AVA
I walked back to where I had left Helena and Isabelle but couldn't find them so I walked out of the boutique and towards the parking lot to find them.
They might have waited too long in the store for me to return and must have gotten tired and decided to wait in the car.
I got to where my car was parked in the midst of other cars in the parking lot to find out there was no one in it and the doors were still locked.
I was about to reach for my phone in my hand bag when I remembered how I had left my bag with my phone in it on the chair I was sitting on in the boutique and left hurriedly to meet up with Ciara.
Frustrated by the fact that I wasn't with my phone, I turned around to go back into the boutique in search of them when I saw Helena at the entrance of the boutique holding two big shopping bags in her hand. What more could she have bought?.
RYAN"Helena, Ryan is apologising for what he did, how he reacted." Adrian begged her.I made Adrian ask her over the phone if she was at home this evening since she's usually at home by now. She has been avoiding me like a plague since the day of that incident and it was all because of Ava. I have done everything possible to make her listen to me or forgive me but she wouldn't do any of that.When we rang the doorbell, she excitedly opened the door for us thinking it was just Adrian and Gwen, she smiled at them so happily but once her eyes found me, she slammed the door in our faces. It took a miracle for her to open the door for us because we knew how unruly she could be, we used the only mutual thing we had with her to get her to open the door, Adrian's deteriorating health.We used the front door intercom to remind her of Adrian's health and she came running to the door, opening it immediat
AVA If I had been told by anyone that being a CEO was so demanding, I'd have laughed so loud in the person's face. Honestly, it's nothing like what I have seen in the movies or books that I've read. This is a whole lot of work. It's like doing your job and at the same time doing that of the entire departments in the company. I've been working relentlessly to put the company back on its feet. It was once the highest event planning company in the country. That rank had lasted for so many years until the year my dad passed away. "Good evening, Ava," Tracy said, walking into my office. "Have a seat," I replied, smiling at her. "I was wondering if I could talk to you about something," she said, after she was seated "Sure, what is it about?" I asked, putti
RYANIt felt good taunting her, watching her try to act all tough and break down in front of me.It gave me some kind of satisfaction to watch how much my words got to her.When I left her office after she threatened to call in the security, I couldn't stop myself from going back to her office and causing her more pain.So I went back having nothing to say until the random idea about her planning my wedding with that Ciara girl and that blew up in my face.I was pretty annoyed by the way Ava turned the game around and I was bent on making her pay for that.I drove my car out of her company's premises and parked it in a corner where she wouldn't be able to spot it.Soon, I saw her drive out of the compound and followed her car. My plan was to know exactly where she lived until she stopped in front of a club
AVAMy bed was annoyingly hard and I tried to stretch my hand but it felt like I was cornered in an enclosed place.I stretched harder but I kept on hitting a wall. I even tried pushing it away but I felt my hand being held by the wrist by a stronger hand.I remembered being led out of the club last night by a stranger and panic surged through me from the thoughts of the possibilities of what could have happened and I tried to get out of the tight grip but got roughly pushed by rough hands.I tried to open my eyes but felt a squeezing ache in my head and instantly supported my head with my hands. My body was hurting and I felt a throbbing pain on my legs, they were products of the excess alcohol I consumed at the club.I stood up still holding my head and my head bumped into a roof making me fall on my knees.I heard someone chuckle and the
AVA"Then who would?"She stared at me before replying "I have no idea." she shrugged."I thought as much." I spat and lifted the wine glass and drank the content all at once."We both know that you still love Ryan." She said with a good amount of seriousness in her voice.My mind went back to what he did to me today and the marks on my body which I was able to cover the ones on my neck with a concealer after taking my bath today.I gritted my teeth remembering the amount of pain I felt between my legs earlier today "I curse the day... the day I fell in love with Ryan." I spat"If this were a few years back or even a week ago I would have gladly fought to be back in his arms. Ciara some wounds are hard to heal... some wounds are very hard to heal while some never heal at all." I told her with a cold voice.&
