Antonio’s POV
While waiting for Louise to deliver the note, I imdiately called Mia. When I asked her to join for a movie, she agreed without hesitation. I suggested she bring her sister along too. Despite being twenty-one and in dental school, Mia’s sister never acted superior, she was actually pretty cool. I needed her help tonight specifically. Mia promised to ask her.
By pure luck, I caught a glimpse of Eleanor’s phone when she was leaving the office. A text revealed which theater and movie she’d be seeing with that Theo guy tonight. Perfect.
Just as I ended the call, Louise climbed into Uncle Joseph’s car with the note.
"Uncle Draven and the others saw ! Don’t let them tell my parents, hurry! Uncle Ryan has the sa big mouth as !" Louise rattled off in one breath.
"You’re getting bolder by the day," I complained.
"Mom says telling the truth shouldn’t be punished!" Louise shot back. This kid was stubborn as hell.
"It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve already texted them to keep quiet," Uncle Joseph reassured her.
"What did the note say?" I asked.
"’Betrayal is unforgivable; if it could be forgiven, wouldn’t the devil be an angel?’" Uncle Joseph’s voice cracked slightly. "Damn, Ava didn’t hold back this ti."
"At least she responded, right?" I tried to comfort him.
"Yeah..." he sighed, looking like soone had kicked.
After rushing ho for a quick shower, I arrived at Mia’s right on schedule.
"Hey, beautiful!" I kissed my girlfriend’s hand before greeting her mother and sister in the living room.
"Will you be out late?" Mia’s mom asked.
"Don’t worry. Just a movie, so food, then I’ll bring the kids ho," I answered confidently. "You’re not going to turn down my invitation, are you, Avery?" I turned to Mia’s sister.
"You’re cool, Antonio, but I’m not interested today," she replied.
"Co on, Avery. It’s that movie you’ve been dying to see!" I insisted.
"What movie? I don’t want to see anything," Avery needed so motivation.
I pulled out my phone, typed "Theo" on the screen, making sure her mom couldn’t see it, and showed it to her.
"See this guy!" Before she could ask questions, I jumped in. "Go change. We don’t want to be late, and I already bought the tickets."
Avery rushed to tell her mom she’d changed her mind. Thankfully, her mom let drive, saving us ti. The mont we got in the car, Avery bombarded with questions.
"How do you know Theo?"
"I don’t, but he’s going to the movie with soone."
"Who?" she pressed.
"My uncle’s girlfriend."
"Ava’s cheating?" Mia gasped.
"No, my uncle betrayed her. They’re kind of broken up. She t Theo recently, he’s a friend of a friend’s brother. They went out yesterday and are eting again today."
"Are they actually dating?" Avery asked.
"From what I know, nothing’s happened yet, and we’re making sure nothing will."
"I can get behind this plan," Avery said.
"Just so you know, she’s smoking hot," I warned.
"Yeah, Avery, Ava is stunning and super nice!" Mia added, making Avery deflate.
"Way to kill my confidence," Avery grumbled.
"Just giving you fair warning. Don’t worry, Aunt Ava and my uncle will get back together. We just need to make sure she and Theo stay in the friend zone."
At the mall, we hurried around, wanting to get inside before they arrived to avoid looking suspicious. We bought tickets and popcorn, then waited in a corner.
"There they are," I alerted the girls when I spotted our targets.
"I’m going ho!" Avery announced, turning to leave.
"Avery, please, wait! What’s wrong? Why are you leaving?" I asked, confused.
"Look at that woman, she’s like a goddess!" Avery’s eyes were teary.
"Ha, my uncle calls her that too," I laughed. "But what’s the problem?"
"Antonio, look at ," Avery gestured to herself. "Compared to her, I look like Barbie’s ugly sidekick! Theo will see her and never want ."
"Avery! Don’t be ridiculous, have so self-respect!" I grabbed her shoulders. "You’re beautiful! Yes, Ava and her friends are sothing special, but you’re gorgeous too. Besides, we won’t let Theo get near her."
"Are there more won like her?" Avery asked, and I nodded, smiling.
"The six of them are breathtaking enough to stop traffic, and they’re super friendly." I answered honestly, earning a smack on the arm from Mia. "Ow! Babe, I’m just telling the truth. But only you make my heart race, my love." I quickly kissed Mia. "Let’s go, don’t miss this chance. Act like you don’t see Theo, Avery."
As we approached Aunt Ava and started chatting, Theo’s reaction when he saw Avery almost made laugh out loud—he turned white as a sheet.
"Antonio, this is my friend Theo. Theo, this is Antonio, his girlfriend Mia, and her sister Avery," Aunt Ava introduced us casually.
"Hey, man, how’s it going?" I greeted the slightly trembling guy.
"Hi..." He cleared his throat as we shook hands.
"We already know each other, don’t we, Theo!" Avery smoothly stepped forward and kissed his cheek three tis. Theo looked like he’d seen a ghost.
"You know each other?" Aunt Ava asked.
"Yeah, for a while now. But Avery, what are you doing here?" The guy was stumbling over his words.
"I’m here with my sister and her boyfriend to see a movie. I wanted to see this one," Avery pointed at the poster, "so I invited this lovely couple to keep company, and to spend ti with my sister."
"What a coincidence!" Theo looked extrely uncomfortable, and I noticed Aunt Ava giving him a suspicious look.
"Isn’t it!" Avery replied enthusiastically, beaming. She deserved an Oscar for this performance!
"The movie’s about to start, we should head in." I took Mia’s hand and placed my other hand on Aunt Ava’s back to guide her inside, leaving Avery with Theo. To disguise my intentions, I started making small talk. "Aunt Ava, about our Wednesday night plans..."
We successfully crushed Theo’s hopes as he ended up sitting between Aunt Ava and Avery during the movie. After it ended, I deliberately invited everyone to dinner, choosing Aunt Ava’s favorite restaurant in the mall, which she couldn’t refuse.
As we were leaving, I faced a new dilemma—how to prevent Theo from taking Aunt Ava ho. They’d barely spoken all evening, and I needed to think fast. Suddenly, I rembered I could use the math materials excuse.
"Aunt Ava, could I get those math materials you promised to lend ?" I asked innocently.
"Tonight?" she questioned, and I gave her my most pitiful look. "Alright, but I ca with Theo..."
"I don’t want to interfere. If Theo wants to drive you, that’s fine. I’ll have my driver follow." I said nonchalantly. Ava looked at Theo.
"Ava, since you ca out with , I insist on taking you ho," Theo smiled, clearly smitten with her.
"Such a gentleman." I patted his shoulder. "I respect that! Where’s your car parked? Let’s go, my driver’s picking us up over there."
In the car, Avery had already agreed to cover for with her mom if it got too late. When we reached Aunt Ava’s building, all three of us got out to wait at the entrance. This way, Theo couldn’t possibly get any alone ti with her. When they said goodbye, they kissed on the cheek, and Theo waved to us as he left.
"Let’s go, Antonio!" Aunt Ava said, walking toward us.
"Mission accomplished," I sent a mind-link to Uncle Joesph.
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