Chapter 3: Life Shaping Decisions

"He can keep his mansion, I don't want anything that reminds me of him" I said angrily.

Summer moved closer to me and took my hands" I love you baby girl, and I understand that you are still trying to process all that's happening but you are so accepting this house" she said

As soon as I opened my mouth to speak,we heard the door bell ringing, thinking it was the delivery guy,Summer went to get the door. Minutes later she came back to the room and said that Raymond's lawyer was waiting down stairs.

We went down to the living room and saw a middle aged man sitting on one of the sofas. He introduced himself as Barr. Max. After exchanging pleasantries we sat down. Barr. Max gave a file of documents to me.

Summer and I went through the documents and we saw that we get to keep the Mansion and everything else in it, including the two sport cars in the garage and the Stable, containing four horses.

"how do we keep the place running, if we decide to accept your offer" I asked.

"My apologies, ma'am, my client Mr Raymond Sphinx said you would know the passkey to the safe in the Home Office, everything you need to run the place is in there" Barr. Max said.

"can you give us a few minutes please" summer said to the Lawyer, who just nodded politely.

"This doesn't feel right, Summy, it seems predetermined like he had it all planned out and this is to make sure that I don't come back disrupting his marriage or career" I said pacing around the kitchen.

Summer walked to me and held my shoulder,

"hey, calm down, I know you probably just want nothing to remind you of Raymond, but we both know that unless you are willing to give up social media and live locked up inside the house with no T.V nor radio, you cannot escape hearing the name Raymond Sphinx. And I also want you to realize that this is a win-win situation for Raymond, You know it's not because of the money, cos I have you covered regardless, this is because even as barely enough and insignificant payment it is for the hurt he's caused you, we can see it as a down payment" she said.

I hugged her, clean my tears and walked out of the kitchen, into the living room.

"Ok, so where do I sign" I said looking at the lawyer. we took turns reading the documents and when we were satisfied, I signed it.

The lawyer stood up and shook my hands, "Congratulations, Miss Smith" he said, before taking his leave.

Summer and I sat down back for minutes processing what just happened. we heard the door bell again, this time I went to get the door, with summer trailing behind me. Standing at the Entrance was a well built, muscular, 6'2 man wearing a black suit and trouser.

" Ma'am, I'm Mark, your new head of security and you have a delivery ma'am" Mark said.

I looked at Summer, and saw her drooling, staring at the guy, I turned back to him and said.

" Oh yes, I remember reading something about security, and yes the delivery is for me Mark, thank you and call me Ava" I said

"No ma'am, I can't do that and I'll introduce you to the team as soon as you are settled in" Mark said.

I collected the food from him and tapped Summer back to reality.

"This is Summer my best friend and I insist call me Ava" I said to mark.

Summer stretched her hand smiling sheepishly, Mark took it and said it was nice to meet her.

Immediately, we closed the door, Summer was literally screaming about how hot and handsome Mark was. I didn't have the strength to say anything to her, so I just smiled and watched her be so dramatic about how she felt Sparks when Mark held her hands.

After eating, we both started talking about how elegant and beautiful the house was, unlike the Master bedroom, the interior door of the house was amazing. We went to the study,the Library, the game room, the three guest bedrooms, the lounge, the spa room, the fitness room, the theater, indoor pool, before going outside to see the garage.

" Oh my world, this is beautiful, Summer said looking at the cars". I just smiled and then we kept walking then we saw the stable.

There were four horses in it, I was drawn immediately to the dark horse, something about it was comforting,I moved closer to her and touched her, she let me, like she also felt it too.

I was busy with Nyx,(the dark horse), I didn't notice Summer was already speaking to the white horse. "Snow, that's her name, she's just so pure",. summer said.

Touching the dark horse "Nyx, I I'll call her Nyx" I said, leaning in such a way that my forehead was resting on Nyx' body.

We left the stable, still debating names for the other two horses.

when we got to the entrance, we saw mark and 6 other men dressed in black and white.

"Miss Ava, I'll like to introduce you to the security detail, James, Carson, Paul, Liam, Andrew, Ted

James and Carson guards the front, Paul and Liam guards the back, while Andrew, Ted and I are on your personal security detail, Ted is the driver, Andrew and I will guard you from a distance to ensure your safety ma'am", Mark said.

it's nice to meet you guys, I hope we get along. I said before walking inside with Summer, who won't stop eye flirting with Mark.

"You really need to tone it down a notch babe, you Really do. it's giving a weird vibe now" I said laughing at Summer.

"Please let me flirt, I wont have the time soon, once I graduate, I have to take over the firm" Summer said smiling.

I really don't like remembering that Summer will be done soon, I don't know what I'll do without her.

"Hey, I will always be here for you and you know that, I'm still in town, just a lot busier, stop acting like I'm traveling across continents" Summer said pulling me into a bear hug.

"let's go check out the safe. I still don't understand the whole passkey thing" I said standing up.

"That boy is a delinquent, what is he trying to achieve this time. You Really can't guess what it could be?" she said looking at me,as we found our way towards the Home Office

I shook my head, entering the Office, it looked so big and well furnished, like a real office space,there was a painting on the wall, it was a painting of me. I walked closer to take a better look at it and it was me, holding a red gem, that was glowing in the dark, I seemed to be holding it out to a boy, that was curled up in the corner of a not so well lit room, on closer observation, the boy was Raymond. I gasped.

"Raymond drew this, I'm sure. He's an artist, he has won alot of prizes, you may not know this he does it lowkey, Chad said something about it a while ago" Summer said.

I moved the picture trying to bring it down, when we saw a small door open and a safe was hidden behind it.