Six

“Just keep walking, Ava,” Richard muttered under his breath, practically dragging her to the altar. “Don't make a mess.”

Thousands of thoughts were running through Ava's mind. Just when she thought they were done with their screw overs, they did it again!

Right there and then, she admitted that her family must really hate her. She had always thought that, at least, even if they didn't love her as much as they did Eva, there must be a little left for her.

But right now, right here… Nope. They hate her. They really do. Because if they didn't they wouldn't have been marrying him off to a blind and crippled man.

Richard dropped Ava off at the altar and walked over to the front pew, where his wife Emily and Eva were situated.

As the priest began to read the scriptures, Ava's eyes never left Devlin. Not even for one second. Her mind spiralled from how her family hates her, to Devlin.

What happened to him? Since when has he been like this? Why didn't the Frosts make his condition public, especially to his bride? And most of all, how did Eva and Richard find out that he was disabled?

Ava had thousands of unanswered questions running through her mind, and her eyes were still fixated on her groom, Devlin, whose eyes were hidden by the dark glasses.

The priest was done reading the scriptures and requested the rings. A blonde, handsome man in spectacles and dark suits stepped forward and handed them the rings.

Devlin held out his hand, and Ava placed her hand on his. His hand was hard and cold against her.

They made their vows, and it felt incredibly weird to Ava. Neither of them loved the other. Hell, what they felt for each other couldn't be worser than hatred and contempt. And yet, here they were, in front of the altar, lying their ass out.

When the vows were done, the priest declared them man and wife, then urged them to kiss. Ava felt her stomach churn; the kiss part was where she dreaded the most. She never thought in her lifetime that she would be kissing the widely known super condescending robot, Devlin Frost.

Here goes nothing.

She hunched her back and leaned forward for a quick kiss. Her kiss nearly landed, except it didn't.

Devlin cleverly tilted his head so the kiss landed on the side of his lips. He did it in such a way that no one in the congregation noticed.

Ava's face twisted in a confused frown as she stood straight and glared at him. The contemptuous smirk on the side of his lips did nothing but infuriate her further. She could feel her cheeks turn red.

Ava cursed at him in her mind.

Just take a look at this asshole. Even in his miserable state, he still hasn't changed! Not even one bit!

The crowd erupted with cheers and applause, celebrating them for their successful wedding.

Ava turned to her family, Richard, Emily and Eva. They all had that grin of satisfaction plastered all across their ugly faces. That grin that clearly said: “Yes. Finally. It's done.”

The blonde man in spectacles stepped forward again and wheeled Devlin down the aisle as Ava followed along.

Outside, journalists were throwing countless questions their way as they tried to get past the guards, the lights that came from their cameras practically blinding Ava.

A dark, sleek limousine was already waiting. Ava stood motionless and watched the blonde, bespectacled man help Devlin inside the limousine.

Wow, he really is miserable. Ava thought to herself as she joined him. Blind and also crippled? Jeez. The universe must hate this guy. Now, should I feel pity or what for this guy? Even after what he pulled at the altar?

The bespectacled man shut the door and ordered the driver to drive.

Ava bit her lower lip, trying as hard as she possibly could to relax, but she just couldn't. Beads of perspiration began to appear on her forehead despite the air conditioning in the limousine.

Right from when she met Devlin in their childhood days, she hasn't always been able to relax by his side. She was always uncomfortable.

Now, his being blind and crippled made it way worse.

The silence in the car was killing her. Should she say something? Definitely, she should. They just got married. And also, it's been many years since she has seen him, so yes, she should say something.

She took a quick glance at him. He was perfectly relaxed and calm as though Ava wasn't even in the car. Seriously? He's not even nervous? Not even for a little bit?

Ava glanced away.

Nope. It was a bad idea trying to strike up a conversation.

She rolled down the glass to let air inside.

“Congratulations on your wedding, Miss Eva.” A voice cheered, and Ava glanced up to the front seat. It was the driver who had just congratulated her.

“Um… thank you.” She forced out a smile. It was weird being called Eva.

You'd better get used to it, sweetie.

“I’m Ben,” The driver introduced, slightly turning around so Ava could have a full look at his face. Ben was bald, with a moustache and pleasant pleasant-looking face. “Ben Larson. Mr Frost's personal chauffeur. Also, his chef, cleaner, and live-in doctor. It's so nice to finally meet you.”

“Hi, Ben, I'm A…” She paused just in time, “Eva. I'm Eva. It's nice to meet you, too.”

Phew! That was a very close call.

“Oh, I know who you are,” Ben said with a smile.

“You do?”

“Sure,” Ben answered cheerfully, “Everyone knows who Eva Summers is, the clever heiress of the entire Summers wealth. I've heard what you've accomplished for your family's company since you joined, and I really must say, I'm in utter awe of you. It's such an honor to be in your presence.”

Ava didn't know how to feel about the compliment. Sure, it was meant for Eva, not her.

She took another quick glance at Devlin. His face was still expressionless, as though he wasn't even listening to their conversation. She couldn't even read out a single emotion from his face

This guy is weird. Really weird.

“Um, thank you so much, Ben.” She responded. “It really means a lot to me, Ben.”

“I'm glad it does,” Ben replied, then swerved the car into an extremely tall building. “And we're here.”

He pulled the limousine to a halt in the garage, and just as he did, the door from Devlin's side opened. The blonde, bespectacled guy stood there with Devlin's wheelchair.

Ava frowned. How did he get here so fast?

The man helped Devlin out of the car and onto the wheelchair, then began to wheel him away while Ava stepped down from the car and trailed behind them.

She was surprised to find a hidden elevator in the wall. But what surprised her more was what happened next.

As she tried to step into the elevator, she was stopped.

“What do you think you're doing?” Devlin asked, voice deep, cold, and hard.

Finally, he speaks!

“Um, what does it look like I'm doing?” Ava counter asked, “Stepping into the elevator, of course.”

Devlin tilted his head to the blonde guy, but did not look at him. “You didn't send it to her.”

It wasn't a question. Rather, it was more of a statement.

“Send what to me?” Ava asked in confusion, eyes flicking between both men.

The blonde guy didn't tremble nor appear in the least uneasy, “I didn't think it was necessary, Mr Frost.”

“Give it to her.” He said calmly, but his voice carried finality and power.

“Yes, Mr Frost.” The blonde guy stepped out of the elevator, which slid shut.

“What the hell was that?” Ava demanded of the blonde dude.

She had just been embarrassed. Again.

“I'm sorry, Miss Eva, that is Mr Frost's personal elevator.” The guy replied.

Ava gaped at him, “Personal what?

“Personal elevator.” The guy repeated, “It leads directly to his room on the last floor, and only he has access to it. No one else is allowed to ride on it with him.”

Ava scoffed.

Can you believe this guy?

“Also, we haven't officially met,” The man held out his hand, “I'm Patrick. Patrick Hollens, Mr Frost's personal assistant, but you can call me Pat.”

Ava shook his hands, “Hi, Pat, nice to meet you.”