Ava found Leonardo in the archery field. He was shutting arrows one by one so fast. Ava reminded herself of Leonardo's life-saving acts for her. She also reminded herself of the times she spent close to him. Then she reminded the words Mrs Jasmine said to her. She thought something again and confidently walked in front of the target board. Leonardo was in his own dispersed thoughts he didn't know that Ava stood in front of his targeted arrow. He took an arrow from the quiver and set it up in the bow. He was about to shoot his arrow when he saw Ava standing in front of the target board.
Will you target me? Do it because… because
I accepted your marriage proposal.
Leonardo's eyes broaden up.
What changed? You turned down my offer yesterday but today you accept it. What changed?
I thought a lot. I know your offer is not real. But it's best for Lucas. He is so little. He lost a lot. He will lose his loved ones if he goes abroad. Here are so many people to whom he is attached emotionally. Though we will be with him, nothing will be the same. His little heart. How he can deal with so many young lady officers? I don't know. For this reason, you are right. For this reason, we shouldn't separate him from his loved ones. The way to do this is through marriage. Ava said
I think you should better think about it again. I don't want you to see this as an obligation. Going abroad is still an option. You know it. Leonardo thought something and said it with a serious mood.
I thought. If you didn't but someone else made me this offer. I would definitely say no. but for you. I trust you more than everyone. Ava said
She looked around
Do you remember our first dispute a time ago? Both reminded themselves that day. While Ava was reminding him of that days. Her eyes were full of tears. We were here while you shot arrows I asked you to give me Lucas. Begging your mercy was an obligation in those days. I had to do it for Lucas. Even with the cost of the death, I wouldn't let you take Lucas that time. But we lived many things through many things since that day. If I have to do the same now, I can stand in front of your arrows without any fear. Because I knew you now. I can go abroad with you for Lucas. I can leave everything behind that I love. I know. I can spend all my days in an abandoned town without seeing anyone with you. If I have to stay in this mansion, I will be with you. I am standing in front of you. You can shoot your arrows now. I have no fear. I am right on your target position. Ava said
Leonardo looked at fearless confident Ava for a while. He put a bow and arrow on the stand and step forward towards her.
You made the right decision. This is good for Lucas. You wait for me here. I am coming in a few seconds. Leonardo said. He quickly went inside the mansion. He changed his clothes and quickly went downstairs. Ava started walking towards the mansion. Sophia saw Leonardo coming downstairs so quickly.
Leonardo Dear, you look nervous. Is everything okay? Where are you going? Sophia asked
I have jobs to do. Leonardo said and went out of the mansion.
Come on. Leonardo said to Ava
Where? Ava asked
Come on. Sit in the car. Leonardo said
Where we are going. Why you are not telling me? Ava asked
Ava sat in the car.
Tell me first. Ava said
We are going marriage office. Leonardo said
Now? With these dresses? Will they accept us? Oh, God!! You would have told me. I can wear a better dress. Why you didn't tell me this? Why we are going suddenly? Ava asked
Calm down. We are not going to get married today. We will get an appointment. We will deposit papers and documents. Your ID card with you? Leonardo passed a huge smile on anxious Ava and asked.
Oh! Yes, I have. Ava said.
Hello Emma. Leonardo and Ava left the mansion their terms are good now. Sophia said
Sister, did they go abroad? Emma asked
How could so? Lucas is at home. Learn from Frank what is going on. Sophia said
Leonardo was continuously smiling at Ava's behaviour. He wanted to see it more. So he kept talking after a while.
Can I have your identity card and portraits? Leonardo asked
Yes. Here is my ID card. And my photos….. How clumsy I am. Ava took photos. Both were different. Leonardo took it and asked
Which one? Ava got closer to him.
I think this one. But I think both are beautiful. Leonardo said and turned his face. He saw into Ava's eyes. He gathered both ID cards and photos and smiled.
The process will be done by my man. But we will talk in meantime. We have to show it real. Leonardo said.
