3

AVA

I didn't know how it happened. One moment, I saw Ryan's client, the next, I was pulling Ryan towards the wall and kissing him like I had been waiting for the moment for weeks.

My heart raced as I tried to process the situation I had caused. But as soon as Mr. Langston smiled at us in approval, I plastered a confident expression on my face and acted as though everything was alright. I could feel Ryan's curious gaze burning into me, but gladly, he didn't mention it in front of his client.

“Ryan Carter,” Mr Langston said, shaking his hand firmly before turning to me. “You must be Ryan's girlfriend he has always talked about. I can see why Ryan speaks so highly of you.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Langston,c I said smoothly, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Ryan talks about you all the time.”

“Gregory, please,” he corrected, his warm demeanour making it easier for me to play my role well and relax. 

A moment after, an elegant woman joined us, her smile as radiant as her diamond. “Ah, here's my wife, Chloe,” Mr Langston said, wrapping an arm around her.

“It's wonderful to meet you, Chloe,” I said, shaking her hand.

“The pleasure is all mine, my dear,” she said, her eyes flickering between Ryan and me. “You two make a very fine couple.”

I felt Ryan's arm brush against mine, his presence steadying me. “Well, we try. Ava is such a sweetheart,” he said lightly, and I marvelled at how effortlessly charming he was.

After exchanging pleasantries, we moved to a nearby table for dinner, the setting as elegant as the guests. Mr. Langston wasted no time in asking questions about our so-called relationship, most of the questions being directed at me.

“So, Ava, how did you two meet?” He asked.

I smiled, glancing at Ryan for a split second before I began to tell my story just like we had rehearsed earlier. “We met at an art exhibit. Ryan's not exactly an art connoisseur but he was there to meet a client. I caught him staring at one of the paintings, he looked completely out of his depth.”

Langston laughed heartily. “I can picture it so well. So, Ryan, what was your impression of Ava when you first met her?”

Ryan leaned back in his chair, a small smirk playing on his lips. “I thought she was stunning,” he said calmly, his voice carrying the right amount of sincerity. “And then she started talking about art. That was when I realized that she was just as smart as she was beautiful.”

I felt my cheeks flush but I kept my composure, nodding along as though that wasn't the first time I had heard him say these words.

The questions continued for a while, and I did my best to answer them naturally, weaving in bits of truth into the fabricated narrative. By the time dessert arrived, I was already exhausted from the charade.

At last, the Langstons excused themselves, leaving us alone at the table.

“You were amazing,” Ryan said as soon as they were out of earshot.

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. “I don't think I have ever lied that much in one sitting. 

“That was convincing though,” he added.

“I think I'll stay here for a bit. You can head back to the cabin,” I said, standing. I needed air after the long hours of pretence and interrogations.

Ryan frowned slightly, standing as well. “I'll wait with you. It’s late.”

I wanted to argue but I didn't have the energy for that. Instead, I leaned against the railing staring at the endless expanse of water.

I hadn’t stayed for long before Ryan broke the silence. “So….about earlier.”

“What about it?” I asked, keeping my gaze fixed on the horizon.

He stepped closer, his voice low. “Why did you kiss me earlier?”

I bit my lips unsure of how to respond. “I was just acting. I didn't think,” I said.

“You were acting,” he echoed, his tone impassive. 

“Look, I panicked, okay?” I admitted, turning to face him. “I thought it would make us look more believable.”

Ryan looked at me for a moment like he was studying me, his expression inscrutable. Before he could say anything else, a familiar voice interrupted from behind.

“Ava.”

I froze at the sound of his voice. It was Ethan and the sight of him sent a wave of anger through me. I turned to see him standing a few feet away from us, his fists clenched and his usual smug expression on his face.

“What do you want, Ethan?” I asked in a cold tone.

“Ava, we need to talk,” he said, taking a step closer. His eyes fell on Ryan who was standing close to me, dismissing him completely. “Alone.”

