Ava was in tears by the time Alaric finished his story. 

"I am so sorry, I didn't know," Ava said sobbing.

​​

"Don't cry. I've gotten used to it," Alaric said sadly.

"I am leaving this country and I hope to never see you again. I cannot see you with Tristan," Alaric said truthfully. 

Ava felt bad about Alaric's past. She felt pity for him. 

"I don't know what to say," Ava had mixed feelings.

"You don't need to say anything. Take care," those were Alaric's last words. He stared at Ava for the last time, trying to memorize her face. Then he walked away. 

He knew some things were beyond his reach. No matter how hard he tried, Ava will never be his.

He knew Tristan was serious about Ava. He saw how worried he was when he came into the restroom. He felt it with every punch that he got. 

He would never be able to tolerate seeing Ava with Tristan. So he was going to get as far away from them as he could.

That was the reason he decided to go back abroad. He wanted Ava's memories to remain as they were before all these happened.

He knows that he won't be able to love like this again. From now, on playing the piano will be his life.

Ava was in low spirits the whole day. She was thinking about how Alaric had gone through so much difficulty in his life. And now no one cared for him. He was so alone.

She wanted to see Tristan. 

When Tristan got home, he was not surprised to see Ava. He had gotten used to seeing her. He was glad that she was treating his home like it was hers.

It's a good thing. This house would be hers when they get married. The sooner she gets adjusted, the better it is for him.. 

He noticed that Ava looked a little downcast.

"Little one, why are you sad," Tristan asked.

"Carry me, and I will tell you," Ava demanded. 

She liked it when Tristan carried her. She loved his broad shoulders and well-toned chest. She felt safe and warm in his arms.

Tristan happily obliged to her request and took her in his arms. He started climbing the stairs.

"I met Alaric today," Ava started.

Tristan stopped and looked at her.

"Keep walking," She said while fiddling with his shirt buttons.

Tristan continued climbing.

"He came to say sorry. He told me he was leaving the country and never wished to see me again," Ava said.

Tristan already knew Alaric was leaving the country.

Blake called to let him know. Before Blake could terminate his contract, Alaric resigned. Tristan thought, at least Alaric had done something right.

He never wanted Alaric near Ava again, after that incident.

"Good for him," Tristan said mockingly.

Alaric was now a closed chapter in their lives. They didn't need to further discuss his life. They can now move forward without anything hanging over their heads.

Ava rubbed her head in that space between his shoulder and his chest. Tristan loved it when she rubbed herself on him like a cat.

The couple washed up and changed into their nightwear. Ava was spending more and more nights at Tristan's house. She told her parents she was staying with Kelly. 

Kelly had no idea that Ava used her name so many times so she wouldn't get caught. She could only wonder what they would think if they found out.

"Hungry," Tristan asked her since it was past dinner time.

"Umm-hmm, a little," Ava replied.

When they came down, dinner was served. Tristan informed the housekeeper about Ava's favorite dishes. So two of her favorite dishes were made.

Ava liked eating at Tristan's house. The food always tasted better than at any five-star restaurant.

After they had dinner, they went to the living room to watch television. Tristan had a habit of watching business news daily.

He ran a big empire and needed to stay updated on current market trends.

Tristan was watching the news while he had one arm around Ava and the remote on the other hand.

Ava was leaning on his chest and was telling him something she wanted to do the next day when she noticed that he was not paying attention to her.

Ava did not like it. She was used to having his full attention. 

She could not tolerate him prioritizing something else when they didn't have a lot of time to spend together.

Ava removed his hand on her shoulder and got up. Tristan thought she got up to drink water or go to the restroom.

He saw her get up and sit at the corner of the sofa away from him. Ava sat cross-legged and covered her face with both of her hands.

This bothered Tristan so he switched off the television and kneeled in front of her.

"Little one, what happened," Tristan asked, concerned. Ava still covering her face moved her head saying no.

"Are you not going to tell me why?" Tristan asked.

Ava nodded, yes. Tristan found her antics very cute. 

He's never encountered this lighthearted interaction in his life. It was very endearing. It touched his heart.

"Are you angry at me?" Tristan asked.

Ava opened her fingers so that only her eyes were seen.

"Why are you angry?" Tristan asked softly.

"Guess?" Ava pouted.

"I want to see your beautiful face," Tristan removed her hands from her face.

Tristan was holding both her hands in his. He saw that she was a little angry. He smiled. He knew she was probably angry because of some silly thing.

Still, he liked to coax her. He never knew being in love was so refreshing and wonderful.

He thought about the past few minutes and guessed what the reason may be.

"Were you angry because I was watching the news? Tristan asked.

 "It's not that, you were not listening to me," Ava complained.

"My bad. I am sorry," Tristan chuckled.

"Come here, please," He pleaded. He was asking her to sit on his lap.

Ava was easy to coax. She can��t be mad at him for a long time. She was looking at how cute he was, pleading for her to sit on his lap.

"You should pay attention when we're together," Ava demanded. She came to him and sat on his lap.

"As you say so, my little one," Tristan kissed her forehead. 

She was right. He should give her attention when they are together. He does not want to lose her because he didn't give her any attention.

Every day that their relationship grows, Ava gets more vocal and assertive with what she wants.

She goes to him whenever she wants to see him.

She was also getting more possessive, and he likes it. Their priorities are now centered on each other.

"I don't like the news," Ava said.

"Okay, what should we watch?" Tristan asked.

"I want to watch the Romantic and Disney movies," Ava said.

Tristan had never watched any romantic movies in his life. Even when he was younger, he thought romantic movies were sappy and irrational.

But now, he was ready to do all the things he swore he'd never do.

He never expected that all the sappy romantic stuff he made fun of, will come back and bite him. Ava wants to do most of them.

"We will watch a movie next time, and you can choose the movie," Tristan said. He did not know any romance movies.

"Since it's your first time, we will start with the classic, the Notebook," Ava said.

It's just the same as the iconic dress Allie wore in the movie," Ava suddenly remembered.

"Oooh you should wear it and show me," Tristan said.

"I have an idea, we can take romantic couple photos dressed like Allie and Noah," Ava suggested.

"I saw the couples from my university dress up like movie stars, and take pictures together. Can we do it?" she asked excitedly.

Tristan frowned. Why would he dress up like some movie character and take pictures? Isn't that too childish? He was a mature businessman. He's not going to do this. He's not a college student.

Then again, he did not want to disappoint Ava.

"I don't think it's a good idea, my dear," Tristan tried to convince her.

"Hmm, I think you're right. You are more handsome than Noah," Ava acceded.

For Ava Tristan was the most handsome and dashing person in the whole world.

Ava talked non-stop, and Tristan attentively listened. Most of the topics were about fashion, pop culture, and school.

They all sounded childish to him, but he never got bored. Just looking at her talk with animation made him smile. She was so shy when they started dating. 

If his friends could hear Tristan's conversations now, they would think he's lost his mind.

Tristan noticed that after some time, he was talking to himself. When he looked down, Ava was asleep.

He lovingly gazed at her and saw that she was frowning. Kissing her forehead and tucking her hair behind her ear, he whispered, "I love you, my little one." 

He turned the television on again, so he could watch the news channel. He still needed to know what was happening in the business world. 

He has to be careful at work. He cannot afford to make a mistake. A lot of people were waiting for him to drop the ball so they could swoop in.

He lowered the volume and watched the news with Ava in his arms. When he was done watching, he carried Ava up the stairs. To the room, he now calls, as theirs. 

Tristan kissed her lips and slept blissfully, holding her in his arms.