Chapter Seven

Ava's POV 

“Alright,” he whispered, sending relief coursing through my spine. I hadn't expected him to accept so quickly. That means he needed this marriage more than I thought, perhaps not just because of Lily but to ward off his parents’ troubles. 

“Sign,” he said coldly, dropping a paper before me. My eyes narrowed as I picked it up and lo and behold it was a marriage certificate. “That was so fast,” I muttered under my breath. I shot him a disdainful look, not when he was looking though. Then, I grabbed a pen and put down my signature. 

My heart fluttered as I realized I had just gotten married without a wedding gown and in an office. That wasn't what I wanted, but it was necessary for my life. 

“My chauffeur will take you home to pack your belongings,” Mr. Ethan said, his gaze fixed on his PC. 

“No, I’ll get it myself,” I said sharply, biting back my retort as anger growled inside of me for his coldness towards his newly wedded wife. 

“My parents don't have any idea of this marriage and going with your chauffeur might cause trouble.” I managed to keep my cool.

“You’re keeping this a secret because of your stepmother, right?” His question came as a shock to me but I responded with a nod. 

He turned to face me, his mouth twisted to one side and his finger drummed on the table. “Don't dare vent your frustration with your step-mother on my own daughter. If you do, you’ll regret ever knowing me.” 

I rolled my eyes at his threatening words, I swallowed down my anger, deciding to spare him for that day. But once I got to his house as his wife, I’d show him I don't take nonsense as well.

“You can go back to your office,” he said and turned back to his PC. I shot him that annoying side eye before leaving his office. 

Marriage certificate signed ... .Now the CEO’s wife….. Automatic resignation from work. I didn't bother to get his permission before leaving the office to get my things to his house. 

Fear flared in my eyes as I met my stepmother in the house, I was expecting her to be at her boutique not at home. How was I going to pack out without her questioning me? 

“Don't tell me you’ve been sacked again?” Her cold, mocking voice greeted me. I gritted my teeth, nostrils flaring as I struggled to control my anger. 

“Good morning,” I muttered reluctantly before striding into my room, ignoring her annoying shout of my name.

I locked my door behind me and began packing out a few of my things into my box, my mind racing with thoughts of how to leave the house without my step mother stopping me. 

Done packing. I zipped up the bag and cast a final glance around my room, shaking my head. I couldn't say if I’d miss my father and step brother, Rowan, but I needed to leave for my sanity and to be able to avenge my brother. Maybe, just maybe I’d return to them when I accomplished my aim.

My heart raced as I dragged the box out of my room. Spotting me with bags, Alicia's eyes narrowed, arms crossed as she gave me that questioning look. 

“The company.....gave me a house,” I lied, not meeting her gaze. 

“Really?” Alicia scoffed. “Did you tell your father about it?” 

“Yes,” I said sharply. Her eyebrows shot up and I could see the disappointment and anger flashing in her eyes. She believed me and it was obvious she felt left out that my dad hadn't informed her. 

To avoid further questioning from her, I brushed past her, leaving her staring after me with maybe hurt or anger. 

**************

Third POV

Alicia's jaw clenched in anger as Ava left the house, but a part of her felt happy, realizing that her plan would work out more perfectly now. 

Alicia tiptoed after her, watching her till she stepped out of the gate to wait for a taxi. Then, Alicia grabbed her phone and called her partner in crime, Henry. 

Her feet tapped impatiently on the ground as she waited for Henry to pick up. 

“Ali baby,” Henry’s deep, rough voice hailed, accompanied with a low, raspy chuckle. 

“Where are you?” Alicia's gaze darted around to be sure she wasn’t being overheard, her voice was low but filled with urgency. 

“I’m close to your house,” Henry replied.

Alicia had called him initially to meet her in the house for a talk, but Ava’s sudden return had changed her plans. 

“Ava is packing out of the house….”

“I can see her now. Where is she going with a traveling bag?” Henry interrupted. 

“It’s good that you're already outside,” Alicia whispered, her pulse racing with anxiety. “Park your car outside, don't bother coming in. She's the reason I called you.”

“I thought you were not ready to carry out the plan?” Henry questioned.

“We have to do it now,” Alicia's whisper dripped with venom. 

“Wait until her taxi arrives, then you follow her. She said she had been given accommodation at the King's enterprise, that's where you’ll finish her. I’m sure you understand?”

“That's a good idea,” Henry responded, the sound of his chewing gum audible over the phone. 

“It’ll make the job cleaner, leaving no trace. Even If any suspicion would arise, it will be traced to the company, not you,” Henry added.

Outside the gate, Ava's anxiety grew as she waited for her taxi, her eyes darting repeatedly to her wrist watch, wondering why it was late. As she checked the time, her gaze drifted to a black Lamborghini parked nearby.  She couldn't shake off the feelings that something wasn't right about the car or its driver.

Finally, Ava’s taxi arrived. “You’re late,” she said coldly to the driver before putting her bag into the trunk and then slid into the backseat.

“Where to, ma’am?” The taxi driver asked, making Ava's heart skip. Her anger before leaving the office had made her forget to ask Ethan the address of his house. 

“A minute, please,” she whispered and dialed Ethan's number. The phone rang and rang without response. 

Ava quickly switched to her browser and searched for Ethan King’s house address, and fortunately for her she found it online. Without delay, she called the address out for the driver. 

“You're going to the mansion itself?” The driver asked, making Ava’s brow furrowed in offense. “Yes,” she replied coldly. 

“Are you a friend of Ethan King or….”

“Just drive, please,” she cut him off, her frustration growing. 

Ava began checking out the Mansion’s pictures, her heart swelled with joy and pride as she zoomed in on every part of the house posted online. 

Her gaze drifted to the rearview mirror and noticed the black Lamborghini following them closely. Ava’s pulse raced as she carefully monitored, her eyes fixed on the mirror. 

“Can you take a different route? I think we’re being followed,” her voice rose in panic. 

The driver took a quick glance at the mirror and swiftly took a detour as he spotted the Lamborghini. However, the more he increased his speed, the more the black Lamborghini sped after them. 

“He’s right behind us! Speed up!” Ava yelled out of fear, pounding the driver's seat.

“The car….it’s sputtering,” the driver stammered, his hand trembling on the steering wheel. 

“What do you mean the car is….” Before she could complete her statement, the black Lamborghini slammed into their taxi’s front bumper, bringing them to a jarring halt. 

“My God!!” Ava screamed, her eyes wild with terror as a tall, huge figure with a mask covering his face emerged from the Lamborghini.