Chapter 2

She analyzed the information concerning everything. It turned out that whoever the employers were, they needed a care assistant for a sick person.

“Hmm, seems….pretty legit” Ava assured herself. Taking care of sick people was literally her job, plus the amount being offered a month was bigger than her salary at the hospital.

Ava waved her hand and snorted, regardless of the price, she'll keep working at the hospital as a doctor. She was, after all, passionate about medicine.

Without wasting any time, she dialed the number. “Good day,” Ava spoke first as soon as the line connected.

“I see you've discovered our job ad, thank you for reaching out. Text your email to this number and a form will be sent. Sign at the bottom. You can start from Monday” the woman spoke.

Ava paced back and forth in her room. It was a habit of hers to move about whenever she was on the phone. She blinked a few times at the woman's words, was that it?

“Um, what about the address?” She asked

There was a short silence before the woman answered, “Drop by at 104 King's Street; a car will come to pick you up from there. Be sure to be early on Monday”.

Before Ava could speak, the call ended. She stared down at the number, her face etched with doubt. She sent her email address to the number and waited. 

Her phone beeped. Ava sat and carefully ran her eyes through the form. Other than her age, full name, and marital status, nothing else was asked, not even her home address.

She was even more surprised to see that the amount was still $800,000 as her payment per month.

Ava was stuck, should I accept this? She asked herself over and over again. If it turns out to be real, then she gets to be paid handsomely, but if it isn't real, then she'll be in big trouble.

She dialed her friend, Carl, a mechanic. 

“What's up, Ava?” He answered almost immediately

“I was suspended from work yesterday” she replied

“What did you do?”, He sounded unsurprised

“I punched Brandon, my superior, in the face,” she said nonchalantly.

“..... seriously? You did that?” Carl asked

“Yeah, I even broke his nose. Anyways, I'm applying for a new job as a personal care assistant for now” Ava's pace took her to the kitchen where she leaned against the sink

“Ah, already? I was going to suggest we see a movie tonight or something. Where's the place?” He asked

“I found the advert online, I called and they said I can start on Monday”

“How much is your pay?”

Ava hesitated, “eight hundred thousand dollars”

“What!? For how many months?” He asked

“The payment is monthly” she responded with a sigh

“Don't do it, Ava, it sounds very suspicious” he advised

Ava whined “I know, I know, but—”

He cut in “Don't tell me you're already considering it, maybe you've forgotten but human trafficking is still a thing in the 21st century”

“I've got it sorted out already; why'd you think I called you? If it's real, then it's real, but if it isn't, and I'm unable to punch my way out, I'll send you the plate number of the car that'll pick me up”.

Carl was completely against it but later on, agreed to it since Ava was relentless. She signed the contract, filled out the form, and sent it back.

On Monday morning, dressed in a dandelion-imprinted gown, Ava stood at the bus stop at 104 King's Street. 

Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and her hazel eyes sparkled while reflecting the radiant sun.

As expected, from a distance, she saw a black car heading her way.

She cunningly pulled out her phone, using the zoom camera, she captured the photo of the car's front plate and sent it to Carl.

The car stopped in front of her, and a man stepped out from the driver's seat. He was the only one. “Are you Miss Patel?” He asked politely and she nodded.

“And you are?” 

“Call me James, Miss Patel.” he opened the door for her, and she sat comfortably after thanking him.

It was just her and James, no other person present. Her mind raced at the thought of the job being genuine. 

James didn't even have the face of a duper or an abductor; he looked rather peaceful, and his voice was kind.

Occasionally, Ava would look at him through the rearview mirror. His concentration was keenly on the road.

It was a painfully long journey that Ava couldn't keep up with the landmarks she created, even the excitement she felt earlier had faded with time.

“I see you're tired, Miss Patel; we're almost at the mansion,” he broke the silence with his reassuring words.

Ava smiled, he was genuinely kind and considerate. Wait! Did he say mansion!? 

Just when she was about to brush off the thought, the car halted at the front of a large gate adorned with intricate golden and black designs.

She gaped, watching the large gate open automatically. Upon entering the Mansion’s threshold, she noticed two able-bodied men wielding guns at both sides of the gate.

The car moved further in. She looked out through the car window at the gigantic house her eyes beheld. Her jaw dropped, where…. exactly am I? She asked herself.

“Miss Patel?” James called out to her, she was busy gawking. She hadn't noticed that he was out of the car already.

Hastily, she alighted the vehicle.

“Right this way Miss Patel, welcome to the Blackwood Mansion”