Bound By A

"You have been going for several training sessions for a very long time, Ava, and I still don't understand why a girl like you needs so much training, especially those sword fights you involve yourself in, all in the name of training," my mother complains.

I let out a sigh, used to hearing her objections. "You know very well, mother. I need to find a job to help support our household, but I also feel this strong urge to train myself and become stronger. It's not just for me, but for my future as well."

She shakes her head disapprovingly. "You don't need that, Ava. What you need is to find a man who is strong enough to protect you."

"But mother, I can protect myself. Why should I rely on a man to do the job for me? Why do mothers think that their daughters are weak creatures who always need a man's protection?" I grab an apple and take a bite. "And please, stop worrying about me. I'll find a job tomorrow if that will make you happy and stop you from nagging me."

"That's more like it, my dear. Oh, and speaking of jobs, I was passing by the Anderson's house this afternoon and saw this posted on their gate." She stretches a piece of paper toward me. I take it from her, curious to see what it is.

"It's a maid job," I say with a frown.

"Yes, I know it's not what you expected, Ava, but we need the money. Your brother's school fees will be due soon and I could use your help in paying for it. I had an argument with my boss and things escalated, so I had to quit. Please try to understand, my child. I love you and your brother, and I would never want you both to go hungry."

"It's okay, mother. You don't have to explain yourself to me. I trust you, and I know you did the right thing. I'll work there for three months and then I'll find a better job for myself."

"Yes, Mother, I accept your decision. That money should be enough. I've heard that they pay a significant amount for that job," I reply, trying not to let my worries show.

Ever since our father passed away, my mother has taken on the burden of supporting our family. She works multiple jobs just to make ends meet, and now that I'm done with high school, it's my turn to lend a hand. I need to save up for college and relieve some of the strain on my mother. Despite her youthful appearance, she's getting older and shouldn't have to continue with such demanding work.

"Well, I better check out the workplace then. I don't want anyone else stealing that job from us," I quickly inform her.

"Thank you, Ava," she smiles gratefully as I grab my bag and head out the door. "Keep dinner for me, mother!"

Rushing to the bus station, I find a seat and wait for the next bus to arrive. As I sit there, something catches my attention. The area seems strangely quiet, almost unsettlingly so. It feels like there's something off like there might be someone fighting nearby...

Dropping my bag, I stand up and take a closer look, but there's nothing to see. It must have been my imagination, playing tricks on me. How could people be fighting when there's no one around?

The bus arrives before I can dwell on it further, and I board, mumbling my destination to the driver. I choose a seat close to the window, and as we pass by the Anderson's residence, I witness something that leaves me speechless.

A man suddenly appears out of nowhere, his body covered in blood. "Alex, are you okay?" Someone else appears, and as they start talking, I catch a glimpse of fangs in the second person's mouth. I frantically question my senses. Why am I seeing things that can't possibly be real?

The bus starts moving, leaving me with little time to continue staring at that man. His brown, wavy hair and those enchanting red eyes-something was captivating about him. But it couldn't be real. Normal humans don't have red eyes.

I quickly avert my gaze, feeling my heart race in my chest. "Oh my god," I whisper to myself, trying to regain my composure. What just happened? For a brief moment, he looked at me as if he knew me. But that couldn't be possible. After a few seconds, he disappears from view entirely.

"Anderson's residence!" the bus driver announces.

"I'm getting out," I declare, grabbing my bag and hopping off the bus. The sun is beginning to set, so I need to hurry if I want to make it to this job on time. My mother would be so disappointed and angry with me if I didn't.

Standing outside the gate, I start knocking, hoping for someone to let me in. "Hello?" I call out, growing impatient as no one responds.

"You're here for the job?" a voice speaks up from behind me, causing me to jump in surprise.

"Did I scare you?" the old lady chuckles, flashing a kind smile. "Come in. I'm glad you arrived before 6 PM. Your mother has already filled in the necessary details. I just need to show you around."

"Does that mean I'm hired?" I ask, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"Oh no, my dear. I don't do the hiring. The master does."

"Master?" I echo, intrigued.

"Yes. He prefers to be called that, but his real name is Damon Anderson the fifth."

Damon... what a nice name. Following her inside the mansion, I can't help but feel amazed by its grandeur.

"This is the library. No one is permitted here except when you're on duty to clean," the old lady explains, gesturing towards a door.

Nodding, I take in the sight before us. As we descend the stairs, we enter an empty room. It seems odd that there's no living room.