“We have nothing to talk about. You can go back to your new girlfriend, I bet she'd be waiting for you,” I said, crossing my arms.

Ethan grabbed my wrists, ignoring my words and trying to pull me away. “Don't make a scene like you did the last time, Ava,” he snapped.

I yanked my arm back. “Don't touch me with those filthy hands,” I said, my tone laced with disgust.

Before I could say anything else, Ryan stepped between us, his stance protective. “She’s not going anywhere with you,” he said firmly.

“And who the hell are you?” Ethan sneered, his eyes narrowing.

“I'm her boyfriend,” Ryan said, his expression not faltering. 

His words hung in the air and for a moment, everyone froze.

Ethan turned to me, his lips curling. “Oh, I see how it is. Is this your way of trying to make me jealous? Of trying to get back at me?”

I scoffed. “Ethan, I don't owe you an explanation whatsoever. You heard him right. He's my boyfriend, now scram.”

“Bitch. You're pathetic,” Ethan spat, his attention back on Ryan. “You think you’re better than me because you're screwing her now. Listen, she's gonna drop you just like she dropped me.”

Ryan didn't flinch. “Let that be my decision to make,” he said calmly. “And I don't think you get it. Ava's not yours to drop. If you can't respect that, then you should leave.”

Ethan glared at him, his hands clenched into fists. “I'll get back to you, “ he said and stalked off without saying another word.

I sighed, my pulse racing. 

“Are you okay?” Ryan asked softly, his hand brushing my arm.

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if I was. “Thank you for stepping in.” 

“I'm only doing my part of my bargain,” he said, his voice steady. 

“Let's get out of here, it's getting cold out here,” he added.

As we returned to the cabin, Ryan pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me. “Don't worry about him, Ava. You have me now,” he whispered. 

I froze in his embrace. Ryan wasn't the type of man I expected him to be, cold, calculated and business-minded. But he kept showing me a different side, his kindness drew me to me. I brushed it off immediately and pulled away from his embrace.

“Thanks but I can handle him myself,” I said.

Ryan nodded and walked away. We immediately retired for the night without saying another word. Ryan offered that I took the bed while he slept on the couch. 

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

I was wrapped in a cocoon of warmth, the soft bed sheets clinging to me as I drifted in and out of sleep. The night before had been full of drama. Ethan showing up all of a sudden, Ryan stepping in to protect me and that hug afterward were all unexpected. 

I barely had time to process it all when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.

“Ava,” Ryan said in a low tone. “Wake up. It's morning.”

I groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow. “What? It’s too early.”

“I know. But Mr Langston wants to have breakfast with us,” he said, tugging the pillow away just enough to see my face. 

I pulled the blanket over my head, mumbling. “I'm not in the mood for more pretending.”

“C'mon. It's just breakfast,” Ryan said in a calm tone.

“No, Ryan,” I sat up, my hair a mess and my irritation plain. “I'm serious. I don't want to keep doing this. It’s exhausting.”

His brow furrowed, his calm composure faltering. “You can't back down now, Ava. We are in the middle of it.”

“I'm sorry, but I can't keep lying, Ryan,” I snapped. “Yesterday was really exhausting, and then Ethan showing up…..it’s too much for me.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Ava, I get it. But Langston is important to me, this deal is important to me. He trusts me now because he thinks I'm stable and that I have a long-term relationship. If you back out now, it could ruin everything.”

I tried all I could to muster the strength to argue, but I couldn’t shake the weight pressing down on me. “I didn't sign up for this,” I said softly. “We made a deal, Ryan. You would help me with Ethan and I would pretend to be your girlfriend. But I don't think I can keep this up.”

Ryan nodded slowly. “If you really want to back out, I won't stop you. But can I ask you one thing?”

I raised an eyebrow, waiting. 

“Have breakfast with me. Just this one last time,” he said. “After that, we will figure it out.”

I hesitated, torn between the exhaustion of playing the game and the genuine sincerity in his gentle voice. After much thought, I sighed. “Fine. But this is it.”