Chapter 4| Again

Ava stared at the piece of fabric that Helga laid on her bed moments ago. “Aunt Helga, is this really necessary?”

“Of course, trust me. Remember, we are doing this for Benny and the family.”

She gulped. Last night’s ensemble was a horror for her to put on, she was thankful for the thick coat she insisted on taking with her. However, Helga found the smallest piece of fabric which she fondly calls a dress, and wanted Ava to try it on.

“I’m not sure Papa will approve of this,” Ava reasoned. She grew up in a very wholesome household and to this day, she practices the values she grew up with. Her clothing choices included.

She’s not a prude but she is modest.

Helga’s face turned beet red and she shoved the fabric on Ava’s chest with force. “Put this on and stop asking questions! I’m tired of your whining, Ava. Just tell me if you don’t want to do this so we can all kiss this house goodbye and your brother will never get his treatments! I can’t believe you! I’m trying to keep this family intact and you-----you---argh! Put this on or I will do that for you!”

Repulse by the idea of Helga undressing her and forcing her into the small fabric, she nodded her head, biting back her tears. The truth was, that Ava felt helpless as Helga used her brother against her. She wondered how many times her stepmother would use it for Ava to bend to her will.

“I will put this on,” she firmly said.

“There’s my good girl.” Helga smiled. “I hate to be like this but you are so stubborn my dear. No wonder your father asked me to deal with you because he was certain this would happen.”

“Is dad home?” Ava’s hopes rose. “Can I talk to him? The last time we talked was a month ago. Please, Aunt Helga.”

“No. He’s preoccupied. We are busy trying to find a way out of this mess in case you screw this one again.” Helga lied. Charles was only aware of a dinner date with Mr. Walton. Somehow, Helga twisted facts and blurred his narrative to her advantage. “I pity your father, he hasn’t had a decent amount of sleep since the family business spiraled…you are our last hope.”

“You wouldn’t allow this if it was Beatriz, right?” Ava could no longer contain her disappointment. “You’d try to find another way than to sacrifice her to an old man!”

“But,” Helga smacked her lips, “Mr. Walton wanted you, Ava.”

“Aunt Helga, I just need to talk to my father---I swear---I’m not going to tell him anything. I just need to see him.” Ava pleaded again, unable to hold back the tears. “Please.”

Helga walked towards the door, deaf to her stepdaughter’s pleas.

“You’re a ruthless b*tch!” Ava yelled, her emotions flooding.

The stepmother looked at Ava one more time, her eyes piercing, menacing, “I am going to pretend I didn’t hear that, dear. I’m feeling good tonight and you should thank my good mood for that. Get ready.”

With nothing but anger in her heart for her stepmother and her father, Ava said nothing more. Helga left her in her bedroom to prepare. Every fiber in her body felt exhausted, she lay on her bed for what felt like an eternity.

She had no plans on fixing herself for Mr. Walton. That ship had sailed last night. Her virginity was given to the wrong man and what made it worse, she had no idea who she was with last night!

6 PM came and she was not yet ready.

A knock on her door startled Ava.

“Open this door, Ava! In case you notice, it’s six o'clock and mom wants me to check if you put on that dress she gave you. Don't make me knock again!” Beatriz said behind the door. “I’m going to count to three---”

Ava opened the door, she already slipped into the dress. Like the previous garment she wore last night, this one fits her like a glove. Accentuating her curves the black complimented her pale skin. Beatriz, unlike Ava, was not blessed with the natural curves she had, and seeing her stepsister rock the dress infuriated her. Her jealousy kicked in. She ran her cold eyes on her appearance and smirked.

“Ew. How ugly can you get?”

“I’m ready.” Ava ignored her negative comment.

“Looking like that?”  Beatriz pointed at Ava’s bare face. “Look at you, your hair, your face---where do you think you’re going? The cheesecake factory?”

“I’m just going to pay our family debt, Beatriz by spending the night with him. I’m sure Mr. Walton doesn’t care what I look like.” She sarcastically stated and shrugged. “This is it.”

Beatriz found Ava’s newfound confidence amusing but her mother gave her strict instructions to make sure that Ava looked appealing and delectable to Mr. Walton’s eyes to ensure optimal results. On normal days, she’d pick on Ava and watch her cower in fear. Obviously, she overgrown it overnight.

“No, not happening.” Beatriz pushed her on the bed and laid her make-up bag. “I don’t want to get in trouble with Mom because you’re acting up. You need a little color to mask your eyebags and to hide the puff from all the crying. You're being too dramatic, Ava. It’s just one night. Just close your eyes and wait until he’s done with his thing. I doubt he could last a long time.”

Ava chuckled bitterly. “Easy for you to say, you are not in my position.”

Beatriz proceeded with her task. Not wanting to add fuel to the smoke. As much as she wanted to embarrass Ava, Helga wanted her hair and make-up done to perfection. Ten minutes in, the door opened and Helga walked in. She was dressed to impress the coming guest.

"Hurry up you two. He’s arriving any moment from now! I don't want him to think we don’t take our second chance for granted.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Beatriz rolled her eyes in annoyance.

At that exact moment, the doorbell rang several times.

“Quick! Let’s go meet Mr. Walton outside, Ava, and don’t forget to smile!” Helga pulled Ava to her feet.