She leads me to the left, opening a huge door. "And this is the living room," she announces. I take note of the single couch, the cozy fireplace, and the large television. It appears that they don't use it very often.

"Follow me," she instructs

We step out of the mansion and move towards another house, still quite large but not as grand as where he stays.

"Every maid arrives here as early as six to change into their working uniform. The master is a general in the army. He values punctuality, neatness, and accuracy, so keep that in mind," she informs me.

Taking a look around the room, I notice that there are no other servants present. Before I can ask, she beats me to it. "The servants are having their evening meal in the servants' dining room. Afterward, they change back into their regular clothes. Those who wish to return home do so, while others who wish to sleep here can also do that."

"The master doesn't complain?" I ask, a hint of curiosity evident in my voice.

"He hardly notices," the woman smiles. "Now, come. The master must see you to determine if he wants you to work here."

"You mean now?" I ask, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Yes, now. Hurry up, and I'll show you the way to the kitchen on our way there," she replies. I nod, trying to take in everything and commit it to memory as we move through the mansion. I'm surprised to find an elevator; this guy lives in luxury.

"The fifth floor is his room, the first floor is his study, and the second floor is his punishment room," the old lady explains.

"Punishment room?" I repeat, feeling a bit unsettled.

"Yes, he punishes maids who disobey his orders. As I mentioned earlier, he's a general, and you know how generals value respect," she exhales. "We're heading to the third floor, the hiring room."

"What about the fourth floor?" I inquire.

"Nobody goes there. It's off-limits. Don't forget that, okay?"

"Okay," I reply, determined to remember the rules. The elevator doors open, and the only room on this floor looks quite large. The hiring room, huh?

The old woman knocks three times before nodding at me. "Go in now."

"What? You mean I should go in there alone?" I ask, feeling a little nervous.

"Go in," she urges me, her voice steady and firm.

Blinking rapidly, I push the door open, step inside, and close it gently behind me. The room is spacious, with a table and two chairs.

As I entered the spacious room, my gaze immediately landed on the man standing before me. He was dressed impeccably in a sleek black shirt and trousers, and his dark hair added to his overall allure.

"Please, have a seat," he mumbled, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine, though it was more of anticipation than fear.

"Thank you, master," I replied, quickly taking a seat and trying to collect myself. Overwhelmed by the situation, I couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Master huh? Looks like Lady Martha did her job well," he remarked, turning around to face me. The sight of him made me catch my breath – he was undeniably handsome, with piercing black eyes that had an almost hypnotic quality.

"Let's focus on the matter at hand," he said, stepping closer and pulling out a chair to sit. His unwavering gaze remained fixed on mine, and in a moment of distraction, my eyes inadvertently drifted downward to his lips. Suddenly, his next words took me completely by surprise.

"You want to kiss me?" he asked, his tone laced with intrigue.

Startled by his sudden comment, I couldn't help but let out an exclamation. "What!?"

My outburst seemed to amuse him, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. He stood up and approached me, placing his hand under my chin to lift my face and meet his gaze. Then, he smiled.

"I find it intriguing that you came to me yourself," he remarked, his words puzzling me. "You're hired. Report for duty tomorrow and meet with Lady Martha before you leave. She'll provide you with the necessary guidelines."

I watched as he moved back to the window, his demeanor shifting.

"You may leave my presence now," he said abruptly.

"Yes, of course, master," I stammered, quickly exiting the room. As I hurried away, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. What had I gotten myself into? The thought echoed in my mind. It seemed like I had stepped into a dangerous path. However, I needed to inform my mother about my new job and prepare for tomorrow's work. Despite the unexpected turn of events, I felt an undeniable excitement. Finally, I had something beyond archery and sword fighting practice to focus on. I would find a way to balance my training while dedicating myself to this new role. With a skip in my step, I made my way to Lady Martha's office to collect the rule book before heading home.

Ava walked alone to the bus station, looking around as she took a seat. The surroundings were still and dark, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy about staying so late in that mansion. Boredom got the best of her, and she decided to take a peek at the rule book she had been given. Pulling it out, she stared at it intently.

"He sure does value accuracy, doesn't he? It's almost like going to school, but instead, it's a cleaning school. Quite the interesting job," Ava mused to herself.

Opening the book, she began to read the first rule. "Always arrive at six, or else two hundred thousand dollars will be deducted from your seven hundred dollar salary." Ava's eyes widened, shock evident on her face.

