Kristie used both hands to cover her face. Then, in the most tender tone, she blurted out, “Yes, yes. I will marry you, Ryan.”
Ava felt her world crumbling right before her own eyes. Tears formed around the corners of her eyes and rolled down. Her heart was pounding. She had come with good news. But then, her pregnancy might have been her worst mistake. With a broken and shattered heart, the damsel found her way out of the hall. She walked to the corner and began to cry out her heart. “Take this,” Molly said and threw two dollar notes at her. “You will need it to take care of your wretched body.” Ava couldn't say a word. Her tears would not let her. As a matter of fact, Ryan held the answers to the questions in her head. Molly chuckled and continued. “In case you're wondering, Ryan never sent you the invitation card. I did. I wanted a loser like you to see that my brother has finally come to his senses.” She hissed. “Get out of here before you're thrown out.” She left Ava alone. The sound of chatters and media bustles distracted the sorrowful lady. Ava raised her head to see Ryan walking out of the hall with his newly engaged fiancé. From where she was, she could hear the media questions. “Mr Ryan, there are rumors you've been in a relationship with someone else. Reports have that she's a lowlife and—” Even before the reporter could be done, Ryan waved it off. “Such a person does not exist in my life.” The response was like a bomb set in Ava's heart. What happened to her Ryan? ★★★★★ Later that night, Ava was outside Ryan's home. The mansion was fully lit and bore a load of memories. But everything seemed to have changed. The security wouldn't even let her through the gate. A few minutes later, a Rolls-Royce approached and swerved right towards the gate. That was Ryan. Ava quickly jumped to her feet and blocked the flashy vehicle. In the car, Kristie threw a cold glance at her fiance. “Who the heck is this bitch?” She queried. Ryan forced a smile. “I will handle this. Just give me a minute.” Ryan and Kristie knew themselves from childhood. As a matter of fact, the business relationship their parents had started even before they were born. “Ryan!!” Ava's voice thundered. But it was just an inaudible movement of her lips to those in the car. Ryan opened the door and stepped out. Then, he slowly shut it and walked to her. “What are you doing here, Ava?” He asked her firmly. “What is going on?” Ava asked. “Who's the lady? She's in your car, right?” Ryan smiled. “You mean Kristie. She is the woman I will marry.” Hearing those words, her feet became unsteady. Tears were beginning to well up her throat again. “Have… have you been using me?” She croaked out. “I love you, Ryan. You can't do this to me.”: Ryan smirked. “I don't love you. You see that woman in the car, that is the woman of my dreams, not an orphan who has nothing to offer me.” At this point, Ava's heart had been ruptured completely. Her hands slowly moved to her belly. She was pregnant by this man. How was she supposed to tell him now? “From this moment, you are no longer allowed to come to this premises. It's over between us.” Ryan ordered the security to move her. They did. She stood like a lost sheep and watched with teary eyes as the Rolls-Royce rolled past the gate. ★★★★★ The next morning, Ryan sat in his swivel chair, attending to some documents when his friend, Erik, walked in. “Hello, buddy,” Erik said. Ryan giggled as he saw him. “Erik, you're back from your trip.” Erik grinned and walked over to a couch at the extreme of the office. Then, sat down and rubbed his palms. “I came in this morning and headed here immediately.” Ryan chuckled as he stood up and joined his friend. “You're back quite early. You said you were going to stay away for three months. It's merely two weeks and you are back already.” Erik grinned. “Oh well, I had to return for a crucial reason.” Ryan crossed his legs. “Is there a problem? What could have made you cut your trip off? By the way, do you need wine?” Erik hissed. “I didn't come here for a drink. I know my way to a tavern.” Ryan sensed the uneasy look on Erik's face. “What is the problem, Erik?” “You,” Erik replied instantly. “I saw the news. You are engaged to Kristie. Why?” Ryan heaved a sigh. “Can we not talk about this at the moment?” “And why exactly is that?” Erik pressed on. “As far as I'm concerned, you love Ava. How could you have done that to her?” Ryan uncrossed his legs. “I made the best decision for my career. You don't expect me to choose love over my inheritance, Erik.” Erik scoffed. “So, what you are trying to tell me is that this whole thing happened because you don't want Brad to take your place.” The silence from Ryan was a yes. Brad was his younger brother. Their father didn't approve of his relationship with Ava. Coming from a family as wealthy as his, he wasn't allowed to marry just anyone. Whoever he had to marry, would definitely have to strengthen the family's fortune. “So, that's it. Ryan, I don't why, but I suddenly feel like you are making the worst mistake of your life. You owe Ava an apology.” Ryan cocked his hair. “You don't expect me to fold my hands and do nothing while my brother is given the title of heirship. I had to show my father that I'm worthy of it.” For a few seconds, no one said a word. Erik could see that his friend's mind was already made up. “What about Ava?” Erik asked. “What about her?” Ryan fired back. “How is she? She must have seen the news.” Ryan sighed heavily. “Well, she was there at the event last night.” Erik stood to his feet in surprise. “You invited her to the event to break her heart. You're cold-blooded, man.” “It's not like that,” Ryan said in his defense. “I didn't invite her.” “Then, who did?” Erik persisted. “She wouldn't have been there without her invitation card. If it wasn't you, who sent her the card?” “Molly,” Ryan replied abruptly. “Listen, Erik. I didn't plan for this to happen the way it did. But then, it happened. Hmmm… she was at my place after the event. Well, I didn't go easy on her. I ended it while Kristie watched.” Erik was disappointed in his friend. He slowly sat down without saying a word. “Listen, Erik, we're joining hands with Kristie’s father. The richest family and the second richest family. We'll be very strong. About Ava, she'll be fine. Trust me, I have it all under control.” While they were still talking, the door slid open and his secretary walked in. “Sorry for the interruption, sir,” she said to him politely. “But