Mag-log inAva remained sitting on the bed replaying the last words he said. "You can thank me when we see again".
Well she wasn't going to see him again for sure,so she thought.She picked up her phone beside her and saw a lot of missed calls and messages from her best friend, Jane. Jane was the only close friend Ava had,after the incident she called Jane but her phone was switched off, probably because of her work. Jane was an air hostess.She decided to reply her messages and lucky for her Jane was active. "Hey girl,are you back?" Ava asked her. "Yeah,just got back this morning. I saw your calls..I hope everything is fine" Jane replied. "Hmmm...long story. Let's meet up during my lunch break,I'll fill you in" "The usual spot right?" "Yeah.. talk to you later. Need to get to work". Ava dropped the phone and prepared to leave the hotel. She had just enough time to go home and freshen up for work. When she got out she realised she was at the most expensive hotel in the city. "Who was that man and how was he able to afford a place like this" she thought to herself. He even brought her car from the club to the hotel. She had to find that man,not for any reason but to thank him. She got into her car and drove off. **** LIN INDUSTRY Ava had just gotten settled at her table at the office when she got a message that her father wanted to see her. He must have heard about what happened last night and wanted to speak to her. Ava sighed, suppressing the pain and discomfort in her. She walked to his office which was on the same floor,knocked twice and went in. "Father..you wanted to see me"Ava said when she walked in. "Yes my child, have a seat"Ava's father, Mr Lin said. "Your sister told me what happened last night and I wanted to apologize to you on her behalf" he felt guilty while he spoke cause he knew it wasn't fair to her. Ava already expected this,her father always sided with Clara whenever matters came up for one reason or the other without considering her own feelings. He always said it was for peace to reign among them. "Please can you forgive your sister,she can stubborn and irrational some times" Mr Lin said looking pitifully at Ava. He continued "I can pair you with another man that is far better than Jeff but please..." "Enough father!" Ava couldn't take it anymore. "I don't need pity from anyone and not from you" she said with a pained voice. "I've long gotten used to being a push over...I don't care about Clara or Jeff. I just want to be left alone" Ava said angrily and walked away. This was the last time she was going to let anyone take advantage of her . During her lunch break Ava went to the coffee shop close to her office to meet up with Jane who was already waiting for her. " Spill the beans Ava.. tell me everything that happened" Jane said immediately Ava sat down without giving room for any pleasantries. Ava recalled every thing that occurred in details to Jane but left out the part about the mystery guy. By the time she was done,Jane was already boiling in rage on her seat. " How dare he do that to you... not even considering that you two are engaged" Jane exploded in anger. "And that slut of a sister..I wish I can just choke her to death. How could she do that to you, she's so evil"Jane said in anger. Ava sighed in defeat "calm down girl.. there's nothing that can be done to redeem the situation" Ava said. "You can't just let them get away with this Ava" Jane said barely able to calm herself down. "I wasn't planning to.. I'll make them pay for what they did to me" Ava replied in pain. "I support you on this one... how do you want to go about it?" Jane asked "I don't know yet,but I know I need to get myself a man,I need to prove them wrong"Ava said remembering what Clara said to her. "I got you on this one..I can arrange a date for you with one of the top socialite in the city" Jane said while she brought out her phone and began browsing through her contact list. Ava was a little skeptical but decided to play along. But little did she know that this decision of hers will lead to a great turning point in her life On the other side of the city. Elias had just gotten to his grandfather's villa. He walked in to the living room. The old man was seated on the couch with two nurses attending to him. "Grandfather...how do you do?" Elias said while he sat down. "Look who finally decided to show up" Elder Ward said not bothering to look at his grandson. "You don't look too well grandfather, let's get you to the hospital"Elias said with a frown. "I'm fine...as you can see I have nurses attending to me" elder Ward said."I asked to see you for s different reason" he continued. "And what's that" Elias already knew the answer before he asked. "When are you getting married?" Elder Ward asked finally turning to look at his grandson. "I'm already old and I'm afraid I don't have much time left. I can't bear to leave you alone in this world,I won't be at peace till I'm sure you have someone by your side". The old man continued. Elias was tired of having this conversation countless times. Not that he doesn't want to fulfill his grandfather's wish,but he couldn't bring himself to love any woman,not after what happened the last time. "Alright grandfather I'll do as you have said but you need to take your health seriously. I'll send the family doctor to do a proper check up on you" Elias said. His grandfather was the only family member he had left after his parents died in a plane crash when he was just a child. The old man raised him all by himself and so Elias was fond of him. "I'll be taking my leave now grandfather" Elias stood up to leave. "Alright my son take care of yourself" elder Ward said. "And don't come visiting again unless you have a woman to present to me" he continued. Elias sighed,the old man was being stubborn again. On his way back he turned to Mathew and said. " I want every information about the lady from last night sent to me" Elias said and got into the car. "I'll do just that sir" Mathew answered. He had a lot of questions on his mind but dare not asked his boss.The next morning, Ava woke up with one thought in her mind,Her mother.She had barely slept the night before.Every time she closed her eyes, questions came rushing back.What had really happened that day?Why had everyone told her that her mother committed suicide?And why had Rose's words suddenly made everything feel suspicious?Ava knew she couldn't keep guessing and There was only one person she could think of who might have the answers.Mrs. Belle.She had worked at the Lin residence for years and had been there when Ava was growing up.More importantly...She had been there the day Ava's mother died.Ava picked up her phone and called her.After a few rings, the caretaker answered."Hello?""Mrs. Belle, it's Ava.""Miss Ava."Her voice immediately softened."How are you holding up?""I'm trying."Ava took a breath then continued."I'd like to see you.""Of course.""Can we meet somewhere outside the house?"Mrs. Belle hesitated."Is everything alright?""I'll explain when we meet."