"I'll be getting paid seven hundred dollars just to clean his house? This is incredible! In three months, I'll have a total of two point one million dollars, more than enough for my schooling and my brother's as well."

Ava smiled at the thought. "Who knows? Maybe I'll work here for a whole year!" She put the rule book back in her bag and stood up, ready to go home and share the good news with her mother. However, just as she was about to complete her sentence, the man she had seen earlier suddenly appeared right in front of her.

Out of fear, Ava remained still, her body frozen in place. It was a problem she had - whenever she felt scared, she found it difficult to move, even if she wanted to. The man in front of her mumbled the name, Lara, as his red eyes studied her carefully, as if he couldn't believe his own eyes. Swallowing hard, Ava watched as he reached out and touched her face.

"It's you..." he whispered, leaning closer and even licking her cheek. Ava's eyes widened in shock, and that was all it took for her to finally find the strength to react. She lifted her knee and swiftly hit him where it hurt before taking off in a run.

What was he planning to do? Was he trying to harm her in some way?

He had mentioned a different name, but Ava knew her name wasn't Lara, and she certainly didn't know him. As she stopped to catch her breath, she glanced back and breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the train approaching, knowing she could make her escape once it arrived.

She was about to enter when she saw him standing right in front of her.

"What do you want from me, and how did you get here so fast?" Ava yelled at him, her voice filled with a mix of fear and frustration.

"I just want to talk," the man replied, his voice calm and collected.

"I don't know you, so please leave me alone," Ava mumbled, her voice filled with a mix of hesitation and frustration. However, the man before her only smiled, and Ava couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. She couldn't deny that his red eyes seemed to suit him.

"Sometimes it only takes a day to get to know someone, right?" he calmly replied, attempting to strike up a conversation.

Ava sighed, realizing she didn't have much time to waste on a stranger. "I suppose," she answered, warily eyeing him. "But what do you want to talk about? I'm afraid I don't have time to spare for strangers."

As he took a step closer, urging her not to move, Ava furrowed her brows and immediately moved backward. Her mind raced with thoughts of this man potentially being a serial killer or someone dangerous. In that moment of hesitation, he seized the opportunity to hold her hand, causing fear to widen her eyes. "I wouldn't harm the woman I love," he said, tilting his head to the left. "You have nothing to fear."

"I am not Lara, and I have no idea who she is. You've got the wrong person," Ava tried to explain, her voice trembling slightly.

"You are here, you just don't remember," he said with a smile. "So, what's your name now?"

Though unsure why she was even responding to him, Ava found herself compelled to answer. "My name is Ava."

As the bus engine started, Ava suddenly realized that if she didn't board now, she would have to make the long trek home. "I have to-" she began saying when he abruptly cut her off.

"I'll take you home," he said reassuringly, trying to offer a solution.

"I'm not interested in walking alongside you," Ava quickly replied, attempting to distance herself further.

"I have a car," he suggested, hoping to change her mind.

Ava hesitated, considering her options. Finally, she stated, "I still don't feel like..." Her thoughts trailed off as she pulled her hand out of his grasp, clearly indicating her reluctance.

"I have to go, Alex," Ava declared, turning around and beginning to run towards the approaching bus.

"You know my name?" he called out, sounding excited at the discovery. Ava scoffed at his reaction. To her, knowing his name seemed trivial, not something to get worked up about.

"Of course, yes! I overheard someone calling you that earlier," Ava yelled back, her voice muffled by the distance between them. She swiftly stepped onto the bus, making her way to the very end and choosing a seat near the window. From there, she could observe this Alex person who claimed to love her and behaved strangely ancient.

How absurd, Ava thought to herself. Maybe he lost the woman he claims to love and is now mistaking me for her. Poor guy... she couldn't help but feel a tinge of sympathy for him.

Today had been a hectic and exhausting day, and all Ava wanted was to embrace her bed and unwind. Meeting two handsome men in one day, one with red eyes professing his love, and the other with dark eyes, her boss who would be paying her a handsome sum of seven hundred dollars, it had been quite eventful.

While the encounter with Alex was embarrassing, she scolded herself for even sneaking glances at his lips. It had truly startled her, and the aura he emitted was undeniably unsettling. Ava had conflicting feelings of wanting to stay far away from him, yet also feeling compelled to get to know him better.

Yes, he was undeniably handsome. But there was a part of him that scared Ava, making her hesitant to dwell on such thoughts. "Oh gosh," she whispered to herself, determined to stop thinking about him for now.

