THE MAN WHO BOUGHT MY HATRED

CHAPTER 005: AVA’S POV

“So, now it takes the entire day to unlock a door, huh?” His husky voice reached me even before he stepped in, taking one step after another, slowly.

I glided back instantly, both hands behind me grasping tightly around the vase, gently pushing the weaponized vase back onto the dresser, my face flat. He didn't have to see that I almost hit him like a common burglar.

“Why did you take time to open the door?” He asked, eyes darting over me and the oversized robe that I'm almost lost in.

I wondered how that had become a problem, rolled my eyes. My lips parted, but no words came or maybe I decided against answering him, a finger rubbed my scalp behind my ears instead.

“Nola says you want your lunch in here?” His feet finally grounded to a spot.

There! I knew this one required an answer, a quick one at that, this house seems to have a lot of deadly rules.

My chest thumped lightly, his gaze still fixed on me, I tilted my head slowly.

My eyes landed on the thick, hairy hands resting on his waist, dark eyes that looked like they would drag the truth out of me, sleeves folded to the bridge. My throat gulped.

“I… I feel.. I'm just too tired to stroll downstairs… Yes, I’d rather have it here.” That had come out more perfect than I thought, maybe not convincing enough as his eyes said otherwise.

He barely nodded, making that ugly sound between clenched teeth, eyes roamed from one end of the room to the other, like he was new here.

Then his feet clicked, shiny shoes that caught every glimpse of light, leaving me to wonder if he ever removed them. He stopped right in front of the dresser, the platinum band we had exchanged earlier today lay casually where I had tossed it.

“Next time… You eat downstairs. My house, my rules.” He snorts, flipping his body at once, the same dark coffee eyes I hated their guts darting into me again, platinum band flipping between two thick fingers.

My chest tightened, and I clenched my jaw. At least it was better than grabbing that vase off the dresser and having it land on his head.

“Who does he think he is? Or maybe he thinks I've sold my entire existence to him,” my heart pounded against my ribs.

My blood boiled as he tossed the band back to where he had picked it from, it bounced on the table with a creaking sound, and my head banged alongside it. I could flip a fist into his face right now.

“Well, I've come to let you know we'll be at the hospital tomorrow morning… It's Eli's first infusion tomorrow. We should be there.” He growled. Something unsteady flickered in his eyes when he mentioned Eli.

For a fact, I know he's a jerk, a big fat one, but there's something different about him when he speaks of Eli, something I've really tried to capture, but it always washes away instantly.

I nodded. Simply nodded. Both hands twisting in the silk robe. My feet glided gently toward the bed, my butt resting instantly on the bed.

“Be ready at 8am… I have an important meeting with the board afterward… I wouldn't want any delays,” he announced, almost at the door.

I threw myself back on the bed, both hands clasped over my lower belly.

“Why does he seem to have a soft spot for Eli? Could it be that he generally likes kids?” I queried myself.

A glimpse of hope flashed again, clouding the ugly incident at the courthouse earlier today. Eli was finally getting the right treatment. My eyes moistened, heart almost knotted up completely.

No more administering painkillers. No more seeing him strong today and pale the next. Not to admit, I mean, this was just supposed to last for 365 days, but I wasn't out there doing three shifts, I could have done six in total by now.

I rolled to the side, my eyes caught the tray of food waiting to be devoured, the wooden tray staring back into my face like it knew I was looking, shining like it was polished. A wide smile cascaded across my face.

I sat up. Back hit the headboard, pulling the tray over. My stomach rumbled at the sight of food. I took water first instead.

“What would Kena be thinking right now? He must have seen the news… that spoiled brat!” I snorted, filling my mouth with a nicely cut piece of sandwich.

My mind flashed to the day he hired me. I had completely lost hope of getting the job, the interview was hectic. Kena Adams made it hell for me.

His eyes washed over me at every minute with that ugly smirk on his face, like I was an ant.

Luck was also against me that day; the sole of my shoe had pulled right at the diner's entrance. I glanced at my watch, I only had five minutes until the time I was given. I strutted in any way, limping as I moved into the diner, dragging a bad shoe along.

But I needed the job. For me. For Eli. Kena had given out a throaty laugh the moment I walked into the conference hall before him and the other interviewers.

That was the worst interview I had ever been in. At the end of it, I inhaled almost too loudly, limping and dragging out my shoe shamefully, then his voice reached me at the door, congratulating me.

But after I resumed, I could tell he only gave me the job because he needed to see more of me, more of the limping interview girl.

That man made sure I saw hell at the diner. I hissed, like he was there, like he could see my expression right now. Oh! I wished he could see them.

The fork creaked against the fruit bowl, snapping me out of my thoughts.