Chapter 30: EIGHT OR ETERNITY
This is for you. Some people cannot speak in words. I made this for you. Therefore it belongs to you. leonardo gave a wooden infinity symbol to Ava. which he trimmed and shapeup with his hands.
Isn't this the symbol of eternity? Ava asked
It was only 8 when I started scratching it. It was my 20's. I was in prison for defamation. The court decided to punish me for 8 years. I was doing this in anger. Then one day an old man came to me. He said, "Son, you are holding it wrong". He turned inside. "Eight years is nothing look at eternity," he said. He put his spotter on the symbol, and without putting his finger, he drew this symbol. "Later, you will leave here in the end, find a meaning, a person, if you are looking for a meaning then it is complete. Then you can get rid of fragmented condition" But in those days, eternity meant anger to me. That's why I hugged the gun and this had been fragmented. But now, I shoot…..
You left. Ava interrupted
I am thinking about what eternity is like now. Maybe I will find it one day. Leonardo looked into her eyes and said
I am sure you will find it. Don't stop looking. But this is very special for you. Its significance is enormous. I cannot keep it. Ava said
But I want you to keep it. Leonardo said
Is it a legacy? Ava asked
If it was, would you take it? Leonardo asked
Ava nodded her head and smiled
As if you accept the repayment of a debt? Leonardo asked
What is the difference? Ava asked
Every debt has time to pay. It should be paid. But a legacy, one trusts you with life and the lives of loved ones, is the biggest secret of one. The greatest fear of someone is the wish you can't tell anyone. But all of these do not have to return the money. Can you see your love for Lucas as a debt? Can you pay it back like its debt? Leonardo asked
Ava nodded her head in no.
So not like it's a debt. If you accept, accept it as a legacy that does not have to be refunded. Can you accept it? Leonardo asked while holding her hand in which he put that trimmed symbol and looked into her eyes.
I will. I will go to my room now. Ava said as she felt hesitant when he held her hand.
Leonardo looked at her face and held back his own hand. Ava went into her room. For a long time, she kept that infinity symbol in her hand and looked at that. She was smiling while thinking of Leonardo's words. Leonardo sat on his bed and started reading a book.
"I say it to myself, is it the love they are saying, is it something like that? Become a piece of a whole? Flow past time in an immortal body?" Leonardo went into thoughts of Ava
"Is love the same as the author's story?"
"I don't know?"
"I don't know either"
"But I think it should be something similar to this as the author says seems it should be something that impressed someone to force him to stop or change the time. The author says that there is someone similar to you. But it is not you. Find it, find who will have stopped the time for you."
"I say it to myself, is it the love they are saying, is it something like that? Become a piece of a whole? Flow past time in an immortal body?" Leonardo mumbled
"If there is something that deserves to be eternal is love or to be love as the author said"
Leonardo came back to his consciousness when he listened to the phone bell. It was Aiden. Leonardo picked up his call with anger.
What do you want now? Leonardo asked
I want to meet you within an hour. I am sending you the location. Aiden said
I will be there. Leonardo said. His wound was not healed up properly. He left the mansion without informing Ava and Lucas.
I am here. Why did you call me? Leonardo asked
I want to tell you something. It is about you being arrested and put in jail. I mean who made this happen? It was me. Listen to me, let me speak before you do anything. I will tell you everything. I am not here to fight. Then you can do whatever you want. Aiden said and started telling him all the way he did wrong to him. Leonardo looked at him with a face full of anger.
After that, when I learned that a warehouse raid has occurred. I called Cam. It happened. But I was very sure that you were guilty. I didn't think that you could be innocent. More so, you were imprisoned for this crime, getting stabbed there. I never thought this would happen. But none of these is an excuse. What is the cost? Even if it is death, I am willing to pay. I don't want to live with an unworthy burden. Aiden said with an expression as he was feeling ashamed of what he did to him.
You have done what you deserve. Leonardo said, looked at him and step forward towards his car.
Where are you going? I am asking you, where are you going? Everything I did for Ava. To protect her. Did you listen to that? Everything I did was out of my love for her. Even if it was a mistake. I did it for my love for her. Aiden kept shouting but Leonardo drove away.
Have you seen Lucas's uncle? Ava asked
I didn't. Emma said. Emma caught the way to insult Ava when she saw her near the kitchen.
Oh, what I was about to tell you. That I am going to give my wardrobe to poor and needy people. So I thought I should ask you first as you came from a ruined place and you surely have poor and needy neighbours around your house. Does it? Emma asked
Yes. I still see them. Ava replied with a wondering face.
Oh, if you don't see them, I understand. In the end, you have a completely different life here. If I were you, I would not like you to see people who also remind me of my poor past. Finally, you are in a dream here. A huge mansion, many servants, abundance, what should we say it? An opportunity? Or a success? I don't know but look you have managed to get rid of the swamp that you were born and you have lived to this much higher. Born a house in ruins and live in a house like this, it should be a fairytale for you. Of course, you are now more aware. You cannot risk missing out on this opportunity. Who wants to lose? I am sure you are doing what it takes to avoid it and also all you can do. Am I not right? Emma asked while putting fire on her emotions.
I am just a guest here. I don't own something here. My previous life and the house I lived in are not a swamp for me. Those are my only source of happiness until this age. I was with my loved ones there. There is no other concern that I know of that matters to me. It never has been. The only concern I have here is Lucas only. I was just here to ask about Lucas's uncle as he wanted to see his uncle.
