Ever Since New York

The classroom that would hold my first Criminal Law class of the semester was beginning to fill with the influx of nerve-wracked twenty-somethings that I would call my classmates. My excitement was bubbling as well as my nerves. It seemed as if the easy part was getting into law school, staying—well, more like surviving— would be the hard part.

My whole life had seemingly led up to this point, all signs pointed to my becoming a lawyer. I busted my ass for four years at NYU to get into Columbia Law, and now that I'm here, I'm quite overwhelmed with myself. It was a completely different level and world than the college life I had known. This was the real deal, the true college that I had been preparing for. I knew once I got into the swing of things, there would be no distractions and I would be fine.

As I opened the top of my MacBook, a tall, slender man that I presumed to be Professor Bond entered the classroom. From his crisp suit to the leather briefcase he carried in his hand, his appearance screamed lawyer. There was also something oddly familiar about him that I just couldn't put my finger on.

"I'm Professor Bond, and no, I'm not James Bond." He muttered dryly, no trace of humor in his voice. I could tell that the joke had been overused a few too many times causing the humor to dwindle as each new batch of students came through his class. As the awkward chuckles of my classmates settled, he opened his briefcase, pulling a thick stack of paper out before briefly locking eyes with me, causing chills to go down my spine. "Welcome to Criminal Law one hundred."

*

"And that is part one of how to get away with murder." He deadpanned, earning a few chuckles from the class. As much as I appreciated the reference to one of my favorite shows, I still couldn't help the unsettling feeling that there was something odd about him. I didn't necessarily like the vibe he was giving off. Maybe it was because I'd never had a professor so serious, well, not this serious. Or maybe it was something else.

My thoughts were interrupted as books were slamming closed around me, students shuffling to collect their belongings to exit the classroom. I glanced down at my watch, realizing I was going to be late for lunch with the family if I stayed any longer. Of course, the most important event ever for my father's company had to be on the night of my first day of law school, a day that I was hoping to end in a long bubble bath and a bottle of my favorite moscato, but of course that couldn't happen.

My father was an entrepreneur, a quite successful one at that. What started as a small family-owned hedge fund, turned into a corporation that was soon to be co-owned by my brother, Andrew. It had become bigger than anyone had expected, success continuing to grow as the years passed.

Finally reaching my car, my phone buzzed with a new message from my long-time friend, Niall.

Niall: Be my date tonight? Don't need to look lonely in front of all of these investors.

I chuckled, this was nothing new. With Niall's father being my father's best friend and business ally, we had attended quite a few events together to mostly keep each other company. It was always easier to get through the business events together rather than separately, and for that I was thankful I had him.

I'd be honored. Just make sure I get drunk, okay?

You know I always have that covered.

*

"Sorry I'm late!" I muttered shuffling closer to the table on the outside patio where my parents and brother sat already sipping on wine. "Lecture ran over."

My father proudly smiled over at me, "How was your first day?"

"It was interesting. A lot different than undergrad." I huffed, taking my seat between him and my brother, turning to face him. "Wasn't expecting you to be in town yet."

My brother and father shared a pointed look as an awkward silence surrounded the table, making me wonder just what made them share the look.

"I finished up business quicker in Italy than initially estimated." He muttered, leaning back in his chair.

I rolled my eyes at his constant need to be so technical with his words. Andrew was kind of a show off when it came down to it.

"Mom, how was your day?" She had been unusually quiet, I could tell something was eating at her, something that she wasn't telling me.

"Oh just busy as a bee, getting things finalized for tonight." She sipped her wine, well, more like downed the rest of it, making me quirk a brow.

My family was hiding something and I wasn't sure what to make of it. It didn't seem like a happy surprise, which they usually couldn't control themselves from telling me. This was different and it was beginning to worry me, my family was never one for secrets.

*

Putting the final touches on my ensemble for the night, I stood back taking one last look at myself in my floor length mirror, loving how my kelly green dress hugged my curves perfectly, giving me the boost of confidence I always needed for these events. Being the boss' daughter came with expectations, I had to impress people too. People were generally pleased to learn that my father was such a devoted family man, it showed them that he wasn't afraid of commitment and that was always an asset investors appreciated.

