Ava's Pov
I noticed Emilia was acting weird the last time she visited but I decided to wave that thought, it's just work stress like she said, I retort inwardly, trying to convince myself.
Maybe Emilia is right about Damien, I'm just overthinking things and he's truly going through a lot, I understand if he wants to look after his mother without dragging me into it, I mean I was already doing all I can to raise money for the surgery, maybe he doesn't want to stress me any further.
But deep down, I wanted him to let me in about everything.
And slowly, my mind drifted off to the masked guy, my client who chooses to remain anonymous. I can't help but imagine what he looks like, seeing his body already sends shivers down my spine
I wonder what I will do if I get to see him without the mask someday. I somehow prayed the day goes by quickly so I can get to see him again, he has a great sense of humor and most importantly he listens to me.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not ogling my client or anything, I'm just being honest.
Damien never listens to me, he always has a way of making me feel bad. I can at least talk to the stranger.
The sound of my phone reverberated in the room, jolting me out of my thoughts, I quickly grabbed my phone and clicked on the green button.
"Hi Victoria" I called out, my voice firm.
"Hi Ava, I called to inform you that Mr. Anonymous's secretary called to cancel your next section with him"
"Why?" I asked, clearly anxious.
"She said he had an impromptu trip, so he's out of town at the moment" Victoria replied calmly.
"Oh, that's fine, I guess I will see you when he returns then" I said, my voice unsteady, I can't believe I'm feeling sad because our section got canceled.
"Alright, I have to go now, take care of yourself" Victoria concluded and hung up.
As I dropped my phone on the bed, I can't help but feel sad, it's going to be a very boring weekend for me and with no one to talk to.
The weekend went by so slowly, I just woke up and decided to go get flowers for my monthly visit to the necropolis. I've never missed going to my mom and aunt's graveside to pray and give them flowers.
As I got up from the bed, my phone started ringing, I gazed at it and sighed.
"He's surely going to get tired of calling me someday" I let out frustratingly and walked into the bathroom.
As I glared at my mom's grave, tears trickled down my cheeks, I can't believe it's been seven years already, it felt like it all happened yesterday, my worst night mare, watching my mom die out of negligence was something I haven't healed from.
And then, I ran out of the house against my father's wish to live with my aunt and then she died of cancer two years ago, and ever since then I've been all alone, struggling to take care myself even when I had a wealthy father.
And then I met Emilia, we became friends, we did everything together and she became more like a sister to me.
And along the line, I met Damien, he asked me out a few months after and I accepted, I mean why not? He was everything I prayed for in a man or so I thought.
"Mom, I miss you so much, I wish you were here with me, life would have been easier with you around but I promise to make you proud someday. Even though I can't forgive dad, I pray you forgive him" I said, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall down from my eyes again.
"I met someone, Mom, not Damien" I said with a chuckle, clearing the air.
"Though I haven't seen his face because he's always on a mask, I feel like he's a good man and he listens to me mom, you know how much I love being cared for and being listened to, I just hope that Damien would be like him" I said and paused.
"Well, I'm not here to bore you with what's going on in my life right now, I got you tulips flowers, your favorite just like always" I said as a smile crossed my face and then I placed the flowers down, taking my last glance at her grave, I turned and left.
I walked over to my aunt's grave, I prayed for her and kept my flowers before I walked out of the graveyard.
On my way back home, I decided to pay Damien a visit, he hasn't been picking any my calls and he doesn't return my calls either. The messages I sent to him was left unattended to.
"Driver, take me to CV apartment" I instructed the driver, I just hope Damien was at home, I can't keep quiet anymore, I need to voice out my concerns and hopefully he does better.
I got down and handed the driver a few dollar notes and walked towards Damien's apartment.
Luckily for me, I met him on his way out.
He frowned as he sighted him, he didn't look happy to see me.
"What are you doing here Ava?" he asked firmly, with a look that was so hard to read.
