The Queen's Back

On Saturday, Ava and Mona were both free, and Ava managed to ask Mona out for lunch. She planned to introduce Joseph to Mona, while Mona considered telling Ava in person that Bud actually loved her. When Mona woke up, it was already past nine o'clock. Maxwell had already left for the office. Now that he was in charge of two companies, he didn't even get weekends off.

After she freshened up, Haley drove Mona to the restaurant she and Ava had agreed upon.

Their reservation was at a members-only restaurant, chosen mainly to avoid Joseph being photographed. The place was popular among celebrities, and paparazzi couldn't get in, ensuring privacy.

As soon as Mona and Haley walked in, Joseph greeted them warmly and helped them to their seats.

This was Mona's first tmeeting the movie star Joseph. She had only seen him in TV s before and was surprised that he looked much the sin person as on screen. He was quite handsand looked well- matched sitting next to Ava. "Mona, con, sit down! Letintroduce you. This is my boyfriend-can you believe it? My boyfriend is a movie star!" Ava said enthusiastically. "Joseph, this is my best friend, Mona, who is going to be an international designer someday." In her mind, Ava had imagined what it would be like to introduce her boyfriend to Mona. She had always pictured Bud in that role, but now that it was Joseph, she realized it felt just as nice.

Mona politely nodded at Joseph, who smiled at her in a gentlemanly way before stepping out to call the waiter to start the meal service.

Once Joseph left, Mona looked at Ava and said, "He's much easier to get along with than I expected, and he treats you well." In Mona's mind, she'd always thought movie stars were aloof and distant, and it would be Ava who was always the one to take the initiative to do everything.

She hadn't expected Joseph to make such a positive impression, even remembering to pour water for Ava without her asking.

She couldn't help but wonder what Ava truly thought of him.

"Of course," Ava replied with a smile. "Out of everyone who pursued me, he's treatedthe best." Joseph soon returned and took his seat next to Ava.

While they waited for the food, he kept the conversation lively, never letting a lull settle over the table.

Mona observed closely. When Ava lifted her hand, Joseph anticipated that she was reaching for a napkin and was already handing one to her before she had to ask.

She was even more satisfied with Joseph.

They were talking and laughing when Maxwell and Bud entered.

Amidst the crowd, Maxwell immediately spotted Mona. It seemed he and Mona were destined to cross paths of all places, the clients had randomly chosen the very restaurant where Mona was dining with her friends. Maxwell let his companions head up first while he made his way over to Mona, with Bud trailing close behind.

As they approached, Bud noticed a man beside Ava, being particularly attentive, even wiping her mouth.

Bud felt an urge to get the man away from Ava immediately.

Following his instinct, Bud walked right over, grabbed Joseph by the shoulder, and pulled Joseph aside to sit next to Ava himself.

He shot her a questioning look. 'This man was so attentive to her that his arm almost touched hers, and yet she didn't know to ask him to go away,' he thought unhappily.

Joseph, who had been sitting there without expecting an interruption, was thoroughly confused. Seeing the stranger in his seat now staring intently at his girlfriend, he couldn't just let it go.

Joseph pulled Bud back up and said firmly, "This is my seat." Then, he sat down beside Ava, put an arm around her shoulders, and pulled her close. Ava, a bit startled, found herself leaning against Joseph's shoulder.

Bud's temper flared at this sight, and he reached to grab Joseph by the collar, but Ava quickly stepped in, pushing Bud's hand aside.

"Bud, have you had enough?" she demanded, clearly annoyed.

Bud pointed to himself with a bitter smile. "Me? Have I had enough? Ava, he has his arm around you, and you're just letting it happen?" He was genuinely worried about her being taken advantage of.

"You're mistaken," Ava replied, placing her hand on Joseph's. "This is my boyfriend, Joseph." With those words, she turned away from Bud and glanced at her hand entwined with Joseph's, tightening her grip in a subtle show of closeness.

Bud stared at their clasped hands, feeling a pang of emptiness, as if he'd lost something precious. "You... have a boyfriend?" he asked, still in disbelief.

He could still remember the days when Ava would chase after him messaging him constantly. The idea that she suddenly had a boyfriend was something Bud didn't want to, and couldn't, accept.

Ava met Bud's gaze. "Yes, I have a boyfriend. I heard Ms. Sterling say you're getting married-congrats!" Bud was about to ask Ava if she hadn't once said he was the one she in loved and how she was suddenly a relationship, but once he heard what Aya said, he couldn't bring himself to ask any of his questions.

'That's right. I'm about to get married, so what right do I have to ask if she is seeing anyone?' he thought.

"Thanks," he replied, forcing a small smile. "I'll invite you to the wedding, so you can have aldrink on me." His gaze held a faint sadness as he looked at her. "Sounds good! Ava and I will definitely be there," Joseph said, his hand on Ava's shoulder tightening slightly.

He had acted in enough s to recognize a complicated relationship, and it was clear there was something between Ava and Bud.

But now Ava was his girlfriend, and he wasn't about to let the two exchange glances in front of him.

Bud gave a dismissive grunt, irritation simmering beneath the surface while thinking I'm talking to Ava, so why is this Joseph butting in?' "Alright, Maxwell, tto meet with your clients. Don't keep them waiting," said Mona, giving Maxwell a gentle nudge.

She could tell that if this kept up, Bud and Joseph might actually cto blows.

Reluctantly, Maxwell let go of Mona's hand and nudged Bud toward the staircase.

Before leaving, Bud stole one last glance at Ava, now firmly wrapped in Joseph's arms. That possessive hand on her shoulder was infuriating, and he had half a mind to go over and knock it off.

"Let's go!" Maxwell urged, pulling him along.

"She has a boyfriend. This is my fault.

Yone m I regret it. If I'd accepted Ava's feelings back then, none of this would have happened," Bud muttered in remorse. He genuinely regretted it now, but he no longer had any right to stand by Ava's side.

X