Arriving home, Ava pushed the door open, and her little brother, Luke, ran into her arms. "Big sis, you're home!" He yelled, and she lifted him while he giggled.

"Did you miss me?" Ava asked, planting a kiss on his forehead.

"Of course, I missed you so much!" Luke kissed her cheek, making her chuckle.

"Good evening, Mother," Ava greeted, closing the door. She watched as her mother set the table for them. Putting Luke down, she threw her bag onto the couch before rushing to the dining area and taking a seat. Her hunger was undeniable.

"How did everything go over there?" Her mother asked, hope visible in her eyes.

"I got the job!" Ava exclaimed, and everyone cheered while she giggled.

"And guess what, guys? I'll be getting paid seven hundred dollars a month. Isn't that amazing, Mother?"

"Oh my God!" Her mother covered her mouth, while Luke went around closing the windows and locking the door, giving Ava a puzzled look. She shrugged, not fully understanding his actions.

"Robbers could hear," Luke said in his adorable voice.

"Aw, my baby brother is so smart," Ava said, smiling and shaking her head. Sometimes she found it hard to believe he was just six years old, as he acted much more mature for his age.

"Mother, say something," Ava requested, noticing her silence.

"It's a significant amount of money. I don't know what to say..." Tears rolled down her mother's cheeks, and Ava quickly moved to her side, hugging her tightly.

"I haven't even gotten paid yet, and you're already crying? Imagine when you see the money," Ava said, trying to lighten the mood, and her mother chuckled.

"I can't screw this up. I will do anything not to get fired if it will make Mother this happy. I just have to make this work for all of us," Ava thought determinedly.

The next morning, Ava woke up late, realizing she should have been there at six exactly. She rushed out of her small room, not even having time to eat breakfast. She kissed her brother on the cheek, waved goodbye to her mom, and bolted out the door. Right now, she felt like the Flash.

Arriving successfully at the Andersons' residence, Ava moved to the changing room and quickly grabbed my uniform from the changing room, I took off my clothes. Putting on the black short-sleeved blouse, I buttoned it up, but when I put on the skirt, I realized it was too short. My behind wasn't as small as the other girls, and it was causing a problem. "Really? Just great, my skirt."

Sometimes I curse the heavens for giving me such proportions. I mean, I'm not fat, so why does my rear have to be on the larger side?

Looking at myself in the mirror, I tied my hair up in a high ponytail. Then, I adjusted my skirt, and thankfully, it stopped at my thigh. In a hurry to get to the meeting, I let out a sigh of relief.

Lady Martha did mention that the master liked holding these meetings at the meeting hall to see who was late or early. To think that two hundred thousand dollars could be deducted from my salary...

Arriving in the hall, I watched as the other maids stood in line, and the master glanced over them. The room was quiet, except for the sound of my shoes. Oh God, I am so done for.

"Stop," he mumbled calmly, and I closed my eyes, preparing for what was to come.

"Move forward," he ordered. Turning around, I walked in his direction.

He was frowning, which wasn't a good sign. Oh God, he rarely smiled anyway, but today his expression looked dreadful.

Stopping three inches away from him, I swallowed nervously and looked down.

"You're late," he stated, and when I lifted my head to speak, he furrowed his brows, causing me to go silent. "You're wearing heels instead of sneakers. Wasn't the uniform provided for you?" I nodded. "Your skirt is extremely short."

"I'm sorry..." I started, but he cut me off.

"Didn't you read the rules, Lara?"

"When did my name become Lara? I thought-"

"Don't talk when I didn't ask you to and do not cut me off. This isn't a club where you can dress as you wish," he reprimanded, his gaze lowering to my thigh and then back up to my face.

"This is your first time here, so I will pardon this mistake. But if this happens again, you will be punished," he growled. "Do you understand?" I nodded, still looking down. "The meeting is dismissed." After he said that, the other maids quickly left the hall to begin their work.

His gaze remained on me, making me feel incredibly uncomfortable. "Go to Lady Martha and have her find a skirt that fits you perfectly."

"Yes... Y-yes, Master," I stuttered, feeling extremely embarrassed. I had never been so ashamed in my life. I was sure the other girls would now view me as some sort of slut trying to seduce their boss.

"Don't cry, Ava. You're strong," I assured myself, and with that, I walked towards Lady Martha's room, one word ringing in my mind.

