed. "I feel so lost without him."

"Shh, it's alright angel." Lucia supported her daughter as the girl lay her head down on her knees. "He isn't worth your tears Ava, don't cry. Just think, it means you're one step closer to finding your real soul mate."

"But I don't want anyone else." Ava sobbed. Lucia felt torn inside. Seeing Ava this way clearly was making her feel saddened. "I love him."

"I know, I know." Lucia mumbled. She stroked Ava's hair, hoping it would calm her down. Now wasn't the perfect time to reveal the news but Lucia had no other way. She sighed and looked down at her daughter. "This isn't the best time to tell you Ava, but it might help you feel a bit better."

Ava pulled out of her mothers grip and stared at her with glossy eyes. "I want to know."

"Me and your father, we've decided to leave London."

"What? When?" Ava said abruptly and looked to her mother in shock.

"We're leaving as soon as possible, whenever we are ready actually."

"But why?"

"We feel the need to not be here any longer. After everything that's gone off, we need a change." Lucia explained. Ava nodded understandably. "We're getting older now, moving into retirement and a busy city like London just doesn't make it any better. We need to move on; it doesn't just have to be me and your father though. You could come with us."

"Where would you go?"

"Your father and I agreed on Italy." She rolled her eyes and let out a tiny chuckle.

"Italy, really?" Ava asked. A small smile appeared on her face.

"We shared our 15th anniversary there."

"Ah, then I guess it does make sense." Ava said. She thought on the idea of moving to another country. A fresh start could help her move on, not that she didn't want to but moping around feeling sorry for herself wasn't doing any justice. Besides, she'd only just got her family back together and she wasn't about to lose them again. Ava was still indecisive. Either way, she had a lot of thinking to do.

"Maybe a fresh start would be nice." Ava clearly stated. Lucia sent her daughter a reassuring smile and kissed the side of her head.

"You'll make a decision that suites you. There is no right or wrong and we will love you no matter what. Whether you decide to come or not."

Taking in her mothers kind words, Ava hoped she'd make the best decision to suit her best. Lucia was right about one thing, there were no right or wrong decisions. As long as she had the people she loved around her, she'd be okay in the end.