The party was held on the first floor and it was a very grand party.

Tristan was talking with some of the prominent people in the industry. Ava was getting bored, listening to their conversations.

​​

Ava was searching for Alaric among the crowd.

She wanted to congratulate him. When she found him, she told Tristan she was going to have a quick chat with Alaric.

Tristan nodded and told her to come back quickly.

"Congratulations, Alaric," Ava said, smiling as she walked towards him. He came in for a hug, but Ava gave him a handshake.

"Your performance was the best," Ava said, to break the awkward moment.

Alaric felt that Ava wasn't treating him like a big brother anymore. But what's with the handshake? He still felt a little better now that he got to talk to her.

"Are you and Tristan dating?" Alaric finally asked. It was bothering him for a long time.

"Yes," Ava unknowingly blushed.

Alaric could not tolerate how Ava's face bloomed like a flower when she talked about Tristan.

But why didn't she want to hug him? Why is she treating him differently?

He was the first to know Ava, and they have history. Indeed, he went away for some time, but Tristan did not have to take his place.

It was like there was nobody else in Ava's life except Tristan. What does he have that I don't? He was incensed.

"When did you start dating?" Alaric asked.

"A few months ago," Ava said in a friendly tone.

it means they haven't been together long. He can easily make Ava leave Tristan and be with him.

"These rich people casually date and dump women easily," Alaric said.

"Tristan is not like that," Ava justified.

"I'm just saying, I wasn't talking about Tristan," Alaric covered up.

"He is so much older than you, and there are rumors that in the business world that he is as cold-hearted as Satan who uses people to his advantage," Alaric said.

"People don't know Tristan, the way I do," Ava defended him.

As each second passed, Alaric started to hate Tristan more. He wondered what it was that he did to make Ava defend him.

"Tristan is just playing with your feelings. You are blinded, you can't see his real personality. He will just hurt you. I am telling you it's not too late to break up with Tristan.

He has a very dark personality. In the long run, you won't be able to handle it. His world is entirely different from yours," Alaric started to show how he hated Tristan.

Ava was getting very angry.

Who was he to tell her to break up with Tristan? She would not tolerate anyone speaking ill of Tristan.

She would have walked away if she was talking to someone else. But he was Alaric. He was her childhood friend, so she tolerated him a little.

"My Tristan loves me a lot, and he will never leave me. Don't talk badly about Tristan in front of me, if you do consider us as strangers from now on," Ava said sternly.

Alaric had never seen her like this. She said, "My Tristan," has it gone that far? Does she really love him that much? Alaric felt his whole world collapse.

She was ready to cut off ties with him for Tristan. She only knows him for a few months.

"Ava I am telling you this for your own good," Alaric said helplessly.

" And I am old enough to know what's good for me," Ava said rudely.

"Ava …," Alaric did not know how to convince Ava he was right.

"Once again, congratulations on your win. Tristan will be waiting for me. I need to go," Ava left him dumbfounded.

Alaric felt like Tristan had left such a deep impression of her heart that she was not willing to listen to anyone else.

He hated how Ava trusted Tristan so blindly. Before, she was always dependent on him.

She never wanted to be with other kids. But now his words had no bearing with Ava.

Ava was a little irritated by their conversation, but when she spotted Tristan, her mood brightened. She was smiling by the time she reached him.

Alaric saw all of this. How her mood brightened when she saw Tristan.

How she easily had a smile on her face when a minute ago she was scowling. He had so much effect on her.

Feeling angry, irritated, and helpless, he went to the bar. He ordered the strongest drink he could think of, the one that can make you forget your name.

He wanted to numb his pain. He did not want to think about Ava.

First, it was Melissa, then now Ava. It looked like all the people he loved left him. He had no luck in love.

He neither had family or anyone to love. He drank like there was no tomorrow, and like he had no cares in the world.

For the person who has lost everything, had no fear of anything.

What did he do wrong? Why did they both leave him? Didn't he deserve their love?

As Alaric was drowning his sorrows in alcohol, Tristan and Ava were enjoying the party across the room.