Ava walked back to the car with slow, heavy steps.Her mind was still filled with everything that had happened inside the Lin residence.Ava opened the passenger door and got inside to see Elias who had been waiting.The moment he saw her expression, he knew something had gone wrong."What happened?" He turned towards her and asked.Ava shut the door and leaned back against the seat.For a moment, she said nothing, just looking exhausted, angry and deeply hurt."Rose refused to step down."Elias's expression hardened. "Did the will make you the CEO.""It did....but my father added a clause." She let out a bitter sigh then turned toward him and explained everything.Telling him how her father had given her the highest shares in Lin Industries, making her the rightful CEO, but had also stated that Rose would temporarily remain in charge until Ava learned everything about the family business and Rose was satisfied that she was ready to take over."And you know what she said?"Elias g
Ava stared at Rose and for few seconds, she couldn't find the right words. Rose's last question continued to echo inside her head.What if I am never satisfied?"So that's your plan?" Ava said with a low voice slowly clenching her fists."What plan?" Rose raised an eyebrow."You know exactly what I'm talking about." Ava replied and stepped closer. "My father named me the majority shareholder and the rightful CEO of Lin Industries." She pointed toward the document the lawyer had left behind."The clause says you are supposed to manage the company temporarily not take it away from me." She said in one breath."I never said I was taking anything away from you." Rose said with a twisted smile"Then step down.""No." Rose said as the smile immediately disappeared from her face."You heard what I said." Ava's eyes widened slightly."I heard you.""Then why are you refusing?""Because your father didn't say I should step down immediately,he specifically gave me the authority to decide
The living room was so quiet that the ticking of the antique grandfather clock echoed through the air. No one spoke or moved as the atmosphere was unbearably tense. Ava sat upright on the single sofa, her hands resting tightly on her lap. Her eyes never left the brown envelope in the lawyer's hands.Across from her, Rose maintained a calm expression, but beneath the table, her fingers were tightly intertwined. Even she couldn't completely hide her nervousness. Beside her, Clara shifted uneasily in her seat every few seconds. This was the moment that would determine everything.The lawyer adjusted his glasses once again before clearing his throat. "As instructed by the late Mr. Lin, I shall now proceed to read his final will and testament."He unfolded the document carefully.His voice remained steady and professional."I, Lin Jian, being of sound mind and body at the time of writing this document, hereby declare this to be my last will and testament." The lawyer continued."To my
Three days later...the gloomy sky seemed to mirror everyone's mood as dark clouds hung heavily above the old stone church as rows of black cars filled the parking lot outside.Inside the church, every seat was occupied by friends,relatives,business partners,government officials,even people who had once competed fiercely with Mr. Lin had come to pay their final respects.At the very back of the church sat Ava. She was dressed in a simple black dress, her long hair neatly tied behind her. Her face looked pale,the exhaustion from the past few days was impossible to hide.The priest stood before the congregation, his calm voice echoing through the silent church."Death is not the end...""We are merely returning to our Creator..."His words continued, but they barely reached Ava's ears. She sat motionless and her eyes remained fixed on the polished wooden coffin resting before the altar. Inside it lay the man she had spent her entire life trying to earn the love of.Her father.Her
Jane quietly clasped her hands together, stealing a glance at the man seated opposite her who looked just as awkward. Neither of them seemed to know how to start a conversation.Several long seconds passed.Finally, Jane forced an awkward smile while she slowly stretched out her hand."Um... hello.. I'm Jane, Ava's best friend". She laughed nervously.Raymond looked at her hand before looking back at her face then smiled politely before shaking her hand."Raymond.""I know."Jane blurted out before she could stop herself.Raymond raised an eyebrow."You know me?"Oh..." Jane immediately but her lower lips. She mentally slapped herself.Great....Now you've made it weird.Just then, something seemed to click inside Raymond's head and his eyes widened slightly."Wait..." He leaned forward. "You're not...""Not... what?" Jane asked nervously."The lady that arranged that blind date?"Jane's smile instantly became stiff."So... you remember?"Raymond stared at her for a few seconds before laughi
Ava quickly changed into more comfortable clothes and headed down to join Elias at the dining table. He was already sitted and started eating without her. She sat on the chair across him while Mrs Linda came forward to dish out the food. The food tasted bland to Ava, maybe because she was
The evening breeze blew gently through her hair, throwing it in all directions. Ava didn't seem to care as she was lost in her own thoughts, staring down at the certificate in her hands." Are you going to stand there all day or what?" Elias said to Ava finally breaking her from her thoughts."L
A week flew by so quickly, the days seems faster when you're alone. It was a Saturday morning and Ava planned on sleeping in cause it was the weekend but her plan was disrupted by a phone call. With sleepy eyes she reached for her phone on the bed side table. It was a call from her father."Ava
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 sur







