Chapter 38. Second Uncle?

Ava’s POV

The store buzzed like a colony of insects. It was a day before the opening ceremony and the department store was in chaos as everyone was preparing for it.

I checked the last rack of clothes on display when my phone vibrated against my body in my pocket. I removed it and saw Mason’s name lighting the screen.

“Hey,” I said, still looking at the crumpled clipboard tightly gripped in my hand. “Did you pick Sophie up already?”

“Ava, I’m so sorry, something came up. There’s a crisis at the complex and I need to go sort it out. I won’t be able to pick up Sophie today.”

I blinked, still gripping the clipboard tightly.

“What?” I raised my voice as I checked my watch. “The school hours will be over in ten minutes and I can’t leave anytime soon. What am I supposed to do now?”

“I know. I did not mean for it to happen. Why don’t you let Claire cover up for you so you can leave and take her back to the department store? I will come there