This man is indeed scary.

*****

"You need to stop crying, Ava. The master scolded everyone," Lady Martha murmured, still searching for the perfect skirt for me.

It seemed like my attempt to reassure myself failed, as I continued to cry. "I know, Lady Martha, but what if I lose half of my salary? That's why I'm crying. Mother was so happy when she heard how much I would be earning by the end of the month."

I couldn't understand why, but I couldn't stop myself from crying. Perhaps it was because nobody had ever spoken to me like that before. If it weren't for the situation at home, I wouldn't be here as a maid. I would be in school with my friends. But look at me now. If only father hadn't passed away... life can be so cruel.

"But the master did say he pardoned you, right?"

Nodding, Lady Martha smiled warmly. "Don't worry about that, then. Your money is safe and secure," she promised.

"But you know, Lady Martha, the master shouldn't have raised his voice at me." Lady Martha stopped what she was doing and focused her attention fully on me.

Her brows furrowed. "Have you heard of the term 'big ass privilege'?" The sentence, however, made her laugh.

"What's so funny? Is my ass really that big?" I asked, not entirely sure why she was laughing. But it's not my fault I have a big ass. I mean, my mom does, so it's expected.

"It is, Ava," she replied, trying hard to stifle her laughter.

"Is the privilege not working? Or do I just look weird with it? Oh no! Please don't tell me I've been walking around looking like a clown!" I pouted, as Lady Martha moved closer to me with the new skirt. This one was a bit longer than the previous one.

"Don't worry about it, dear. Maybe the master just hasn't noticed your backside," she smiled, handing the skirt to me. "Stop thinking about that and just focus on doing things right from now on, okay?"

Nodding, I purred, "I'll put this on while you give me my schedule for this week. And next week, we can meet to discuss any changes in my duties."

"Alright, Lady Martha. Thank you for making me feel better," I replied, feeling much reassured. I think I like this woman. She's almost like a second mother to me.

When Lady Martha walked away, I quickly took off my skirt and put on the new one. It was long enough to reach my knees, which was a relief. I kicked off my heels and slipped into a pair of black sneakers, taking a deep breath.

"Here is the schedule," Lady Martha said, handing me a piece of paper.

"Thanks! I'll get to it right away." Stepping out of Lady Martha's room, I opened the schedule book and smiled. My first duty was written in bold letters: "TAKE CARE OF THE MASTER'S PETS, FEED THEM."

"I never pictured him having a pet, and Lady Martha didn't mention it yesterday," I murmured to myself. Making my way to the living room, I was glad to see another maid there whom I could ask about the location of the pets.

"Excuse me," I said. The maid had short, blond hair, blue eyes, and a nicely pointed nose. She was quite pretty. "I was wondering where the master's pets are kept."

"They're behind the servants' changing room," she replied with a smile. "But be careful." And with that, she turned around and went back to cleaning the walls, which were already spotless. I still couldn't figure out why there were so many maids in this house. Shaking my head, I turned around and headed towards the pets' location.

As I walked, I noticed everyone around me was hard at work. There were five people in the kitchen, busy preparing food, washing dishes, and cleaning the floors. In the living room, three maids were meticulously cutting and watering the flowers. Outside, five maids were diligently sweeping the compound. I smiled, impressed by their dedication. Finally, I reached the area where the master's pets were kept and prepared to feed them.

I wonder what kind of pets they have. Are they beautiful dogs, cats, or maybe even parrots? If they are, I would love to get close to them and pet them. I couldn't help but wonder as I continued on my way. Ugh! It feels like it's taking forever to get there. Did I mention that this house is ridiculously huge? Well, now you know.

As I approached the location, my eyes fixed on the cage and the two buckets outside. I assumed they must be the pets' food. Moving closer, I peered inside one of the buckets and gasped, horrified by what I saw.

There were dead bodies. Human hands, legs, thighs, hearts, and other body parts were kept in the bucket. What on Earth is this? Why would the master feed his pets with human flesh? Whose bodies are these?

I took a step back, feeling a wave of unease wash over me. My mind raced to different places. Does being punished here mean death? What is he doing with these human bodies? And what on earth was inside that cage? I suddenly felt overwhelmed with fear.

Gathering my courage, I mumbled with a trembling voice, "Come out for food," and that's when three enormous wolves came into view, causing me to step back and accidentally bump into a tall figure. I didn't need anyone to tell me who that was before I recognized him.

