Tom's POVI gently grasped Ava's trembling hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze, before leaving her in the car."The lady," the thug with the deep voice said as I stood in front of him, hands tucked into my pockets, staring at him.Since I was taller than him, it was pretty easy for me to look imposing."The lady remains in the car," I said in a cold voice I didn't even realize I had."The lady comes out," he insisted, casting me a menacing gaze, to which I responded with a scoff."She remains in the car. So, are you willing to resolve this matter with some financial compensation or not? I'm a busy individual," I stated, casually leaning against the vehicle, and he gazed at me with a perplexed expression."You're talking to Alfredo!! Have you no fear?" he asked, stepping back."Do you want a fight then? Well, I'm ready to give it to you. You have two options: money or a brutal brawl. But hurry up because, in just a minute, the money option will no longer be available," I declared,
Ava's POV I frantically checked through the box and noticed that all the pictures had hearts drawn over them.Furthermore, every single one of them was from someone named A.Wait, what kind of name was that? A?"Oh, Ava Brooks, why do you always encounter situations like this wherever you go? This is terrible," I muttered to myself, frustrated, as I punched the box.I couldn't understand why I felt that way, but I believed it would only make Tom uncomfortable to see things like this.I also couldn't bring myself to throw them away, so naturally, I took them to the car.As I walked to the car, it occurred to me that if even the thugs in Spain were well aware of me and Tom, it was possible that someone who admired me knew I was in their country.However, the most unsettling picture was the one of me walking through the company. It was particularly perplexing because I had only entered the premises that morning. How was the picture taken without anyone noticing?Well, later that day, as
Ava's POVI noticed a group of men with cameras hurrying to see what was going on. And without hesitation, I quickly bent down and started packing the items back into the box.Tom's friends also joined me in bending down and together, we packed all the items back into the box.I couldn't help but feel incredibly embarrassed, and tears welled up in my eyes as I finally closed up the box.The reporters continued to click their cameras while I placed the box on the table."I... I remember ordering these online. I'm so sorry. I had no idea they would be delivered to me here," I fibbed to his Tom's friends."Stop clicking, or I'll smash your cameras!" One of Tom's friends named Lucas, warned, and the men immediately stopped taking pictures."Thank you, but I think I'll go stay in the car. Please let Tom know that he can take his time; I just want to relax," I said, offering them a small smile before walking out of the dinner party.I stormed over to the rented car, angrily tossing the box
Ava's POVAll of them were potential suspects. The person who sent me those boxes was named A, and all of them had names starting with A as well.After encountering someone like Elise, I learned not to exclude women when it came to matters like this one.I scratched my head, contemplating the meeting I had scheduled for later that afternoon.It presented a chance for me to ask them some critical questions.Once I discovered the identity of A, I planned to have a sincere conversation with them, ensuring not to make them feel uncomfortable while politely declining any gifts they might offer.Just then, a beam of light shone on me, and I turned to see that Tom had just taken a photo of me."What's on your mind?" he asked, taking another photo, but I shook my head."Nothing is on my mind," I lied, flashing him my most convincing smile."You look absolutely stunning today," he said, gently brushing my hair away from my face, and I found myself captivated by the mesmerising beauty in his e
Ava's POVI scoffed, wondering what else they were up to.I scrolled up the page and came across a screenshot of someone's Instagram post."Okay," I said, mentally preparing myself for whatever I was about to see.I clicked on it and found a post by someone named A. They had a doll as a profile picture and had uploaded a photo of me. They also tagged me with a caption that appeared to be a poem.'All those moments spent together have been engraved in my head forever. I really longed to see you again, and finally, I did..You were glowing like the star I once set eyes upon when you held me in your arms as we watched the horizon. I'm happy we're together again because this time, I won't let you go away.'I let out a disgusted scoff as I read the incredibly awful poem.As I continued scrolling, I noticed that the post included a photo of me, with the contents of the box scattered around. They had zoomed in on a section of the box that said *From A* and had specifically highlighted the und
Tom's POVI didn't even know about the news that was circulating until one of my friends called and asked what was going on between Ava and I.He had told me that there was a rumour going on about her, and I had immediately searched it up.Lo and behold, there it was; an Instagram post about her in which she was tagged was going viral.No matter how hard I tried to read the poem from a different perspective, it still came across as a love poem. And I vividly remember her mentioning that the box was delivered to her at the wrong time.The box had a label that said "From A," and the person who had posted Ava's picture with the love poem was also named A. And now, inside the box, there were underwear, sanitary pads, and some pictures of Ava.There was no doubt that she was having an affair.The question I had was, how long had this been going on? Whoever she was dating had to be in Spain to be able to deliver these items quickly. Did she start going out with the guy as soon as we arrived
