Semua Bab Acknowledged By A Mafia Leader: Bab 11 - Bab 20

The sunshine fell warmly from the light blue sky, soft and comforting without the harshness of summer. It wasn’t too hot — it wrapped around the body like long-worn, soft cotton underwear. The occasional breeze was gentle, not cold, and the sunlight was just right.On the balcony, Ava sat, staring down at her family with a somber expression. She watched Dylan help Charlotte load her baggage into the car’s boot, then walk step-by-step to the driver’s seat, unlock the door, and get in.She continued to watch as the car drove out of the compound, shrinking into the distance until it disappeared from sight.Sighing, Ava got to her feet and made her way to the kitchen. The moment she lifted the lid of the cooking pot, her stomach rumbled at the mouthwatering aroma that filled the room. It was her favorite meal: steamed buns and minced pork congee with preserved eggs.Without hesitation, she devoured the food ravenously and gulped down the entire cup of water in one go. Setting the cup down

Ava looked around her new room for what felt like the umpteenth time. Shutting the wooden closet door, she left where she stood and collapsed onto the bed, laying flat on her back. Emma and Dylan had just dropped her off at college a few hours ago, and she was now stuck sharing an apartment with Charlotte.Drawing in a deep breath, Ava tried to calm her nerves.Sure, she was the happiest woman on earth — finally free from Emma’s endless nagging — but the thought of living under the same roof as Charlotte sent an uncontrollable shudder through her body. Deep down, Ava knew it would be anything but peaceful.The door swung open abruptly, and there stood Charlotte.“Hey, little bitchy,” Charlotte sneered, a wicked grin curling her lips as she sauntered into the room. Her steps faltered briefly, her smile flickering when her eyes swept over the neatly organized space. She was clearly surprised that Ava had managed to transform the once-messy room in such a short time.Ava, not remotely in

The limo rolled to a stop in front of Ava’s apartment. She drew in a deep breath, then tilted her head slightly to look at the man who had helped her through yet another tangled moment. The streetlight pierced through the windshield, illuminating his face. Every feature was breathtaking: the strong, masculine jaw, the high cheekbones, the perfectly sculpted nose. His lips, thin and sharp, gave him a distinctly handsome edge.Ava parted her lips to speak, but her voice was barely above a whisper. “Thank you for saving me again, sir.”Zac pressed his lips together, momentarily looking out the window as if contemplating her words. Then, his gaze turned back to her. “Is this where you stay?”Ava nodded twice, her response barely audible. “Yes, sir.”“Do you live alone?” he asked, his voice still calm, though a flicker of curiosity lingered in his eyes.“No, sir. I stay with my older sibling,” Ava replied, her voice quieter than before.Zac’s eyes softened as he watched her tuck a loose st

Hearing the front door creak open, all heads turned instinctively toward the entrance. Hazel stood there, a radiant smile on her face until she took in the strange tension hanging thick in the air. Her expression faltered. She stepped fully into the room, scanning each face, piecing together the awkward silence. She immediately recognized Freya as Ava’s friend. Cole, however, remained a question mark—perhaps Charlotte’s boyfriend? Or Freya’s? But nothing could explain the deep sadness in Ava’s eyes or the dried tear tracks on her cheeks.“Hey, Hazel. You didn’t tell me you were coming,” Ava said quickly, her voice forced into calm. She was relieved, at least, that her tears were no longer fresh on her face.“Okay, Charlotte, I’ll be going now,” Cole announced abruptly. Without waiting for a response, he turned and exited, clearly eager to escape the tension.Hazel’s gaze followed Cole’s retreating figure, then returned to Ava, who had lowered her eyes again. It was clear something un

“You really missed a lot, Ava. Why would you just vanish like that?” Freya complained for what felt like the hundredth time. It was clear she still didn’t believe Ava’s excuse.Ava gave her a brief smile, tucking a few loose tendrils of hair behind her ear. “Trust me, Freya, I got cramps out of nowhere,” she said with a sigh, lifting her glass of juice to hide the flicker of embarrassment on her face.Freya slowly nodded twice. “Are you feeling better now?” she asked, eyeing Ava carefully, as if trying to read something hidden in her expression.Ava gave a faint hum of acknowledgment and glanced at her phone to check the time.“Have you talked to Caleb? Did he say why he’s not in school today?” she asked, wrapping her fingers around the phone, her nerves beginning to show.She didn’t know why she was so nervous. Was it because she would be seeing Zac again? Or because she couldn’t stop thinking about what happened last night?“Ava, are you okay? You seem a little off,” Freya asked, co