Lucas was a cord between Leonardo and Ava who kept them getting closer day by day. Leonardo decided to name half shares of his company to Ava. From the day he saw Ava in the hospital as she was anxious about him. The way she was managing to look at him and Lucas in time. He asked lawyers to make papers. Emma came to know about Leonardo was doing something that was hidden from her. Sophia asked her to go in-depth and check. She also investigated Ava so she may also know the facts. Sophia planned something to reveal the papers to Ava when Lawyer arrived at the mansion to get signatures on the documents. She knew about both sisters' pride was above everything in the world. She knew that if Ava go through the papers, there will be a war in the mansion. The lawyer was going into Leonardo's room as Sophia asked her to sit in the lounge. Ava came to ask Sophia about something. She found Leonardo's lawyer there. She greeted her. Sophia threw the file intentionally so Ava can grab it and read it. She did so.
Let me take it. Ava said. She took the file. She wondered to see what the file was about.
What happened Ava? Why has your colour changed? Sophia asked
I am good. Ava took a deep breath.
I am already late. Mr Leonardo is waiting for me. Give me this file, please. The lawyer raised her and took a file from Ava's hand. Both sisters looked at each other. As they were successful in their mission to separate them. Leonardo was waiting for the lawyer to come to his study room as Frank informed him that she was about to arrive mansion. He wondered to see Ava coming to him in an aggressive way holding a file.
What does this mean? Why did you do such a thing? Ava shouted and threw the file in front of Leonardo. he stood up to tell her.
If I am still here. Even in this mansion, you shouldn't have known me from this! Didn't you know how much it could hurt me? Ava shouted
If something was wrong with me, you are the only person who takes care of Lucas. Only you. I didn't do this to hurt you. I did it because Lucas and you stay safe after me. You won't need anyone to ask for help. Leonardo tried to justify it while he was feeling pain in his abdomen.
If you won't be here after you, do you think that it matters? If the issue is money, I can do everything to get money for Lucas. I can. You know me well. But I can't make up for your absence. He doesn't need money. He needs you. And how I can explain this to people? Do thoughts, about my life in this mansion? How they will be affected by this? Thanks to you, everyone will see me as a gold digger. Was this what you wanted? She shouted. Took the file and twisted file in her hands then she threw it again on the table.
No one can dare to think such a thing about you. Until now, women were no different to me from a poisoned snake. While I didn't trust any women, I trusted only you. Because… you are not like other women I have ever known. You are different. Leonardo looked into her tearful eyes and said.
Ava could meet her eyes with him.
Everyone leaves. But you don't. You will not betray Lucas. First, my mother left, even though I couldn't separate you from him. Even after all things I did to you, you didn't give up on him. I am glad you did it. Because… because… he needs you. I know that receiving is heavier than giving. But I trust you. I want you to trust me too. Think about this before declining. Leonardo said and dragged the file towards Ava. Meanwhile, the lawyer knocked on the door. Ava quickly went out of the room.
I am so sorry Mr Leonardo. When the file fell on the ground, Ms Ava….
We have suspended the transfer process for now. Leonardo interrupted rudely
The lawyer nodded her head. She took the file and went out of his room.
Ava came back to her room. She was reminding good words Leonardo said to her before. She didn't feel for a moment that Leonardo was standing in front of her.
Take it easy. Leonardo said. Ava jerked
Did I scare you? Leonardo asked
No, I didn't imagine you came. I was busy with the editing shoots. Ava said
This time? Leonardo asked
Have coffee. Good for you. Ava raised a cup of coffee unintentionally towards him. She shied in the next moment.
That's why I trust you. Leonardo said
It's just a coffee. Ava said.
I don't mean just this time. I don't forget how you jumped to the bullets, what you did for Lucas, I want to do something for you. What I asked you was not worth more than what you did. Don't just think about money for this stock transfer. How would you feel comfortable if you did something for Lucas? I will feel comfortable after this job is done. Leonardo explained to her.
You have already been doing more than necessary. Also your existence….. I mean it's good that you are with Lucas. Nothing else is needed. She was unable to stand there. So she walked towards the dressing room. Leonardo stopped her way.
I am here now. But I don't know what will happen to me tomorrow. We cannot know what life will bring us. Is there any guarantee, will I be here tomorrow with you?
Don't say those things, please. I lost enough already. I don't want to think about it anymore. Ava's tongue slipped with the truth.
Leonardo looked at shy Ava and went out of her room. Emma and Sophia were in chaos as they both didn't feel the walls of the mansion shiver. The next day Leonardo had an appointment with the doctor. He was going alone as Sophia bothered him to take Emma with him. But he refused. He saw Ava was going somewhere. He couldn't stop himself to follow her and stopped her at the mansion gate. He picked Ava up from there and went outside.
Thought the doctor said you are recovered. But you are not fully healed. So you have to be careful. Ava said
Okay. Where were you going? I will drop you there. Leonardo said.
Not necessary, let's go home. You should take a rest. Ava said
Even then, tell me. Leonardo insisted.
I was going to Jasmine's Aunt to collect my stuff. Ava told
Okay. We will go there. Leonardo said
They headed towards Mr Jasmine's home. Leonardo and Ava were looking at each other after intervals. Leonardo was not known for Ava's happy facial expression reason. He was trying to find out the clue behind it. Though he was not feeling better due to driving he thought he should spend alone time with Ava. emma and Sophia checked the entire study room but they didn't find the file which Ava needed to sign. sophia sent Emma to the office to check that file so they can plan something else to ruin Ava's life and separate both of them as soon as possible.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone