Chapter 2

Ava’s POV

“You look like the real definition of a thoroughly beaten horse.” One of my friends commented and I only rolled my eyes.

“Tell me about it.” I huffed out as I sank into the spot next to her. By the look of things, it was obvious that the entire class were done presenting their projects, and all that’s remaining is the quiz test which was supposed to be held after the presentation.

This subject itself was a really important one and I couldn’t afford to fail it, and I have no idea of how well I’d do without my presentation.

I wrote my test and I made sure I did my best. I answered the questions I knew and I silently hoped it was going to be enough, especially since I hadn’t presented any project.

I waited nervously, resting my head in my palms and lightly drumming my fingers on the table. I couldn’t wait to get my papers back and see how I’d done.

“Ava,” The professor’s voice was loud as she spoke and I immediately, I knew I had fucked up. Whatever she wanted to say would be definitely horrible.

“You failed, mainly because you failed to present a project like the rest of the class did. Why is that? Anyways, you need to work extra hard or better still, take extra measures at studying, to avoid you having to come back here next year.” She explained as she handed me my paper.

The mortification that engulfed me knew no bounds, and once again, I cursed the stupid stranger who had collided into me this morning.

He was the cause of all these. The stupidly, arrogant bastard.

I got my test results back and as expected, I’d failed the test. Now, I have no other choice than to work extra hard to not fail this course.

How convenient.

My day was going way smoother than I had expected. It had all been roses and sunshine since I stepped out of the house this morning.

~~~~~

“I hate him, I hate every inch of him and now I’m dealing with this predicament because of him!” I grumbled under my breath as I walked into the house and slammed the door shut behind me.

It wasn’t long before I was shrugging my bag off and sinking into the couch in the sitting room.

I thought about the stranger again and my blood boiled, the anger and hatred I felt towards him only intensified.

If he had at least apologized, I was sure I wouldn’t be feeling this angry. But, he refused to apologize and even had the audacity to pull the victim card out.

How honorable and manly of him.

The scent of my mum’s cookies invaded my thoughts and I inhaled deeply. I knew she’d already be home, but I hadn’t wanted her to see me like this, full of anger.

A few minutes passed with me trying to gather myself on the couch, when the sounds of mum’s familiar footsteps began to draw closer.

I opened my eyes at once to see my mother standing in front of me with a tray of her freshly baked cookies, she was all smiles and it was as though she’d just won the lottery.

“What’s the matter, Angel?” She asked as soon as she noticed the frown still sitting on my face, calling me by the pet-name she’d assigned to me. I’d wanted to tell her about my encounter today and the useless stranger that had bumped into me thereby making me lose my presentation and fail my important test but I decided against it, because I’d noticed something else.

“Why are you so happy?” I asked with a raised eyebrow, everything about my mother was different in a way tonight and I didn’t want to ruin the moment.

“Take a guess.” She said as she took her seat beside me graciously, picking one of her cookies and munching away happily.

“He proposed?” I asked, raising my eyebrow a little bit higher and my mother’s shriek threw me off-guard, I was right.

“How did you know?” She asked, looking really happy and I told her it was nothing but a lucky guess, lying through my teeth.

I had already caught the glimpse of her ring finger and the shiny diamond ring she had on it was hard to ignore although she tried really hard to hide it beneath the cookie tray, but I had noticed it just fine.

“When?” I asked, my curiosity taking over, I knew how much my mum loved the man she’s been going out with and I just felt genuinely happy for her because she was always really happy whenever she was out with him.

They’d been going out for over six months and she would occasionally tell me about how she knew it was too early but couldn’t wait to have something real with him.

“Today and I said—“ she answered excitedly and I found myself grinning from ear to ear as she slowly brought forth her hand for me to see, “Yes!” She finished and I gasped dramatically.

“Oh my god! It’s so beautiful.”

“Thank you so much, the proposal was beautiful and oh my god, Ava, the setting was one of a kind, I couldn’t say No!” My mother explained and I couldn’t help but be happy for her.

She deserved all of the happiness and love she was getting and although I wasn’t quite comfortable with the fact that I would have a new father figure in my life, I didn’t show it. I still haven’t gotten over my father’s death, we shared a really deep bond that was hard and literally impossible to forget, and having someone else replace him was something I just wasn’t really ready for.

“Congratulations, Mum. I really am happy for you.” I said as I pulled her in for a long hug and she held me tightly as though she wasn’t ready to let go of me.

“I know this might seem a little bit too sudden for you and if you don’t want me to go through with this, you can just let me know.” My mother spoke softly. This was another thing I loved about her, she wanted my happiness and she usually always put me first even before herself.

I watched the look on her face and her smile faded a little when I was taking too long to say anything. I know how much she wanted this and I’m really not about to ruin it for her.

“I really can’t wait to meet him!” I shrieked with as much enthusiasm I could muster, and she clutched her chest as she pulled me in for another hug. She’d probably thought I was going to disapprove.

“And, you know what?” She started as she pulled away from me.

“He has a son too, he’s around your age and you both will get along pretty good. He’s the sweetest soul and I swear you will love him.” She explained excitedly as she took another bite of her cookie.

“Really?” I mused, I was really excited now and I knew she could see the glint in my eyes as she nodded.

“Yes, really. He’s sweet and you both can start acting as brothers and sisters as soon as we get married! About Danny, you don’t have to call him dad or anything—“ I watched as my mother kept talking, she was starting to overthink again and I knew I needed to stop her.

“Mom,” I called and she stopped talking, “I’m okay with all this, Dad would also want you to be happy and you deserve to be happy. And, about me calling him dad, let’s just see how things flows.” I watched as her expression softened and tears was already welling up in her eyes.

“Our family will finally be complete once again. I really am excited and so happy for you.” I completed and she leaned in to hug me once again.

“Okay, you’re squeezing me too tight now.” I let out and she laughed as she released me, drying up her tears as she stood.

“I’ll go get us a glass of milk so we can enjoy these cookies.” She stood and made her way to the kitchen as I followed her every step.

I’ve never seen my mother this happy, she was usually only always burying herself in her work so this sight was a beautiful one.

Our family has been given another chance to be complete and now I can’t wait to meet and welcome the rest of the family.