AVA"Who told you?, How did you get to know about the Howards?" I repeated the question I asked him, visibly shaken by the thoughts that were running through my mind.He sighed and looked away from me "Helena did, I asked her to give me a good reason why I should be part of this scheme to get you a date.""She didn't want to. Instead, she gave me flimsy excuses but I persisted and when we were alone, she told me everything I needed to know." he said.I gulped and bent my head to avoid his gaze."Ava when was the last time you went on a date after Ryan." He asked and I felt his hand on my shoulder."You've spent the past few years taking care of Melissa and you ended up neglec
AVAI was going to hit the person with the back of my leg when the person released his hold on me."Damn Ava, I never knew you were such a-""Scaredy Cat!" Melissa interjected while chuckling softly and I pouted at her which made her stop immediately as she thought I was being hurt."You scared me." I said and placed one of my hands over my chest, trying to get a hold of my ragged breath and heartbeat while slightly closing my eyes."What are you cooking?" I asked him when I saw that he was wearing an apron over his red polo shirt. I was going to say something else when I discovered that not only was Luke putting on an apron, Melissa was as well with her hair in a messy bun and a small spoon in her hand.They both looked adorable like daughter and father just that they weren't."Mama, I made pancakes for you." My d
AVA"Could you go to the church with Melissa?, I'd like to help Helena get ready." I asked Luke who was driving the car with Melissa and Noah in the backseat. I wanted to see if Helena needed anything and hopefully not run into him on my way there."Sure, I'll stop over at her place once we are close to it." He replied and did just as he said when we got there.I have never been inside Helena's house but I must say standing in front of her doorsteps are like standing at the doorsteps of a palace and I was really mesmerised by its beauty.I carefully pressed the doorbell and the door went open even before the bell was done ringing."Oh thank God you're here, I was getting worried. Come on inn, Ryan is not here and wouldn't also be at the wedding." Helena rambled and I just nodded my head, she is having the wedding fever and she's having it rea
AVA SIX YEARS LATER. Few years ago, my life was in total chaos, like a roller coaster that only goes up -non stop- despite the yelling and crying of those in it, it just keeps going up and without control. However, when I thought I was all done for, the heavens decided to open up and smile on me once more, dusting off the dirt that I had been decorated with and coating me with happiness, a kind I had never felt before. I once never had anything aside my daughter, Melissa, but now with my head raised high, I could beat my hand on my chest and brag about a family, my husband and four beautiful children. "Morning mama." My second child Madison greeted me and planted a kiss on my chin while I was placing her meal on the dining table. "Slept well?" I asked her while caressing her round face and she smiled while nodding her head but I could tell that her attention was more on the scrambled eggs on her plate than on me. She is a complete foodie and sometimes I fear that I may run out
RYANFOUR MONTHS AGO"What have you been able to gather about them!" I yelled at my assistant who was visibly shaken by my outburst."Not so much Sir, I.I was able to find out from good sources that she seems to be in a relationship with that man and their child attends a playschool not too far from L 'n N ice cream parlor." He explained and an idea struck in my head that instant making me smile in excitement and brightening up my face."That's all I found. You have to sign these papers unless our contract would be bridged and we'd make a huge loss again for the third time this week." He told me but that was the least of my worries because I was finally going to get what I had always wanted and unless I get that, nothing absolutely nothing would go well."Sir?" He called and I waved him off."Get me a wig or a scarf and a black long dress that has
AVAIt was Saturday already and there was still no news about Melissa's whereabout.Luke had asked me to join him in the kitchen so I could give him a hand in baking but I knew that he just wanted me around so he could keep an eye on me and distract me so I don't think too much.He even had to bring a dining chair that has arms into the kitchen and even padded it with pillows so I could sit comfortably on it.He was making me cakes and at the same time looking my way every now and then, winking at me whenever I caught him staring and wiggling his eyebrow to make me laugh."That reminds me, Stacey called." He told me while mixing the flour. Stacey is a gynecologist, specially appointed to me by Luke.Luke is extremely possessive, I didn't believe how high possessive nature was until the day he searched the internet for the best female gynecologist in the
