3. Letter

Her head was pounding in pain as she slowly blinked her eyes open. Her eyelids felt so heavy. A groan of pain escaped her lips as she turned around on the hard mattress. She gazed at the dull ceiling. This wasn't her room. And just like that, the events of last night bombarded her head and she abruptly sat up.

Her wide eyes bounced around the room to find it empty. The furniture looked old and dirty. She got out of bed only to freeze when she found herself wearing a loose dress that reached her calves. She wasn't wearing anything inside and her bag was nowhere in sight.

Her eyes glossed up as dread started to creep into her bones. Where was she? Her clothes. Did someone do something bad to her? Her heart squeezed in pain in her chest.

She heard footsteps approaching and her eyes broadened in fear. She looked around the room but there was no window or restroom where she could hide. Grabbing the lamp from the bedside table she held it like a weapon as she waited like a scared kitten for the door to open and reveal her kidnapper.

The door opened and Ava threw the lamp at the intruder. Just when the lamp escaped her hold she realized it was a woman. That woman easily dodged the attack, the lamp crashed on the doorway as she scowled at Ava.

"This is a way to treat a person who saved your life?" The woman asked and just Ava stared at her scared.

"W...who are you?" Ava asked as the woman smiled at her which took her off guard.

"I'm Lilith, your father's business partner." She said casually.

Ava blinked at the woman suspiciously. What if she was lying? What if she was sent by those huge men to kidnap her?

"P...prove it," Ava said in a small voice as Lilith cocked a perfect brow at her, and then she smirked. She shuffled out her phone before showing a picture to Ava. Jacob and Lilith were seated in a restaurant along with a few other people.

"Why did you kidnap me like that?" Ava asked.

"I saw a few men in black running after you. At first, I thought it was someone else but you had a great resemblance to Jacob's daughter so I decided to make sure. When I saw you again outside the club I knew you were Jacob's daughter, so I saved your life." Lilith said casually. Her curly waves with the slightest of movements as she speaks.

"M..my father. Can I talk to him? Can you call him? Where're my belongings?" Ava said panicked.

"First, have a shower. I'll make breakfast for you." Lilith said as she grabbed her hand and guided her to the restroom. "B..but last night he was in danger," Ava said. "First do what I say then I tell you everything," Lilith said before leaving.

Ava brushed her teeth with a spare brush and hopped under the shower. After a quick shower, she wore a bathrobe.

Lilith changed her clothes last night. She was thankful that she did that otherwise if Ava kept those wet clothes on by now she would've been burning with fever.

Stepping out she ambled to the kitchen. Lilith's apartment was small just like hers back in Greenwich. She already misses her home.

"Your bag was wet so I dried up all your clothes. They are on the sofa," Lilith said. She stepped into the lounge and found her clothes neatly folded. She grabbed a tank top and jeans before stepping into the room. Locking the door she hurriedly changed before walking out. She thanked Lilith as Ava grabbed her phone from the sofa and dialed her father. His phone wasn't reachable and dread started to creep in.

"Lilith?"

"Yes?"

"You never asked me who were those men after me?" She asked, Lilith tensed for a second but then she schooled her expressions.

"Come here and eat this quickly. I will talk after that," Lilith said, placing a plate of pancakes with strawberry syrup on it at the table.

She stared at the food with suspicion. Everything happening in her life over the past 24 hours was a mess. She couldn't help but think if Lilith was with those huge men and this food could be drugged or poisoned but then again if she wanted to hurt Ava. She could've when Ava was completely passed out.

Ava took her seat thanking Lilith as she began eating. Lilith also joined her with her plate. Once she was done eating she looked at Lilith expectantly.

"I saw my father last night. Surrounded by huge men, when they saw me they ran after me. My father is in danger, we must take help from the cops," Ava said as Lilith breathed in deeply.

"There's no need to get the cops involved because it's over," Lilith said as she stood up and walked into her room. Ava was about to go after him but she was back holding an envelope in her hand.

"Your father gave this to me a few days back," Lilith said as Ava took the envelope from her. There was cash in it along with a paper. Taking out a paper she read the letter.

Tears brimmed her eyes and fell on the paper.

"My dear Ava,

Dad misses you and Annie every day. I love you a lot. I wanted to live with both of you as a family but I couldn't because of the type of work I do. It is difficult to explain but all I can tell is, it's dangerous. That is why I stayed away from both of you so my enemies won't find out about you.

If you're reading this letter, this means that I'm no more in this world. Lilith is my most trusted person. She must've given this letter to you. I'm leaving behind some cash. Lilith would hand you over a bank account in which I kept all my savings for you and Annie.

My beautiful daughter, you must stay strong and take care of Annie. Just know that I love you and Annie so much. Stay happy knowing that your father has once again reunited with your mother.

I'm proud of you and Annie.

Love you both with all my heart.

Your dad."

Tears kissed her cheeks as a sob tore through her lips and Ava wailed in so much anguish. Today was her father's birthday.

She finally came to meet him and he was no more.

"Here, wear this," Lilith quickly handed her a white hoodie and a black cap. Ava quietly wore the hoodie over her shirt and put the cap on. She was silent as the darkness of the night and her heart was in anguish.

