┏━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┓ Live ┗━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┛ Chapter 31: Live (Ava's POV) We both lay in bed, it was a little past midnight and we were both pretty much naked under the sheets. All we did was stare at each other silently. I blinked slowly, feeling sleep take over me little by little. He reached up one hand and tucked my hair behind my ear before running his fingers through it. I shifted closer to him, resting my head on his arm. He stopped after a while and grabbed my hand, kissing the back of it and then kissing up my arm slowly. The last thing he kissed was my shoulder, which brought him incredibly closer. I bit back a smile, pursing my lips to keep it hidden but failing miserably. He chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Go to sleep, my love," he whispered. "You go to sleep too," I mumbled, my eyes drooping shut. He pulled me in closer and I leaned down, kissing his neck once and then just staying there, close to him. My eyes fell shut and after a while, we were both asleep. When I woke up the next morning, he was still there, much to my surprise. I know he has work later today, but we have time. A little more time. He stirred awake a few minutes later, squinting at me. "Morning," he mumbled, his voice coming out hoarse and husky. "Morning," I smiled, brushing his hair back. He propped himself onto his elbows while he lay on his stomach and dragged his hand down his face before ruffling his hair out. "What time is it?" "Almost eleven." He groaned, "I have teacher interviews to conduct at twelve-thirty." "I know. I was about to wake you up." He huffed and then leaned over to kiss me before sitting up and climbing out. He had his briefs on but I only had underwear on. He walked over to the closet and grabbed a robe for me, holding it out for me. I sat up, holding the sheets to my chest while feeling heat crawl up my cheeks and sticking my hand out, taking the robe from him. "Thank you," I chirped. "I'm about to go shower," he said while I pulled the robe on, tying it around my waist before letting the covers drop. "Would you like to join?" he sang, leaning down to meet my level. "Would I?" I watched him in amusement. "Yes. Yes, you would." He bent down, scooping me up and spinning in a circle once. I laughed, rocking my legs back and forth while resting my arms around his neck. He set me on the bathroom counter first and then went out to lay out his clothes on the bed. Then he came back, standing between my legs. We brushed our teeth and then climbed into the shower. After that, I lingered around in a robe, watching him as he buttoned up his shirt before brushing his hair back with his fingers. He came and sat beside me on the foot of the bed and pulled his socks and shoes on. After having a quick brunch, he kissed me goodbye and then left. I wanted nothing more than to continue lying in bed with him for the entire day but he has work to do and Mrs. Gemma and I have dresses to choose from. I finished brushing my hair, leaving it down and then went to choose an outfit since I was still wearing a robe, just a new one now. I grabbed a peach-pink dress that flowed down to the floor. It cinched in at my waist like a corset and had slightly puffed-up sleeves. The last time I wore this dress was on the last date I ever had with Rhys before we broke up. Before he even knew he would break up with me, and I remember him telling me how pretty and adorable I looked in this dress. I changed into the dress, pinned back two strands of my hair, and then made it downstairs. I killed time in the library, writing little scraps of poetry, planning to show it to Rhys later, and then when I realized it was time for lunch, I headed to the dining room where I would join Rhys' parents. "Ava, dear, do you have any idea what time Rhys is supposed to be back?" Mr. Phoenix asked. "He said by five o'clock, the latest." "And he's free after that, yes?" "I think so. He didn't mention anything else." "Why are you asking, honey?" Mrs. Gemma asked, glancing at him. "I'm thinking of paying the Andrews' a visit before he comes back. After the little stunt, their son pulled." Mr. Phoenix scoffed, shaking his head in annoyance. "Let it go, Phoenix. They handled the situation just fine. And if anything happens, we can take the next step. Let's not blow the situation out of proportion." "Blow the situation out of proportion? Gemma, what Liam did was utterly wrong. And stupid. He had no business meddling in their lives, whether that be past or present, I don't care. Somebody needs to