Ava spilled a drink on her hand and went to the restroom to wash it off. She had no idea that Alaric followed her there.

She was washing her hands when she lifts her head and sees Alaric's face in the mirror.

"Ahh… ," Ava was frightened and turned around. She noticed his eyes were bloodshot, his hair was messed up and he reeked of alcohol.

The smell was too strong. It was suffocating. Ava tried to move towards the door, but Alaric blocked her with his body.

"What are you doing?" Ava asked, concerned.

"Ava…," Alaric said as he stepped forward to touch her arm.

"Don't touch me, go away!" Ava said, alarmed.

" Why? Do you hate my touch?" Alaric tightened his hold on her arm.

Ava freed herself and ran towards the door. Alaric was inebriated, but he still moved fast. He blocked the door.

Ava was getting more scared. "Why is he behaving this way? I've never seen him like this before," Ava thought.

"Alaric, please, let me out," Ava tried to calm him down.

"No, I am going to make everything right today," Alaric said in a determined tone. She was confused. How is he going to make everything right?

"What? What are you talking about?" Ava asked, alarmed.

"You cannot love Tristan," Alaric said in a dangerous tone.

"Well, if this is about Tristan. I don't want to talk about it," Ava said, fed up.

"Tristan, Tristan, Tristan, why can't you see me," His voice was full of hatred.

"Tristan is my boyfriend, and you are my friend," she said calmly.

"I don't want to be just your friend! I want to be your boyfriend! I love you!" Alaric bellowed.

Ava was shocked. She never expected this. He always treated her like his little sister. How could he have romantic feelings for her?

"I love Tristan. I'm sorry but there is nothing you can do to change it," Ava said sternly.

That was the last straw. Hearing her declaring her love for Tristan awakened something inside him.

His face became dark, and he tightened his fists. There was so much fire in his eyes that it could scorch through your soul.

Ava noticed the change in him and was petrified. She started sweating. He was blocking the only door, and she had no way to escape.

"Oh, I can definitely do something," Alaric let an evil laugh.

He was coming towards her so she took a step back. He kept on coming towards her.

She kept stepping backward until she hit the wall. There was no more space to move. She was scared to death.

"Sta...stay away, don't come near me," Ava stuttered.

Alaric smirked and moved towards her. He put his hand on the wall and locked her in with his arms.

"I will make you mine tonight, and Tristan won't be able to do anything about it," Alaric acted like he was possessed by a demon.

" Please don't do this," Ava begged him.

"Ava, why are you scared of me? It's your big brother," Alaric tried to convince her.

"No…. you're not," Ava's eyes filled with tears.

He had his lips on her cheek when he felt Ava's tears.

He stopped and moved away. He hated to be the one to make Ava cry, but there was no other way to make Ava his.

Just in time, the door opened. Tristan entered with a murderous look on his face. Ava felt relieved, but Alaric got madder. Why is Tristan here? He's ruining my plans.

Ava had gone for a while, so Tristan started looking for her.

The hotel staff said she saw a lady with the same description entering the restroom, but that had been a while.

He never expected to find Ava in this state. He could see Ava was crying. Alaric was standing too close for comfort.

He started seeing black when he realized Alaric was trying to force himself on Ava.

Tristan pulled Alaric away from Ava and punched him in the face. That one punch was so powerful Alaric couldn't even fight back.

Tristan trained in the military, so he was physically fit. He was trained to kill,. Punching Alaric was nothing to him.

His punches were fueled by his anger. How could he force himself on Ava? After a few punches, Alaric started to bleed.

Ava couldn't help but stare. He deserved this. He tried to force himself on me.

She came out of it only when she started seeing blood. She touched Tristan and asked him to stop. She did not want him to get in trouble by accidentally killing Alaric.

She did not know that Tristan could hide this accident if something happened. He had the power and the influence to sweep this under the rug.

"Tristan, please take me home, take me away from here," Ava said, exhausted.

He wanted to keep on going. He wanted to hurt that bastard. Nobody lays a hand on his woman.

But then he heard her sweet voice. It made him stop. He could not ignore her wish.

He gave Alaric one last punch, he fell to the ground, unconscious.