FORBIDDEN LOVE WITH THE BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 3: Pent-up Pain

Ava's POV

My sweaty thumbs raced over my phone screen as I scrolled through upcoming events in the city, desperate for something—anything—that could save my crumbling business.

Getting an investor right now could change everything for me and Avlyn Couture.

Hell, they wouldn't dare sell off the company if I could just get one rich backer.

Suddenly, a notification popped up.

A charity gala. Tonight. Two hours from now. Just one ticket left.

My breath hitched.

I hit “Purchase” and held still. Seconds later, a confirmation buzzed on the screen.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” I chanted, fists clenched in excitement, as I rushed to the bathroom, my mind already racing through outfit options.

~•~

If looks could strip a woman naked, I’d be running down the street right now in search of cover.

From the moment I stepped into the grand event hall, eyes followed me everywhere I turned. “I almost feared I looked like my problems. But then, I remembered I'd done my best with my makeup and hair, and I double-checked in the mirror before leaving home.

That alone kept me going, until I noticed someone trailing me.

I stopped and turned slightly to see a bald, pot-bellied man grinning at me.

“Hey,” he said, eyes scanning my body like I was a buffet.

Do men really think we don’t notice when they ogle us like this? Or are they doing it deliberately?

“You look so gorgeous,” he added.

“Thank you,” I replied with a tight smile.

I didn't tear my gaze away from him and that made me see all his intentions in his eyes. When he licked his lips and winked at me flirtatiously, I knew I was right.

“Let me be straight,” he said. “I'd love to spend some time with you after…”

I didn't let him finish. “Go spend some time growing hair on that scalp. Maybe then your brain will follow. Stay away from me.”

I spun around and walked off, leaving him gaping.

What was someone like him even doing in a place like this?

I sighed and scanned the room, hunting for potential investors, not creepy weirdos in suits. Maybe he even stole the suit.

I was so focused ahead that I didn’t notice the movement beside me until a hand landed on my shoulder.

I turned, only to meet the same smug grin of this man.

I yanked my arm away so fast I nearly dislocated it. “Haven’t I warned you to stay away?”

He chuckled. “It’s not a big deal, you know. You’re so beautiful I can't let you slip away tonight without getting to spend some nice time with you.”

“You can go jump in a lagoon for all I care,” I scowled. “Leave. Me. Alone.”

Just then, I spotted a waitress with drinks and grabbed one. Just as I tried to empty the glass of wine on his face, he ducked.

My mouth hung open in shock when the drink splattered all over a man behind him instead, drenching his features and ruining his spotless white suit.

From his presence alone, and the startled gasps of people around us, I didn’t need anyone to tell me how powerful he was.

Shit! I was in trouble.

His death glare confirmed it.

“What the hell, woman?!”

“I’m… I’m so…” I tried to apologize but I found myself stuttering.

Before I could finish, two security men appeared and grabbed Mr. Bald-and-Belly.

“We’ve been watching you cause a scene all night. Come with us!”

I barely watched them drag him away, my eyes darting back to the man I’d just soaked.

He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face, his scowl at me unwavering.

My heart raced as he raised the cloth. I flinched, thinking he’d strike—but he simply threw it on the floor and walked off, his steps sharp and regal even in anger.

~•~

Locking the front door behind me, I let out a breath. Not only had I wasted money on that ticket, now I’d made a bigger enemy too.

What if that man came after me?

I was about to head to my room when I noticed how quiet the house was.

“Who's home?” I called out as I moved through the living room.

But the house responded back in silence.

More disturbing was the sight of my father’s bedroom door slightly ajar.

“I gave it a small push, and then an empty room came into view.”

Taking the chance, I stepped inside, eyes scanning for anything that might hint at who was trying to buy Avlyn Couture.

My instincts pulled me to the drawer beside the bed. And then, Jackpot!

There it was—a proposal document to sell off Avlyn Couture.

I shouldn't be caught intruding. I quickly took a picture of it on my phone, shut the drawer, and made for the door.

But before I could even reach the door, it flung open widely—and Fiona stood there, smirking. “Wow. So you now steal?”

I folded my arms. “I didn’t steal anything. Move.”

“Not until you tell me what you were doing in my bedroom.”

“Your bedroom?” I scoffed.

“Yes. My bedroom.”

“I envy how beautifully that lie rolls off your tongue,” I shot back. “Why did you even marry my father, Fiona? What’s he earning as a civil servant that you want to milk him dry? Gold-digger.”

She chuckled like I’d just made her day.

For a second, I was tempted to call for a psych evaluation.

Then she fixed her eyes on me and mimicked mockingly, “My father… my father… You keep saying it like he actually gives a s**t about you.”

She laughed again, eyes glinting with spite. “Before I came, did you even have a decent relationship with him? No. Because you're the worst daughter anyone could ask for. Even your mother must have died in regrets for…

“Hey! I seethed, pointing a finger at her. “Listen. I've been tolerating your madness. But don't you ever speak about my mum again in your entire miserable life.

Then she chuckled. “You keep claiming your father is cold to you. Have you seen the way he lights up when I’m around?” she smirked. “We were meant to be together. Meanwhile, your pathetic workaholic ass can’t even keep a man.”

Before I could speak, a click at the other door and the approaching footsteps of my father riveted my attention.

By the time he appeared at the doorway and stepped in, Fiona had dropped dramatically to the floor.

“Robert,” she pouted. “Ava just pushed me. She’s been insulting me all evening.”

“You’re such a liar!” I snapped. “You…”

“Enough, Ava!” Robert barked. “I’ve had it with your madness. One more insult to Fiona and you’re out of this house for good. You’re useless anyways.”

All these years, I thought I had built a wall of indifference to everything he does or say to me, but this time, I felt it crack. “His words stung like a swarm of bees, and tears welled up in my eyes.”

“Oh darling,” Fiona cooed. “You just said what I was thinking.”

Then he looked at me. “I know just what to do to you. I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget.”

Then, like a scene rehearsed, he walked into the room, returned with the document I’d photographed, and picked up his phone.

“My wife told me everything,” he said over the line. “I’m ready to part with my share of the company too.”

My heart sank, knowing it's the billionaire that wants to buy the company.

After a brief pause, he spoke again. “What time can my wife meet you tomorrow to finalize everything?”

After another pause, he nodded. “Great. 11 a.m. works.”

At this point, each comeback of the tear I fought back burned harder than the last, but I refused to cry. Not in front of them.

I met Fiona’s gaze, holding my ground, until I felt my control over the tears slipping away.

“Aww, Robert,” she teased. “What did you do to the poor little mummy’s girl?”

And that was it.

That single jab shattered the dam I’d been holding back.

I turned away as my eyes blurred with tears.

“Yeah, run off, pathetic ass!”

The moment I reached my room and slammed the door behind me, my teary eyes landed on the picture of my mother hanging on the wall.

The few memories I had of her from when I was little started flooding in. My knees gave out, and I slid to the floor, tears spilling freely.

All my-pent up pain

After a while, my cry abated to occasional sniffles.

“I won’t let them sell this company,” I whispered to her photo. “Not after everything we built. Not when I’ve followed in your footsteps and given my all.”

I hadn’t made it big yet, I knew. But I would not give up.

I pulled out my phone and found the picture I’d taken of the document.

Reading the billionaire’s address printed on it, an idea clicked in my head. And right there, I knew exactly what I had to do to salvage this situation.