"Honey, are you ready? We need to be going." My mother appeared in my doorway dressed to the nines in her gold gown. "You look beautiful, I told you that dress was perfect."

I smiled, grabbing my clutch from my dresser and stuffing my phone and lipstick into the small bag. "I know, I know. You're always right."

"Never thought I'd ever hear that out of you, Ava Brooks."

"I wouldn't get too used to it if I were you." I chuckled as we descended the staircase where my father and brother stood waiting in their tuxedos.

"I don't know how anyone is going to look more beautiful than my two girls do tonight."

I blushed, with a slight roll of my eyes. "You look very dapper, dad."

"The car is here." My brother muttered, stuffing his phone into his pocket, leading us out to the black SUV that sat parked in front of our house.

The entire ride to the event was filled with tense silence, it was taking all I had in me not to ask what the hell was the matter. I knew better than to try to understand what in the world caused my father and brother to constantly check their phones and their brows to furrow. Assuming it was nothing more than a bad day at the office, I decided to sit back and endure the rest of the ride.

It wasn't long before we were pulling up in front of my father's building, the driver opening the door to help us climb out. My eyes scanned the outside of the building, finally landing on the familiar head of brunette hair at the entrance talking to his father. Relief consumed me as I made my way closer to him.

"Well it's about time you got here. I've been standing out here for ages." Niall huffed, looking at his watch making me roll my eyes. "You look hot."

I rolled my eyes again, Niall was always a flirty one, even with me. I had become accustomed to it over the years.

"Niall, that is no way to speak to a beautiful young woman." His father pointed, holding a hand out for me to embrace him. I granted a small kiss to his cheek with a giggle. "See son, that's how you greet a lady."

It was Niall's turn to roll his eyes as I chuckled, looping my arm through his to make our way inside. "So how was your first day?"

"Can't complain, really. My criminal law professor is a little sketchy but other than that I'm pleased so far." I spoke lowly, smiling at each person we passed, trying to keep my appearance as the doting daughter evident as we made our way into the event. "My family is acting weird though."

Niall fell silent momentarily before speaking up, "It was a stressful day at the office. I'm sure it's just that."

*

The event was going on without a hitch, my intoxication slowly becoming evident to me as I continued to take advantage of the open bar. At that point, I wasn't necessarily sure how many glasses of champagne I had consumed. Niall stayed glued to my side, much to my growing annoyance. Sure we were each other's dates but we usually strayed away from each other for a bit at a time to socialize. Tonight, he was a stage five clinger.

"Niall, is there a reason you're following me around like a lost puppy?" I asked, taking another flute of champagne from a waiter passing by, turning to face him.

"Just keepin' an eye on yeh, Ava." He muttered, placing a hand on my lower back. "There's a lot of weirdos here tonight."

"I can take care of myself."

He sighed, "I know, but you're my best friend. Wouldn't want anyone to take advantage of yeh while you were drunk."

"Fine, but if an extremely eligible bachelor comes up asking for my hand in marriage, beat it. Okay?"

He chuckled, taking a sip of his beer. "Anyone to take you off my hands is a friend of mine."

"You act like I'm such a burden, Horan." I smirked, "I know you love me."

"You-"

He was cut off by my brother shuffling up to us looking quite flustered. With nothing more than a nod of his head, Niall was pulling me towards the doors, keeping a firm arm wrapped around my waist.

"Niall, what are you doing?" I almost tripped over the length of my dress as he practically dragged me with him. He stayed silent, pulling out his phone as my brother trailed behind us to the service elevator. "Niall!"

Once the doors were closed, a blindfold was being wrapped around my eyes. "What the hell?"

"Ava, just stay calm, okay?" My brother's voice echoed in my ears. Normally, his voice would comfort me in times of stress but this was different. I could hear the stress and worry in his voice which, in turn worried me more.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked once more, tugging on Niall's arm. The two men stayed silent as I began to feel the elevator descend. My heart was racing and my anxiety was beginning to bubble the longer my vision was obscured.

"Just trust me!" Andrew bellowed, becoming frustrated and making me flinch.

