“Ava, my mother is on my neck to get married, your stepmother is maltreating you. Let's get married to be free from them.” “I…didn't tell you my stepmother is maltreating me.” My eyebrows furrowed in shock. “Oh, you didn’t need to say it directly. I understand when you told me about your late brother.” ……….. She was determined to investigate the death of her younger brother and believed getting close to someone powerful like Ethan King could help her. Fortunately for her, Ethan King’s contract marriage proposal came in. But shortly after accepting the marriage proposal, she discovered Ethan's secret: he had a terminal disease and needed a good person like her to care for her daughter after he died. Could their relationship survive the heartbreaking revelations? Could Ava face a future with a man whose years were limited?
View MoreAva’s POV
As I walked into King’s Enterprise, my heart skipped a beat. Why wouldn't I be nervous? It was my first day as a secretary. King’s enterprise was one of the biggest companies in Los Angeles and it was a multinational powerhouse owned by a prominent family. I had researched about the company– its services, investors and many more. However, I had forgotten to search for anything about my soon to be boss. I didn't meet him during the interview, so I guess I’d be meeting him today. I wondered what he would be like— Maybe cold, distant and rude like most billionaires I’d read about. My gaze swept around, the grandeur of the interior nearly took my breath away. I stood frozen, my mouth agape as I took in the luxurious decor and the sleek designs adorning the space. “Ava, admiration can wait, start work first,” I cautioned myself. I quickly made my way to the receptionist, who greeted me with a stern, knowing glance. Her expression hinted that she’d caught me admiring the space like someone from the countryside seeing luxury for the first time. ‘Ava, hope you haven't made a bad impression on your first day?’ I thought, my cheeks flushed in embarrassment and I quickly lowered my head. I let out a deep breath and looked up at her again. “Good morning,” I said. Her bright blue eyes sparkled, captivating me, and I was fascinated by her long blonde hair cascading down her back. “Good morning, Miss,” she said, but I was lost admiring her. She clicked her fingers together, snapping me out of my reverie. ‘Not again,’ I muttered under my breath, pinching myself on the thigh. ‘I really need to learn to admire without getting lost in thought.’ “I'm sorry,” I quickly said, forcing a smile to hide my embarrassment. “I’m Ava Blackwood and I'm starting work today as the secretary. Is there anything I need to know before going to my office?” I asked, trying to sound professional. “Mr. King's PA, will take you through everything you need to know. His office is the first office on the left on the third floor. Take the elevator by the corner,” she said quickly, her attention returning to her PC. “Thank you,” I whispered, hurrying to the elevator. My heart couldn't stop racing as I waited for the elevator to reach the third floor. It was damned slow and it only annoyed me. I let out a deep sigh of relief as the elevator door finally opened. I straightened my dress and made my way to the PA’s office, following the receptionist’s description. However, I stopped in my tracks as I began hearing noises from a room at the other end. My curiosity got the better of me, I couldn't help but go to see what was happening. ‘I just hope this won't land me in trouble.’ The noise increased as I moved closer to the room. I began hearing many people trying to talk at once and a baby crying. It sounded like they were all trying to calm the crying baby. ‘A baby in this formal setting,’ I whispered, my gaze darting upward to see the inscription– “Boardroom.” At first, I wanted to step back, but my curiosity about a baby in the boardroom, meant for formal discussions, wouldn't let me. I took a deep breath and pressed myself against the side of the door, peeking inside. The door was wide open, giving me a clear view, but the commotion to stop the crying baby distracted everyone from noticing me. “Lily, please,” A young man carrying the baby said, he looked so tired and stressed. Despite the dark lines under his eyes, his pretty eyes were still noticeable. ‘Could the baby be his?’ I wondered. “Maybe she's teething,” a lady beside him suggested. “Put your finger inside her mouth,” the man immediately did, but the baby kept crying. “Is she running temperature?” Another person asked. The mother in me couldn't bear the trial and error method just to soothe the crying baby. Without a second thought, I burst into the room. “Can I carry her?” I asked, moving towards the baby with outstretched arms. The young man eyed me coldly. “And who are you?” He demanded. “Does that matter now,” I scoffed, my tone firm. Without waiting for his permission, I gently took the baby from him. His gaze remained cold as he released the baby to me. “Hey, darling,” I said softly, smiling at the baby. She stopped crying and a soft smile spread across her tiny face as she stared into my eyes. But when I thought I had succeeded, she started crying again. I could hear murmurs and whispers from the people in the room, but I didn't let that bother me, I focused on the baby. I decided to check her diaper—it was damned wet. I was a bit angry at that, because most of the people in the room were females. Why couldn't they just reason to check the baby’s diaper? “Can I get a new diaper and wipes for her?” I bit back my anger, trying to sound neutral. The young man nodded towards a woman, who quickly grabbed a bag and pulled out a diaper and wipes from it and handed them to me. I gently laid the baby on a nearby table and began changing her diaper, singing lullabies and playing with her. The baby couldn't stop giggling, making my heart swell with joy. As I lifted the baby off the table, cradling her in my arms, the young man said coldly, “Can I have her now?” My gaze met his, a flash of annoyance flickering in my eyes. ‘He couldn't even say thank you,’ I clenched my jaw, biting back my retort, reminding myself it was my first day at work. I handed the baby back to him, only for her to start crying again. I almost laughed at the young man’s frazzled expression, but his angry glare made me stifle my laugh. With a sheepish look, he handed the baby back to me. I cradled her against my chest, gently patting her back, while avoiding the man’s stern gaze. Within a few minutes, the baby's soft humming filled the air as she finally fell asleep. That brought relief to everyone in the room. “Mr. King, I think she should go lay the baby down in her cradle in your office,” a woman suggested. Wait! Did I just hear ‘Mr. King?’ My heart skipped a beat as I realized the young man was my CEO. ‘Ava, what have you done?’ I nearly cried.Ava's POV “Name your price,” my CEO said, his eyes locked on me.‘A contract marriage for eighteen years,’ the more I thought about it, the more my heart ached.“Sir, If it's because of Lily, I can be her nanny not your wife!”He leaned forward, his expression unreadable. “Ava, my mother is on my neck to get married, your stepmother is maltreating you. Let's get married to be free from them.” “I…didn't tell you my stepmother is maltreating me.” My eyebrows furrowed in shock.“Oh, you didn’t need to say it directly. I understand when you told me about your late brother,” he said, his tone now calm. A contract marriage with my CEO wasn’t how I wanted to escape my stepmother's trap, but even at that, I began weighing my options inwardly. Ethan King was a cold-hearted boss, Alicia was a wicked stepmother, which of them would I be safe with?“Ava…” he called, snapping me out of my thoughts. “I need to think about this,” I said and without waiting for his response I stormed out of his
Ethan's POVToday was my birthday but I didn't feel like celebrating it, because it would only reopen the wound of the death of my wife. My only focus today was to go find out what meeting my mother had called me for. I just hope it wasn't another setup with some billionaire daughters she wanted me to marry. As my car pulled up to the mansion, I started hearing sounds like there was a celebration going on. My eyebrows arched in confusion as I stepped down, scanning the environment. Had my mother disregarded my request not to celebrate my birthday?I turned to Caleb, my personal assistant. “Do you know about this?” He shook his head. “No sir,” he said, his head lowered. Reluctantly, I walked into the living room, to be greeted by familiar faces. My mom had thrown a small party with a few close friends and my two aunties. Lest I forget, I was the only child of my parents. A big, decorated cake with my favourite color, blue, sat on the centre table, adorned with the inscription, “Ha
Ava’s POVMy mind couldn't stop racing with thoughts about my CEO’s offer to be his daughter's nanny. I loved the cute girl, but being her nanny would mean working closely with her cold father. I’d asked for two days to think over it, maybe before then, I’d make a decision. “Why are you just coming?” my stepmother’s cold voice stopped me in track as I walked in. I released a deep sigh, hoping she wasn't about to start her trouble. “Aunty, I told you yesterday I got employed at the King’s enterprise, so obviously I’m coming from work….” Before I could finish speaking, a stinging slap landed on my cheek. If a mirror had been in my front at the moment, I would have seen the red marks from her fingers. My eyes burned with anger as I glared at my wicked stepmom, who stood tall, satisfied with her action. “What have I done to deserve such a slap?” I asked, a tear rolling down my cheek. “When you learn to speak to your mother with respect, you won't be getting slapped,” my father said
Ethan's POVI was so relieved to finally see my 7 months old fast asleep. She was such a handful. I couldn't help but become sorrowful as I watched her tiny face. She reminded me of her mother, who had passed away while bringing her to the world. ‘I wish she’s here with me, I wouldn't have to bring Lily to the office, after her nanny suddenly resigned.’ The more I looked at Lily's tiny face, the more memories of my late wife flashed through my mind. Lily’s face, lips, smiles and eyes all looked like my Michelle. My phone's sudden ring shattered my thoughts, it vibrated loudly on the table, that I was so scared it might wake Lily. I glanced at the screen and my frustration at the caller disappeared after seeing it was my mom.“Hello mom,” I said in a low tone, moving far away from Lily’s cot. “I heard Lily caused a tantrum in your office today,” my mom said, a hint of mockery in her voice. She was always quick to know everything happening in my office, making me wonder who her info
Ava’s POVAs I walked into King’s Enterprise, my heart skipped a beat. Why wouldn't I be nervous? It was my first day as a secretary. King’s enterprise was one of the biggest companies in Los Angeles and it was a multinational powerhouse owned by a prominent family. I had researched about the company– its services, investors and many more. However, I had forgotten to search for anything about my soon to be boss. I didn't meet him during the interview, so I guess I’d be meeting him today.I wondered what he would be like— Maybe cold, distant and rude like most billionaires I’d read about. My gaze swept around, the grandeur of the interior nearly took my breath away. I stood frozen, my mouth agape as I took in the luxurious decor and the sleek designs adorning the space. “Ava, admiration can wait, start work first,” I cautioned myself.I quickly made my way to the receptionist, who greeted me with a stern, knowing glance. Her expression hinted that she’d caught me admiring the space
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