COLLATERAL LOVE

CHAPTER 34

BILLY

“We are running late Ava!” I howl from the passage.

“In a minute!”

Me: “That's what you said 5 minutes back. If you are not out of the bedroom I'm leaving you, and I'm serious. You have 2 minutes!” I descend the stairs and walk straight to the garage. Antonio, is already settled in the car we are just waiting for his mother to get here then we leave or Bratva won't stop blowing my phone with texts and calls.

I still can't believe that Ava understands Italian, I always thought that she was clueless when it comes to foreign language but I was wrong. She was teaching herself Italian with my book translations from Italian to English, I'm impressed. Even though she doesn't like speaking in Italian, she's worried about her accent and of which is not even important. I mean, my English accent is bad but as long as people understand what I'm trying to say it's all good. The message is all that matters after all.

“I'm here. Stop honking the bell.” She says stepping inside the car. I don't respond to her. I roar the engine to life, and drive out of the garage. “Are you mad?”

Me: “No. I'm fine.”

Her: “Then why didn't you say anything when I told you that I'm here?”

Me: “What was I supposed to say?”

Her: “I see you or something.” Hhey, Ava. This woman Jesus! I honestly don't understand her. “Even now you are not replying to me.”

Me: “Fine. Next time I will say something even though there'll be nothing to say.”

Her: “There won't be the next time!” Chile, women are really strange beings. Weirdos.

We pull in Bratva's driveway, there's only one car and it's Gavin's. I wonder which girl did he bring with him because he changes women weekly, even his girlfriend Tiffany, couldn't keep up with his cheating and I guess the money no longer excited her, even the gifts she was showering her with obviously bored her. Or maybe she wanted him to propose to her, ae, let me mind my shit. We step out of the car and head to the door.

“Entra!” (Come in) Gavin, howls. I push the door open, and we step inside. We greet Gavin and the two ladies who were all smiles until they saw Ava behind me. They give her disgusting looks, and Gavin is shocked guess Bratva didn't tell him that I'll be coming with Ava. I'm sure he was expecting to see Mel. “Hi, Ava.” She nods acknowledging his greeting.

“Welcome guys, we've been waiting for you.” He shakes my hand and gives Ava a hug. “I guess introduction has been made.”

Me: “No. Not really, I guess we were still going to get there, but you had to come and disturb us.”

Him: “Oh. Anyway, don't worry I also don't know the ladies' names they aren't important. Come through. By the way, you are looking good Ava.”

Her: “Thank you. At least someone notices my effort,” she shoots me a stare. Gavin chuckles shaking his head.

Him: “He's such a fool. He doesn't know how to compliment.”

Her: “I've realized,” I roll my eyes as we get to the dining area. Mikael, Bratva's girlfriend, no, fiancé stops checking out the table. She strides towards us gracefully, she's one friendly person and forever smiling.

“Billy.” She gives a nod, then turns to look at Ava her smile still remained the same. “I'm Mikael, and you must be Ava.” She pulls her into a tight warm hug. “Lovely meeting you, and welcome.” She breaks the hug. “You may sit. And what do we have here?” She takes Antonio out of his car chair, and plays with him. “What a cute baby he is, it's a pity that he looks like you.”