MasukAva:Caroline was quick. She came back in less than five minutes with new spare clothes that I wore before stepping out of the bathroom.I searched my pockets for my phone, and found them broken and wet.“This is really weird. I’m surprised the person was able to bypass the security officers at the gate.” Caroline muttered under her breath, her gazing falling on my phone’s screen which was broken.It was weird indeed, and more confusing that the person could go this far when I didn't even know who she was.Or perhaps she considered me as a threat the moment I started following her down the hallway, enough to leave me in the bathtub full of water.I brushed my palms across my nape, feeling light headed and dizzy, with a burning urge to simply lay down and close my eyes. The throbbing at the back of my neck hadn’t eased at all, and the earlier coughing had left my chest sore and tight.A sigh escaped my lips and I pressed my hands to my phone. It won't even come on. Water had gone deep
Ava:Her only feature that was visible was her dark hair, which was sticking out of the hoodie.She didn't respond to my apology but just stood there, staring at me through those dark sunglasses—or at least, I assumed she was staring. I couldn't tell for sure.Something about her felt off and so wrong.Her posture was rigid, her hands clenched at her sides. And the way she was dressed with a long-sleeved hoodie, gloves, a mask covering half her face, and sunglasses indoors was strange. That too, it was eerie for someone to dress this way on a school premise.How she even got in covered up like that was something I couldn't tell.“Are you okay? ” I asked, taking a small step back to give her space.She didn't say a thing but simply stood in front of me.The hallway around us was mostly empty; barely anyone came around this side except staff. And most of the kids were in the cafeteria or their classrooms having lunch. Every single thing I sent went into dead ears. She didn't respond t
Ava:Dante dropped Belle and I off at the premises of the school. He came down, and rounded the car, opening my door, and helping me out.“There really wouldn't have been any need for you to drive us over here. It's a walk-able distance.” That was exactly the same thing I had been telling him since we left the house, but his response was the same, again and again.“I’m heading this way, Ava.”I knew with certainty that he was only being persistent. Because the truth is, he wasn’t heading this way, he was heading the other way. I didn't argue further, since there was no use anyway.He carried Belle down from the back seat, and helped her pick up her lunch box, along with her school bag.Then he picked her up in his arms, before we walked into the entrance of the school together.The morning air was still cool, and the school grounds were already buzzing as students trooped on. Kids ran around in their uniforms, parents chatted in small groups near the gates and the teachers stood by t
Ava:“Wakie wakie, Mommy. Wakie wakie, Daddy.”Belle was the first to wake up, and as usual she just had to wake us up too.I blinked my eyes open to find her gummy smile directed at me, and her face was very close.“Good morning, Mommy,” she mumbled, leaning to press a kiss to my cheeks.The little action made my heart melt, and I pulled her closer, letting her warm scent wrap around me. “Good morning, Isabelle.”I wasn't sure what I might have said that she picked offense to, but her brows squeezed tightly and she tilted her head. “Who's Isabelle?” She looked really serious and confused.It was only then it finally dawned on me what I had done terribly wrong. I held back a laugh, looking up at her.The confused face she made was very similar to Dante when he was also confused. The similarity between them was so clear and striking that it was hard to miss.Instead of correcting myself immediately, I decided to play along. “Ah, sorry. Good morning, Belle.”Her frown tightened. “We hav
Ava:By the time I heard the sound of his footsteps approaching the kitchen, I had already set down everything for the two of us.Two servings of the reheated chicken and rice, still steaming hot. The vegetables I'd made earlier were arranged more carefully than they needed to be. And in the center of the table, a small basket of fruit was arranged, which I'd washed and placed there almost without thinking.I'd set the plates across from each other at the small dining table, and I was sitting on one of the stools, waiting for him.When Dante walked into the kitchen, my gaze flickered to him, and I noticed his hair was damp and he was now wearing very casual clothes. He was wearing black joggers with a grey T-shirt, which gave me enough to look at.My eyes fell on the small tattoo on his biceps, and I wondered why I hadn't seen it before. But immediately realized it was because he had never worn such a small-sleeved shirt in front.I dragged my gaze out of the drawing on his forearm a
Ava:I stepped inside first, and Dante followed me into the house after, shutting the door behind him and clicking the lock shut.“How long have your security lights been out?” he asked as he dropped his suitcase beside one of the couches.“Two to three weeks now,” suddenly feeling very conscious of my step.I had been fuming with anger less than an hour ago, but now that he had explained everything, there was nothing else to be angry about. It was really just a misunderstanding, and he had cleared it up.“So you didn't see me out there before you opened the door?” he asked as I stepped into the kitchen.I could hear his steady footsteps behind me, but not once did I turn to look at him. “No, I didn't.”I didn't need to turn around to know he had stopped walking.“That’s dangerous, Ava.”I paused by the counter, my fingers curling around the edge to keep me grounded. “What is it?”“No lights outside. Opening the door without checking, especially this late.”I finally turned to face hi