"Master?" I stepped away, slowly turning around to face him. He was dressed in his army uniform, his hair neatly combed, and his eyes carefully watching my every move. His next words sent a chill down my spine.

"Feed it," his words made me cringe. How am I supposed to touch these dead bodies? I can't do it. The mere thought of it makes me feel sick, and I might even get sick and possibly die. I just can't bring myself to do it. We're talking about real dead bodies here, and just looking at them gives me chills.

Damon said nothing more; he remained standing there, observing the various emotions playing across my face. I could sense it. I'm afraid of dead bodies, I fear his pet, and I also fear him. This fear won't exactly help if he wants me by his side. But he needs to understand that I can't suddenly become comfortable with these things. It takes time and understanding, not weakness.

DAMON'S POV

For years, I thought the ritual wasn't successful, and then suddenly she came to me on her own, saving me the stress of starting another search for my woman. But I can't just let her know that I have been longing to see her. She might think I'm crazy. I saw the confusion on her face when I called her Lara the other day; she must think I'm forgetful.

However, one thing is certain: she needs to be taught certain things. She talks excessively, she's too clumsy, and her sense of fashion is quite peculiar. There are many aspects we need to work on.

"Feed it, Lara." I know she must be wondering why I keep calling her Lara. Well, I once knew her by that name, but I'll try calling her Ava soon.

"Feed it, Ava," I repeated, knowing her heart rate increased. It was so loud and fast that I could hear it from where I stood. I can't believe she's scared to touch those body parts.

"They are human bodies, master," she trembled while swallowing.

"How am I supposed to touch that? Please, master, don't make me touch them, please..." She pleaded, on the verge of tears.

"Why can't you touch them? I mean, they are just hands and feet and a few others, so tell me," I furrowed my brows, looking at her. She used her hand to wipe an imaginary sweat from her forehead. "Come." When those words left my mouth, she looked up at me, shocked and filled with fear. "I hate repeating myself, Ava. I said, come!"

She moved slowly towards me and stood just an inch away. "I am heading to my army, and before I return, I want my pets fed and my room cleaned." Her gaze lowered. "Cleaning my room is in your schedule, isn't it?" I watched as she checked the tiny book and nodded.

"Good." I dipped my hands into my pocket and pulled out a beautiful necklace I had bought after laying eyes on her yesterday.

"Turn around." When she turned, I lifted her dark hair and put the necklace around her neck. "Do not take it off," I warned.

"Why?" She turned around, looking confused, which kind of annoyed me. Must she always question me?

"You're not allowed to ask me questions, Ava." Tilting my head to the left, I studied her carefully. She still looked beautiful, just as she did centuries ago. "But I will answer this: because it suits you." With that, I turned around and walked away.

On my way out, I decided to give her one last glance, only to find her vomiting after throwing a piece of flesh at my pet. She was too human for my liking. I turned around and headed to my limo, stepping in and shutting the door. "To the army," I ordered.

"Yes, sir," my driver replied.

Human flesh should mean nothing to her, but now that she's human, I have to completely change her. I can't imagine myself staying with such a weak creature. I wonder why she had to become human; she could have been a witch or a vampire-like she used to be, considering her father is a vampire. Regardless of where she was born, she's supposed to have a bit of her vampire parents' blood. Maybe hers is different.

Humans are like cows. You can push them around however you want. Even if they train in combat, sword fighting, and the like, they are weak. It still surprises me why we don't just cage them up, make them servants to do our bidding, and kill them when we grow tired of their behavior and clumsy ways.

Ava needs serious training. Training in everything: walking, speaking, behaving, and, most importantly...

Pleasing me.

"That is no way to treat a lady, Damon," Grant mumbled with a laugh. "She was fucking shivering with fear, man."

"How many times have I warned you not to stick your nose in my business?" I turned my gaze to my left and growled at him. "I also distinctly remember telling you to stop appearing in my car whenever you please," I said through gritted teeth.

"Cool down, Damon. I'm just saying... Lara won't love you, but she will fear you. If you continue to act this way towards her, you're forgetting that you're the one who wronged her," he replied calmly.

"That's none of your business." Averting my gaze, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "She is mine, and I will treat her how I wish. And, by the way, her name is Ava now, not Lara." I reminded him, and he just chuckled. I genuinely don't know how I became friends with this clown here.

"Hey, dude! Stop wondering and face the fact that I'm your one and only true friend," he said, knowing exactly what I was thinking.

•••••