Bonds Beyond Time

43

💮 AUTHOR'S POV 💮

"Stop it young man, Remember you have to quit on Monday, then take over as the CEO, officially. Atkins Empire needs you and your competent assistant. I am sorry for being too harsh."
Neil hugged his grandfather.

While, Ava knocked on Summer's door. Summer wiped her tears and opened the door when she saw Ava she was about to close the door again as she was not in the mood to talk but Ava already invited herself in.

"Avaline I don't want to talk now, maybe later."

"Fine but I am not leaving, dealing with my brother was hard enough and now I have to handle yours as well. Together they are a headache."

"I am sorry. "

"Huh?"

"I am sorry Ava, I was so blind. I also want to confess that I was a little, okay not little but very jealous of how quickly you bonded with my family. That's why I asked grandpa to do what he did. "

"It's alright but I'll forgive you in one condition only."

"What condition? "

"Actually, I had a bet with your brother, unfortunately or fortunately, he won and you have to help in finding a way out. "

"You are stupid to bet with him, he always wins by hook or crook."

"How would I know that both these friends are same."

"Fine I'll help you. By the way thanks Ava, I know you came her to distract me from overthinking about Celine."

"Was I successful."

She noded.

"Summer, it wasn't your fault. You choose you trust someone, now it's upto them if they break it or cherish it. But we can't stop trusting or making friends because of this. I never had a friend in my life but when I was working at Kings, I made two. I was so happy but they spread rumors about me. I was disappointed but I learned a lesson that day, friends may come and go but family stays. Ed was with me and still is throughout. Summer, I am here to stay. So as my family, my sister in law, I am placing my trust in you. My second try at friendship. Now break it or cherish it, it's upto you."

Summer didn't said anything, just gave Ava a tight hug while tears were flowing from her eyes.

"Ava, I also never had many friends, so now that I have one, can we have a sleep over tonight, like in movies."

"I don't know what you do in a sleepover but. "

"We talk, gossip, watch movie, eat snacks, paint are toes and bitch about our brothers."

"Sounds like a plan. Let's invite mom as well."
Both the girls ran downstairs hand in hand and chuckling around.

Atkins and King were relieved to see the smile back on their angels.

"Mom"
"Mom"

Both the girls shouted at the same time and laughed looking at each other.
"Mom let's do a girls sleepover tonight in Summer's room." Avaline said

"Yes we will have so much fun." Summer added.

"I'll prepare the snacks then." Their mom excitedly went to the kitchen.

"No, you girls can't steal my wife." Dad complained.

"Grow up dad." Summer said glaring at her father.

"And what about us." King asked

"Do what you boys do." Summer told them

"They gossip." Ava said mocking the boys.

"Seriously?" Summer gasped in fake shock.

"Yes our brothers love to gossip like teen girls." Both the giggled at their brother's expense

"Why do I think, it was better when these two were against each other." Neil said rolling his eyes.

"Avaline and Neil, I want to talk to you both in my room." Grandfather interrupted them and left for his room, followed by Neil and Ava.

"Neil Ava, both of you have my love, blessings and support for your marriage and your further endeavors. Ava I am sorry for what I said to you. I can't even imagine what all you would have been through as a child, you are very strong girl and I am proud of you."

"Gramps, you don't have to sorry but yes, you can show your sincerity by always supporting me whenever Neil or Ed bully me. "

"Come to me straight away and I'll twist their ears to teach them a lesson."

All of them laughed. Neil and Ava gave grandpa a hug while he kissed Ava's forehead. Then they left the room.

On the way back, Neil pulled Ava to a room and closed the door.

"Wh- what are you doing Neil?" Ava shrieked surprised by the sudden pull.

Don't you wanna say something, Mrs Atkins?"

"What" She feigned innocence.

"I won the challenge, that too before Monday. And we had a deal." Neil said.

"Oh that, first tell how everything happened to soon. How did you arranged all this within a few hours."

"I saw Celine entering the house with summer. I connected the dots and told king about everything. Then comes the fruit of your goodness. Your dad after moving to the other country, he wrote a letter to king, confessing everything not just about Celine but his deeds also. He sent all the proofs he had. Ed didn't tell you anything because he thought it was a shut case, until today. The proofs helped us a lot. You know the rest. "

"Wasn't expecting a change of heart but it's good, I guess. I hope he learns from his mistakes and live a better life from now. " Ava said and Neil nodded.

"Hmm, now back to my reward."

"Neil you can't be serious, how can I, in front of Ed. He is my brother."

"You didn't mind doing that in front of my parents."

"Neil that wa-"

"I won't talk to you until you fulfil your end of bargain. "

"Wait. Neil listen to me. " Ava's calls went in vain because Neil had already left the room.

Not knowing, how to deal with Neil or his challenge, Ava also left the room and went to Summer's with a sad pout.

She told everything to Summer and her mom and ladies devised a plan to help Ava.
The rest of the night they spend watching movies, gossiping and doing skin care. While the ladies were having all the fun, three grumpy men were swirling their wine glasses while complaining how inconsiderate women were these days.

🌿🌸 Author's Time 🌸🌿

I am feeling so sad, the story is coming to an end soon 😭