Chapter 66 - 66

Tristan and Ava spent some time together after lunch. They walked around the gardens, talking and holding hands. They would take small breaks to kiss, and just be with each other. They did not notice the time pass by. 

They were sitting on the couch, watching tv, wrapped around each other when Ava saw the time.

Ava said, "Tristan it's 6 pm, you need to drop me off at home. Let's go!"

"Just a little more time. I will drop you off at 7," Tristan said pleading, trying to hug her some more.

He did not want her to leave so soon. If possible, he wanted to keep Ava with him. Unfortunately, her parents were waiting for her, and she needed to go back. They didn't know she was with him.

"Okay," she said, agreeing. 

Tristan tried to park a little bit further from the front of her house, trying to prolong their time together. He just couldn't bear to part with her. 

Ever since she confessed, all he wanted to do was spend every minute together. 

As soon as they got separated, he knew it would take time before they saw each other again. Who knows when that would be? They might be busy in the next few weeks. 

She was getting ready to leave when he held her hands and pulled her to him. He nibbled her lips and asked her if she could wait a few more minutes.

He was dreading to go back to that empty house. Ava being there made it special. He knew that every part of the house would now carry a memory of her.

"Tristan, this is not the last time we are going to see each other," Ava said between kisses. She smiled, thinking how cute he was right now. Ava felt that he did not want her to leave. He was doing everything to make her stay.

Tristan did not say anything and started caressing the left side of her face. It was all new to him. He was getting very attached to her.

Ava sighed helplessly and put her hands on his cheeks. "Tristan, I'll come back. Don't worry too much," she said.

Tristan longingly looked into her eyes and put his hand over hers. "I want you to call me every day, okay?" he said.

"Of course, I will," Ava said.

After one last lingering kiss, they said their goodbyes. 

She got out of the car, opened the gate, and got into the house. He waited in his car, and once reassured that she was safe inside, he went back home.

The next morning, her phone rang. It was Alaric. 

He was inviting Ava to come to his music studio to see him practice. He noticed that ever since he's been away, their relationship hasn't been the same. 

They were very close once, and he figured spending time together will make it easier to make them go back to the way they were before. 

He thought the only reason Tristan came into her life was that he was not there. But now he's back, and he will make sure that Tristan has no space in her life. 

It really bothered him when Ava left with Tristan instead of him when he invited her to Green Paradise. He couldn't sleep that night. He realized he might have already been too late. Ava has already been snatched from him.

What he did not know was that Ava was never his, to begin with. Alaric had this idea that Ava did not willingly go with Tristan. Tristan was the problem, and he was taking her away from him.

Tristan was the enemy, and Ava was an innocent bystander. He needed to protect her and bring her back to his side. 

As they say, timing is everything. Because of the time spent apart, it created some distance. 

It made Ava realize that even without Tristan in the picture, she may not have loved Alaric as she thought she had. Alaric had missed his chance. 

Alaric did not trust Tristan and thought he was just playing with Ava. So he took it upon himself to save Ava and make sure she doesn't get hurt. He was very excited when she accepted his invitation.

Ava came in later than expected because she was on the phone with Tristan. He had a late meeting. They both wanted to make sure they talked before they went about their day. It took longer than they thought, and when Alaric asked her what happened. She said there was a lot of traffic. 

Ava sat on the chair next to Alaric while he was playing. There was no doubt he was the best piano player. His music was soothing and melodious. She first heard him when she was younger, and she had forgotten how well he performed. Hearing him play made her love his music all over again.

"Wow, big brother, you are very good," Ava happily clapped for him.

Alaric noticed her smile and thought at least someone appreciated his talent. Not like some people who did not care for his music. Who constantly degraded him.

"Are you going to play solo or is it going to be a duet for the competition," Ava asked.

"I need to play solo, " Alaric answered.

Asking about the duet reminded her of Alaric's girlfriend. They used to play the piano so beautifully.

"How is Melissa, " Ava asked.

Alaric was stunned and did not think that Ava would bring Melissa up. His face became stiff, and he clenched his left fist. He looked very angry. 

