Forced to Forever

CHAPTER 1

Ava Morales quickly wiped off the sweat trickling down her forehead while she perfectly styled her client’s hair.

"Girl!!! I'm telling you, this hairstyle is giving me a ten years younger look.”Mrs jerkins said admiring herself in the mirror.

Ava laughed “you already look beautiful, but I'm sure I gave it my best".

“I'm gonna tip you extra, I'm in love with this look ”Mrs jerkins excitedly gushed about her hair.

" I'm glad you love it ma'am ”Ava said feeling proud

While Ava worked , the salon's telephone rang . Rachael, her coworker, picked it up.

"Ava, it's your mom on the line ," Rachel shouted from the other end of the salon.

Ava's hands paused. She felt unsettled and anxious, because her mom wouldn't call during work hours unless it was really important.

"Alright, I will take it," Ava said, handing Mrs. Jerkins a smaller mirror to look at her hair.

Ava received the telephone from Rachel and moved away from her . “Hey mom, you called,”she answered.

"Oh my darling, hope you are having a great day?” her mom asked, sounding concerned.

" Yes mom, my day isn't sour after all”Ava calmly replied yet feeling curious.

" Honey, we need to talk!” Her mom said almost immediately.

Ava's curiosity reached its peak." What's going on , Are you okay?”

" Just meet me at home after work, we'll talk it out ”her mom sharply said before hanging up.

Ava's mind was racing as she handed the phone back to Rachel. What could her mom want to talk to her about? And why did she sound so serious?

As Ava went back to her client she couldn't help but think that something was amiss

Ava got home, her mind still spinning from her mom's enigmatic phone call. Just for her to find her mom tired and lost in thoughts as she walked into the living room.

"Mom, what's happening?" Ava asked softly, her expression filled with concern.

At this instant , Maria Morales snapped back to reality.

“Ava I have something really important to discuss with you,please do have a seat.”

Ava sat down on the couch, her heart pounding .

At that moment, the doorbell rang. Ava's mom rose tiredly and slowly made her way to the door.

"Ava, I'll return shortly," she said, before exiting the room.

Ava's curiosity sparked. “Who might be stopping by at this time?”she softly murmured to herself.

While she waited,Ava listened to the low male voices emanating from the entrance .Her heart pondered as she wondered who it might be.

Out of nowhere, her mother returned with a large formidable presence following her.

"Ava, this is Ethan Ryder," her mom stated, her voice quiet and official.

Ava's gaze met Ethan's, she experienced a sudden chill through her body.His penetrating blue eyes had a quality as though they could look straight into her soul.

Ethan Ryder's eyes scanned Ava, his face revealing nothing.Ava experienced a chill travel down her spine as he nodded curtly towards her.

"Pleasure to meet you ,Ava," Ethan remarked, his low voice causing a ripple in her heart.

Ava's mom smiled with nervousness ."Ethan, kindly take a seat."

Ethan settled into the armchair facing Ava, his gaze fixed on her eyes.Ava sensed his intense stare, as though he was looking for something.

“Well Ethan, I trust you know about our family's…monetary issue” Ava’s mom started.

Ethan nodded, his expression unyielding. "Yes, I'm aware"

Ava's mom took a deep breath "Well, Ethan's family has graciously offered to help us out. In exchange, they request that you get married to their son Ethan.”

Ava's jaw dropped. "What? That's crazy!"

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "I assure you, Ava, this is a business arrangement. Nothing more."

Ava felt a surge of anger. "A business arrangement? You're talking about marriage!"

Ethan leaned forward, his eyes glinting and his gaze fixed ,with a low masculine tone he let out "I'm talking about a mutually beneficial agreement. Your family gets the financial help they need, and my family gets me married."

Ava's mind reeled. What could Ethan's family possibly want from her?

Ava's eyes locked onto Ethan's, searching for answers. She finally let it out with a low weak voice"Why do you want to marry me?."

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression unyielding.

Ava felt a surge of frustration. "But what about love? What about what I want?" She questioned.

Ethan's eyes seemed to bore into hers.

"Love is not a requirement for this marriage, Ava. This is an arrangement between our families”he finally let out a cold response.

Ava's mind twirled. She couldn't believe her mother would agree to this.

“I expect an answer soon.”He said with a firm and imposing voice. With that he stood up .

Ava felt a sense of unease. This was all happening too fast.

As Ethan turned to leave, Ava's mom stood up, a nervous smile on her face. "Ethan, thank you for coming."

Ethan nodded curtly. "I'll be in touch soon."

With that, he turned and left the room leaving Ava feeling confused and puzzled.

Ava turned to her mom “why would you agree to this, mom?” She asked … tears welling up in her eyes.

“Our family is battling with financial ruin, Ava!!!" Maria said, trying to defend her decision.

“Does it justify selling me off to the Ryders like a piece of furniture?”Ava shot back angrily.

" Ava try to understand …it's for our good ”.

“You won't have to take tedious jobs and shifts in order to give us a life ”

“Think about this honey," Maria explained, hoping Ava would see reasons for it.

" I have dreams…why ruin me like this " Ava cried out bitterly

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“I'm uncertain if I can go through with this, Mom."

" I've never known him my entire life,he's a stranger.”she cried out in frustration.

Her mother’ tone grew softer.” I realize it may feel daunting, but there are moments when we need to make sacrifices for those we care about."

" Your father would have wanted this for us.” She said drawing Ava in for a hug.

Ava felt a wave of guilt. Her mother was right; he

r father had always hoped for the best for their family.

But tying the knot with a stranger? Ava just didn't have a clue.