Conviction

Cursing her rotten luck, Ava made her way slowly towards him. Avoiding him right then would have appeared very rude since he was obviously waiting for her.

“What is it now?” She asked him warily after he walked up to meet her halfway.

“I had no idea that you knew Steve.”

“As I said earlier, you have no idea about many things concerning me, just as I have no idea concerning many things about you. It's not a big deal, and neither is it any of your business, so I don’t get why you’re bent on pointing it out.”

“You should stay away from Steve. He's bad news.” Derek told her without mincing words, leaving her to gape at him in surprise at his audacity.

“And who the hell do you think you are to tell me what to do and what not to do?”

“Ava, I’m serious. You don’t want to mess with that guy. I know he’s good-looking and all, but he is not at all what he seems.”

“I can look after myself, thank you very much. I don’t need you to do it for me. We’re practically strangers to each other, so I don’t