Hmm... Ava mumbled.
They went to a nearby restaurant. Leonardo asked his men for the proceedings.
Do you think we should hide it? From family? Like cheating them is not good. Could it be a problem if they come to know it's a fake marriage? Ava asked
I know, it's not good. I also hate hiding it from my family. But in the mansion, someone living with us is not ours. Someone is a traitor there. I am still not getting that traitor. We can't tell truth to Lucas and James because of social services concerns. We have to make everyone believe in this marriage. We have to take Lucas's custody in any case. Leonardo said
Do you think it will be successful? Means playing a role. After we got married. Then…. Then…. Ava said
Then? What? Leonardo asked
We will stay in the same room?
For sure.
We will do whatever it takes not to lose Lucas.
We have to look like a loving couple. Before and after the wedding. Otherwise, we can't convince anyone.
Ava shied. She cleared her throat. While Leonardo hidden smiled at her.
So when our acting will start?
We can't waste time. We have to get a wedding appointment as soon as possible. When we will go home. There will be a new life.
Ava was anxious about the next happening. She could bear Leonardo around herself. And this time she was in condition to stay with him in his room. She asked the waitress to give her cold water. Whereas the temperature was very low.
We will directly go to social services and will notify them about marriage. Leonardo said
Will they ask us why we are getting married? Ava asked
We will say we fall in love… I mean… normal people say this. Everyone says so. Same reason to get married. Love!! Leonardo said his inner truth to shy Ava. She thought he was pretending for real. Leonardo was also not letting her know his truth.
Leonardo received the file. His assistant told him that they got an appointment after ten days.
Ten days… Ava mumbled with tearful eyes.
Who know that Leonardo was happy for the moment? Whereas Ava's heart was getting down due to anxiousness. She was not ready to take that responsibility.
If you came here for Lucas's report. It's not prepared yet. The council will meet tomorrow. And it is impossible to know the decision until tomorrow afternoon. Officer said
We are not here for the report. We are here for this. Leonardo put the file on the officer's table.
Is it real marriage? Or fake marriage to take Lucas. I warn you from now. If such a thing finds out you will never be able to take Lucas's custody and will never see him. Officer warned them
It's not fake. It's a real marriage. Everyone will understand it in time. The reason we were at the mansion when you came there was that. We were there for wedding preparations. We couldn't tell you as we haven't told our family yet. The warnings occurred due to these misunderstandings. Leonardo said
The procedure will be changed. Your home will be that mansion. So an investigation is needed again. I don't need to say that investigations into your wedding will be carried out. But important is Lucas. We will find out how he reacts to this wedding. Is this Monday okay for you? Officer asked. They both nodded their head as they agreed. Officer signed the documents.
Everyone was waiting for Leonardo and Ava and he called everyone to gather in the lounge as he needed to talk to them important. They reached when the sky went dark. Moon was fully brightened.
Are you ready? Leonardo asked Ava before getting out of the car.
Ava looked at him and said "hmm" and went out of the car.
We have to be persuasive in telling them that we are getting married. Leonardo looked at her and raised his hand towards Ava.
Ava looked at him. She thought something and then put her hand in his hand. Closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Leonardo looked at her. Then both started walking towards the mansion and went inside. Leonardo reminded him of words he said to Mr Francis while walking with Ava towards the mansion
"Uncle I can't walk in that way. Because I don't know how to walk this way."
"You will walk son. You will break your shell first. You will not be scared or run away from your feelings. You will not hide. You were wearing a shirt made of fire. But now, you can't take that shirt off or not be able to stay without burning. Even your hardest shell cannot protect you. The real question is this. If you choose to walk this way, you will make fire your companion until you reach the border. Are you ready for this? Son?"
Ava reminded herself of Mr Watson's words
"The important is. No matter which path we choose. Who will be with us? First the partner then the road."
Both looked at each other. Ava took a deep breath. Leonardo smiled. Watson opened the front door.