Arranged marriage with mr stranger

Ava's POV

"Still sleeping like an asshole?" 

My eyes snapped open as I jumped out of bed when I heard her voice. 

No matter how deeply I slept,  I could never mistake Clara Wilson's voice.  My stepmom. I wondered if I would ever be able to be at peace, as I was years back before she came in. It had barely been 4 hours of sleep and yet she was already screaming my name. I had been called all manner of names as I was old enough to understand the meaning of those names. 

My exams were tomorrow and I wished to sit and read. Of course not.  All I ever did was work, work, and work. 

"Ava!" I heard her heavy stomps thundering up the stairs. She was already close.

She pushed the door and I could see her eyes were filled with rage. I faced her, bracing myself as she walked towards me, holding a broom.

"Good morning, mother," I said softly, forcing the words through clenched teeth.

"I have been calling you for five minutes, lazy bitch. What were you doing?" she yelled.

I bowed my head low, panting like a dog. My stepmother hated me so much. Since I lost my mother, my father brought the witch into our home. I managed to get admitted into the same school as my sister, Alison, because my father wanted me to go there with her. Still, I couldn't keep up. One day I am at school, the next I am scrubbing the floor. 

Today was supposed to be my exams, but instead, I am dragged out of bed to begin chores that might leave me too drained or too late to attend school.

The Wilson family is well known across the city, but no one knew I existed. They only knew about Alison, the Wilsons' only daughter. Perfect in every way. 

"Are you now deaf as well as stupid?" She continued, advancing closer. My heart skipped a bit because I knew the next thing I was expecting was a slap. Indeed, I was given a thunderous slap. I stumbled backward, dazed. It felt like being struck by lightning. 

"Mom, what have I done this time?" I cried, but then it was no use. 

"Are you talking back to me?" She snapped, as I moved backward. 

First, just apologize. "I'm sorry, Mom."

"I am not your mother. How do I keep saying that?" She had said that countless times, but then I kept making that mistake. 

"I'm sorry ma'am," I apologized again. "I had a lot of chores last night and couldn't sleep early. I am sorry ma'am."

As I stood there, she clicked her tongue at me, getting impatient. "That explanation wasn't valid, I know you go around telling people I give you too many chores. I want to see you downstairs in five minutes."

I dashed into the small adjoined bathroom, changing in minutes, changing in record speed. 

I got down in five minutes, as she ordered. "Ava, you must not mess things up for me today. "

"Yes mother," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Even though I wasn't sure of what I was not supposed to mess up, all I knew was that if I went against her orders, I would be in a world of pain. 

She walked into the living room. "Your father and I had thought about some things and decided that there isn't a need for you to attend college anymore. From now on, you are on janitor's duty at the new hotel, the Silver Royale."

"Janitor duty?" I blinked, in confusion. "What on earth would I be doing there? Why has Father changed his mind? Did I do anything wrong?"

"So many questions.  I don't like repeating myself.  What do you do in school? Sleep with your sister's boyfriend, because that is all you do."

"W-what?" I muttered,  my voice barely like a whisper.

Alison had told them that I slept with her boyfriend, Henry. Meanwhile, she was the one whom I caught a few days ago with my boyfriend having sex in the toilet at school. She is such an asshole. I cried but decided to let go because I had no one and the only one I had betrayed me. 

Her glare caught me off guard from my thoughts. "Clean the house quickly and then get ready for your evening duty," she brought out clothes from the pack and said. "Take this, you will be wearing this tonight to serve the guests. I think I have made myself clear?"

"Yes ma'am," I said, with tears streaming down my face.

"And no one should ever hear that you are from the Wilson family," she said, not minding the tears. 

The lanyard in my hand is attached to a general access badge that states me, Ava Wilson, as a janitor. My chest tightened, but I nodded. 

She left without saying another word. All through the day, I worked through tears.

It was evening already and the bodyguards were here to pick me up. I wonder why they were here, to protect me, I doubt. 

Well, at least I left the cage that was called my home. I got started with work immediately after I was dropped off at the hotel. It was so beautiful! It felt like I was in another world. My first service was a delivery room service. 

As I walked through the halls, I noticed the light, they were so lovely, glinting on the golden floor like something out of a dream. Balancing the tray in my hands, I made my way through the corridor leading to the private suites. I passed by the poker room, the murmurs drowning out the faint echo of my footsteps. They must be having some sort of party, from the sound of smooth jazz and occasional laughter. My nerves on edge, my head down, I avoided any eye contact with passing staff or guests. 

As I rounded up, I caught unusual movement out of the corner of my eye, so I looked up. 

I finally saw a tall man, his steps unsteady as he staggered towards the wall for support. He leans heavily on it. He must be drunk.

His head tilted as if he was trying to stay awake but his body wasn't cooperating. The next thing he was falling. 

Without hesitation, the tray fell from my hands, as I tried to help him, grabbing him by his arms.

"Sir, are you okay?" I asked, knowing fully well that there was nothing I could do to help him if he fainted. 

"Room..." he gargled. "They are.... after me." 

I got what he was trying to say. But who was after him? I turned and didn't see anyone coming. 

Before I could speak, he pressed his lips against mine. I tried to resist but then I heard some footsteps and couldn't help but pretend. 

The footsteps were gone, and then I stood up angrily. "You wanted to take advantage of me. Impossible!"

"Please... the room..." I struggled to understand what he meant. 

He wanted me to take him to his room. 

"Need, to get away.... Now" he words slurs together.

The sharp, delicious scent of expensive cologne mixed with something more bitter hit me. That wasn't alcohol. 

He had been drugged!