Forbidden Love | Jude Bellingham

005. Unexpected Conversation

Chapter 5

~ Ava Barton ~

Unexpected Conversations

"I know, I will tell him today."

You woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, your head pounding slightly from the night before. Groaning, you reached for your phone on the nightstand, blinking as the screen lit up—9:10 AM. Rubbing your temples in an attempt to ease the headache, you reached for the glass of water that Jobe had thoughtfully left for you last night and took a few sips. The cool water soothed your dry throat and dulled the throbbing in your head.

Turning over, you saw that Jobe was still sound asleep, his breathing steady and peaceful. You smiled at the sight, feeling a sense of comfort, but your stomach growled, reminding you of how hungry you were. Careful not to wake him, you quietly slipped out of bed and made your way downstairs, your bare feet padding softly against the cool floor.

As you entered the kitchen, you spotted Denise and Mark sitting at the kitchen island, casually sipping their morning coffee. Denise looked up when she heard you, her expression shifting to one of surprise.

"Ava?" she asked, her tone curious but warm.

You suddenly felt a bit awkward, standing there in the clothes from last night that Jude gave you. You shifted on your feet, offering them a small smile. "Uh, sorry about this. It was really late, and Jobe said it was okay if I stayed over. I hope that's alright."

Denise's face softened instantly, and she waved off your concerns. "Oh, darling, don't worry about it. You're always welcome here," she assured you with a warm smile that made you feel more at ease.

Mark nodded in agreement, giving you a friendly smile before taking another sip of his coffee.

"Want some breakfast?" Denise asked, gesturing for you to join them at the island. The aroma of something delicious filled the air, making your stomach growl again.

"Sure, that sounds great," you replied, grateful for the offer as you took a seat beside her.

"I made avocado toast. I hope you like it," Denise said, handing you a plate with a perfectly prepared slice of toast topped with creamy avocado.

"Thank you," you said, smiling as you took the plate from her. The first bite was heavenly, the creamy avocado and crisp toast hitting the spot after the long night.

Denise and Mark chatted with you for a bit, asking how you were feeling and making small talk. It felt nice, almost like being part of the family. As you finished up, Denise got up and grabbed her car keys from the counter.

"Mark and I are heading to the grocery store. The boys will probably be up soon, so you won't be alone for long," she said with a smile.

"Okay, thanks again," you replied, watching as they both said their goodbyes and left the house.

The kitchen grew quiet after they left, the only sound being the occasional clink of your fork against the plate. You sat there, savoring the peaceful morning, when suddenly your phone buzzed, breaking the silence.

You glanced down at the screen, and your heart skipped a beat.

INCOMING CALL: MOM

You picked up the phone, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in your stomach.

"Hey, Mom," you said quietly, bracing yourself for the inevitable lecture.

"Ava, where were you last night?" Her voice was a mix of concern and irritation. "I came home from Alice, and you weren't here. I was worried sick."