Ava's POVI blushed as I realized I had been walking around in my stained lavender gown, searching for him.My eyes darted around anxiously as Tom smiled for the cameras and carried me out of the party.Neither of us said a word until we reached the car. It was as though he understood my embarrassment and wanted to give me some space.He gently placed me in the car and turned to walk away."I'm going home," I said, "I can't stay here anymore." He turned back to me."You don't have to go home. I will go get you the things you need," he said, casually dipping his hands into his pocket while coolly observing me."I absolutely refuse to go back to that party. Didn't you see how everyone was staring at me? And I'll definitely need to find a reporter to explain this situation, but first, we need to have a conversation."But he just gave a half-shrug."I'm not sure what you…. You know what? I'm leaving with the car. You can take a taxi if you want," I said, wearing a frown. I started to head
Ava's POVThe security men exchanged quick looks, and one of them bent down to see what she had in the box. But Audrey slapped his hand away, knelt over the box, and tried to hurriedly put its contents back."Mrs. Lockwood," one of the men in the black suits said, acknowledging my presence, and I could see Audrey shudder at his words.Her eyes caught mine, and she stood up slowly."Uh... Ava," she blurted out, her eyes filled with tension. The last thing she had expected was to see me there."Audrey?" I called out, my hands akimbo, "What's the meaning of this?" I gestured at the box."This... this... this is just… ermm," she stuttered, waving her hands towards the box, but struggled to explain the situation."Did you... Are you A?" I asked, and without hesitation, the men inched closer to her, prepared to restrain her in case she posed a threat to me or anyone else."Well... since you thought I was a stalker, I didn't want you to know that I was the one leaving the gifts. I thought y
Tom's POVThe idea of getting married had always been daunting to me because it represented a lifelong commitment.It was not something I could easily walk away from, but the way she asked me about it gave me a sense of excitement. It made me feel like there was a lot to expect from her. After all, ever since our relationship began, we had been able to overcome many obstacles and challenges, which had only brought us closer than contract marriage partners typically would be."Alright, that's it. Well, since you guys need to come to a better and more sincere decision, I'll be on my way," Melody announced. She gave Ava a deep hug and left the restaurant.After staring at Melody for a long while, Ava's gaze returned to meet mine."I don't know about you, but I want to spend a lifetime with you. I can't imagine being with anyone else now. I don't want us to see where this goes, I want us to take us where it goes. And Chris won't have power over us anymore, because this time, we'll go thr
Tom's POVAva and I exchanged a fearful glance as terror gripped us.Had Chris heard or seen us approaching, or was he angry because I hadn't shown any fear when he talked about detaining Melody?Ava swallowed and took the first step. After three more steps, she broke into a run and smashed through the window. It was quite impressive how forceful she was. How on earth could a woman break through a window?I followed in her footsteps and saw a trail of blood coming from the hall.My eyes widened and immediately I tried to stop Ava from running headfirst into whatever was waiting for us, but she was too fast.As soon as she reached the end of the hall, she let out a scream and instinctively placed her hand on her chest before bolting into the living room.I followed her and found Chris on the floor, blood pouring from his leg.Melody still had her gun pointed at him, but Ava hugged her tightly as if she had been raised from the dead.Tears streamed down Melody's cheeks, but her grip on
Ava's POVChris had abducted Melody, there was no other way to put it, but I still clung to Tom because he was at his most vulnerable at that moment and wasn't ready to deal with anything else.As his tears continued to fall, I felt conflicted.I was afraid for Melody's safety in the hands of the reckless Chris, and afraid that if I interrupted this moment with Tom, I might never experience anything like it again.I held him closer, and for a moment he remained still. He rested in my embrace, perhaps reflecting on the painful memories he had been made to endure.We were there for about half an hour, and the entire time was filled with a sick feeling of worry for me.Finally, he pulled away from me and stood up."Wine for us? I believe we have no secrets now," he remarked, and I nodded with a faint smile. "Is something bothering you?" He asked, sitting down again."Are you feeling better now?" I asked, gently touching his tear-streaked face."I never thought I could cry, but you seem t