"Well, it's kind of hard to trust someone that randomly blindfolds you in a fucking elevator without any explanation!"

"Ava, you're my sister. I would never let anything happen to you, now just shut up for a few minutes and we will tell you." He all but growled, I could practically see his jaw tensing.
Niall's hand rubbed small circles in my back, an attempt to console and comfort me. Although it wasn't necessarily working, I was appreciative of the effort.

The elevator came to an abrupt halt, making me falter in my heels. Niall's arm tightened around me to steady me once again, pulling me from the elevator. The blindfold that covered my eyes was finally removed, revealing a dimly lit monitor room. The room was full of people in business wear, looking utterly stressed.

"Hunter! I have more information for you." A man spoke, pulling my brother from us.
My heart was racing again, what the hell was this place? I gripped Niall's hand in mine, becoming more confused the further we traveled into this mysterious place. He led us through a door into an office where my father stood with his back to us, stripped of his tux jacket, shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

"Dad?" I asked quietly, watching his shoulders slump at the sound of my voice. "What the hell is going on?"

He sighed audibly, rubbing his face with his hands before turning around to me. "Well, sweetie, there's something I've been keeping from you."

"You could say that again." I chuckled humorlessly, crossing my arms.

"Niall, could you give us a minute and go prepare things?" He asked the young brunette beside me. With a nod of his head and a squeeze to my hand, he backed out of the door, closing it behind him. "Before you get upset, there is a reason that we've kept this from you."

"Kept what from me?"

"We've only ever wanted to ensure your safety. Leaving you in the dark about it has kept
your anonymity." He started, leaning against his desk. "I work for the CIA, Ava."

"Wait, what?" I asked, becoming increasingly confused. "No, you own a hedgefund."

"On the outside, yes."

"H-how long?"

He sighed, "Since before your mother and I even dated. I was recruited fresh out of high school, right after your grandparents died."

I backed up slowly, finding the couch. I needed to sit down, this was too much to take standing up while also intoxicated. Truth be told, I was losing that intoxication slowly. "Why are you telling me this now?"

"Because we're having to go into hiding."

"Why?" I asked, my heart finding its fast pace that it had become accustomed to in the last ten minutes.

"We successfully took out the leader of one of the most dangerous mobs. We originally thought that they weren't going to react so fast but there was a breach in one of our systems tonight. They're coming for us and I need to make sure you and your mother are safe."

"So what? We go into a government safe house or something?" I asked, bunching my dress up in my fists as I felt my anxiety bubbling again. "I can't go into hiding, dad. I just got into law school."

"You're going to have to defer your acceptance. I've talked to the dean, came up with a story that's believable." He explained, taking a seat beside me. "I am so sorry that we have to do this, but your safety is above everything else right now."

My heart dropped, the thing I had been working so hard towards for four years was being practically ripped away from me. I didn't know what to think or how to process the information that was dropped on me.

"Another thing. You're not going to be traveling with your mother. I'm sending you to separate safe houses, they're not involved with the US government, but they're very reliable allies of ours."

"I'm going alone?" I began to panic, as if the whole CIA thing wasn't enough, I was being sent out into hiding without my family.

"No, Niall will be with you and-" he faltered, a concerned look displayed on his face as we heard a knock at the door.

"Mr. Hunter." Called a deep, sickenly familiar voice. My heart dropped into my stomach; I knew the owner of that voice and he was the last person on earth that I wanted to see.

"No," I shook my head profusely, refusing to believe that he was there, that he had lied to me too. "No."

"Come in, Harry."

Before I knew it, his long legs brought him through the door. My heart clenching at the sight of the face I hadn't seen in five months, the last time being the night I swore that I never wanted to see him again. It was as if my heart was breaking all over again just to lay eyes on him. His once long hair had been cut, making him look much older, his eyes still clearly the same vibrant jade that I had once loved so dearly.

"What the hell is he doing here?" I croaked, trying to contain the unshed tears that were stinging my eyes. This was too much to take in all at once.

"Ava, Harry is going to accompany you and Niall."

"There is absolutely no way in hell I am going anywhere with him." I seethed, standing from the couch. "I'll go with Niall but not him."

