Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 315

The commencement of the game marked a moment of excitement. Joseph settled beside Rose,

followed by Alex, Natalie,

Trevon, Hackett, Sherri, Ava, and Frank.

Whether it’s Ava, Sherri, Rose, or even Natalie, all of them cherished the current ambiance. This was a

hard-earned moment for everyone.

As melodious music filled the air, Rose elevated her left hand and declared loudly, “1,” Joseph’s warm

voice chimed in, “2,” and the numbers 3, 4, followed, and so on.

Ava landed as the eighth in the first round. Nearly letting slip an “8,” she caught herself just in time. A

smile tugged at’her lips as she playfully scratched her head, her gaze sliding toward Frank, who was

seated next to her.

Her pale hand suspended mid-air as a blush formed on her cheeks. She hesitated in patting him.

All eyes fixated on the outcome of the first round, curious about whether Ava would dare to hit Frank

and how he would react.

On the other hand, Joseph remained calm and composed, almost as if he was privy to the outcome, a

slight smile adorning his lips.

That was not what Trevon Wilson and Natalie Foster were thinking. While the couple held distinct

perspectives, they acted harmoniously as they calculated the upcoming head-pats.

After a moment, they spoke in unison and shared a knowing smile, “This is the start to the end…

They were prepared to be the ‘victims’ of the game later on

“Go ahead, vent your frustrations. There is no need to restrain yourself,” Frank remarked with a smile.

With an audience watching, Ava found herself torn between hitting Frank or holding back. Abstaining

would stall the leaving the others hanging.

game,

Ava concluded that a pat on the head during the game was not about revenge. She clenched her fist,

then relaxed it before patting the back of Frank’s head. While it was not a brutal hit, the power from the

pat caused Frank’s head to tilt forward. Witnessing this, Hackett could not help but silently chuckle. It

was rare for them to witness Frank in such a pitiful plight. If only he had reacted much quicker, Hackett

could have captured this as a memory so they could play the video on a grand screen during Frank’s

wedding.

Trevon threw Frank a meaningful glance as he suggested, “One more time, perhaps?”

Joseph automatically brushed the statement aside. While Trevon had calculated, Joseph had done the

same. After patting Frank, Ava’s frustration seemed to have waned, and warmth radiated from her

heart.

After patting Frank on the head, Ava’s frustration seemed to have waned, and warmth radiated from

her heart.

In the second round, Frank was eighteenth, and Rose’s turn was right after his. Frank drew his hand

back a tad before delivering a solid pat to Rose’s head.

Displeased, Rose protested, “That’s a bit much. Can’t you ease up a little when hitting a lady?”

Frank retorted with a serious tone. “The rules did not say that we should go easy on others.”

Pouting. Rose playfully nudged her elder brother’s arm before continuing the count, “19…”

Rose was the twenty-eighth person in the third round and had to pat Joseph’s head. A hint of

awkwardness surfaced, and she cleared her throat, addressing Joseph as she explained, “Joseph, this

game, well, it’s just a game. I will go easy on you.”

Joseph sensed her discomfort from her expression and reassured her, saying, “There’s no need for you

to worry. We will follow the rules.

Then, Rose shut her eyes and delicately tapped Joseph on his head before swiftly retracting her hand.

She felt embarrassed, wondering how she had missed herself. Regardless of the number, she could

not avoid being part of the numbers ranging from one to ninety-nine.

In the fourth round, Joseph’s pat landed on Alex. Their camaraderie eliminated any awkwardness. Clad

in masculine attire, their familiarity with each other was evident. Before the pat, Alex even quipped,

“Just treat me like one of the guys.”

Joseph chuckled at Alex’s comment, and he realized why Ava got along so well with this tomboyish girl

and brought her to the estate.

Alex’s pat fell on Natalie in the fifth round; in the sixth, Natalie’s target was Trevon. Anticipating the hit,

Trevon obediently lowered his head, inviting the pat from his wife.

Yet, Natalie’s pat was gentle and hesitant. Trevon reveled in the experience, showcasing affection for

their son by playfully touching his face and earlobe.

Jasper protested, swatting away his father’s larger hand away with his chubby one. He cried, “Don’t

touch me1”

In response. Trevon remarked, “This visit to Sapphire City has bolstered your courage and temper

The seventh round unfolds as a showdown between the men. Trevon’s hit on Hackett was so strong

that it could have caused a concussion. Hackett, after that, rubbed his head, muttering. If I wake up

tomorrow with a fuzzy brain, it’s on you.”

In the end, Hackett Blackwell kept rubbing the back of his head and cursing. “If I wake up tomorrow and

become muddle-headed, you’ll be responsible.”

In response, Trevon inquired, “Are you extorting me?”

In the eighth round, it was Hackett’s turn to target Sherri. Hackett slightly tweaked the rule, opting for a

kiss instead He gently kissed Sherri’s head, prompting a collective ‘aww’ from the crowd. Natalie

facepalmed, feeling a pang of embarrassment.

Frank stole a glance at Ava, who was shielding her face from the loving scene. Back when she was

pursuing him, her boldness was palpable. Now, that boldness seemed to have waned. The

transformation from daring to reserved puzzled him. He contemplated that if he were to kiss her now,

she might blush uncontrollably.