RYANHelena came into the country two days ago with her son after close to six months of her departure and now she has invited all of us for a get together at Adrian's place.She even called me some minutes ago telling me that she has a surprise for me and that I should make sure to be properly dressed while coming so I decided to put on my favorite blue suit.I walked towards my room and looked around it before placing a well covered plate of spaghetti on the table and entering the closet to pick out my suit.After I was done getting dressed, I grabbed the keys to my car from the headboard and walked out of the house.The ride to Adrian's place didn't take much time as we lived not too far from each other."You finally arrived," Helena said in excitement when she saw me entering into Adrian's well decorated living room and I noticed that everybod
LUKEIf life was a wish granting factory, I would have wished not for myself but for Ava to always be happy no matter what and that would have been the best thing I've ever done in my entire life.I've never met a woman who still stands firm even during this difficult time she is going through. Ava has been through hell and now it was as if she was at the top of a volcano which was on the verge of erupting.Each time I come up to the room which we share, it's either she's grabbing onto a picture of Melissa or her clothes. Just yesterday I found her holding Melissa's birth certificate and staring at it without blinking, I even called her name times without number but she remained there.I was still thinking when I saw her step out of the closet in a flare floral dress or better still, maternity dress.She sat in front of the dresser, trying to comb and dry her hair whe
AVAMy mind keeps running in the different directions since this morning and I just can't help it."Stop thinking too much about anything and just eat," Luke told me while raising the meal to my mouth."How are things at the office?, How is Tracy handling everything?" I asked with my mouth half filled with food."Everything is going on well Ava, and as it is, your company is close to becoming the number one in not just this state but the nation too." He said and laughed happily but stopped when he saw the look on my face."Aren't you excited by the news?" How could I possibly be?"Luke, do you think Isabelle was right about what she said yesterday and it's possible Gwen has Melissa?" I asked him and he sighed."Do you think I haven't thought about that?, the truth is that even if she were, we don't have evidence an
AVAFOUR MONTHS LATERIt's been four months, four months since I last saw my daughter and each passing day has been more torturous than the one before.I stopped going to work and had Luke manage it for me, what kind of mother would even go to work when her child is missing? Luke and Noah have been living with me since the day of the incident, Luke even spent a week with me at the hospital after we heard the news.We announced the news of her kidnap on virtually every media we came across.I'm so grateful to have gotten a man like Luke and his brother -Noah- in my life. Despite the fact that Luke knew who was responsible for the child I am carrying and how, he still calls the child our baby and also takes good care of me but that isn't enough to take a mother's mind away from her missing child.I don't even know why her kidnapper hasn't called me
AVA "You don't look good, Ava. I think you need medical attention. You have been throwing up endlessly, it's possible you have an allergy." Luke told me, looking very worried and he was right. I haven't been myself since the day I saw Ryan at the park and I don't know why. I have been so fatigued these days and it's terrifying. Luke and Noah have been trying to make me go to the hospital, even Melissa but I can't go there, I hate hospitals. They make me even more sick than I was supposed to be once I entered the building. The air there seems different and inhaling it causes me so much nausea and stomach ache. I just can't stand anything that has to do with a hospital. "Don't worry about me Luke, I'll be fine by the way could you get me a big bowl of ice-cream from your store, please?" I asked him giving him my award winning puppy dog face when I not
RYANI heard about the drama that arose at Helena's wedding and booked the next available flight home.I have a feeling She has a hand in this and must have had her plot made easier with my absence.When I arrived, I was told by Gwen that Helena left the country with Nick before the end of that day. She must have been seriously embarrassed by what happened but if she had let me attend her wedding or even stay close, all that wouldn't have happened. I can't even believe it's up to a month it happened.Bored, I picked up my car keys from the headboard and walked out of my house. I entered my car and just sat there for a while but later slammed shut the door and sped off with no destination in mind.Soon, I stopped at the park and just felt like taking a walk around to ease off the stress that has tensed up my shoulder when a lady with jet black hair walking backwards with her