you have a delivery.” A delivery? Ryan thought. He wasn't expecting any package. “Are you expecting something?” Erik asked. He shook his head. “None that I can think of.” He received the brown envelope from the secretary and she left. Ryan carefully unsealed it and took out the white paper inside. Then, he unfolded it and perused. It was only a matter of seconds before his heart sank into his belly. It was a pregnancy result. “... The patient, Ava Woods, tested positive and is four weeks pregnant…” On reading the medical report, Ryan felt a bomb explode inside his bowels.One week later, Ryan was in his office when his phone started to buzz with so many messages. Almost at the same time, his office telephone would not stop ringing. He looked puzzled by the scenario that was unfolding right before him. Nothing made sense. He chose to ignore the calls and go through the text messages that were flooding his phone. “.... Is this how Blake Haven will pay me back after everything I have done?” On reading the first message, he was confused. If the message had come from Edman Cole it would have been understandable. But no, it didn't come from him. He decided to go through other text messages. Even before he could finish everything, his mind went crazy. Every damn text message was a bitter complaint from someone that was supposed to be with them. The office telephone began to ring again. At this point, he didn't need someone to explain to him who would be on the other side of the line. It would definitely be one of the bitter souls sending him text messag
Ava and Arnold returned home a couple of minutes later. Arnold walked in and sat down immediately. “Gladys!” Ava called her children's nanny. The lady came almost immediately. “Yes, ma'am,” she replied. “You called me.” Ava leaned on the wall. “What about my kids?” “They have gone to bed, ma. But they are finding it difficult to fall asleep.” Ava dropped her bag on the couch and started heading upstairs immediately. “And why is that so?” She asked as she went up. Gladys swiftly followed her. “They wanted you to put them to sleep by yourself tonight.” Ava hurriedly opened the door to their room. By that time, they were already asleep. Her heart melted when she saw that they had dozed off. She never wanted to keep her children to miss her presence for any reason. “They… have slept off,” Gladys said behind her. Ava nodded slowly. “I can see that, Gladys. Please, you can go.” “Would you want me to do anything for you tonight?” Gladys asked. Ava shook her head. “I know my way
A couple of moments later, Kristie and Ryan arrived at the venue for the dinner party, a relaxation house somewhere in the city. It was one of the properties of Kristie's father. On their arrival, media lights flashed in their direction. Kristie and Ryan were still in the car. She turned to Ryan and said, “You should at least play the husband you are meant to be tonight.” Ryan chuckled. “Was that why you sent Ava an invitation to this place?” Kristie said nothing. She wanted to open the door and step out, but Ryan held her back. “I will get the door for you,” he said. He got out of the car and went around it to open the door for Kristie. Kristie stepped out and locked arms with him. And together, they walked right through the flashing lights. Mr Biden and Mr Blake were standing in front of the house together with several other top business people in the city. On seeing their children, both parents giggled loudly and received them. “Come here, son,” Mr Biden said to Ryan as he
It was evening time. Ava had finished her work and was wrapping up for the day when her secretary, Sharon, walked into the office with two envelopes in her hands. “Ma'am, you have a—” Ava cut her off before she could finish the rest of the words. “No, no. Not today, Sharon,” she said without looking at Sharon. “As you can see, I'm getting set to be out of this place. I'm done for today.” Sharon grinned and dropped the envelopes on her table. Ava looked at her and took her gaze down to the envelopes. “What are these?” She asked. Sharon raised her palms in askance. “I have no idea. One of them came through a delivery guy and the other came here through someone from Blake Haven.” Ava's curiosity was suddenly piqued. She stopped what she was doing and adjusted in her chair. “From Blake Haven?” Sharon nodded. “Should I go ahead and open them?”Ava nodded. Sharon took the first envelope and as she opened it, she said, “This one came here officially from Blake Haven.” She opened i
One week later, it was finally time to announce the new chief operating officer of Blake Haven group. Ryan was in his office surfing through his system when Sarah, his secretary, walked in. “Sir, everyone's ready. They are waiting for you in the boardroom.” Ryan looked and blew air from his mouth. Then, he rubbed his hands together and said, “Thank you. I will be with them shortly.” Sarah left and he got up. Before he left the office, he wondered if he was really doing the proper thing. He had no idea what Kristie was thinking to have demanded such a high position in the business. A few moments later, he was heading to the boardroom. When he got there, he stopped for a second and drew in a load of air. Then, he slowly let it out. With a signal, the guard at the door, turned the hinge and pushed the door open. He walked in and everyone stood up. “Good morning, everyone,” he said, his voice apologetic and at the same time commanding. “Sorry I took a few minutes of the stipu
When it was 8pm on the dot, Ryan's vehicle steered into the premises of the meeting venue. Out of all the places in the world, she just had to choose that place. It was clear enough to Ryan that Ava was looking for every possible means to make him remember the wrong decision he made five years ago. He parked and got out of the car. “Hmm,” he exhaled heavily and found his way inside. Ava had specifically requested to meet in the same conference hall where he had betrayed her. When he got there, there was still no trace of her. All that was in the large space was a table for two. He got to the table and sat down, his eyes travelling around the place. Three minutes into his wait, the door opened and someone walked in. Ryan turned and saw Ava walking towards him. Seeing her made his memories tingle for a while. Ava was dressed in the same manner as she did five years ago in that conference room— a red dress with a matching pair of heels. “Look who we have here,” she said in a bright