"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things."
The sound of the alarm clock was annoying for Ava Adonis. It was time for her to go to university. Yesterday's part-time job was definitely tiring. She woke up sulking and got ready. She wore a plain black t-shirt and her regular black hoodie with dark blue jeans. She preferred wearing oversized clothes that covered her whole body, mainly her arms. It was because she wanted to hide the family tattoo imprinted on her arm, which had a snake symbol on it. Her father, Joe Adonis made it, as he wanted the world to know that she belonged to the Adonis family. She even had some scars on her back, which always reminded her of the dark past she had. While eating a slice of bread with butter, she headed towards the university.
In college, she doesn't prefer having friends, but no one bullies her either. Once, a group of brats started bullying her. She ignored it for three days. The next day, she snapped the neck of one of them, who was later admitted to the hospital. From that day on, it was clear for all the students not to mess with her.
She has had incredible strength since she was a child. When Ava was six years old, her father began training her. She knew how to use guns and knives, as well as wrestle, play chess, and a variety of other games that required both brains and strength.
She went straight to class, ignoring all the gossip about her, and sat on the last bench in the corner of the classroom. The first class was science, and she started preparing for it. She had an outstanding academic record. Another reason for her to get a lot of hate. She studied hard to live a comfortable life in the future.
After the tremendously slow university hours were over, she went to the university gym, the only place that made her feel confident. She knew one thing for certain after escaping from her so-called father: she was not safe and had to protect herself. The only trauma she had was being found by her father again and then being tortured mercilessly again. Joe Adonis, her father, killed Ava's mother two years ago, when Ava was just 13. He then abused Ava mentally and physically before she decided to escape from hell. She was just 14 at that time. Even after two years of escaping, the thoughts of her father managed to scare her. After continuously punching the bag, she had no energy left. She lay down on the ground, breathing heavily, her chest heaving up and down.
After a few minutes, she went to her part-time job. It paid her enough to manage the two meals, to pay rent, and a few university expenses. She was a scholarship student, so she didn't have to pay any fees. She worked as a receptionist.
Ava was doing her part-time job as usual. She had a lot of customers today. An employee was not present today, so also had to do the waitress job. She was wearing a simple black, full-sleeve t-shirt, and her hair was tied into a messy bun.
A car stopped in front of the cafe, and five to six muscular men dressed in complete black professional attire came out of the car. She got scared at the thought of her father finding her. She became pale, and her hands were shaking. Nancy, also a part-timer, asked Ava about her condition. She just said, "I'm fine." She had not been emotionally attached to anyone in the previous three years.
Just then, a person who looked like their boss came out of the Mercedes. He was dressed in a dark-blue three-piece suit. Ava sighed in relief that it was not her father. She was perplexed as to who he could be. Her trail of thoughts was broken when Lorenzo arrived with bodyguards surrounding him. Anyone could tell he was very handsome by looking at his dark hair, sharp jawline, and cold, dark brown eyes. Ava took Lorenzo's order, which was cold brew coffee, and she started preparing the coffee while fighting with herself not to get distracted by his strong aura.
Lorenzo never took interest in any girl's face. It was the first time he admired someone's beauty. Ava was a damn attractive person. He was sitting in the chair far away from her, yet he was staring at her. He loved seeing her immersed in work, with strands of hair across her face, blocking the breath-taking view of her face. He fought the urge to move her hair aside. Her blue eyes hypnotised him. He was engrossed in his thoughts just as Ava brought him the coffee.
"Sir, your coffee," she said politely yet in a confident way. Ava was definitely not scared of him. She had seen much worse.
"Um... thank you," he said, surprising himself. Usually, he never even bothers to look up when someone else brings him coffee. It was probably the first time he said thanks. His personal assistant was looking at him wide-eyed. He cleared his throat and started drinking his coffee, still taking glances at Ava.
After Lorenzo completed his coffee, he went to pay for it. Again, Ava was at the counter. He gave her his credit card. Ava was super nervous. It was a weird feeling for her, especially when she felt him boring a hole in her with his stare.
"What's your name?" Lorenzo inquired in a deep voice, staring into her soul and assessing her.