Chapter 2

Don’t Smirk When I’m Talking to You

Ava

(Past)

I dash to my locker as soon as the last bell sounds and grab my bag. As I consider what is about to occur, my pulse is thumping with anticipation. Baxter, my best friend, is standing outside, and we both know what's going to happen. This has been in the works for days. 

"Ready?" I grin as I reach him. 

"Let's do it," he grins back. 

“Zayn will be soo mad, Bax.” I giggle as we sneaked passed the stoic man father had hire to follow me around.

He takes my hand as we walk quickly. “My bodyguard won’t also know I’m gone until the next two hours, by that time, we will be back.”

Our hearts are racing as we both sneak out of the school gates and run down the street. We are breaking the rules hanging out together but who cares?

Spiderman just came out and we are watching it together. Now was the only time we had.

We enter the theater while trying to project a cool demeanor as we provide the cashier with our forged ID, Bax took care of it. I hope he doesn't see how anxious I am since I can feel my palms starting to perspire. Fortunately, he doesn't even give the IDs a quick check before giving us our tickets. 

My enthusiasm is growing as we settle into our seats in the auditorium that is dimly illuminated. As we watch the movie, Bax and I share a large bag of popcorn and some candy while giggling and chatting to one another. 

Yet as the film draws to a close, I can already feel the dread setting in. When my parent learn about this disobedience, I’m going to be in so much trouble. 

As we leave the cinema, I start to feel queasy and worry about what would happen if we are discovered. 

Baxter, though, simply grinned and took my hand. “Don't be worry, he says. "We'll work it out together," he says. “We always do.”

*

(Present)

I'm attending a high-profile fundraiser, dressed in a stunning red gown, mingling with the city's elite. I was invited as a guest of honor, and I was looking forward to a night of networking and making valuable connections. As I make my way through the crowded room, I notice a man staring at me from across the room. When I glanced at the invisible talons digging into my neck, I’m faced with no other than him.

Baxter Wolf.

The man who allowed the poison between our parents infect us, even after promising he would only let that happen over his dead body. 

What was he doing here? This didn’t look like his kind if scene.

My heart starts to thud in my chest, as his green eyes continued to pierce through me.

Achingly handsome as he is ruthlessly arrogant…he hasn’t changed, I know this because he casanova ways made it into headlines again, after he broke up with the minister of aviation’s daughter. He stands at 6’2, masculine with broad shoulders straining his his black suit. His well defined jawline is clenched, his thin lips pursed, as he continues to probe at me with his uncanny eyes. 

Took me a while to see that I’m staring at him too, biting my lips as I clench my purse too tightly, I can’t stand sharing oxygen with him.

“You look like you saw the devil,” Lily says as hands me a champagne flute.

I blink away from Baxter and forced a smile at my friend. “That’s because I did.” I replied.

“You will tell me all about this later, Av, I need to introduce you to some people.” Lily gingerly says and she drags me into the crowd of socializing ladies and gents.

I spend the next thirty minutes chatting the Oxford alumni and his wife, before I decide to visit the loo. 

On my way, my mood quickly sours when I see Baxter Wolf flirting with my Rachel. 

Rachel went to business school with me, and we are not best of friends, she antagonized me at every turn, making my life a living hell.

Good for them. Baxter and Rachel deserved each other. They should just get married then and spare me the stress.

As I decide to leave them and go the other direction, my stomach turns as I watch Baxter's smug grin while Rachel giggles at his jokes. 

I couldn't believe that Baxter would do something like this, especially since we were set to get married. I couldn't believe that he would stoop so low as to flirt with my Rachel of all people. Don’t he have class?

Well, I didn't expect much from Baxter, not after he broke my trust. Nothing is beneath this man.

Impulsively, I storm over to Baxter, my heels clicking on the marble floor. Rachel smirks when she sees me before leaving Baxter to take a call.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I snap at Baxter, who turns to face me with a smirk on his face.

"Ahh, Ava, darling," he drawls, "It’s nice to see you too. I was just having a little fun. Just enjoying a party."

I seethe through clenched teeth. "This is not a game, Baxter. Are you forgetting something?" Are you forgetting that our parents wants us to get married? I added in my head. “I will never marry you, traitor.”

Baxter's expression turns cold. "Listen, Ava, this marriage is nothing personal. It's just business. And if you won't marry me, I'll just move on to your sister, Danny. She's just as pretty as you are."

My eyes widen in shock and disgust. "You stay away from my sister," I spat, my fists clenched at my sides.

Baxter leans in, his breath hot on my face. "You don't have a choice, Ava. This is how it works in our world. And besides, it's not like I have a choice either. I’m just as much a pawn in this game as you are."

"As if I believe you. I know you have a hand in this. I won't be your puppet, anymore, Baxter. I thought I made myself clear. I won't marry you, and I won't let you hurt my sister."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Baxter was threatening to go after my own sister if I refused to marry him. I was so angry that I didn't even think before I acted. 

I picked up my drink and threw it at him, drenching him in alcohol.

The room fell silent as everyone turned to watch the scene unfolding in front of them.

Baxter wiped the drink off his face and smiled sweetly. “What makes you think I would want you, talk more of wanting to marry you and be bound to your spoilt princess tantrums for the rest of my life.” Then he leans close and whispers to me. “You'll regret this, Ava," he said coldly. "You'll regret it very soon."

I push him out my space, standing chest to chest with him, “Not before I bring you to your kneels, Judas.”

With that, I stormed out of the fundraiser, leaving a drenched Baxter behind me. 

I knew that this was just the beginning of our battle, but I was determined to come out on top. Baxter Wolf may be the big bad wolf, but I, Ava Wellington, am no Red Riding Hood. I was not to be underestimated.