"Damien," I start, hesitating for a moment and then I gathered my thought and responded. "You've been ignoring me Damien, you shut me out completely, so I just thought I should check up on you"
Damien looks uncomfortable, he shifted his gaze slightly from me. "Why are you being inconsiderate, Ava?," he asked sternly, his eyes narrowed at me now, much to my surprise.
Ugh, I can't believe Damien is accusing me of being inconsiderate. "How could you even say that?" I asked, my voice rising slightly. "You've been the one acting strangely and you blame me for your actions?"
Damien scoffs, "Really? I'm the one who's mother is lying critically ill in the hospital and you here seeking for some sort of attention" he thundered.
Damien's words pierce through my heart, how could he say that to me? I fought the tears that was swelling up in my eyes, I can't let him gaslight me again, not anymore. Why does he always have to play the victim everytime we argue?
"Well, I'm not the one who has refused me seeing his mother at the hospital" I yelled sternly and he glared at me without saying a word.
Realizing I just yelled at him, I Moved closer to him, I took his hands and gazed into his eyes. "Damien, I know you're going through a lot right now, but I'm suffering as much as you're, please don't shut me out completely, I want to be there for you" I pointed out.
He withdrew from my grip forcefully and responded.
"Go home Ava, I'm not in the mood for your arguments" he said sternly and walked away.
Ava's PovIt's been one hell of a boring weekend for me. Emilia seemed to have disappeared on me again.As I shrugged back to the backseat of the taxi, my thoughts spirals around, I reflected on how things I've been lately.I recalled how happy I was when Damien asked me out, the few early months of our relationship was blissful but then he changed even though he wouldn't admit it.He switched up on me, more like I couldn't recognize the man I fell in love with, he's distant, hardly checks up on and most importantly he cared less.I've seen all the red flags but for some reason I was still holding onto our happy moment. Hoping he would realize how much I'm hurting from his actions.I snapped back to reality when the driver notified me that we had arrived to my apartment. I had gone for grocery shopping. Perhaps that would help keep my mind afloat.I flashed the driver a warm smile, handing him a few dollars notes, and carrying the things I got from the mall to my apartment door.As I
Ava's Pov.Sarah had asked for us to meet and catch up. I jumped on the idea, eager to meet up with her.When I arrived, I'm stuck with how elegant the place is, the exterior is sleek and modern, the inside simple and luxurious with plush chairs and transparent tables.The soft lighting cast a warm glow to the place.I'm halfway down the coffee aisle when I spotted Sarah, sitting at one end of the bar, her eyes fixed on her phone, she looked different, more sophisticated.As I approached her, a warm smile spread across my face. "Sarah," I call out, my face beaming with a smile.Sarah turns, her face flushed, she looked like she was about to explode with excitement. "Ava! It's so good to see you again," she said, pulling me into a warm hug, she sounded really happy to see me.It makes me wonder though. "Aren't you mad at me?" I blurted out, unable to hide my surprise. We haven't talked since my aunt's burial.Sarah shakes her head, smiling slightly. "Nah, I get it. It wasn't easy for y
Ava's POV Sarah responds. "I always want to be there for you, Ava. That's what friends are for, right?"I couldn't have agreed more, Sarah is that friend that was there for me when I moved in with my aunt, even when the drama with my Dad got out of hand, she was there.I thought I needed to get rid of everything that reminds me of my aunt's death. I guess I let that got in the way of our friendship.But I'm so glad Sarah never gave up on our friendship, that's something I'd cherish henceforth."So, any prince charming yet?" Sarah asked, bringing me back to reality."Uhmm," I hesitated, things haven't been really rossy between Damien and I but truth is I still loved him.Even though I've been thinking a lot about Mr. Anonymous lately, I still couldn't place a finger to what I think I feel for him. Maybe it was mere admiration. Or perhaps, I see the Damien I really wanted in him.He's everything I want in Damien and more…"I have a boyfriend," I managed to say, my tone laced with uncer
