Thank you for saving Ava to stay in my life. I owe you a thank you. Aiden said and went out of the mansion.
Leonardo looked at him with anger. He was unable to control his anger. He started making fists.
Ava knocked on the door and came inside.
Why are you moving around? Leonardo asked
Why you didn't tell me? Ava asked
What should I tell you? Leonardo asked
You saved me not Aiden. You would have told me. Ava said
The important thing is that you are alive. You are here with Lucas. Leonardo said
Aiden told me that you also got fainted. How I will pay you for what you have done for me? Ava cried
Calm down. You have no debt on me. I did what I have to do. Now do what you have to do. Go to your room and rest. You don't look well. Leonardo said.
No, I am fine. Ava said and moved outside. She suddenly felt dizzy. Leonardo quickly stood up
Sit here. You are saying you are good. Leonardo said
I am good. It happened because I stand here for a long. Ava said
Let me help you to your room. Leonardo said. He held her arm and went to her room.
Sophia, can you see how Leonardo is getting affected by her? Emma shouted
Its misunderstanding. He just helped her. Sophia said
Will he put himself in danger for you or me? Are you mad? Don't you understand they both are doing what a lover does? Emma said
Honey! Calm down. It's not like that. Sophia tried to calm herself
But I found a way to separate both of them. Emma started making fists
You will not do any fool again. Do you understand? Sophia shouted
I don't and don't try to make me understand. Emma said and quickly went out.
Ava was playing with Lucas. She received a call from social services for her appointment on documents signatures and other recoveries. Ava stood up, as she was about to leave the room a book from the shelf fell on her feet while Lucas was taking cards from there. It was Gill's book. Ava started shivering. She ran into her and put oxygen mask. She started deep breathing.
Are you okay? Leonardo came inside
Ava was crying badly. And taking deep breaths
Stop crying and tell me what happened. Leonardo got anxious.
I saw his belongings in Lucas's room. I just got scared. Ava said
Don't worry. Now you are safe. Leonardo encouraged her.
Social services called me for signatures and recoveries. Ava said
So you will not go there? Leonardo asked
I am scared. If he came back and took me. Ava said
Don't worry. You will not go alone. I will take you there. Get ready. Leonardo said
Ava got ready and went to the centre with him.
I am sorry you and Emma were going to meet. You would have told me. Ava said after visiting the centre
I asked her to postpone. She had no more important job it was not as important as Emma said. Leonardo said. He wanted to spend time with her. He reminded himself of Mr Francis's words
"You will walk son! First, you will break your shells. You will not be afraid of your feelings and you will run away. You will not hide. Now you wore a fiery shirt. You cannot take off that shit either nor get not to burn"
Ava noticed that Leonardo was not going toward the mansion.
Where are you heading? Ava asked
We will take coffee. Didn't you remember the doctor said you have to take air from the seaside? Leonardo said
Ava nodded her head.
Then come inside. It's the best restaurant in the city. We will take coffee and also fresh air above from the sea. Then we will go back. Leonardo said.
Ava was happily satisfied with the environment. Leonardo looked at a man who was enjoying his girl's long hair falls. He was also holding his hand. Leonardo looked at Ava's hair. He wanted to do as he was doing so. But his shells were not broken properly, to be frank with Ava in that way.
It's good that we came here. It helped me to breathe. Ava said
Leonardo nodded his head. His hands were getting out of his control so he took hot coffee in one sip. His tongue burned.
One more, please. Leonardo ordered
But it will be too much. Ava said
No, it will not. Leonardo said. He kept repressing his hands.
I guess you don't come to such places often? Ava asked.
Very rare. I don't like spending time outside. Leonardo said.
Ava looked around she slowly finished her coffee. He was lost in beauteous Ava. He wanted to spend more time with her. But he was not finding a way to do so.
Would you like to eat or drink anything else? Leonardo asked
Thank you. It was enough. Let's bring Lucas next time here. He will enjoy it. Ava said.
Of course, we will. Leonardo said
He trusts you a lot. He cares about you. You know he identifies you with the giant hero from the fairytale you told. He says his uncle is the giant hero of him like in the fairytales. Ava said
Yes. Leonardo said. He saw Ava looking at a man and smiling who was selling cotton candies.
So do you like that? Leonardo asked
Yes. I love it when I was a kid. My daddy knew that I love it very much. So he hid from me and surprise me. I got very happy when I had it. I thought at that time that it is the most important thing in the world. Maybe it's because my dad brought it for me. I don't know. He was the giant hero of my fairytale. Even when I was older. I kept coming home with cotton candy. Ava was telling him about her childhood, she noticed that Leonardo was not feeling good. He was lost in his childhood memories.
