DINNER AT THE DEVILS

“Illegitimate heir.” The word stuck to Ava's mind. Ethan’s low rumbling voice and Lucas' careless laughter filled her ears. 

She didn't wait to hear more. 

Footsteps approached from inside and Ava sprang in action disappearing down the corridor, her heels barely making a sound on the marble floor. 

Back in her office she shut the door and leaned on it.

The Hale brothers were already complicating enough for her.

Suddenly the door swung open. 

“Are you hiding from someone or escaping workload?” Caroline's sing-song voice disrupted Ava's thoughts.

She looked startled. “Workload…it's definitely work load.” They both chuckled.

Caroline Bennett had been Ava's friend and her colleague as well. 

“You look like you've seen a ghost or the CEO in one of his angry moods.”

“Maybe both.” Ava said forcing out a smile as she took a cup of coffee from Caroline.

She had initially walked in with two cups of coffee.

Caroline sat at the edge of the desk kicking off her heels from her feet.

“The tension? Urrgh…those brothers and their bickering, everyone's been whispering.” 

Ava looked at her. “You noticed too?” 

Caroline scoffed. “Of course.” She studied her friend for a second. “You okay, Ava. You seem off lately.”

“I'm fine. Just tired, My dad's health, work, it's a lot for me.”

Caroline nodded pitifully. “Yeah! I understand. Take it easy on yourself though, so you don't burn out.”

Ava smiled softly. “Thanks care.”

For the rest of the day, Ava fell into her work, trying to get her mind off things. But at the end of the day, they all followed her home.

By evening, dinner at the Hales was unusually quiet. The sounds of cutlery hitting together, the tension at the table could literally suffocate a person.

Ava tried to keep her focus on her plate, pretending not to notice the extreme silence that charged between them. 

At intervals Lucas stole glances at her, accessing and teasing her like he knew she was trying to avoid him.

Just then the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor was heard.

Miranda Dobrev. Dressed in an all lilac gown.

“Ethan, darl.” Her voice had a tone of surprise in it.

Ava's fork fell from her hand with a soft clang. She felt uneasy. She knew Miranda wouldn't make things easy for her. 

“Miranda,” Ethan called, dropping his utensils. “What are you doing here?”

“To be with you of course,” her eyes dropped on Ava. “You again?”

Lucas let out a satisfying laugh. “Ah! There's that warmth I've missed.” He approached her. “Miranda Dobrev, still as dramatic as ever.” 

She smiled. “Lucas, you are back.” Her voice softened. “It's been ages.” 

She turned to Ava. “You low lives honestly do not know when to stop.” She smacked her tongue. 

Everywhere went still. Ethan didn't say another word, he just continued with his dinner.

It was disrupted when Ava's phone rang and her mother's number displayed on the screen.

“Mom?Is everything okay?” she said immediately she answered.

Melissa's voice sounded delighted. “There's good news, Ava. A ‘Hale’ offered a donor.

Ava's eyes widened. “Wait…what?! Are you serious?”

“Yes! The doctor told me.”

“Oh really? I'm glad it worked out.” Ava said. When she hung up, her heart raced with gratitude.

“Mr Ethan….” She called out. Ethan looked up.

Ava continued. “Thank you for the donor.”

His eyebrow furrowed. “Yeah…but thank me when I find a donor.” 

“Huh?” Her eyes blinked several times than normal. “My mom had received an offer from ‘A Hale.’

His eyes darted from Ava to Lucas immediately. Lucas whose lips were already curved into a smile.

“I haven't found one yet.” Ethan said bluntly.

Her confusion deepened.

“Always so slow, brother. I guess someone beat you to it.” Lucas smirked. 

Ethan's jaw clenched,one could literally feel anger emitting from his presence. He knew something was up with Lucas.

Miranda listened with quite a disgust and eventually caught up with what they were saying.

“You're arranging donors for employees now? Huh…?” Miranda snapped. “Tell me, what more have I missed Ethan?” 

“This is business, Miranda and have some dignity, will you?” Ethan said flatly.

“It's always business, Ethan.” She was already raising her voice. “Bringing an employee over, arranging…”

“Enough!” Ethan barked, cutting her off. Lucas, who was smiling, wasn't anymore.

He tightened his fist, he hated the way Miranda spoke of Ava.

“First off…I didn't bring her over, she lives here.”

“what?!” Miranda snarled.

She was already losing it.

“And you shouldn't disrespect my employee, she works for me.” Ethan said and exited the scene.

All the while, Ava has had her head down, eyes solely fixed on her plate. 

She moved closer to Ava who was fidgeting and expecting the worst.

“Oh, don't act all righteous now, sweetie. You are seducing him alright. You poor people do not deserve any form of help!” 

She said her last sentence with frustration and a deep hatred.

She was quite hurt. Her eyes burned but when she spoke it was piercing. “Yes, I don't belong here, so does class without dignity.” 

The silence that followed felt heavy. Her words pierced Miranda's soul.

A tear dropped from Ava's eyes. She wished the ground could open up for her.

She didn't choose her life. She was just a victim of circumstances.

Miranda left the Mansion after taunting Ava.

Lucas looked at her.

“Welcome to the Hale family,” he said with a grin. “It could only get worse." 

When everything quieted down, Ava thought about the possibility of Lucas getting a donor, still weighing on her mind, but he doesn't know about her father's health issues and Ethan said he didn't do it. 

However, the next day, Ava was in her office doing some paperwork when her phone buzzed.

One new message. Unknown sender.

stay away from Ethan, he's mine. You can always have the other brother.

Her fingers trembled. “Who could it be?” 

She thought about Miranda, Ethan's girlfriend, she feared Miranda had learned about the night with her boss.

“She's daring. She would rather say it to my face.” She dismissed the thought of Miranda sending the message.

How about Sophia Forbes, the PR director who wants to force herself down Ethan's throat.

Her problems had seemed to be never ending.

A meeting was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the company, She had to suspend her feelings and thoughts. 

The boardroom had a normal atmosphere with half of the people whispering beneath their breath. Lucas sat at the far end of the table, eyes on his phone screen and legs crossed casually, like a doll. 

“He finally joined the board members.” Ava whispered to herself.

The meeting began peacefully at first. Ethan talking and addressing everyone with a steady voice. 

Just then the projector twitched. A photo appeared on the screen and everyone was shocked. 

It was Ava leaving the Hale Mansion with Ethan.

Everyone murmured in a high tone. 

“What the heck is she doing, coming out of there?” One of the board members whispered to another.

She froze. 

Ethan's jaw clenched. “Who uploaded this?” He demanded. No one spoke.

“This is a business visit.” He addressed it sharply and was out of the office before anyone else.

Everyone had confusion written all over their faces as Ava's head was bowed in shame.

However, Sophia Forbes, the PR director leaned back, with a victory smile on her face. For Ava, a real nightmare was just starting.