He wanted to forget about Melissa. Every time he hears her name, he remembers all the painful memories. He remembers everything he had lost. 

Melissa was taboo to him, a topic he never wants to talk about. He had tried so hard to forget her, but he could not. She will always be hidden in the corner of his heart. Bringing her up made him lose control. 

Melissa was very gorgeous and graceful. Everything was perfect about her, her smile, her body, and the way that she drew people in. When she talked, the whole room paid attention, everyone always wanted to hear what she had to say.

She was not from a rich family, but she was witty When Alaric brought her to the high-class parties she used her smile and wit to answer anybody who tried to bully her. 

Alaric always defended her. She was always trying to stop Alaric from picking fights with those who bullied her.

Alaric and Melissa met because of music. They complimented each other very well. When they played the piano it was something to remember. A handsome man with a beautiful woman playing very melodious music, what a wonderful sight.

When Melissa came into his life, Alaric stopped caring for Ava like she didn't exist. Ava felt left out, and she felt a little jealous of Melissa whenever people mentioned how much of a good pair they were.

After Ava got to know Melissa personally and she actually liked her, Melissa was really nice, and she was a very kind soul. She was someone you can never really hate. So Ava came to terms that she was not for Alaric.

After a while, Alaric gave a vague answer. "Very good, I guess."

"Will she come to attend your competition," Ava asked.

"Maybe, but it hasn't been confirmed ", Alaric said, not wanting to go into details.

"What about your parents?"Ava asked. Ava had seen his parents a few times, and they seemed like nice people.

Alaric was getting irritated by her questions. She was asking about people he did not want to talk about. But he was trying to politely answer her because he knew Ava was clueless about what happened in his life. She was just asking him about stuff she knew about him. If anyone had asked him the same questions, he would have snapped at them, but Ava was different.

"They are busy, so they won't be able to attend the competition," Alaric said sternly.

Ava was confused. She wondered what type of parents they were. What was so important for them that they would miss their son performing at an international competition. 

Ava sensed something was bothering him. First, he avoided talking about Melissa and now his parents. She kept quiet and did not ask any further questions.

"How about you play the piano with me?" Alaric suggested.

"I don't know anything about music," Ava said.

"Don't worry, I will teach you," Alaric tried to convince her.

"But…," Ava was not interested in playing the piano.

"Come on Ava, please," Alaric requested.

"Fine, don't blame me if I play awfully," Ava agreed.

Alaric smiled, and they both sat next to each other.

"I will play first and just follow me," Alaric said.

He played the basic tune. Alaric pressed a key, and Ava followed him by playing the same key on a higher octave. 

She didn't really enjoy it like she thought she would. 

She always thought that it would be perfect if she was in Melissa's place whenever she saw them playing together. But now that she was here, she didn't really feel like it. They didn't have the same magic together. 

It was the confirmation she needed. The one that proved Tristan was the one for her.

On the other hand, Alaric was feeling very ecstatic. He was on cloud nine. He was thinking about how this future right in front of him looked very bright and happy. 

He noticed Ava stopped playing. She, on the other hand, was lost in her thoughts. 

He asked her, "Ava, what's the matter?"

"Nothing," Ava said with a small smile.

So he continued. "Now, this will be a little more difficult than before," Alaric said. 

When Ava played, Alaric started to touch her fingers. 

Ava did not think anything of it. It was probably part of playing the piano. 

But Alaric became bolder and started to touch her hand. It made her uncomfortable, so she removed her hands and kept them in her lap.

She did not like Alaric touching her. She did not like anyone touching her, except Tristan.

Alaric touched her like a lover, but he saw her wince. It hurt him to see her shun his touch. He loved her and could not accept that this was not happening. 

"What happened to us, Ava? Why is there so much distance between us?" He thought.

Ava got up and said, "I need to go home.".

"How about I drop you off?" Alaric said, hoping Ava will agree.

"There's no need. You're busy. I can manage," Ava rushed out without giving Alaric a chance to say anything.

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