"Ava! Oh my Goddess! Where have you been? I’ve been calling and texting you." Marylis pulled her into a tight hug. "I was so worried!"
Ava smiled. "I was away. Work."
"You could have called and let us know. Phil has been very worried lately." Marylis led her to the living room. A large family portrait on top of the fireplace to her right immediately caught her attention. The portrait actually included Ava and Gabriella.
"It was a gift. I gave it to Phil and he liked it."
She nodded at Marylis’s words.
"Where’s he?" she asked.
"He needed to leave for a while. Work. But he will come back in a few minutes." Marylis took a seat right next to her. "It’s been a few days. How have you been? You look thinner. Are you alright?"
Ava nodded. Marylis actually told her that they had been so worried thatPhil was actually tempted to call the police for a welfare check. Phil even went to the house but Ava was not there and wasn’t answering her calls either.
When Ava read the message, she immediately called her sister-in-law and informed them that she needed to leave for a while for work.
"Yes. I’ve been very busy. The company that I was working with sent me for an emergency meeting in Europe. I just... I forgot to call everyone."
Marylis held her hand, and a gentle smile appeared on her face. "I heard about it."
"Hm?"
"Broody’s wife."
"Broody’s wife?"
"People are talking about Amelia’s disappearance."
Ava lifted an eyebrow. So? Matthew already confirmed that Amelia’s disappearance was just his way to get close to Ava.
"Witches." Marylis corrected herself. "Some said, you were there when Amelia disappeared."
Disbelief flashed in Ava’s eyes. "So... are you saying that they all thought I did it because I was still in love with Broody?"
Marylis shrugged. "Phil heard it too. He almost got into a fight the other day when one of the witches brought it up. So, I immediately tried to call you."
Ava pursed her lips as if she had just swallowed a lemon rind. What the hell? She couldn’t even begin to explain what she was currently feeling at the moment. But before she knew it, she was already laughing.
"Ava?" Marylis looked at her, confusion apparent in her eyes. "Did I— "
"No, please. It’s just... I’m sorry... I just..." her shoulders shook, as she clutched her stomach. She fell into a puddle of laughter.
"Have you seen Broody?" Ava asked.
"I— I don’t understand..."
"I mean... have you seen him lately? Like his latest appearance?"
Marylis blinked. "Yes."
"And... did you think I would look at him?"
"I— "
Marylis’s face reddened. Of course, Marylis wouldn’t be able to say such mean words. Unlike Ava’s straightforward personality, Marylis was a little reserved. She wouldn’t directly call someone ugly.
Ava chuckled as she started to wonder if Marylis just called her about this. She had suspicions about this woman but she couldn’t do something about it, not when Phil and Gabi were with her.
Their conversation was interrupted when they heard someone knock on the door. Marylis immediately opened it and Ava took the opportunity to look around the house. As usual, nothing was out of place.
She eyed the portrait again. The Gabriella in the portrait looked younger and very beautiful. In fact, she looked like Ava’s sister instead of mother. Something was definitely off about it.
"What was that?" Ava asked when Marylis came back.
"Oh, just our neighbors asking about plowing the snow."
"The snow isn’t that thick this year outside."
"Yes. Those kids had been plowing the snow almost every day. "
"Oh..." Ava nodded. "That’s good. At least, Phil gets to relax a— "
Another knock echoed. This time, Ava knew it was Phil. She could feel his anxiety, the need to go back home to see his wife and son.
Just as she expected, It was indeed Phil. He walked in and this time, he didn’t even spare her a glance. Instead, he went straight to Marylis, kissing her cheek and pulling her for a hug.
Ava immediately noticed his considerably stressed complexion.
When she saw a few pimple-like bumps on Phil’s neck, Ava frowned but quickly averted her gaze.
"Ehem..." she cleared her throat, garnering Phillip’s attention.
"V!"
"I know that I am single.." Ava smiled. "You don’t have to shove it in my face."
Marylis’s face reddened while Phil chuckled. He then stepped towards her and pulled Ava in for a long, tight hug.
"You look... thinner." Phil held Ava’s shoulder. "What are you eating? Do you even eat?"
Ava chuckled.
"Maybe you should find someone... you know... to eat with you?" Marylis said.
"Oh, dear. I am eating just fine." Ava thought of Matthew. "And I am going to eat more... starting from now."
"Lis was right, V." Phil put his coat on the couch and accepted the tea that Marylis handed him. "Maybe it’s time for you to find... someone."
Ava dramatically rolled her eyes. "I don’t even have the time to cook for myself. You think I have the time to cuddle with other people?"
"Well, how about looking for a job in Alaska? That way, you don’t need to travel a lot." Marylis said.
"Hmmm.... I am working with someone in Alaska."
"You mean?"
"Graydon Pharmaceuticals. I just got hired."
"Really?" Surprise flashed in Marylis’s face. "Graydon... Is that the one..."
"Downtown?" Ava interrupted her. "Yes. It’s the same Graydon Pharma. It’s an international company."
"So you are finally coming back? What about your studies?" Marylis asked.
"I decided to postpone them. And yes, after seeing the house, I just... decided to stay."
"Wow that’s— "
Even Phil looked surprised at her decision. However, the surprise on her brother’s face soon turned gentle as he smiled at her.
"Doesn’t this mean that we are going to have the welcome party that we have been wanting to throw since you called and— "
"Oh, please no. No welcome parties." Ava shook her head. She doesn’t really have any close friends or relatives.
Now that she thought about it, her life was kinda bland.
"Come on V! Let Marylis throw that party for you. Everyone... has been wanting to meet you after you disappeared a year ago." Phil said. Ava wanted to refuse but the look on her brother’s face stopped her.
She recalled the faces of the people she knew in the past. She didn’t have any good impression on most people as she grew up an outcast. But still, she smiled and said.
"Alright but don’t go loco. A simple one is good enough."
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