Damien's POV"Where the heck are you coming from?" Emilia yelled, furrowing her brows at me as I entered the room the next morning."Oh my god! Not today, Emilia," I say, unbuttoning my shirt. Emilia drives me crazy sometimes.Emilia doesn't back down. "You went to see her, right? You fucked her?" She pressed further.I closed my eyes and take a few deep breaths, turning my attention to her. "And what if I did?" I let out, my attempt to stay calm is betrayed by a slight tremble in my voice. I was pissed.Emilia's eyes flickers with hurt, her expression falters. Quickly, she recovers as her voice perks up. "You fucking bastard!"Frustrated I moved closer to her. "Watch your tone, Emilia. Watch it!"Emilia snorted. "You're still a dickhead, Damien. You'd never change, why the heck would you fuck that bitch?" she says, "I see you're still into her, just like every other men out there lusting over her, what do you all even see in her?" She asked, her tone laced with anger.My face contort
Ava's POV I prepared and left my apartment in a flash, boarding the next available taxi to club forte.Adrenaline rushed through my veins as excitement crept in, the thought of seeing Mr. Anonymous makes my heart race faster. It's been torture not getting to see him.As I walk through the hallway, my heart sinks deeper with each passing second. I swing by Victoria's office for a quick chatter."Hey, Ava." Victoria retorted sharply as soon as she sighted me. "That was so fast!" She mouthed, giving me a side smirk.I cut her off sharply, clearing the air. "You know how much I need this money. So?" I retorted."Right. Well, he's in the VIP room,". Victoria retorted, giving me a reassuring smile.As I walked into the changing room, I could hear murmurs from the other strippers. They didn't fail to show the fact that they don't like me, maybe because I was close to Victoria or something, it's not like she gives me any preferential treatment or something. Maybe they were just being bitchy
Ava Vasquez"Ava darling, he's here, please don't keep him waiting for too long," Victoria said while walking closer to where I stood, lost in thought. "Hmmm," I hummed and turned to face her."Don't be like that Ava, I promise you it's not as bad as you think" Victoria said, patting my shoulders.I had just accepted to work in Victoria's club, club forte as a private dancer, I just had to do it to save Damien's mom, who is on the verge of dying if nothing is done.I love Damien so much that I can't imagine seeing him in so much pain, I still can't shake off the tears I saw in his eyes the last time I was at his place, he was really going through a lot and I just had to help.Even though I was yet to meet Damien's mom after dating him for three years now, well she seemed really sick and Damien said I was going to meet her when she gets better.I had to quit my other job, the money I was making there was barely enough to pay my bills, let alone help Damien out, I've sent all my saving
Lucien Rodriguez "Any news?" I queried my best bodyguard and private detective Jeff as he walked into one of my underground houses. "Yes boss," he said, bowing his head in respect. "Speak" I ordered. "She wants to work in club forte as a private dancer," he said and paused. I raised my eyebrows immediately, glaring at Jeff whose head was still bent, I stood up from the chair and paced nervously around the room. "And why is that? I thought she had a job?" I questioned. "She had quit her job two days ago, something about raising money to support her boyfriend's mom who is due for a heart surgery" Jeff retorted. "That cunning bastard put her up to this?" I asked frustratingly but at the same time, I tried to remain calm. "Book a section with her, she will only dance for me and no one else, offer the owner of the club any amount to get it done" I ordered sternly. I had fallen in love with a simple girl, I met her a few months back, and it was more like love at first sight I
Ava's PovI've never seen a calm and gentle billionaire like this, I mean he has to be a billionaire to pay that kind of money just for a dance section. And then again he insisted on talking and even offered me money for the extra time, this is new, no one has been this kind to me in recent times, not even Damien. I feel like Damien and I are slowly drifting apart, I feel so lonely in this relationship but yet I didn't want to give up on us. His mother's condition is taking a ton on him and that's why I want to help out.He's usually stressed this days and then there is my best friend Emilia who I haven't heard from since I started this new job.I picked up my phone and dialed Emilia's number, I wanted to tell her how things has been going so far since she didn't ask."Hi bestie" I called out happily. "Ava, please can I call you back, I'm in a middle of something" she said ending the call."That was weird" I mumbled and dropped my phone, I made a mental note to call Damien later, h