Chapter 2~ A party

“The loan is in your name, Miss. There’s nothing I can do for you,” the loan collection officer said, giving Ava a piteous look. “How didn’t you know that your boyfriend had taken out a two-million-dollar loan in your name?” 

Ava’s stomach churned, her heart sinking to her feet. 

How could she have known? 

Richard had access to her ATMS, her national ID and passport. There was no way of knowing he would use her identity cards to do something like this. Besides, he tricked her into signing the loan contract... but it was her fault for not checking the content of the document.

She had blindly trusted the wrong person.

“But you didn’t send it to my account. Why should I pay back that money when you didn’t even send it to me? I can report this to the police…”

“You might end up being arrested and charged for getting money by false pretenses. It’s your name and your signature on the documents, and the account we sent the money to was the one included in the contract,” the loan officer advised. “I suggest you find a way to pay back the money to avoid having a criminal record. Otherwise, you might not get a job in the future.”

“How do I get that money? I’m just a student! Even when I worked part-time jobs for three years, the only money I was able to save up was twenty thousand dollars, which is already gone now,” Ava said, frustration creeping into her. 

What kind of demon did she invite into her life?

What did she do wrong for Richard to fuck her up like this?

“Miss, like I said. There’s nothing I can do for you. I need you to pay the two million dollars in five days, or else we will take legal action and you might end up getting arrested and charged with a criminal offence. I advise you to start looking for the money… Don't you have parents or friends you can ask?”

Ava coiled her hands into fists, biting her lower lip so hard she could taste blood in her mouth. 

Parents?

Her mother died when she was young, and her father, Abner Sinclair, only cared about his stepdaughter. It had been four years since Ava became independent. She paid for her own accommodation, and her tuition fees were paid by a scholarship she got because of her excellent performance. 

Her father, who was the CEO of her mother’s company, only gave Cheryl allowances and a lavish lifestyle. Not her… It was like she wasn’t part of the family. 

Ava was forced to work for everything. 

Forcing a smile at the loan collection officer, she said, “It’s fine. I’ll think of something.”

Moments later, Ava walked out of the loan company, feeling like the weight of the whole world was on her shoulders. 

Asking her friend for money wasn’t an option. Nicole’s spending was limited to twenty thousand dollars a month. Her brothers were very strict and didn’t want her to be spoilt. 

Ava sighed and glanced up at the blue sky. 

‘If I take on another job, will I manage to pay off the two million dollars in five days?’ She mused. At that moment, she regretted wasting her time with a man who never valued her. Now she was in a mess.  

…

An hour later, Ava walked into her father’s office, her heart slamming hard against her ribcage. 

“What is it?” Abner questioned, his brows furrowing. 

Ava’s heart squeezed painfully. 

Why was he always so cold to her? Wasn’t he her biological father? Yet he treated her like she was the stepdaughter. 

“D-Dad, I’m asking for some money-”

Abner scoffed, looking at his computer. 

“I knew it. Your sister told me you had squandered money on gigolos, and you will come to ask for more. Listen to me, there’s no money for you here.”

Ava clenched her fists tightly. 

Why did he always sound like he provided for her? She’d been providing for herself for four years… yet he always scolded her about overspending. 

“I didn’t squander any money. I’m in a fix, Dad… Richard borrowed money using my name, and now I’m in trouble. If I don’t pay back, I might get arrested. Please help me.”

“Young lady, get out of my office! I have no money to waste on you… I feel bad for Richard, you don’t deserve him at all. Get out before I ask security to drag you out!” Abner yelled, his deep voice echoing in the office. 

Ava lowered her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her father was always like this… without giving her a chance to explain herself, he dismissed her like she didn’t matter. 

“Dad, this is Mom’s company. I have a share too-”

A hardcover book landed on Ava’s face. She winced as pain jarred through her. 

“Get lost!” Abner yelled. “You’re a spoilt little brat. Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because of an inheritance which will be ready when you’re twenty-five.”

Ava gritted her teeth before getting to her feet. 

“It’s fine, Dad. I’ll handle it…” she said and left the office, wiping her tears away. 

No… there’s no way to handle it. In five days, if she doesn’t pay the money back, she will be slapped with a criminal charge, and that will be the end of her. 

Her phone rang the moment she stepped out of the company building. Sighing, she took it out and picked up the moment she saw Nicole’s name on the screen. 

“I’ve dumped Richard,” Ava said on the phone. She swallowed empty air and ignored the gnawing pain in her heart. 

Crying for a man who doesn’t love you is not worth it.

“Yes! Finally! You got rid of Rick the dick! Girl, I’m proud of you!” Nicole’s voice came through the phone. 

“You really didn’t like him, did you?” Ava asked. 

“Not at all, and I always said it,” Nicole responded on the phone. “You know what? I know you never used to come to parties when I invited you, but this is the time for you to spread your wings and fly, girl! You’re free! My elder brother is back, and he’s hosting a pool party at our house. I want you to come.”

Richard was friends with Nicole’s immediate elder brother, Cole Anderson. So he was bound to be at the party of their eldest brother, Liam Anderson. 

Ava sighed. “I don’t know, Nic. We have an Artificial Intelligence test this week-”

“I know, but you need to show that fool that you’ve moved on. He’s going to come back begging, so before he does that, you need to go out there and you know, find someone else.” 

Ava bit her lower lip. She recalled how Richard didn’t even take her seriously earlier, the loan he took to fuck her up... her savings that he took without considering her...

Blistering anger flared through her, and she made up her mind.