"Ava-" Harry started, but I cut him off, not wanting to hear a word he had to say.

"Don't you dare say a word to me. I told you I never wanted to see you again, and I meant it."

"Harry, would you give us a moment?"

He nodded, exiting the room as quickly as he came. As soon as the door shut, I could feel the tears coming quickly.

"Dad- I can't." I muttered weakly, feeling my heart break all over again. "You know what he did to me."

Strong arms were wrapped around me as the tears freely fell now. I couldn't stop them, nor did I try. "Sweetheart, I know but I know he will do everything in his power to keep you safe."

"He couldn't even do everything in his power to stay away from that slutty intern." I muttered into his shirt. "What makes you think he could keep me safe?"

"He swore to me he would, he jumped at the chance to travel with you and Niall." My father's hand rubbed my back soothingly. "Look at me, he gave me his word that you were the top priority, regardless of your history together."

I sniffled, giving up the fight because I knew ultimately I would lose. I couldn't shake the feeling of the fear that was slowly consuming my entirety. When would I see my family again? Will I see them again?

*

It was only two hours later that my things were packed up ready to be shipped off to wherever we were going. Thankfully, my dad's assistants helped my mother and I gather what we needed. My mind was far too scattered to focus on the task at hand, constantly relaying to the fact that I would be spending numerous days, possibly weeks with the man that broke my heart so terribly only months before.

"Everything is ready, Ava." Gina, my father's trusty assistant noted, squeezing my shoulder comfortingly. "Trust me, the people that you are staying with are personal friends of mine. They are going to take good care of you."

Her words comforted me slightly. Gina had known me since the day I was born and had ultimately become one of my parents' closest friends. It was easy to feel comforted in the presence of someone who had known you so long.

"I guess we better get going then." I sighed, grabbing my carry-on bag and phone seeing numerous texts from Niall.

I am so sorry, Ava.

I wish I could have told you sooner. But ya know, formalities and shit.

I promise everything is going to be okay.

I'm not going to let anything happen to you.

Are you ready?

My comfort was growing at the thought that I would at least have my oldest friend with me. Niall brought me an indescribable sense of home, I guess because we basically were attached at the hip growing up. He was always there and I was thankful for that.

Making one last glance over my room to make sure I didn't forget anything, I turned out the lights and closed the door. I saw my father at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me with a Manila envelope. He peered up at me from his phone, stuffing it back into his pocket.

"You'll be living under an alias." He handed the folder over to me. "This is your new ID, passport, and credit card."

I could tell it was taking a toll on him to send my mother and me away, the stress evident on his face. Thankfully, my mom and I had already said our goodbyes before she had to quickly make her flight. They were more tear-filled than I anticipated, my worry growing the further she walked away.

Niall and Harry appeared through the kitchen door, dressed down in black jeans and t-shirts. My eyes met Harry's briefly, instantly making me regret it. My heart clenched and tears stung my eyes, this was going to be a long trip.

"Okay, you best be going. I have a plane arranged to take you to Ireland in the morning from Maine." He pulled me into a hug that only a father could give and I clung to him like this was the last time I would be able to. For all I knew, it was. "I love you, baby girl. Stay safe. I'll be in touch soon."

"I love you, dad." I muttered through tears, fisting the fabric of his shirt in my hand one last time before letting go and shuffling towards the door.

Niall threw an arm around my shoulders once we were out of the door, pulling me close and granting a kiss to my head. "We're going to be okay, I promise."

*

The drive to Maine was filled with mostly technical talk coming from Niall with a few rants about soccer here and there. Harry had yet to utter a word to me and I was wondering if he was trying to make me feel guilty about what I said. The truth was, I didn't feel guilty in the slightest. It was his turn to feel some of the hurt that I had been feeling for months.

Harry and I met in high school when he moved to New York from the UK. It was pretty much love at first sight, something I never believed in until I met him. At the mere age of seventeen, I was head over heels for a guy I had only known less than a year. It was so easy being with him, he made me happy, I made him happy. I was over the moon when he graduated from college and began working for Niall's father; a few months later, we were happily engaged. Wedding plans began just before I applied for law school, everything was falling into place. It only took one night, one fucking night for him to throw our entire future together away.

