REBORN: MEET MY BROTHERS-Chapter 50: THE PHONE CALL

Ava lay still inside her bathtub, the cold water biting into her skin as she stared blankly at the ceiling above her. From under the water, the world felt muted, and it brought a kind of peace that she didn’t want to let go of.

Not until her phone rang.

Ava exhaled sharply and sat up with sudden urgency as she wondered who was calling. Droplets of water cascaded down her shoulders, down her body as she rose from the bathtub and reached for her robe. Wrapping it tightly around her body, she hurried to the bedroom.

Grabbing the phone from the bed, she frowned at the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen. Who could be calling her? Ava suppressed a groan and was about to answer, but before she slid to the answer button, the call ended.

She sighed softly and threw the phone to the bed. As she was about to leave, her phone beeped. Ava stopped and turned to her phone once more. Out of curiosity, she opened her phone and nearly dropped it when she saw the text.

"Little one..."

The text was enough to make her chest hurt. It was Maximus. The call, and even the text. The numbers were the same.

Why was Maximus calling and texting her?

He’d been away for two weeks on a business trip. Was he back? How did he get her number?

Ava paced around the room anxiously. She didn’t know the reason for the sudden tension. She just had so many questions. She was still lost in her thoughts when her phone beeped again.

"What are you doing, little one?"

She read through the text, contemplating whether or not to reply. Heat rose to her cheeks. Ava almost laughed at her own behavior. Why was she feeling hot just from a text? Feeling a little frustrated, she walked to the balcony.

.

The soft knock on the door echoed through the dimly lit room. Matilda stirred in Gaulin’s arm at the sound, but as she was about to drift into sleep again, another knock echoed. Her face twisted in irritation as she opened her eyes.

They landed on Gaulin who snored softly. He’d always been a heavy sleeper, so this little sound couldn’t wake him up, unlike her who even a pin drop could.

Reluctantly, she tore herself away from his arm. Matilda sat up. Her silk robe slipped off one shoulder but she adjusted it as she stood to her feet. "It better be important," she said sharply, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

As she opened the door, Wadsworth nodded curtly. "Apologies for disturbing your sleep, Lady Matilda," he said immediately.

Matilda scowled. "So why did you do it?"

He exhaled softly. "I want to inform you of Mr. Quinn’s presence in the mansion. He arrived not too long ago."

Matilda’s anger faded, as well as her frown. "Mr. Quinn is here?" She asked amused.

.

The cold air pierced into Ava’s skin as she stood at her balcony. Her hair flew in the opposite direction the breeze came from, and her cheeks were still flushed. She looked up, inhaling softly as she tried to calm her beating heart.

How can Maximus affect her this way when they’ve only just met?

Her heartbeat spiked as her phone beeped again. Taking a deep breath, Ava opened the text.

"Are you hot, little one?"

Ava’s brows drawled together at the weirdness of the text. Before she could dwell on it, another text came in.

"Your hair looks damp. You might catch a cold."

Ava paused. Her hands trembled as she looked around the balcony and then downstairs, at the expanse of the Whitlock’s estate.

Her blood ran cold as her eyes locked on a familiar pair of deep blue ones. He had a small smile on his face, and his silver hair glowed under the light.

Maximus stood close to his sleek black car, practically leaning on it. His arms were folded to his chest as he stared at Ava from her room’s balcony.

Ava’s heart hammered wildly in her chest. She gripped the balcony railing tightly, her fingers digging into the cold metal as she continued to stare at him. Why was he here? How long had he been standing there? Watching her?

Maximus’s smile widened when he noticed her staring. Slowly, deliberately, he raised his hand and waved at her lazily.

Too stunned to react, Ava could only stare at him, until her phone rang. Hesitating, Ava glanced down at the screen. It was him. She slowly placed the phone on her ears.

"You look pale, little one."

Ava swallowed hard at the deepness of his voice. It sent her heartbeat over the chart.

"How are you?"

Ava cleared her throat softly. "I’m fine," she said quietly. "When did you get back? Why are you here? How long have you been here?"

Maximus chuckled at the numerous questions. "Easy, little one. Which do you want me to answer first?"

Ava bit the insides of her cheek. "Any is fine. As long as you answer all."

Maximus smiled. He was about to answer when a woman’s voice rang from inside, drawing his attention from Ava to the front door.

"Mr. Quinn," Matilda greeted with a smile plastered on her face. Behind her was Wadsworth who stood at the porch, while she walked up to him. "It’s such a surprise to see you here at this hour," she continued, standing face to face with him.

"Mrs. Whitlock." Maximus let his little smile linger before he turned back to Ava’s balcony. She was still there, staring at him, but the moment Matilda followed his line of sight, she took some steps backward and ended the call.

"Is there a problem?" Matilda asked bothered when she noticed he was staring in the direction of Ava’s room.

Maximus was forced to turn back to Matilda. "There is no problem, Mrs. Whitlock," he said blandly.

She let out a small laugh. "I’m tempted to ask why you’re here, but I’d rather do that over a cup of tea. Join me, Mr. Quinn," she offered.

Maximus hesitated. But after taking another quick look at his little wife’s balcony, he accepted the offer. "Why not?"

Matilda smiled and led him inside the mansion.