Tell me about your liking. What did you like when you were a kid? Ava asked
There was no place for such things in my childhood. Our life…. Leonardo said and stopped. He scratched his hand with a nail while thinking about his childhood.
I am sorry. I didn't ask you without thinking. I am really sorry if I reminded you of something bad. Ava said.
Leonardo nodded his head. Ava was feeling bad for him. They came back to the mansion. Ava was feeling sad for him whereas Leonardo was lost in beauteous Ava who was sitting in a restaurant an hour before.
These are for you and Lucas. Watson handed over a box to Ava.
Thank you. Ava said
Let's open my sweetheart. What your uncle send to us. Ava said
Aunt, what is this? It is like a different colour cloud in a box. Lucas opened the box and asked. It was different coloured cotton candies.
Sweetheart, it is called cotton candy. It is sweet. Eat it. Your grandfather brought it for me when I was a kid. Ava reminded me that she told Leonardo about it in the restaurant. She was happy to see that.
I love it. Lucas said
I also love it when I was a kid. He used to bring it to make me happy. Ava said
So my uncle bought it for you? To make you happy? Lucas asked innocently. Ava looked at him with a smiling face silently.
So he decided to make you happy like my grandfather. Lucas said
Ava went in thoughts of Leonardo that he did well to her many times and look after her like his own.
'This man saved my life, again and again, took my care like I am his own, spend time with me so I cope with fears. Motivated me, made me understand everything, and now he brought cotton candies. Why is he so caring towards me?
Aunt, you eat also. Lucas interrupted in his thoughts.
Thank you, dear. Wait I will come later. Ava said and went to Leonardo's room.
Leonardo looked with interrogated eyes at Ava who was coming to him.
When I came here, you wanted to get rid of me. But now you are the person who was with me in my hardest times. You risked your life for me. You were my enemy. Now you are the person who I trust the most. Why?? Ava asked with tearful eyes.
Leonardo couldn't tell her about his actual feelings
Because you become part of this mansion. That's why the reason I gave you the key to the mansion. For Lucas and me. Leonardo's tongue slipped by saying me. He managed to cover that.
I mean you are very important to me among all these members. As you are his aunt. You are his half-mother. Leonardo looked into her eyes.
I understand. Thank you. Ava smiled and said.
She couldn't stand in front of Leonardo who was lost in his eyes. She nodded her head and went out. Leonardo kept looking at Ava who was going back. He felt bad that he should tell her about his feeling but he couldn't so because of his ego and hesitation.
It's very difficult. Leonardo mumbled. He reminded himself of Mr Francis's words.
"Will you walk through this fireplace my son? Or will you just sit there?"
I will walk. Leonardo said to himself. He felt that he was overcoming his fear.
Leonardo was scrolling the newspaper. He saw an article with the title 'the way to the heart of the women'
'Useless stuff' Leonardo mumbled. He scrolled down. Then he thought something and scroll up to read that.
Women like men who try to know themselves. Spent time with her. Find out what she likes to win her love.
Uncle this is so nice. He was shocked by Lucas's voice even though he didn't remember that Lucas can't read that.
I like this blue cloud. I told my aunt as well. She also told me that she loves it. Lucas said
So you both love the same things? Leonardo asked
Yes, many things. Cookies. This cloud I don't remember this name, chocolates, ships and sea. Lucas said
Ship? Leonardo asked
Yes. My aunt told me. But she never sits in that. You remember you took me there once and I got fainted. Lucas said
This will not happen when you will grow up. Leonardo said
I will be the captain when I will grow up like you. Lucas said
Okay. Let's wash our hands. Leonardo said
When I will become big. I will take my aunt to the ship first then you. Lucas said and went out. Leonardo dialled a call.
Captain. Prepare a yacht. I will sail. Make sure everything is fine. I will be there in the morning.
The next morning Ava was playing with Lucas in the garden. Leonardo called her up in his room.
Is everything okay? Ava asked
Yes. Get ready. We will sail a yacht. As the doctor said to take sea air. Good for your lungs. Leonardo said directly. He didn't let Ava know that he started walking in the way he was afraid of. Ava got ready and both went out. Leonardo was happy to see Ava smiling face. She was comfortable with him. the car stopped at a signal. A boy was selling flowers.
'Sir please buy a flower I need money for my mother's treatment. I wish both of you live long and stay happy together. Your wife will like these' Boy said
Leonardo looked at Ava. Ava look outside with shame he gave him a lot of money.
