Ava and her parents sat round on the couches. Mrs. Richardson sat beside Ava, holding Ava tightly while Mr. Richardson sat opposite them.
Ava was waiting for her Dad to scold her like he does anytime she makes a mistake. He had warned her. He told her Ryan was only after her money. But she was so blinded by love and ran away from home. She went against her parents for Ryan and what had he done. He fucking cheated on her.
"I'm not going to scold you, or say anything about what happened. I believe you've learnt your lesson. Just one question. Are you ready to take your role in the family business?" Mr. Richardson said ending with a question.
' Yh, right I've learnt my lesson. Don't fall in love blindly anymore. I guess its about time to take on my family role. I had been so foolish then. Chose a guy over my family.' Ava thought.
"Daniel!! Not now. Our daughter just got her heart broken." Mrs Richardson scolded. Mr. Richardson did not respond
"Darling. I'll have Maria clean your room and prepare your bath. Have you eaten? What do you want to eat." Ava's mum continued staring at her. Ava couldn't get any word out of her mouth. She felt like her whole energy had been drained.
"Don't even worry about it. I'll prepare one of your favorites let's go to the kitchen." Ava's mum said when she didn't respond. She pulled Ava up and dragged her to the kitchen.
It's been weeks since Ava and Ryan broke up. Ryan didn't reach out to her even though she had changed her phone, at least he knew her place. He couldn't visit. Ava stayed in her parents Mansion. Well not like she even wanted to see him at least he should have made the effort.
Ava started working in her Dad's company at the cyber security department. She'd studied computers. And learnt programming. Then she learnt hacking through an illegal website. Anonymously. She doesn't need anyone coming after her.
Ava made her way to her Dad's office. He had summoned her earlier.
She entered into his office. He had a guest. A handsome one at that. And they seem deep in their conversation.
"You called for me." Ava said drawing their attention to her.
"Yeah. Sit" Mr. Richardson said gesturing towards the empty seat beside his guest. She felt the weight of his stares. And it felt like she should just disappear, but that can't happen so she settled down.
The whole atmosphere was weird like as if there was something hanging in the air. And that's when she knew whatever information was coming she was not going to like it.
"So since you came and you said you were ready to fulfill your duties for the family." Mr. Richardson said firmly flipping through the file on his table.
'Yh. I'm definitely not going to like this.' Ava thought.
Ava gave a light nod to show that she was following.
"As the first daughter and only daughter of the Richardson family, I had set up an engagement between you and the C.E.O of the Abbott corporation sitting with you right now " Mr. Richardson said in one breath and every where went silent. It felt like the world had stopped. Ava had a stunned expression on her face.
She knew she would end up being in an arranged marriage since she broke up with Ryan, but she never expected it this soon.
"This is the contract. All you have to do is sign" Mr. Richardson said pushing the file he was flipping through to Ava and handed her a pen. Ava was still stunned and numb.
Marriage. The word kept ringing in her head.
"Sign the papers Ava" Mr. Richardson said shaking her out of her thoughts.
Ava wanted to protest but she couldn't find the words.
She knew this was coming it was either now or later. She signed the papers and just like that she signed her life away.
Deandre sat in his office looking through the pile of paperwork on his desk.
He heard the door to his office open and close, he looked up immediately. No one enters his office without getting an approval to enter. Yeah unless of course that person isn't Grayson.
"Guy you really need to learn some manners. " Deandre said with a scowl. He grinned and sat on the couch in his office.
"And what the hell are you doing here? " Deandre asked still annoyed.
"Heard the news. Dude the whole office is buzzing with the news about your engagement" He said with that grin still stuck on his face.
"Didn't realize how jobless your employees are to be discussing my engagement. And don't you have an election coming up?" Deandre asked.
"I didn't see you as the type who was planning to settle down soon" He said ignoring my question. Deandre scoffed.
"This is just mere obligations no strings attached. " He said returning his attention back to the files on my table.
"Well since you are engaged now. It's only befitting for you to introduce her to the guys"Grayson said. And Deandre jerked his head up.
"Hell no. "
"Why am I even entertaining you. Out!!"
"It's only right for us to meet her. We are your friends" He said ignoring Deandre's command.
"Out!!" Deandre commanded with a firm tone. Grayson groaned.
"You are no fun. Anyway, if you're up to it, tonight. There is a racing match. " He said. Deandre didn't respond. He had vowed that he'll never be caught dead in that place.
"Down to business" Grayson said looking all serious. Now he is speaking Deandre's language.
"How is the acquisition of the golden plaza going?" He asked looking serious. One thing Deandre liked about Grayson. When it is time to be serious he is serious. And not the annoying jerk he is normally.
"It's on hold for now. That bitch came prepared and she isn't ready to slip up. " Deandre said gritting his teeth.
"What about your Dad? How is his condition?" Grayson asked.
"No idea. The bitch took him to a remote place where I wouldn't find but it's just a matter of time." Deandre said in pity. He never liked his Dad and his Dad deserved everything that's happening to him. But he is still useful, so he is needed.
"Ok. I've gotta go. I have a meeting in the next thirty minutes" Grayson said looking at his watch. Deandre snapped his head to him and stared at him in disbelief.
"Did you really just come here to question me about my engagement?" Deandre asked and Grayson smiled.
"You are not sane" Deandre said as he shook his head. Grayson grinned and he stood up.
"Well I'll see you later" He said and walked out.
"The queen is back"Theo yelled as Ava walked into the garage.
"Hi, Theo" Ava said giving him hug while giggling and he spinned her round.
"Are you racing tonight" He asked after dropping her.
"Yh. I need to clear my head. Is my car still here? " Ava asked looking around.
"Always. Parked it in a special place for you" Theo said leading her to an inner garage.
And there it was Ava's Lamborghini
" I'll leave you to it. Let me go set up some matches for you. " He said and left.
It's been two weeks since Ava signed the marriage contract. After signing. Mr. Richardson and Ava's new husband shook hands and he left. He didn't acknowledge her. And he hasn't called her since then.