Chapter 53

AVA’S POV.

I hurried after Aiden, my heart in a state of panic as I tried to grasp the situation unfolding.

“Aiden,” I called out again, “Wait, you can't just walk away like that.” I caught up with him and grabbed his forearm, forcing him to stop and face me.

“What is wrong? Why are you acting pissed?” I asked, panting.

“I’m not angry,” Aiden snapped, snatching his arms away from me.

His tone was a defensive one. “Why should I be by the way? Or are you feeling guilty that you might have done something to upset me?”

“Don't speak to her in such a rude and demeaning manner.” Mark, who had followed me out as I ran after Aiden, spoke up before I could respond to Aiden’s question.

Aiden, who was looking for an outlet to channel his anger, turned slowly and walked back to Mark, breezing past me.

“Oh?” He sneered, stopping just an inch away from Mark.

“And what are you going to do about it if I do, Mark?”

“You know exactly what I can do, Aiden, don't you?” Mark questioned rhetorically in a thick voice that was tinged with threat.

“I don't think it is a sensible thing to want to dare me and create a scene, you were heading home already, I think you should just stick with that.” He added before darting his eyes to me.

“Come, Ava, let’s go back inside before everyone notices you're absent,” he said.

“Not so quick lover boy,” Aiden said, blocking the way, “We aren't done with the conversation that you started.”

“I have nothing else to say to you other than what I have just said.” Mark rolled his eyes at him as he replied.

Letting out hysterical laughter, “Always wanting to act as if he cares so much but whenever trouble comes, he is always the first to run away and jump over the fence.” Aiden said mockingly.

“Go on, tell me, are you supporting Ava's outreach because you believe in it, or you are just supporting it to try to win her heart back, or…” he praised and circled Mark, allowing his shoulder to brush his as he did so like he was sniffing him.

“Or you are doing it to spite me, that was why you went ahead to pledge double the amount I pledged?” he continued.

“My support for Ava has absolutely nothing to do with you, brother,” Mark replied.

“That is not among the options”

“Perhaps you are the one who came here to try to win her heart and got angry the moment I stepped in because you knew your game was over as I was going to steal the show like I always do.” Mark went ahead, traces of pride in the voice.

Mark’s talk about always getting to steal the show seemed to have pierced deep into Aiden's soul as he halted for a moment and shut his eyes tightly he took a deep breath before he continued circling Mark.

“Everything is always a competition to you Mark, you don't ever do things genuinely from your heart because your agenda is always wanting to have the spotlight on yourself and that is just what you have done.” Aiden shot back.

“This isn't about me Aiden, neither is this about you, this is about Ava and the people she wants to help. Coming out here to start making things about you still shows how much of a child you are.” Mark retorted,

“If you can't see that this isn't in any way relating to you, then you might need to take a step back and relax.”

“Don't you dare lecture me, Mark!” Aiden's voice rose as he stopped right in front of Mark again, the tension between them clacking like electricity.

“Aiden, I think you need to calm down” I quickly interjected, trying to quench the storm that was already beginning to brew.

“This isn't the time nor is it the place for this behavior, have you forgotten we are all here with a single goal, helping the community?”

Aiden scoffed, glaring hard at Mark, “You always think that you are better than everyone else, don't you? Riding on a high horse and wanting to be the center of attraction.” He spat out.

Mark took a deep long breath, obviously struggling to maintain his composure.

“Whatever you are thinking is all wrong, all I am here to do is to show my support and that is it.”

“Then why do you have to double the amount of my pledge?” Aiden demanded sternly, his eyes blazing.

“Why are you making that an issue? Don't I have a right to do whatever I choose to do with my money? And besides, I didn't even know you were going to show your support monetarily, I already had that in mind.”

“You always have an excuse to make you cover up your silly attitude,” Aiden shook his head, frustration evident in him,

“Always wanting to be the hero in the story and not the villain.”

“Here you go again Aiden, you are also always wanting to play the victim card even when you know you are wrong, like in a situation like this,” Mark responded.

“Please, can't the both of you just snap out of this, and let’s focus on why we are here?” I asked rhetorically, seeing that the issue wasn't going to just die down.

“We are all supposed to channel our energy to something better,” I added.

“Fine,” Aiden said, turning to face me, “But don't you think I am going to let this go just like that.” he turned to give Mark one last contemptuous look before storming off, leaving Mark and me behind staring blankly at him.

I sighed, turning to Mark, “I’m sorry, I didn't mean for this to get to this, I only told him randomly about the event when I was taking an excuse from work for some days.”

“You don't have to be Ava, It is not in any way your fault,” Mark said wiping his face with his hand, “Aiden is just upset, he has always been that way.”

“Anyway, you did a wonderful job at the event, don't let Aiden's anger overshadow that,” Mark asked, raising his hand to pat me on my shoulder.

I nodded my head, despite the drama that had just unfolded, I was truly grateful to have Mark around and even Aiden.