Ava's POV"Are you telling the truth? Will you really tell me everything, no matter what happens?" I asked.He was silent for a while but eventually spoke. "I will tell you everything, no matter what happens. I promise you, Ava.""Is that Tommy?" Dora suddenly asked, bursting into a high cackle."Oh, um, Tom. She's here. Dora is here," I said uncomfortably as she began to approach me."What?! Dora?? Where? Where are you, Ava?""We are in the parking lot," I replied immediately. "She told me she wants coffee, cigarettes, and her brother.""Take her to the closest coffee shop and get her whatever she wants. I'll be there soon," he told me before I ended the call."You want coffee right?" I asked her, my voice a bit shaky."I thought you weren't going to give me any," she raised a brow at me."I've changed my mind. Tom said to give you whatever you want.""Oh, my sweet Tommy. I always knew he still had feelings for me.""But what exactly happened between you two?" I quipped."He tried to
Tom's POVThe nurse explained to me how they had gone to Dora's room to offer her treatment, but found out that she wasn't there.They had tried calling Chris, but he was wanted so his phone was turned off. Then they had called me, but I had also been unreachable.When I had gone to visit her some days ago, I was asked to provide all of my contact numbers, so I included my office number as well and it turned out to be the only way for them to reach me now."Are there any CCTV cameras?" I inquired, and the nurse let out a sigh."The last time she was seen, she walked into the staff toilet and never came out. When it was checked again, it was discovered that she had stolen the clothes of a nurse and left her unconscious. At the time, no one suspected her, so she was able to run out," she explained, her voice trembling slightly."So?" I asked."We think she might go to visit any of her relatives. Maybe you or her brother," she finished, and I licked my lips."It's fine. If she comes to s
Ava's POVI was about to open my room door, but then I remembered that Chris had made me lock it from the inside. I realized that I would probably have to find another room to sleep in. I quickly went into the room next to mine and slammed the door in anger. Then I flopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.It was so frustrating that he didn't feel ready to tell me anything about Dora. He wasn't prepared to narrate the whole thing to me, leaving me in the dark.The fact that I had trusted and loved him blindly brought tears to my eyes.How could you tell someone you loved them and still refuse to let them know all there was to you?I hated secrets. I hated liars, and I hated deceivers!!With that thought, I found myself drifting off to sleep.The night I had had indeed been an eventful one, full of fear and anxiety.*************The next morning, I woke up at dawn, took a shower, looked through the wardrobe for clothes set aside for unexpected guests, and chose an outfit.
Ava's POVI was dumbstruck; I mean completely speechless."Wait, isn't that Tom's wife? The new girl he loves?" She started to shout. "Ha, she's not as pretty as we thought." She then paused and looked around. "Hey guys, why were we scared? Obviously, it's because we didn't expect a stranger. I can't believe he ended up saving her after all. If it weren't for us, she would have lost her fingers. Why did you even tell him the location? You should have just let her hands rot. She doesn't need them."The way she spoke to herself was unnerving. Suddenly, she began to laugh like a maniac, and I found myself breathing faster out of fear of what she might do."Does Tom think he'll lead a good life after ending mine? No!! I'll make him miserable too. I'll make him share my hospital room and laugh with me, too!" she promised as she ran her hands over her bed.I stumbled back a few steps.."He… he made you like this?" I asked in a shaky voice.In a fit of bubbling rage, she angrily demanded, "A
Ava's POVI gasped, and my phone slipped from my grasp."Raise them. Those hands," he said slowly, and my hands shot up to the ceiling immediately. "Good. Now, any little, stupid sound that I don't approve of, and I'll blast your head," he threatened softly, causing my eyes to close tightly.He was dressed entirely in black, with a black cap covering his head.He then moved closer to me; even with my eyes closed, I could feel his presence growing stronger.My limbs trembled, and it seemed like I would collapse any moment. "You need to lock the door," he whispered into my ear, his voice dangerously close, as he pressed the gun against the back of my neck.My legs sprang into action instantly, a little too fast."I'm not trying to run away. I'm not," I assured him in a wavering voice as I proceeded to lock my door.With the tip of the gun in his hands, he forcefully pushed me to the bed while he leaned against the nightstand, carefully observing me."You must think you've won. Everythi
Tom's POVMr. Roger looked nervous as he had finally confessed their greed, and as he met my expressionless eyes, it seemed he understood the gravity of what he had done."That's why they were so adamant," he explained, his eyes darting from Henry to me. "I actually wanted to pull out, but I had already used the money for my wife's surgery, and there wasn't really any way of getting it back." He moistened his lips nervously as he spoke."So are you saying that he successfully bribed the entire board too?" Henry asked.Mr. Roger shook his head. "No. A few persons rejected the money because they wanted to stick with Mrs. Lockwood. And I really wanted to, but I …""I can imagine the others saying exactly what you're saying - making excuses. But excuses don't cover up what you've done. Mrs. Lockwood will be the one to decide whether or not to expose you," I announced, noticing fear crossing his eyes."I… I know what I did was wrong…," he stuttered, avoiding my gaze.**************Ava wen