Chapter four

It's been two weeks after the incident, Ava had just gotten to the office and about to get settled when she saw an envelope on her desk, she moved to pick it up and is shocked by what she sees. Inside the envelope was a wedding invitation,her sister was getting married to her ex- fiancee.

A surge of pain rushed through her body,she stared at the invitation with red eyes,she should have expected this from her sister. She sat down trembling trying to calm her raging heart. She looked at the initials on the card "C and J".

Her eyes began to sting with tears. It was supposed to be her name on that invitation.

When she recalled the scene from that night the pain in her heart was replaced with anger. She picked up her phone and called her friend.

"Hey bestie what's good" Jane picked the call at the first ring.

" I got an invitation... they're getting married" Ava answered trying to sound calm. There was no response on the other side for a while. Jane finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry for everything that's happening to you Ava,you don't deserve any of this" she said trying to console her. "What are you planning on doing now?" Jane asked.

"Fix me a date... there's no point crying over spilled milk, it's time for me to move on " Ava replied with renewed energy fueled by the hate and anger in her heart. She was going to get her revenge on them.

"That's my girl,I love that spirit" Jane said over the phone. I'll arrange a date for you immediately, I'll send you the details later" she added.

"Thanks Jane.. you're the best" Ava said and ended the call. She got back to getting busy, shoving all other thoughts to the back of her mind.

**WARD INDUSTRIES

Elias was sitted in his office going through some documents when he got a message from his grandfather.

" I fixed you a date with the youngest daughter of the Horace family,Emily. Do not miss it,5pm at crystal restaurant".

Elias read the message with a frown on his face,as much as he hated going on dates he couldn't bear to turn down his grandfather,not that the old man gave him any room to refuse. He sighed and thought to himself,"it's just a date, nothing more".

Ava got a text from Jane about her date. She paired with a guy named Raymond,the son of a business tycoon,they were to meet by 4pm at the crystal restaurant.

Ava looked at the message and for a minute she felt it was a bad idea,but she was going to go anyways. She hurried to clear her desk so she could get ready for her date.

She arrived at the restaurant few minutes before the said time,but on getting there the man was not there yet. She decided to order a glass of red wine just to keep herself busy while she waited for him.

An hour passed by and Raymond was yet to arrive. She was disappointed and was just about to stand when she felt a shadow over her,she looked up and their eyes met.

It was him.

The man from the club. She was shocked to see him.

"Leaving already"Elias said while looking down at her. He had been watching her for a while now as his date was not there yet. He only came up to her when he saw she was about to leave.

"Yes... I've been here for a while now" Ava answered."we meet again..I didn't expect us to meet this soon" she continued.

"Well here we are,"Elias said as he moved to sit opposite her."I think you owe me an appreciation"he said with smirk on his face.

"Thanks for helping me ". Ava said "I didn't mean to bother you but I was feeling down that night". She continued.

"Hmm what would have made someone like you to be in that state..care to share with me" Elias said getting interested with the lady at his front.

"Well long story cut short,I caught my fiancee in bed with my stepsister"Ava answered. For some reason she felt comfortable talking to this stranger. There was silence afterwards. She decided to break the silence.

"My name is Ava by the way"Ava said trying to ease of the tension.

"I'm sorry about that,no one deserves to go through that experience"Elias finally said something, feeling sorry for her.

"It's fine... I'm going to get my revenge on them". Ava answered him with determination in her voice.

"And how do you intend to do that?" He asked her. This little woman seemed interesting.

"I haven't figured that out yet, but I intend to get myself a man.. that's why I'm here, I'm supposed to have a date with a guy but he didn't show up.

"Ohh really,I guess we're in the same boat. I also have a date, but she hasn't showed up yet"Elias responded. Let's make a toast to our dates that never showed up",he said while he moved to pour himself a glass of wine.

Ava watched him as his hands moved to pour the wine. She payed close attention to his face and realised how handsome he was. He looked so handsome yet so deadly,his dark eyes seemed to hold a lot of mystery. Thick dark hair fell in slightly rebellious waves. He looked like an arrogant son of a billionaire.

Despite how aloof he seemed Ava couldn't help but gawk at the sight before her. She quickly adjusted just before he could catch her staring.

He raised the glass for a toast. And just as she put the wine to her mouth he uttered a statement.

"Marry me" Elias said while holding the wine glass. Ava nearly choked on the wine in her mouth.

"What did you just say?" Ava said eyes wide staring at him.

"Marry me" Elias repeated the words again.

"Why will you say such out of the blues" Ava said holding herself from pouring the rest of her wine on his face.

"I was just repeating the exact words you said to me" Elias said not minding the look on her face."but I'm actually serious this time. I need a wife and I think you're the perfect person for the position ",he continued.

"And what makes you think I am?", Ava said breathing heavily. She was angry at how arrogant he sounded.

" This is the best way to get your revenge on your fiancée and I also need a wife,so we're both going to gain"Elias said ignoring the angry lady opposite him. "Besides,it will be a contract marriage, we'll both have our terms and conditions. I'm sorry for doing this but I'm left with no choice,I just want to fulfill my grandfather dying wish", Elias sighed and looked out through the window.

This is the only way he could go about it and he didn't feel disgusted by the woman before him making her the perfect candidate.

"I might seem desperate to get my revenge but don't expect me to agree to this..I barely even know you,not even your name", Ava replied. She wasn't expecting any of this and was visibly shocked.

"My name is Elias W..."

"I don't care to know your name" Ava cut him short. What gave him the guts to mention this to her.

"Here's my card" Elias dropped the card on the table as he stood up to leave. "You can reach me on that number when you finally agree" he said and turned to leave.

"And what makes you think I'll ever agree to this?" Ava asked just before he walked away.

Without turning to look at her he answered.

"I know you will". Then he walked away.