Her stomach dropped. Panic gripped her chest. How could she be so stupid? Had anyone walked in last night, a maid? Worse still, what should happen in case her parents returned earlier? Her hands covered her face, and she was breathing rapidly.
She tossed the bedding off, and crawled to the floor, snatching up her garments from the chair. She could not lift her jeans and her top because her hands trembled. Each movement was clumsy, and her body was not willing to do it.
She was at length dressed, and glancing down, deepened her breath and ran down the stairs. There was a slight odor of coffee and eggs in the kitchen. Marcus stood there, by the stove, turning something in a pan. He looked up, and his face momentarily hardened into an expression of paralyzed amazement, and then sank into composure.
"Morning," he said carefully. "You're up early."
"Uh... yeah. Morning," Ava mumbled. Her voice was tight. She made attempts to smile but she was unable to, she knew that what had occurred last night was not what she had expected to occur. But the sight of Marcus behaving so nonchalantly as if it were a common occurrence did not help.
Marcus looked at her for a moment. "You look... tense. Are you okay?"
"I... I'm fine," she said quickly. "Just... tired."
He walked closer. "I ... I am sorry. About last night I had no idea what came to me and I-
Ava shuddered at the mention of these words and she hastily interrupted him. "I don't want to talk about it. Not right now, not later. I'd... I would just prefer that we pretend there was nothing between us last night.
Marcus paused, a glance of something in his eyes. He was about to open his mouth, when she raised her hand. "Please. Not now. I'm not ready."
He made a little sigh and withdrew. "Okay," he said quietly. "If that's what you want."
The silence between them was heavy, yet no one said anything. Ava's heart raced. Not like this, she could not face him. Not after what they'd done.
"I... I will go see Riley," she announces more to herself, trying to make it sound natural. "She wakes up early. I don't want to go out alone."
Marcus frowned. "Your parents will be down any minute. I don't think that's a good idea. Perhaps you had better keep in your room a little."
Ava shook her head. "I... I'll be fine. I just... I need to go out."
"No," Marcus said firmly. "Stay in your room. Your mother and father will come soon enough."
Ava hesitated, then gave up. Turning around, she went up the stairs with a twisting stomach. She closed her eyes and leaned against the door of her room after shutting it. Her body was still tense, her head spinning. She took off her clothes very fast and entered the shower, letting the hot water run over her. It enabled her to relax, at least partially.
The door was later softly knocked on. "Miss Ava," a maid said politely. "I brought breakfast."
Ava replied, looking normal, and gave back a simple "thanks" in response. She picked up the tray and sat down on the rim of her bed. She chewed but did not really taste the food as her mind kept replaying what happened the previous night with Mark and Bella and also with Marcus.
Her phone buzzed on the bed. She jumped and picked it up.
"Hello?" she whispered.
"Ava! Hey, are you there?" Mark spoke, as though nothing had happened, and his voice was easy and good-natured.
Ava's stomach twisted. "Y-Yeah... I'm here," she said, forcing calm.
"Good! It is the birthday of Bella today, you know. She really wants you there. You coming?"
Ava forced a laugh. "Of course... I'll be there."
"Great. I will be down to fetch you by and by, still in an off-hand manner.
Ava released the edge of the bed and took a deep breath, before hanging up. She could not allow anyone to notice that she was nervous. She had to act normal.
In another couple of minutes, she heard a knock at her door.
"Ava? It's Mark."
She opened the door and remained expressionless. "Hey... thanks for coming."
"No problem. You ready?"
Ava nodded. "Yeah... let's go."
The drive was quiet at first. Mark tried to make small talk. So... you have that top that I like on. Looks good on you."
Thanks, Ava replied as she stared at the window.
By the time they got there, the party was in full blast. The room was filled with music, laughter, and chatter. Nobody was left behind as people were mingling and dancing. The center of attention was occupied by Bella who was smiling, taking photos, and laughing with friends.
Ava's hands balled into a fist. She couldn't stay quiet. She simply could not allow them to pretend that nothing had occurred. She lifted her glass, quailing and yet strong.
Please may I have your attention? she said.
The room quieted. All eyes turned to her.
Ava was not too shaky in her voice, and she was well articulated. "I just want to say something. Everybody has a right to know the truth. She looked directly at Bella. Bella, Mark... you have been cheating. Right in front of me. And you two have betrayed me, I believed you both.
Gasps spread across the room. Bella's smile faltered. Mark went pale.
"You cheated, you lied, and you believed you would not be noticed by anybody," Ava went on. "I have put my trust in you, and you just decided to deceive me…? I wish every one of you here now knows quite well who you are dealing with."
Word went round like wildfire. Some stared at Bella and Mark. A few clapped quietly.
"Fool, you will regret this," hissed Bella.
"I do not, and I will not," Ava said, turning around and going to the door. She walked out followed by chaos. Mark was about to say something, but she turned her back on him and walked away.
Her phone was ringing, just as she got to the car. She answered quickly.
Ava," said her mother Patricia sharply. "We need to talk. Come home."