Lilith noticed the girl. She looked as if her life was snatched away from her. She understood the pain of losing a parent. But she couldn't possibly tell this girl that there might be chances her father was alive. It would be better for Ava to assume he was dead because there was no certainty if he was alive or not. Lilith did exactly what he asked of her. She handed his letter to his daughter.

"Hey," Lilith gently touched her arm. "I know it's hard for you, darling. You've to be strong for yourself and your sister. Once you leave this country. Don't come back here," Lilith said.

Ava gave a small nod. Lilith glanced at the guy who was silently standing in the corner. "Evan," She forwarded her hand and Evan placed a small box in her hand.

Lilith opened the box and held it in front of Ava. "Take one," She said.

Ava glanced at the small sweets in that box. They all were of the same pink color.

"What is this?" She asked in a croaked voice. Her voice was gruff with all the crying.

"It will mask your scent for twenty-four hours," Lilith said.

"What?" Ava was confused.

"Have one. It'll calm you down," Evan said.

As per Lilith's words, Evan was her father's student and a trusted guy.

Ava took one and swallowed it. Lilith put the box in her duffle bag.

"If you ever get caught and want to escape those bad guys, have this, they won't be able to track you down then," Lilith said and packed Ava's bag.

Ava was muddled. "I don't understand," She whispered.

"We don't have time. We have to leave now, Lilith," Evan said peering down at his watch with his brows furrowed in tension.

"Here," Lilith put spectacles on Ava and the next second they were leaving that apartment.

Ava noticed the building was shady and the neighborhood wasn't the very best place to live. Evan opened the door for her and she quietly took the passenger seat while he rounded the hood of the pick-up truck.

Lilith leaned on the window as she gently caressed Ava's cheek. "Your father loved you both, sweetie. There was never a day he didn't talk about you guys. His job was too dangerous. That's why he never came to meet you guys. But he missed you both a lot," She said softly.

Ava inhaled sharply, tears stinging the back of her eyes. She didn't want to cry like a baby. But her heart was ripping apart.

"Was he doing bad work?" She asked in a small broken voice. Lilith's eyes widened and Evan paused. They both shared a look before she cleared her throat.

"No, honey. All I can tell you is your father was an amazing person. His job was related to the government somehow. So don't ever think your father was a bad guy," Lilith said.

Ava sniffed. All she ever knew was that her father worked in a top-notch Microsoft firm and he was the head of his team. So the company needed him all the time, that was why he couldn't visit them. But it was a lie. If she knew he had such an unsafe job, she would've tried to coax him out of such dangerous work.

There was a possibility her father was a secret agent trying to capture the bad guys but he got caught by them.

"Take care of yourself and Annie. And never come back here again." Lilith said the last part rather curtly as the girl nodded.

Evan tipped his head at Lilith who stepped back before he put the car to drive.

The ride was silent for the first three hours. Her sniffing and light sobs were heard once in a while. Evan offered her a napkin. She took it and thanked him as she composed herself.

"Where are we going?" She asked after some time.

"Texas," His reply was shot and to the point.

Her eyes widened slightly. They'll drive to Texas from Saltillo. "You'll catch a flight from the USA. We'll be there by early dawn. Your ticket has been already booked," He said and she just blinked at her hands on her lap.

Ava leaned back in her seat as she gazed out of the window. The tears threatened to escape again. How would she tell Annie that their father was no more? The thought alone was heart-wrenching.

The irony; she saw her father one last time but in such a state. Only if she was strong or she was able to call the cops. Her father would've been alive.

She didn't know when sleep consumed her. The next time she was woken up by a gentle jerking at her shoulder.

She blinked confused only to find Eva standing outside while the door to her side was open. They were at a gas station.

"I won't stop the car later, if you need to use the restroom then do it now," He said and she bobbed her head groggily stepping out of the car.

She did her business and stepped out noticing how Evan was talking on the phone while his blue eyes kept glancing around in alert. He was tall and looked strong. Just like a secret agent. No one would suspect him to be one.

She approached the vehicle and he tipped his head at her to get in the truck. She quietly obliged. Closing her door he locked the truck before walking into the store.

He was back a couple of minutes later. Poked the SIM card out of his phone, crushed it, and then tossed it in the bin.

Getting in the truck he offered her a plastic bag that had snacks. She thanked him politely and they began their journey again.

The next time she woke up they were already at the San Antonio airport. Evan escorted her inside before he handed her the ticket. "Alright, you're on your own from this point," He said with a deep breath, tucking his hands in his pockets.

She grabbed her duffle and faced him. "Thank you so much for helping me," She said genuinely and for the first time, he smiled.

"Your father was a good man, Ava. To be honest we didn't choose this occupation. It chose us. Your father taught me a lot. He was my trainer. I have huge respect for him. If I get to save his precious daughter then I'm honoured." He smiled and her eyes again glistened with tears.

"If I'll ever be free from this work. I'll come to you and protect you," He said softly and her eyes widened slightly.

A rear trickled down her cheek and he gently wiped it with his thumb. "Take care of yourself," He said.

"You too," She whispered. They stared at each other a bit longer before she turned on her heels and stepped inside leaving him behind.