CHAPTER 2

“SHIT!” I cheaply once slapped the steering wheel of my car. I bent down and closed my eyes tightly.

I never thought before that I could get stuck in traffic. Well, I will find a way — hopefully. The problem is, I’m missing out. I have not memorized this place. Yes, there is no traffic, but why, instead of reducing the number of trees, they are increasing in number and becoming more mountainous?

‘Where am I?’

I tried to use Maze and G****e Maps but I was confused.

‘Argh! Ava, look at it again!’

I pulled over and stopped my car on the side of the road first. I will keep asking questions about how to get out of this place to myself even though I really don't know the answer.

Carrying my sling bag, I started walking. Good and I still see houses. There are even stores of goods and souvenirs. I approached the fruit shop vendor, and asked, “Excuse me, Ma’am. Can I ask a question?” I asked the aged woman.

“What is it, young lady?”

“What place is this? I think I am missing.” I smiled and laughed a little.

“You are in Texas City. Where are you from?”

“Actually, I’m from the mall here in Texas City and I’m on my way back to Houston, but I don’t know if I’m going the right way.”

“Why did you go so far, huh? Do you have a car?” She asked me, I can see that she was worried about me.

“Yes, I left it for a while to ask questions. How is it possible to get back to Houston? I would have avoided the traffic in case I got lost,” I said shyly. I want to repent because I insist on putting Avana first. If I had listened to them, maybe I wouldn’t have gone astray as I did today. I took a deep breath.

“The way back to Houston was difficult, and I didn’t even memorize it. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Thank you,” I thanked the old woman before walking again.

My shoulder dropped as I walked back to my car. Even if I wanted to ask other people, I was embarrassed. Aside from that, maybe someone else will recognize me. There's a chance too that I’ll be even more confused. It’s hard and I might have another issue if the press will see me here. I’m sure mommy’s head will heat to me again.

'She was always like that. What's new?'

I stopped walking when someone was standing in front of my car. I don’t know when he was even there. My chest throbbed quickly because the owner of that stance was none other than Liam.

“What are you doing here?” I asked when I could get close to him. He didn’t seem to notice my presence because he had turned his back on me. He even jumped slightly as his shoulder rose. He turned to me slowly. His elegance is remarkable as it is visible even more in the simple clothes he's wearing.

“A-Ava,” he said. He put down the cell phone and approached me. “Are you okay? What happened to you? What are you doing—”

“I asked you first, so answer me. What are you doing here?” I cut off what he was going to ask me. I asked him a rather hard question, full of authority that he should answer properly.

Liam was obviously stunned but also recovered after a while. “Ah, Avery told me you left the hotel you’re staying in earlier, but you haven’t been able to return to your house in Houston yet. I’m worried—”

“I’m fine. Excuse me, I’ll go first.” I tried to get past him. I am disgusted with his presence now in front of me.

“But—”

“Stop! I don’t need your concern, Liam. So please, excuse me.” I gave him a warning look as I stared at him. I really want him to feel how annoyed I am because he is here in front of me right now.

Liam seemed to feel scared, so he did nothing but step aside so I could get in the driver’s seat. I didn’t even glance at him no matter what happened, even though I could see him out of the corner of my eyes with his gaze on me. After a while, I immediately started the car’s engine and then turned it on.

As I drive away, I could clearly see Liam’s head slowly shaking using the side mirror. He was just staring at my car. Lots of questions are on my mind right now. How did he know exactly where I was? How did he get to a place like this? Did he get lost, too?

I laughed bitterly. ‘That’s impossible. He’s probably not a fool to get lost.’ I was stunned by the thought. ‘So you admit it, Ava?’

I stop thinking of him as I focus my attention on driving. I shouldn’t feel this way because I shouldn’t. It was just Liam. Shouldn’t I longer be affected every time I encounter him?

‘Why is that man so handsome? I could still smell his manly scent that makes me fall in love way back then.'

My shame crept up.

‘Maybe he smelled me earlier! I smell sweat, and I am so haggard because of stress! My God!’

Using my fingers, I comb my hair. I grabbed the steering wheel and continued driving.