I don't need flowers. take this money. Leonardo said
to take all these flowers. this is too much money. boy said. he put flowers on Leonardo's lap and ran away.
Leonardo gave flowers to Ava. Ava liked flowers and started smelling their fragrance. Suddenly a spine pinched her finger.
Check-in dashboard. Put a bandage on it. Otherwise, blood drops will mess up your dress. Leonardo said
Ava opened the dashboard. There was no bandage.
No worries. It's okay. It will stop in a minute. Ava said
No, I will buy from a pharmacy. Just a second. Leonardo said and stopped the car near a pharmacy.
he bought bandages and a few chocolates as he remembered Lucas's words. When he came out of the pharmacy. He found Ava was not there. Flowers were scattered on the ground near his car. He saw a man pushing Ava towards his car. When he hit the man. He found Gill who was forcibly pushing Ava in a car. He beat up Gill with all anger he had in his heart and mind.
How did you escape from the hospital and the police? How dare you try to kill my nephew and his aunt.
His face and the white shirt that he wore after 30 years were filled with blood droplets of Gills. He was punching Gill's face. His hands were full of blood.
Stop!! Stop!! Don't do that!! Stop!! I beg you!! Don't you listen? You will kill him!! I said stop!! Enough!! Ava screamed. Leonardo stopped. Police came and arrested Gill. Leonardo was looking at scared Ava. Frank came in time.
Take the girl to the mansion. Leonardo said. Frank came and held Ava's arm. He helped her to sit in his car. And took her to the mansion. Leonardo went to Mr Francis's hut. He was holding a flower in his bleeding hand. On other hand, Ava's condition was getting worse. She went into her room and locked her. She broke down. An ocean of tears with screams came out.
Uncle. Can you see? Whoever touches me, burns. the best thing is she should stay away from me. Leonardo said
Leonardo Benjamin is scared. So you are saying this? Mr Francis said
I am not afraid. I just don't want to carry this burden. It makes me do wrong. Doing evil is not for me. Leonardo roared
Then what will happen? How will you find a way to come out of this situation? Mr Francis asked
Everyone will learn their places. I…. and... That fiery shirt…
So your heartache. Does it? Mr Francis asked.
It doesn't matter what you say, while I am in that burning shirt. I forget something that I know. I was burned before uncle, they were bigger fires than the ones I started. They are not firing burns. Ice burns that I carry. So I cannot. I will not walk this way. I have no other road than the old Leonardo road
So you say it. Try to get back. But son, remember this road will not end when you say it's over. Because you walked on that road once. It doesn't matter if you stopped. It will keep you walking inside. So you go on now. Try your option also. But keep my words in your mind. Mr Francis said
Leonardo looked at him and sat in the car.
My dear. Open the door. I came to know from Frank about the incident. Sophia said
I am fine Sophia. Thank you. She opened the door and said.
Thank God, Leonardo was with you. Sophia said.
Frank told me how he was angry. I was not surprised, of course, by the usual Leonardo. He is not changed. Sophia said.
I don't understand. What do you mean? Ava asked
Either you thought Leonardo changed or changed to someone else just because he was nice to you in past few days? He cannot change. Don't get yourself wrong. What sudden mood swings? You can assume how it changed. But he may come back to you. No one can break his tough shells. He has some walls. No one can climb those walls. He only acts in his own ways. He doesn't kneel before anyone. He cannot be weak. He never tolerates weakness. He doesn't care about feelings. He never acts according to his feelings. But the most important is you are or anyone else he will never change for. Sophia said
I don't agree with you, Sophia. Ava said
I know Leonardo more than you. Much has changed in our lives. There was even nothing left that has not changed. Except for one thing. Leonardo's personality. Everything has changed but he didn't. He will not change. Sophia said
You are wrong. You may be right that you have some parts of saying like you said that you know him more than me. But he is the person who found cotton candy for his kindness, who tells stories to his nephew who can sleep. But most important he is the person who can risk his life for the safety of other people. Things that happened today were causes of anger. Ava said
I really want everything to happen as you say, my dear. But Leonardo himself not your instant feeling or not your little goodie. You will learn it over time. Surely you are thinking optimistically because you don't know Leonardo as well as I do. You will also see in time that I am right. Anyways get well soon. Sophia said and went out.
Ava was lost in thoughts. Sophia's words were continuously sounding in her mind. she was unable to trust Sophia's words as she started trusting Leonardo. and owed him. she was puzzled. She closed her eyes to get relax.