“Just call me Zach, Ava.”
“Very well then, Zach.” Ava didn’t like honoraries either.
“He’ll be having dinner with us tonight,” said Shirley.
“Oh, good. I can show off my cooking.” Happily, Ava went into the kitchen to work. Shirley wanted to help, but Ava kicked her out. “Go and accompany my future grandson-in-law.” That was what she said.
Shirley covered her mouth and came back out, smiling. She saw Zacharias looking at the photos around the house. Ava’s house had an Eastern design. Standing in this house, Zacharias looked a little different than he usually was. Shirley came up to him and held his arm.
Zacharias smiled. “So, when are your parents coming back for Christmas?”
Oh, he wants to meet my parents. Shirley pursed her lips and shook her head. “No idea. They haven’t called me yet.”
She’s trying to run away. Zacharias put an arm around Shirley’s shoulder. “Why don’t I invite your family to celebrate Christmas at my place this year?”
Shirley’s eyes went wide. “Really?”
“Yes. Should be more fun celebrating Christmas with two families around,” said Zacharias.
Oh, right. There’s only him, his dad, and Tony celebrating Christmas anyway. It’s a little quiet. Shirley nodded. “Sure. We’ll celebrate Christmas together.” Shirley then helped Ava wash the greens and set up the table.
Zacharias fell in love with Shirley more, seeing her working hard.
Ava made a five-course meal. Homemade food, of course. It felt like home having dinner here. Zacharias felt nostalgic. It had been too long since he had homemade food. Ever since his mother’s passing, that household didn’t feel like home. Back when he was a teenager, his father hired the best servants around to cook for him, but the food never tasted like home. Now, he found that taste again.
“Eat your greens, Zach,” said Ava.
“You’re a good cook, Ava. I love these.” Zacharias smiled.
Ava loved the compliments. She liked Zacharias. Both Zacharias and Shirley had their fill. Later, they walked out of Ava’s house, and Zacharias suggested they take a walk.
Shirley smiled. “Don’t make things hard for Roy and his men. Let’s go home and just walk around the field.”
Zacharias nodded. “Of course.”
They walked to the car. Even though the stretch of road outside Ava’s house was a quiet spot, a car hidden nearby had someone in it aiming their camera at the couple. The person took careful but clear shots. In the photo, Zacharias was holding Shirley’s hand, and in the photo of them in the car, Zacharias had an arm around Shirley’s shoulder. The person also took photos of Zacharias kissing Shirley’s hair and them sharing an embrace.
It was obvious they were in love. The person only tucked their phone away after Zacharias’ convoy was gone. They sent the pictures to a private account and called someone.
“What?”
“Those photos I just sent? Latest news. Zacharias is seeing someone.”
“Which family is the lady from?”
“Looking into it ASAP.”
“Tell me everything after you find it. If we want to take Zacharias down, we have to go for his weakness, or he’s not going to fall for any tricks. It was our failure that he didn’t die in the explosion last time. This time, we can’t fail.”
“Understood. We’ll find everything we can about that woman and start all preparations.”
The couple came to the field outside Flintstone Residence, where silvery moonlight shone. It was spacious and quiet. On a whim, Shirley jumped onto Zacharias’ back. Zacharias quickly held her steady and carried her on his back.
