Perfect

Chapter Twenty Six

-ALEX-

   Just as I promised, as soon as I landed in Berlin I sent a text to Ava, even before greeting my newly Oscar awarded cousin whose new movie even got him nominated again this year.

   "Who is she?" Grayson, my cousin asks, a grin on his face and a wiggle to his eyebrows. "Another Victoria Secret angel?"

   "Actually, no," Grayson was the only sane family member in my eyes. I was safe telling him about Ava. "But she's incredible."

   "Ooooh, what's her name?"

   "Ava."

   "Pretty. So, what she do? How old is she? Brunette? Blonde? Redhead?"

   "What's with all the questions?" I ask, phone still in my hand, still eagerly waiting for a reply from her.

   "Just curious, cause as soon as you got off that plane you've been staring at your phone." He put his fingers to his lips as he went into deep thought. "I don't know any famous Ava's. .."

   "That's the best bit," I lean into him, whispering "She isn't famous."

   "Huh..." It took him as few seconds to register it. "You know I love you mate, right?" Oh here we go. "But... Are you sure she isn't... You know..."

   "No, she isn't." My smile permanently faded as I cut him off before he managed to finish the sentence. "She hates when I spend money on her and Emma."

   "You dirty dog."

   "No!" I pull his mind out of the gutter. "Emma's her 4 year old kid."

   "Jeez, didn't see that coming." His eyes went wide in surprise. "Look mate, if she makes you happy, that's what I'm all for. Nobody wants a repeat of Katherine again."

   "Thanks mate," I smiled before I finally greeted him with a hug. "Don't tell anyone about her though, yeah? You know how my family is like."

   "Yeah, Aunty Janette can be slightly hard-core in that sense. Don't worry mate, your secret is safe with me."

   "What secret?" My younger brother Stefan appears from behind me, causing me to turn and face him, a surprised look on my face. "What's going on here?"

   "Noth-"

   "Alex just told me a secret about Katherine, that's all." Grayson lied, one of which I was incredibly grateful for.

   "Ooh, juicy," Stefan folds his arms. "Tell us."

   "No," Grayson replies, causing Stefan's smirk to drop like a hot potato. "Like I said, it's a secret."

  "Oh come on, we're family man," He said. "I can keep the secret too!"

  "No," Grayson replies once more. "And that's final, baby cousin."

  "Damn it, why tease me like that?" He huffs. "Now it's going to bug me."

  "Good," Grayson wraps his arms around him in a big hug. "Teaches you not to be nosy."

  Of course the paparazzi were all lined up outside the airport, waiting to get our pictures for their entertainment news. It was blinding the amount of flashes that erupted as soon as we walked out of departures, towards the huge SUV waiting for us to take us back to the hotel we were all staying at for the week. 

  I still held my phone in my hand, still eagerly anticipating the vibration, signalling Ava's reply. But still, even 20 minutes after sending my text, there was nothing.

  "Boy," Grayson whispered, giving a quick chuckle. "She has you wrapped around her little finger."

  "Can we not talk about this when everyone is in such close proximity that they'll find out?" I whisper back as quietly as possible to him.

  When reaching the hotel, Grayson follows me into my en suite closed off hotel room, one I demanded if I were to be coming on this trip. Only then I could have talked to Ava without any interruptions. 

  "Ava with her prettiness has hooked Alex Darkbloom good and proper," He announces after closing the door behind him. "I haven't seen you this infatuated with someone since Charlotte Digby back in Secondary school."

  "It's more than what I had with Charlotte." I place my duffel bag onto my bed. "Ava's just... So amazing, that it's actually ridiculous. I still can't believe she exists."

  "And can deal with you and our mad family, she must be a strong lady."

  "And so smart," I bit down onto my lip as I went into thought about her. "I actually can't get her out of my head."

  "Like that isn't creepy." He jokes. "Question though."

  "What?"

  "Is it like properly serious?" He asks. "Are you serious about her? Because if you are, you're gonna have to tell Aunty Janette."

  "I know," I sigh deeply. "I'm gonna have to cross that hurdle when I get to it, but right now I'm just enjoying my time with Ava."

  "Yo, Aunty Janette is going to flip when she finds out this woman has a kid," He shakes his head. "I mean if my Mum found out I was dating a single mother, she'd be totally fine with it."

  "That's because Aunty Holly is completely different to my Mum, even though they're twins." I began chewing the inside of my cheek, looking down at my phone. "You're lucky man."

  "You'll be fine mate," I raise an eyebrow, glancing back at him again. "Hey, our family may be mad, but they're not evil."

  "I guess so." I flinched slightly when the phone in my hand vibrated, and I brought it up to my face, quickly reading the message that popped up on the screen.

  "From that smile on your face, I'm guessing your lady finally replied."

  "Yeah, and I'm calling her so you need to leave," I shooed him out of the door despite his protests. "You can't be here."

  "Why not? Hey I'm supportive of this relationship; at least introduce her to me."

  "Maybe in a few months, but for now," I placed my hand on the doorknob to my door. "She remains anonymous."

  "Technically not true, because you told me her name!" He calls as I closed the door on him, going back to my phone again. "Man! I'm nice, and I get treated like this." I heard him speak to himself outside the door.

  "Go to sleep Gray, you've got a premiere tomorrow!" I call back, and heard him sigh in reply, plodding off to his own hotel suite in defeat.

  I dialled her number, and brought the phone up to my ear, counting the number rings before her sweet voice spoke "Hi."

Author's Note: Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed it, please remember to vote and comment :)
Much love as always!