"Baby, wake up!! Ava!!" She shouted already getting scared.
"Dad! Help! Dad help!" She screamed, carrying unconscious Ava on her body. Chairman quickly ran outside, going to ignite his car.
He led them into the car before driving straight to the hospital.
••••
Hardin was having his bath when Oliver walked into his room. He tiptoed towards his phone, glancing at the screen. A message popped in and he read it inwardly.
"Ava is at the hospital Hardin. She needs you" He read out. He clenched his jaw angrily and swiftly deleted the message.
"Hey! What are you doing there?!" Hardin's voice came when he came out of the bathroom and Oliver quickly dropped the phone before turning to him.
"Um... It's nothing dad" He smiled, trying not to freak out and Hardin stared at him with curiosity.
"Okay, go back to your room it's been a long day and we're both tired" Hardin replied and Oliver nodded as he left.
He went to check his phone for unread messages but he saw no one and he sighed out.
"I hope y'all doing well Ava" He muttered, staring into space.
••••
"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!"
Ava kept shaking her head to and fro with tight closed eyes, waking up the sleeping Lavender.
"Baby! What's happening!!" Lavender rushed to her bedside, touching her arms and Ava breathed in and out as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Mommy"
Tears found their way out of her eyes as she stared at her mom.
"The doctor said you'll be fine baby. You'll be fine" Lavender encouraged her.
"Please bring daddy back. I need daddy" She started crying.
"Ava!"
••••
Hardin stepped into the restaurant silently not trying to attract the customers again but too bad cus they saw him.
He is back?
What is he doing here?
Mr Handsome!!
"Hardin!!!" Ana exclaimed, rushing to hug him when she saw him and he smiled reciprocating it.
"I miss you Ana"
"I missed you more" Ana smiled, releasing from the hug.
Hardin nodded once before going to Manager Ken's office.
"Hi manager" He called and Manager Ken looked from the keyboard he was pinging on.
"Hardin?" He said, surprisingly.
"Can I get my work back?"
"You resigned from Lavender's?" He asked.
"I just..."
"No excuses Hardin, the work here is full and no vacancy left to bring you in back so I suggest you just work with her and earn your money or you look for another job else where" Manager Ken replied and Hardin nodded slowly.
"Yes sir" He muttered sadly before leaving his office.
••••
After giving her some injections,the doctor smiled in relief as he retracted backwards.
"She'd be fine ma'am"He bowed and Lavender only nodded tiredly as she slowly averted her gaze back to Ava,who was snoring lowly.
The doctor walked out of the ward and met chairman Deluxe walking in,he bowed to him before going out completely.
"Lavender?"He called slowly as he sat down beside her, Lavender lifted her face and sighed out sadly.
"How is she?"He asked and yet again, Lavender breathed out before replying.
"She keeps crying, asking me to bring her Dad back. The same guy you chased away with your harsh word's"She replied and chairman stared at her for a short moment before scoffing.
"That guy isn't your type Lavender. Don't be blinded by his handsomeness"Chairman began and Lavender stared him before scoffing out loudly.
"I can't believe you're saying this Dad"She replied instead.
"Lavender..."
"Ava needs him Dad. So what do you expect me to do? What would you have me do?"Lavender asked him and he sighed.
"Why is Ava calling him Dad to begin with? How did she meet him? As long as I can remember,that guy isn't the one you had encounter with. So how did he get into the picture?"Chairman throwed questions at Lavender who rolled eye angrily.
He was sure asking too much questions.
"Ava met him in school and ever since then,she seems not to live without him. Look now, she's already hospitalized cuz he left the house. She's become so addicted to him Dad,when she woke up few minutes ago she was continuously demanding for him, and the doctor had to give her some injection. That's why you met her sleeping,if she wakes up again what are my going to do Dad huh? You... You..."Lavender choked and looked away before wiping the little tears which cascaded down her cheeks.
"Where is his house?"Chairman asked after few minutes silence which got Lavender turning swiftly to him.
"You...."
"Only doing this for Ava, nothing else"Chairman cut Lavender off,as if reading her mind and Lavender smiled happily.
Chairman looked at her and rolled eye.
••••
Hardin went for the door as he heard the doorbell rang. A gasp escaped from his lips as he saw who the person was. It's Lavender's dad.
"Good day sir" He greeted almost immediately opening the door widely for him to enter. Different thoughts filled his mind.
"I'll go straight to the point" He began looking serious as ever.
"Ava is in the hospital and she has been requesting for her dad since she regained her consciousness. You are the one she knows as her dad so I would like you to be at the hospital maybe it will speed up her healing process" He added
"What happened to Ava? Hope it is not that serious?" Hardin blurted out concernly.
"She already regained her consciousness" The Chairman answered with an eyeroll.
"I'll be at the hospital sir" Hardin said. He bowed briefly before going inside and shutting the door behind him.
"You should get ready son, we are going to see Ava in the hospital" Hardin informed Oliver who let out a groan in frustration.
•••••
"Daddy!!" Ava screamed delightfully as soon as she sighted Hardin who was just entering the ward. She stretched forth her hand for him.
She woke up few minutes and thankfully, Lavender told her Hardin was on his way.
"My little cutie" Hardin responded with a smile going to her. he sat beside her on the bed stroking her hair fondly in the process.
"How are you feeling now?" He inquired
"Much better now that you are here" She responded sharply beaming in all smiles. She was not the little girl crying for her dad a few minutes ago, she was now excited having him around.
"You should get better soon, I'm sure your Mom was worried. You scared her" Hardin said
"Promise that you won't leave us again? Promise that you are going to return back home. I missed you" Ava said with a sad pout.
Hardin turned to look at Lavender and they exchanged knowing glances. She cleared her throat looking away.
"I promise" Hardin finally answered giving her a reassuring smile.
°°°°
"How are you feeling now? I bet you were shocked" Hardin inquired
"I'm glad she is okay now" Lavender responded instead. A moment of silence issued between them
"I texted you" She finally said
"Huh? When? I didn't see it" He replied truthfully. Lavender stared at him for a while wondering if she should believe him or not.
"And I am also sorry for the harsh words my Dad said to you, he overreacted" She mumbled causing Hardin to smile.
"It's fine. I was just hurt slightly"He uttered, using his finger to do a demonstration and Lavender chuckled lightly.
"I missed you"Lavender replied truthfully, before biting her lips.
Hardin looked at her with a smile before leaning closer to her ear.
"Should I say I missed you too?"He asked with a knowing grin and Lavender blushed hard,she could feel butterflies dancing crazily in her stomach.
Hardin smiled and took her hand in his.
"Well I did Miss you!"He added with a charming smile and Lavender almost screamed her heart out.
He did Miss her. He did!!!!