Chapter2
1082 Words
"How did he know my address, Mr....erm?" she asked, trying to compose herself.
"Its Roland. Mr. Silver has his ways, Miss Ava."
"Okay, I will consider his request,you can go now."
"Mr. Silver requests that you accompany me to his office immediately."
Ava's eyes widened in surprise. "Now? But I wasn't prepared for a meeting."
"I apologize for the inconvenience but Mr. Silver's schedule is tight, and he prefers to meet with you today."
Ava hesitated, unsure of what to do. She hadn't expected this sudden summons.
"What's this meeting about?" she asked.
"Mr. Silver will discuss the details with you personally, Miss."
"Okay, give me a minute." she said, stepping back to grab her purse and keys.
The man nodded and gestured toward the exit. "Shall we now, Miss?"
Ava took a deep breath and followed him out of her apartment.
What did Roland Silver want from her? Was it a business opportunity? A philanthropic endeavor?
The man opened the door to the black Mercedes Benz car and ushered her in, Ava settled into the plush leather seat gently.
They finally arrived at the glass and steel headquarters of Silver's Corporation. Ava's eyes widened as they pulled up to the grand entrance.
The man opened her door, and Ava stepped out, staring up at the towering building. She was in awe.
"Right this way, Miss." the man said, leading her through the revolving doors.
Inside, the lobby teemed with suits and business professionals, rushing to their next meeting. Ava followed the man through the crowds, passing security checks and arriving at a private elevator.
He swiped a card, and the doors slid open.
"Mr. Silver's office" he announced.
Ava stepped into the elevator nervously. The doors closed, and the elevator soared upward.
When the doors opened again, Ava found herself in a lavish office suite. A modern desk dominated the room, and behind it sat Damien Silver.
"Ah, Miss Ava Smith. Thank you for coming," he said and Aria's breath caught. She can't believe she's meeting this man in person.
"Please, have a seat." he said, gesturing to the seat before him and Ava sat, trying to compose herself.
"I'll get straight to the point, Miss Ava" he said, his voice commanding attention.
"What's that, sir?"
"Miss Ava, I've been watching you. Your... situation is well-known to me."
"Situation? What do you mean by 'my situation'?" she asked, looking lost for a moment.
"Miss Ava, I'm willing to offer you a life beyond your wildest dreams. I've got a proposal to make, Miss Ava. And I believe it will be in the interests of both of us," he muttered.
Ava's eyes widened as he handed her a folder containing the arrangement's terms.
"So what do I get in return agreeing to this 'proposal'?" She asking, feeling skeptical.
"Consider it a business proposal, dear," he admitted. In return, you'll receive a substantial monthly allowance and a secure future." Roland said
"You'll be well taken care of and our family's legacies will be secured," he finished.
"What makes you think I'd agree?" Ava asked, trying to sound brave.
"Like I said, I know your situation, dear. You have no family, no connections. I'm offering you a lifeline."
Ava's grip on the folder tightened, her eyes locked on Damien's.
"I'm not sure," she said.
"Miss Ava, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You'll want for nothing. You will be well provided for, and my family's legacy will ensure your future," he said and Aria imagined a life of luxury, free from financial struggles.
But at what cost?
"What about love? We should marry for love right?" she asked and Damien glared at her.
"Love is a luxury we can't afford. This is business, Miss Ava. A mutually beneficial arrangement."
Ava's heart sank. Duty, not love. A business arrangement, not a marriage.
"What's the expectation for the heir?" she asked.
"A male heir, preferably. To secure our family's future."
She was being asked to bear a child, not for love, but for legacy.
"I need time to think," she said and
Damien nodded.
"You have 48 hours. After that, the offer expires." Ava nodded, the folder still clutched in her hand.
She left Damien's office, thinking about the offer since she only have 48 hours.
She suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom. Glancing around, she spotted a corridor to her left and decided to find the restroom.
Turning a corner, her eyes read the signs on the doors.
Suddenly, she stopped outside an office door, frowning. Muffled moans drifted through the door, followed by a faint giggle. Ava's eyebrows shot up, her face warming. What was going on in there?
Uncomfortable, she quickly moved away from the door and continued her search for the restroom. Finally, she spotted a sign reading "Ladies' Room" and rushed towards it.
Once done, she freshened up and composed herself before exiting the restroom.
As she stepped out, she noticed a lady coming out of the same office where she'd heard the moans. The lady smoothed her dress, blushing so hard, and quickly walked away without noticing Ava.
She watched the woman disappear around the corner. Her eyes moved back to the office door, wondering what had transpired there.
Just then, a tall, broad-shouldered figure came out from the same office. Ava caught only a glimpse of his back, before he vanished from view. But her instincts told her she had seen this person before.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming text.
*Rent is overdue. If payment isn't received within 24 hours, eviction proceedings will begin.*
Ava's heart sank. She knew it was from the landlady. Where will she see that amount of money in the next 24 hours?
Without thinking, she rushed back to Damien's office. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door, and stepped inside.
"Ah, Miss Ava.I didn't expect you to be back so quickly," Damien said, smiling a mischievous smile.
"I accept your offer," Ava said, and Damien's smile broadened.
"Excellent choice, my dear."
That was when Ava noticed Damien. How bright blue his eyes were. He was a tall, broad-shouldered, powerful-looking man. A very attractive man and no doubt fully aware of that. The tailored ash suit on his muscular build seemed familiar.
Yeah. Where had she seen that exact tailored ash suit?
Oh my God, the restroom. So it was Damien.
Ava's breath caught. She felt like she'd walked into a trap.
And what a trap is was.
- Writer