Frank’s intense gaze was impossible to disregard. Ava sensed Frank’s eyes on her, yet her

embarrassment prevented her from facing him. The mere thought of their eyes meeting sent tingles

down her spine.

In the ninth round, Sherri’s gentle touch hit Ava, and it was more of an encouraging pat. And in the final

round, the tenth, Ava’s number was “98,” and she swallowed the number before it slipped from her lips.

Rose cheered, “Ava, this marks the tenth round, a perfect ending! Give it your all to wrap things up!”

It was the perfect ending.

Frank’s tempting voice once again caressed her ears. In the dim night, the campfire cast his silhouette

in sharp relief. It was distinct, captivating, and charismatic. His lips parted slightly as he said, “Feel free

to hit me however you want to release your frustrations.”

Ava was not truly angry or being theatrical. She wanted Frank to woo her. It was a simple request, yet

she was cautious of her pride and needed a pretext.

“Oh,” she uttered. Ava lifted her hands with her words and softened her grip before hitting Frank on the

head.

Frank’s head tilted forwards once more. Observing. Ava slightly regretted her restraint. Her hand

remained suspended mid-air. Standing tall, Frank slowly guided her hand back to its original position as

he said, “It was not a hard blow. It was alright.”

“It was not a hard blow? Was it alright?” Ava pondered.

Warmth coursed through Ava’s body when Frank’s hand touched her arm, a cellular stir that raced

through her body. Her heart fluttered, and her eyelids dropped as her fingers fidgeted with her shirt.

On the other hand, Frank captured each subtle motion in his gaze.

As the clock neared 10 o’clock, Rose reluctantly spoke, Tm leaving. You guys keep playing.”

Ava and the rest of the group rose to their feet as they intended to bid Rose farewell. However, Rose

declined as she disliked sentimental goodbyes.

“Oh, come on. It’s not like I’m embarking on a long journey. I’m simply returning to Athana. Spare me

that mournful look. Smile, everyone. Life is beautiful, so do not frown. Smiling makes you look ten

years younger,” Rose advised.

Turning to Joseph, she added, “Mr. Turner, there’s no need to see me off. You’ve already arranged a

private plane for me to stay till late. I’m incredibly grateful for your assistance. I owe you one. When you

get married, I give you a generous present!”

Standing alongside Natalie, Joseph chuckled softly. “Alright,” he mused, aware he might not have been

able to accept the gift.

Rose embraced her friends in succession before departing. Hackett stepped forward for a hug, but

Frank sidestepped, lifting a foot to stop him. “Stingy, it is just one hug. Is this necessary? Hackett

argued.

His wife did not even object to the hug, so Frank’s response as an older brother seemed somewhat

excessive.

With Rose gone, the others began to depart one after another. After all, they had enjoyed a day filled

with laughter and fun.

Ava’s gaze clung to Frank’s receding figure, her heart feeling oddly unsettled, as though reluctant to let

him go.

In the moonlit night, his shadow stretched, his tall form gradually fading from view as he headed toward

the parking lot. The estate’s expanse obscured him, and she couldn’t perceive him.

A hollow sensation flooded her heart as if something was absent, and for a brief moment, she wished

he would stay.

That night, after she had hit Frank twice, he did not appear angry, but instead, he seemed peculiarly

content.

Natalie approached, draping an arm around Ava’s shoulder, offering a comforting pat as she said,

“Let’s go. This isn’t the final farewell Frank mentioned he wouldn’t leave permanently You’ll cross paths

again. Get some rest, you’ve had a full day of enjoyment

Though Ava might have felt dispirited, she nodded in agreement.

Guided by Natalie, she entered the room, their arms interlocked.

As Ava stepped into the room Emma emerged. She extended her arms for Jasper, relieving Natalie of

the tired little one.

intome You’re a young couple, and you should spend some time alone. Let Jasper sleep with me

tonight. Since le will not be home late Jasper can keep me compan na sand.

your

In Emma’s arms. Jasper schubby cheeks were flushed, las eyes half-shot, giving off a faint shimmer of

sleepiness.

Inside the room, Natalie sighed, her gaze landing on the man ding her I doubted it would take three

months for Ava to Test Frank He had already relented before leaving”

Trevon brushed away a few stray strands of hair from her forehead as he replied, “Chances of that are

high. Have you ever

little rabbit escape from the gaping jaws of the big bad wolf?

had come prepared. It would be strange if he did not successfully woo Ava. If Ava were not in school,

he would have brought her home with him

Natalie nodded, aligning with his sentiment. When it ime to pursuing candle to Frank’s The comparison

did not hold

comantic interest. Ava’s methods could not hold a

Lost in thought Trevon leaned in, his grip around her waist tightening as he suggested. “Honey, go

freshen up We can’t let

Natalie playfully pushed his chest as the replied. “Mr. Wilson, to have a second child, quality was key

You are taking this to

“My quality is top-notch Mrs Wilson, allow me to prove it once again I promise just one time will suffice,”

Trevon replied.

He was remarkably insistent in this aspect Eventually, Natalie acquiesced to his request for another

round of reinforcement.