teach that kid a lesson." I looked down at my food, slowly picking at it. "Honey," Mrs. Gemma mumbled. I took in a breath and continued acting like their conversation wasn't affecting me. I'm really glad that both of them understand Rhys and me and want to help and support us, and as much as I agree with Mr. Phoenix somebody seriously needs to teach Liam a lesson. But it's already been done. Going to talk to Liam's parents now would be taking a huge step back. Not to mention, if his parents don't understand us or simply are looking for an argument, the situation would get worse awfully fast. So it would be best if we just squash this right here. Liam tried to ruin things for us and stop Rhys from becoming king but it didn't work, that's it. I don't even want to think about what he's planning, which is also why I don't want to piss him off and see him actually put those plans to action. After lunch, Mrs. Gemma and I moved to the living area where we started looking through the pictures of the dress portfolio that was dropped off yesterday. We tend to choose our dresses in advance before we go try them on. Makes the process shorter. "You look worried, Ava," she said, sitting beside me. "No, I- I'm okay. It's just…" She lifted her brows, waiting for me to continue. "I just don't like the situation. I'm worried for Rhys." "You're worried for Rhys? We've all been worried for you, honey. We thought Liam would target you. But don't worry, you're safe here, all right? We have security and they know not to let him in now." "No, I know, I know that but I'm the one who has security, not him, mom." I caught myself, biting my tongue as the word 'mom' slipped out. She smiled, patting my back. "Well then, my dear daughter, I think we both know Rhys is more than capable of protecting himself. Don't worry, Ava," she said softly. "He'll be just fine." I took a breath and let it out slowly. "Okay. I believe that. Let's um… let's choose our dresses." We had been laughing, talking about the dresses, talking about the party and the guests for the past hour. It was then Mr. Phoenix came rushing in, seeming to be panicking. "Gemma," he breathed out. "Ava." His eyes moved to mine. "Honey, what's wrong?" Mrs. Gemma asked. I felt my heart sink just by reading the look on his face. I was up on my feet before he could even explain but I didn't move. I stayed rooted to listen. "What's wrong?" I asked, my blood and body running cold. I wanted so desperately to believe that Liam would have stopped now, realizing he couldn't win. And I wasn't admitting a part of me thought he'd come back and try again by doing something worse, I was ignoring my intuition. And whatever just happened might have been avoided if I trusted my gut. "It's Rhys." I closed my eyes, letting out a sigh. "What happened?" Mrs. Gemma questioned. I'm so sure he had a confrontation with Liam and must have gotten in trouble with the police. "He's um…" Mr. Phoenix sucked in a deep breath, blinking rapidly. "Mr. Phoenix?" I asked. "He's in the hospital." "What?" Mrs. Gemma shot up to her feet. "What the hell are you talking about?" "I- I don't know, I'm not sure what happened. Um- I… I don't… He had an accident. Some citizens found his car crashed on the side of the road and they took him to the hospital. The hospital just called, he's been taken for emergency surgery, they don't…" "What, Phoenix?!" Mrs. Gemme shouted. "They don't know if he'll make it, Gemma. I- I have no idea what happened. They just told us to get there as fast as could. They're not uh… they're not sure he'll live." "He has to," I mumbled, snapping out of my numb daze. "Oh, my god," I sniffled, rushing outside, asking for the car keys. "Quickly, please!" The keys were placed in my palm and I ran to the car, climbing in and turning it on. I blinked the tears away that burned hot in my eyes and swallowed past the aching lump in my throat. I started the car, shifting gears, and backed out of the parking spot the fastest I ever have. As soon as the gates were opened, I sped out, turning right and heading to the main street, hoping to arrive at the hospital in time. I was trying really hard to hold myself together until I got there, but somewhere down the drive, I started sobbing uncontrollably. I bit my tongue and forced myself to stop crying because I couldn't see the road with the tears pooling in my eyes and blurring my vision. I wiped my eyes quickly and stepped harder on the gas. He has to live, he has to make it. Oh my god, what the hell has happened? . . . . . Chapter 31 "Love is the happiest tragedy there is. And you are mine."