Larry’s House
“Oh my God! Ava, what happened to your face?” Hilda exclaimed, as she helped herself up from the sofa and went toward Ava.
Ava sighed and brushed past her mom, as she went to stand in front of the vanity mirror, “I got into a fight with Olivia.” she said, her fingers slowly tracing the marks in her face.
“What?!” Hilda snapped and narrowed her eyes at her.
“When did I told you to fight with Olivia, I said you should…”
“Mom, I’m not even done telling you the details. I’m sorry I took matters into my own hands, at least it’s worth it.” She smiled, and turned to face her mom.
“I monitored Olivia, as you wanted, but she wasn’t even letting a sad emotion show on her face, she was rather happy and all chaty with her friend. Mom, she looks more plump and beautiful, not like someone who lost her mother.”
“So?” Hilda asked, curiosity evident on her face.
“So, I had to walk up to her and say vengeful and spiteful words against her mom, just to stare at her emotion. Who knew she was going to get angry and pounce on me?”
“It didn’t end there, before I went to talk to her, l told a few students that I was going to talk to her, she’s too arrogant, so they agreed. I told them to take videos, that I was going to show it to my mom, and brag about how I changed her from an arrogant student. Mom, they loved me, they fell for my words and tagged me a good person.”
“I knew Olivia was going to fight me, if I said something about her mother, I knew she couldn’t control the anger and she fell into the trap. The incident was on record, how she fought me and all, now it’s viral, the video went viral. Do you think she can still remain in that school, or will get accepted by another, including her tarnished reputation? Mom, aren’t I smart?” She smiled, flinging her hair.
Hilda was all smiles, her heart beaming with joy, as she cupped Ava’s face. “You’re smart my dear, very smart.”
“I learnt from the best.” She giggled.
Hilda’s smile was cut off, as she seemed to remember something. She moved away from Ava and paced up and down.
“Mom, what is it?”
“I just thought about it, if Olivia could beat you up because you had mouthed her mother, it meant that her mom is still alive. A normal person would have broken down in tears, not fight you.”
“Exactly mom, I was thinking the same. Don’t you think you should go back to the hospital?” Ava suggested.
“But how could that nurse lie to me? She said Lily was dead. If Lily is still alive, why then did she tell me that she was dead?”
Hilda paced around the room, obviously trying to come up with an idea.
“My guts keeps telling me this is a trap. I’ll just go to the hospital to confirm. Maybe the nurses were instructed to let everyone know that she was dead, so whoever they thought killed her wouldn’t visit again. Yeah, exactly! I see through their plan.” She laughed excitedly.
“Mom, you’re really a genius, you sort things out easily and especially you’re smart.” Ava hyped.
“Why don’t you go wash up, I’ll get you an ointment from the nearest pharmacy.”
Ava nodded and left for her room.
*****
Olivia woke up with sweat, draped all over her face, her breath was heavy, as her face was scrunched with anger.
“Why haven’t I thought about this, this whole time? Mom’s murderer was right in my face all this time, and I couldn’t even make out who she was.” Olivia murmured as she thought about her dream. It was more of a memory than a dream.
Now she couldn’t wait for Morgan to come, so she would tell him everything. He seemed to be his confidant in this whole dilemma.
Tears clouded Olivia’s eyes, her heart tugged with pain and anger. For a moment her mind drifted off from what happened earlier in the school.
She was still thinking, when the door was pushed open from the outside, revealing Morgan’s tall and imposing figure.
Unknown to Olivia, tears were draped all over face, she seemed to be crying without even noticing. Morgan frowned, upon seeing her teary and sulking state.
“Someone promised me to stop crying, why is she breaking her promise?” Morgan said, his voice low and melodic.
Olivia glanced at him and looked away, it was then that she felt her wet cheek and her tears trailing down to fall on her palm. She instinctively wiped it away and looked away from Morgan.
“That woman in the picture? The one who visits my mom, I know her, I remember where I’ve seen her face.” she muttered, her voice soft and low, but audible enough for Morgan to hear.
Morgan’s creased brows deepened, as his gaze lingered on her face, laced with curiosity and pity.
“Who is she?”
“My father’s mistress. Before I was caught in that accident, I went to my father for help, but he collided with her and Ava to make a fool out of me. I clearly remember her face, now” her voice choked, as she finished her statement.
Morgan, who was now sitting beside her on the bed, pulled her into a hug. “Shhh, stop crying, they are not worth your tears. She’ll get every punishment she deserves, I’ll make sure of that.”
Olivia nodded, letting herself melt into his broad and welcoming chest.
“Old Gilbert, wants you to visit him. I’ll make the arrangements later, okay.” Morgan murmured and she nodded.
It wasn’t long before she fell back to sleep, Morgan tucked her into the bed, got up and left the room.
He brought out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number.
“Carry on with the arrangements, I’ll be right there.” He said and cut off the call, as he reached for this jacket that was on the couch.