Tied To You

K

Trust Nobody

"I'm not going to go with you inside and chill. I'm just going to escort you inside, bid by hellos and goodbyes because I have to be at city hall in an hour." Brandon added as Ava nodded and the two walked to the foot of the Montenegro residence.

Ava and Brandon were greeted by one of the Montenegro Housekeepers, Rose.
"Mangandang Umaga Ma'am Ava at Sir Brandon." Rosa the Head housekeeper said bowing to them.

"Good morning to you to  Manang Rose. Where is everyone?" Ava politely asked giving her bag to Rose.

"Nasa kusina young mommy mo. At young daddy mo alam mo na." Manang Rose said as she used her lips to point to the stairs going up to the second floor of the Montenegro Estate. Ava nodded as she excused herself from Rosa's presence.

"Ava I have to go. I am needed back at City Hall. Call me if you need anything." Brandon said as he waved at Ava before leaving the Montenegro Residence. Ava waved goodbye to him and walked into the kitchen where her mom was.

Her mother Elena, was making her famous French toast alongside one of the chefs who was cutting the fruits. The song Havana by Camila Cabello was playing in the background as her mother was cooking. She was swaying to the beat and humming the song. The floral apron wrapped nicely around her body accentuated her curves nicely.

"You seem like you're in a good mood." Ava said to her mother as she was flipping the toast. Excitement rose from the eyes of Mrs. Montenegro as the sight of Ava standing at the foot of the kitchen door. She put the burner on low and signaled the chef to watch the food and excitedly removed her apron, placing it on the counter to hug Ava.

"I missed you so much sweetie." Her mother said still hugging Ava. "I'm glad you're here. Your brother is moving back in with Karlie and Elie!" She added.

"That explains the French toast and the cut strawberries. All of Kuya Evan's favorite and the strawberries for little Elie." Ava was surprised that her Kuya Evan was moving back in along with his family especially after everything that happened between him and their parents.

"Kuya wouldn't be moving in here unless someone gave him a deal he couldn't turn down." She said out of curiosity because she knew that he would never comeback to the Montenegro residence even if someone offered him money or their was a gun to his head.

"Or it could be that your Kuya knows too much and your dad just wants to keep him close." Her mother said nonchalantly. A confused look formed on her face. Her mother noticed it and looked at her daughter in the eye. "In this family, if you know too much you become an important asset to this family. Evan, knows too much, too much to where the Montenegro name will be ruined. He not only is a target to your father, but in actuality Evan is calling all the shots." Her mother added with seriousness. This sent chills through Ava's body.

"So you mean to say that Kuya is making every decision?" Ava said rhetorically. Her mother nodded.

"Don't ever underestimate your Kuya's abilities. He is smarter than both your Lolo Raul and your father. That's why your father wanted him to move back in. He's afraid that your Kuya might expose all of the Montenegro family secrets, since he is working with the competitor." Her mother added.

"Oh so it's like, keep your friends close but your enemies closer type of thing." Ava said to her mother as she grabbed a soda from the fridge.

"Yes Ava, always remember to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. You can't trust anybody but yourself. Trust your intuition, mind, and heart. Those three things will help you." Her mother said to her before returning to her cooking.

Her mother and and Victor said the same thing, to not trust anyone but yourself. In life this holds true. Ava began to worry about everyone around her and the secrets they all may be hiding.

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Author's Note: I am back after a long one month break. Sorry if I did not inform you guys about my hiatus. I did it on purpose because I really needed time to take care of my mental health. Anyways, I am all good now. What did you guys think of this chapter? What secrets do you think everyone is hiding? Do you think Ava has a secret of her own? If not, do you think she's covering up a secret for someone else?