"What do you think, Ava?" Niall's voice interrupted my thoughts, pulling my gaze from the window to the two boys in the front seat.

"Yeah, sure." I excused, returning my gaze to the reflectors on the road, trying to focus my attention on anything but the curly haired man that sat in front of me.

Niall sighed, "You weren't paying attention, were you?"

"No." I deadpanned, wishing I was snuggled into the confines of my warm bed, catching up on Bob's Burgers, or anything, just anything than stuck in a car for five hours with Harry.

Another audible sigh came from Niall, "Ava, I know you're not happy about this situation, but just try to make the best of it."

I scoffed, not believing that Niall of all people was trying to play this off as me being overdramatic.

"Ava-"

"Just drop it, Niall." Harry finally spoke up, jaw clenched tight. With a run of his hand through his hair, he spared a glance back at me, meeting my eyes only briefly before returning his back to the road in front of him.

*

"Mornin', sunshine." Niall spoke as he opened the car door that I was previously leaning against. If I hadn't have been still buckled into the seat, I was sure to have tumbled to the asphalt below.

My frustration with the whole situation still hadn't settled in the hours between my falling asleep and Our arrival to the airport. This was just beginning to tip it off. I was exhausted and honestly, confused as fuck. How had this become my life?

"Sleep well?" Harry asked, carrying his bags and some of mine to the private plane waiting for us a few yards away.

I didn't offer him a response, simply glancing at him, getting a good look at him for the first time. The butterflies in my stomach couldn't be stopped, they never could. Harry never failed to make me feel like the giddiest of school girls, even when I wanted nothing more than to hate him with my entire being. It was hard to completely hate someone who shared a good chunk of their youth with you, ultimately making you fall helplessly in love with them. It was hard to look at him and not be happy to see his handsome face that once brightened my day. It was just hard being around him when all I wanted to do was forget he existed.

"Right." He nodded, allowing me to board the plane ahead of him.

I clutched my pillow to my chest, ready to sink into the somewhat comfortable seat and block out everything with Hozier's soothing voice coming through my headphones. My nerves were beginning to settle slightly as I began to just think of this whole ordeal as an excuse to have an extended vacation. Yeah, that's what this was, a vacation; a strange one, but hell, this was the only way I'd survive this trip with my sanity.

The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, casting an orange glow to flow through the windows of the plane. Everything seemed to stand still, the airport not bustling with near as much life as I was accustomed to at JFK. The workers worked diligently to load our luggage into the plane as I settled into my seat.

"We'll arrive in Dublin around seven-thirty." Niall took his seat across the aisle from me, setting up his laptop on the small table that sat between his seat and Harry's. "Get some rest, you look like shit."

There he was, my Niall, charming as ever. If there was one thing he could do, it was make me laugh in even the worst of situations. I was ultimately thankful I had him to accompany me on this journey, if that's what we were going to call it.

*

Harry's POV:

As Ava slept serenely in her seat, I found comfort in the fact that she had finally found her way into oblivion, at least for a few hours. In just 12 hours, her world had basically been turned upside down and my heart was breaking for her. There was a reason to keep her in the dark about everything and that was so she wouldn't fuss over all of us being in situations like this constantly. Not only her father, but her brother, best friend, and former fiance were roped into this world.

The five months away from her had taken a toll on me. It's strange to go from planning a future with someone one day to them loathing your very existence the next. It was my fault, after all, there was no sense in denying that. I threw away something that I had dreamed my whole life for, a future with the woman that loved me to bits. I was sure at one point that no two people had ever loved each other the way that we did; we were that one in a million couple that just got it right. It was that effortless, all-encompassing, passionate, raw, once in a lifetime love.

"Yeh alright, mate?" Niall's voice pulled me from my thoughts and my gaze fixed on the face that belonged to the girl I loved.

"Yeah."

"Tell me." He pressed, closing his laptop and putting it on the table between us.

I sighed, not wanting to really delve too far into what was causing my brow to furrow. "She hates me."

"Well, why don't you just tell her what really happened, then?"

Notes