Chapter 9: Summoned by the Devil

Ava's POV

With the statement held tightly against my chest, I walked out of the hospital boarded a cab and went home

I sat in the living room staring at the statement on the table for almost 20 minutes

The ticking sound of the clock got louder reminding me that I was running out of time

I picked up my phone and opened my contacts

There had to be someone else

I scrolled through the list slowly

My finger stopped at a name

I hesitated before calling

The person answered after several rings

“Hello?”

“Hi, it's Ava”

A brief pause followed

“Ava? Are you okay?”

I almost laughed at how ironic that question was

It seemed like everyone asked me that lately

“No, not really”

I explained what had happened to Ethan and the state of financial crisis I was in at the moment due to the hospital expenses

There was a long silence after I had finished

“I wish I could help you”

My heart sank

“Even a little?”

“I honestly can't, Ava. I'm sorry”

I forced myself to smile a little

“It's okay”

The call ended

One more door closed

“Maybe I should try another loan” I said to myself

I searched online and found a lender

I filled out application, entered my details and waited patiently

A few minutes later, the response appeared

Application unsuccessful

I stared at the words

Not wanting to give up, I tried another

Same result

I locked my phone

“Okay” I whispered

My eyes drifted to a few things in the house

My laptop, again

Ethan's watch

The television

I remembered the few pieces of jewellery I had in my drawer

I could still sell them

It wouldn't be enough, but maybe it would buy us more time

I opened a resale app and started taking pictures

The first item was my laptop

My finger hovered over the list button

I couldn't bring myself to press it

That laptop had been a gift from Ethan

I lowered the phone

A tear rolled down my cheek

“I'm sorry”

I didn't even know who I was apologizing to

Maybe Ethan

Maybe myself

Maybe the life we'd had before all of this

There was nothing else to try, so I had to resort to the final option

My mom's long persistent offer

Her voice suddenly came back to me

{Flashback}

“Ava, just meet him. I'm not asking you to do anything with him. Just meet him” my mom said sitting across me in my living room

“Mom, I'm married. Why are we still having this conversation?”

“He has money, he's successful. He can give you the kind of security you need”

{Flashback ends}

I always hated those conversations but now I really do not have a choice

I stared at her name on my phone for about a minute contemplating whether I should call or not

“No”

I put my phone down

I can't do this

I'm Ethan's wife

Meeting another man because of money feels like betrayal

But then I remember that Ethan is lying unconscious

“What exactly am I protecting by refusing to meet him?” I asked myself loudly

My pride?

My principles?

Not wanting to give my mom the satisfaction of later accepting her offer?

While Ethan is fighting for his life?

Every single thought destroyed me

“I'm sorry Ethan”

I honestly don't even know if I'm apologising for what I'm about to do or simply for feeling desperate enough to consider it

I picked up my phone again and finally dialed my mom

She picked on the first ring

I couldn't speak for a moment

“Ava?” my mom called out impatiently

“Hi mom”, my voice came out softer than I thought it would

“What happened?”

“I'm ready to meet him”

Silence followed and I could have sworn I heard her chuckle

“Oh finally you decided to think practically” she started “Are you serious?”

“Yes” my voice cracks

“Are you sure?, because you have rejected this offer for a long time” she paused for a while then continued “although I saw it coming because of your current situation, but are you sure?”

“I don't know mom”

“You don't have to decide anything. Just meet him” her voice softened a little

It's exactly what she used to say

Only now, the words don't sound irritating

They sound like a possible lifeline

“Alright”

“Clear your schedule tomorrow, 12pm at Santos Café”

That's one of the most expensive restaurants in London

“Who exactly is he?” I questioned

“You'll know when you see him”

I decided not to press further

I really did not want to know much, I just wanted to know if this man could help

“Ava?”

“Yes mom”

“Don't go there thinking you're selling yourself”

I stayed quiet

“You're simply meeting someone who might be able to help you” she continued

I didn't answer because I knew deep down that wasn't the case

“I'd see you tomorrow” she said finally and ended the call

I guess I'm actually doing this

After making my way to my bedroom, I stood in front of my wardrobe, staring at the clothes in front of me

I had no idea what to wear

This is ridiculous, I'm not going on a date

I was simply going to meet a man my mother had been trying to introduce me to for a long time

A man I'd refused to meet every single time until now

I reached for a black dress, held it against my myself then immediately put it back

Too formal

I picked up a blouse

Too casual

I sighed and sat at the edge the bed

My eyes landed on the hospital statement lying on the bedside table

Forty eight hours

That was all the time I had to figure something out

I looked away

This wasn't about the man

It was about Ethan

I stood again and finally chose a simple cream blouse and a pair of dark trousers

Nothing flashy

Nothing that would make me look like I was trying too hard

I laid them across the bed

Then I walked over to the mirror

I looked exhausted

My eyes were still slightly swollen from crying, and there were dark circles beneath them

I picked up some concealer but stopped

What was the point?

I wasn't going there to pretend everything was fine

I just needed to get through the meeting

My phone buzzed

Mom: Tomorrow, 12 p.m. Don't be late

I stared at the message

Then another one appeared

Mom: And Ava... please keep an open mind.

I almost laughed

Keep an open mind

I'd heard those words countless times

Every time my mother mentioned him, I'd refused before she could even finish explaining

I typed a reply

I'll be there

I stared at it for a few seconds before sending it

Once it was delivered, I felt a strange heaviness settle in my chest

There was no turning back now

I walked to the bedside table and picked up the photograph of Ethan and me from our wedding day

We were smiling

Happy

Completely unaware of how quickly life could change

I ran my thumb over the photograph

“I'm only going to meet him”

My voice was barely a whisper

“That's all”

I placed the photograph back down

But even as I said it, guilt twisted inside me

I was married

I shouldn't have been preparing to meet another man

Even if there was nothing romantic about it

Even if my only reason was Ethan

I climbed into bed and turned off the light

Sleep didn't come

I stared into the darkness for hours, listening to the silence of the apartment

At some point, I reached for my phone and checked the time

2:13 a.m

I closed my eyes

Tomorrow, I would meet the man my mother had been trying to put in my life for years

For some reason I had a feeling that by the end of that meeting, my life would no longer belong entirely to me. It felt like I was falling straight into the hands of the devil

The next morning

I was few minutes away from the restaurant when my mom's text comes in

Mom: Where are you? I told you not to be late

I typed a reply

I'll be there in a minute

Shortly after the text, the cab arrived at the restaurant, I paid the driver and walked in

I've never been to this restaurant before but every single person talks about it. There are so many good reviews about this place

The ambience of the restaurant captured my heart

The beige and white interior design gave a minimalist vibe. The place was elegant without being overly flashy

There were soft golden lights that hung above polished wooden tables, while quiet instrumental music played in the background

I sighted my mother already waiting for me, looking so satisfied because I finally took her advice

I sat beside her

“Good afternoon mom”

“It's going to be short, you don't have to worry about anything”

Then she looks towards the entrance

Her expression changes

“He's here”

My stomach tighten

I followed my mother's gaze towards the entrance

Some guards walked into the room

There was something painfully familiar about them

Then the actual person walked in

My blood ran cold

“Ava, I'd like you to meet…”