Chapter 45: Take a Bath and Change Clothes, or Don't Think About Leaving This Door
Ava's eyelashes fluttered slightly. She looked up and saw Joshua standing beside her at some point, his powerful presence enveloping her.
Ava's dry lips pressed together, her voice choked with emotion, "Joshua, let me see Grandpa."
She asked herself—when she left back then, she hadn't wronged anyone, except Victor.
"Joshua, are you still going to protect this woman?"
"Yes." Joshua answered coldly.
It wasn't just Ursa whose heart trembled—Ava and Mia were no exception.
Ava suddenly felt weightless as Joshua scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder. Joshua's shoulders were broad, lifting her effortlessly.
"Joshua, what are you doing? Put me down! I need to see Grandpa. Joshua, let me see Grandpa! I can save him, only I can, only me. I need to make amends, Joshua."
"Shut up." Joshua snapped coldly.
Ava's nose tingled at his harsh tone, tears swirling in her eyes.
"Joshua!"
Ursa didn't know when Joshua had been blinded by Ava, defending her again and again.
Joshua's deep gaze swept over her, his brow furrowing slightly. He coldly dropped a line, "I'm taking her with me," then left the room.
After Joshua left with Ava, the expressions of those remaining in the room varied.
Ursa was furious. Mia's hands clenched tightly, unable to hide the resentment in her eyes.
Only Hayden had a smile playing at his lips, wishing he could cheer Joshua on right now.
Just moments ago, he'd been thinking there was no way someone like Joshua could win Ava back.
He didn't expect Joshua to be so impressive.
"Joshua, where are you taking me? Are you crazy? I need to see Grandpa, I need to see Grandpa."
Joshua completely ignored Ava's protests. He pushed open a door, walked into a room, and threw her onto the bed.
Ava immediately scrambled up and rushed for the door. Joshua kicked the door shut with one foot, and Ava had nowhere to go.
Ava closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Joshua, what exactly do you want?"
"Are you deaf? Didn't you hear Barry say Grandpa's out of danger? You want to go be an eyesore now? Get yelled at?"
"...That's my business."
Joshua didn't bother arguing with her. He went straight to the closet, pulled out one of his white shirts, and tossed it to Ava.
Ava froze. "What's this for?"
Joshua dragged a single armchair against the door. His tall, straight figure leaned casually against it as he looked at Ava and raised an eyebrow.
"Take a shower, change clothes. Don't dirty my room."
"..."
Ava threw the clothes aside, her face cold. "If you think I'm dirty, I can leave."
"Ava! Am I asking for your opinion?" Joshua's magnetic voice wasn't loud, but the rising tone at the end carried a heavy threat.
His attitude made it clear—if she didn't shower and change today, she wasn't leaving tonight.
Ava was silent for half a second, then let out a heavy breath. "Joshua, I don't have time for your games. I came to see Grandpa. Let me out."
Joshua raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone calm. "Negotiating with me?"
"Yes."
"Will it work?"
Ava was furious.
"You can try to wait me out. I've got all night to spend with you." Joshua raised his hand and gestured at her with his glass.
Ava frowned, her beautiful face full of anger and exasperation. She nodded to herself—right, trying to negotiate with this domineering, self-centered Joshua was wishful thinking on her part.
Ava felt helpless and resistant, but finally stared coldly at Joshua for a few seconds, then pressed her lips together, turned her face away, and said nothing more.
Ava slammed the bathroom door shut, and immediately Joshua heard the sound of the bathroom door being locked.
How cautious.
Did she think he'd peek at her?
Ridiculous!
With that figure of hers, he'd seen everything he should have seen five years ago, and even what he shouldn't have.
Joshua leisurely put a cigarette between his lips, his gaze casually glancing toward the bathroom. His brow suddenly jumped—under the bright lights, Ava's graceful, slender silhouette was outlined on the frosted glass. Though Ava was thin, she had curves in all the right places.
Joshua's heartbeat quickened. He curled his fingers and bit his lower lip, his sexy Adam's apple bobbing as he slowly looked away. He grabbed the nearby drink and downed it in one gulp, finally suppressing the restlessness in his chest.
The sound of running water filled the quiet room. Joshua's eyes inadvertently caught sight of the dry clothes thrown on the floor!
A slight smile crossed Joshua's lips.
After finishing her hot shower in the bathroom, Ava was about to change when she realized the dry clothes Joshua had handed her were still outside where she'd thrown them!
Ava wrapped a bath towel around her chest and moved closer to the door. She wiped the fogged-up glass and looked out, but couldn't see anything.
She stood hesitating against the wall for a few minutes before finally speaking, "Joshua?"
No response.
Ava tried again, "Joshua, are you still out there? Can I ask you a favor?"
Silence.
"I forgot to bring the clothes in. Could you pass them to me?"
After Ava finished speaking, there was still no sound from Joshua outside.
Had he already left?
Ava quietly unlocked the bathroom door and cracked it open. She looked around and didn't see Joshua anywhere. She breathed a sigh of relief and ran out to pick up the white shirt.
Just as Ava looked up, her eyes unexpectedly crashed into Joshua's deep gaze.