The contract of Desire

Chapter3

REGRET AND GUILT

Ava groaned softly as she moved around on the bed. Flashes of the last night came rushing in and her eyes shot open.

"Ava, what have you done?" Ava muttered to herself as she turned around and took in the sight of the man from yesterday sleeping beside her, shirtless.

Ava covered her mouth, trying not to make any sound. "It's real. I slept with this gorgeous man yesterday. What was I thinking? I've gone crazy. What if he wants to keep seeing me? I need to leave quietly" Ava thought as she carefully lifted his arm from her waist. She slipped off the bed and picked her clothes that were scattered across the floor and dressed up. She looked back at the handsome man lying on the bed and memories of last night rushed into her head. She quickly shook it off and left quietly.

Noah opened his eyes slowly, he had watched Ava slip out of the room quietly and he felt disappointed. It was always him who left first, not the other way round. His gaze fell on the side table beside the bed and saw a parcel there.

Noah got up and picked the parcel. "Did she forget this?" He muttered as he checked the content and it was money. There was a note inside it.

"Payment for last night. I hope we don't meet again, Mr Weston"

Noah scoffed loudly as he looked at the money. " What does she think of me? A hookup guy? Do I look like I lack money? That girl... wait till I find you, I'll make you pay for looking down on me. And she doesn't want to meet again? Says the person that enjoyed our moment last night, how dare she write a note saying she doesn't want to meet again..haha. I'll find you" Noah talked to himself loudly and kept scoffing wondering what kind of girl she was.

Noah Weston was always one to keep his cool, no matter the situation but he just met this girl and he was feeling different kinds of emotions, he was angry, disappointed, curious and found it funny that she left him money.

Noah called his secretary in after freshening up. He had asked him to find out about the girl he spent the night with.

"I asked the receptionists and no woman with auburn hair color has checked out, which means she didn't check in too. Like you said, I went to the bar, she paid with her card so I got her details from them. They were a bit concerned so I told them she forgot something with you, so they gave me. Here sir" The secretary said and gave a piece of paper to Noah.

Noah placed his cup on the table and took the paper from him. "Ava Caldwell... Ava Caldwell. Got it. Prepare the car, let's go to the office"

"Ava Caldwell... I'll find you soon"

*****

Ava entered her house quietly, hoping her mother was still asleep. But as soon as she stepped into the living room, she froze. Her mother, Amelia, was sitting on the couch with her best friend, Sara.

Ava jumped, startled by their presence"What are you doing here,Sara? Mum, why are you up this early?"

Sara flung up from the chair and ran towards Ava. She suddenly hugged her. "Ava. It's his loss! I'll kill that asshole. He doesn't deserve you"

Ava’s stomach twisted as memories of her breakup resurfaced. She forced a small, awkward smile. "How did you find out?"

"It's true? Liam, that i***t that you've been sponsoring, is getting married? Not to you but another girl? Tell me it isn't true?" Her mother, Amelia spoke with disbelief.

" I'm sorry, Mum. It's over between Liam and I"

" You're kidding! I'm not going to allow him to do this to you. I warned you Ava! I did. When he cheated on you then, you forgave him, your relationship was 5 years then, he would do all sorts of things and like a fool, you'd endure. Now he's left you?" Amelia shouted at her daughter. " Sara, who did you say he was getting married to?"

Sara fumbled with words. " Huh... One Mia Steele. I heard her father is the Head of the UK Lawyers Association"

Ava’s heart sank further, the reality of Liam’s betrayal hitting her hard. He had left her for someone with more status, more connections.

"You hear that?" Amelia’s voice sharpened. "He used you for years, and now he’s marrying someone else. I won't allow him to go just like that. You need to make him pay, Ava. Get back every penny you spent on him!"

" Mum, just stop it" Ava screamed as tears streamed down her eyes. "Can't you see you're hurting me with your words? Do you think I'm not affected by the breakup at all? Why are you acting like you're the one that sponsored him? This is all about the money to you, right? Is it my fault that he's marrying someone else now? Why are you not thinking about how I feel about the breakup? I gave 12 years of my life to someone and got betrayed... I feel so suffocated! I'm tired, how could you think about money alone? I can't believe you" Ava stormed into her room and her friend followed her.

"How did you find out? Why did you even tell Mum?" Ava asked as Sara came in.

" I didn't. I heard from our high school friend. He sent them an invite. Turns out he told Mum over the phone when she called to ask about his education. Don't take what Mum said to heart. She's just worried about you" Sara reassured, rubbing Ava's shoulder.

"Me? She only talked about the money I spent on him. How could she not think about how I'm feeling? Liam gave me an invite too and spoke so harshly to me. I felt so embarrassed and stupid. I felt like an i***t more for even pleading with him to stay. That jerk gave me money as compensation" Ava cried as she spoke.

" I'll go to the wedding and ruin his god-damned life. How dare he! I'll kill him.. argh! I'm so angry right now" Sara tightened her fists in anger. She could actually kill Liam if she saw him at that moment. "And about Mum, she really was worried about you. When she found out, she was so shocked and begged Liam to not tell you but it was already late. I came here when she was about to go out to look for you. I stopped her saying we should give you time. I didn't know you'll be back today. And you seem more okay than I thought. I know how much you love Liam"

" I guess it's because I'm feeling regret and guilt. I slept with someone else" Ava confessed.

Sara gasped and quickly covered her mouth to avoid screaming. " Ava.... these marks on your neck. Hickeys? Ava! When?"

" I know, I shouldn't have done it. It was last night after the breakup. I just.. I don't know what I was thinking"

"You did good! Get over that son of a b***h. So, how was it? Did you get his contact? Are you going to meet him again?" Sara smiled as she asked.

Ava's heart fluttered as she got flashbacks and her cheeks turned red. "What? No! I slipped away from the room this morning. I even left him money and a note saying we shouldn't meet again. I can't enter a relationship right after a breakup. Plus, I don't know who he is. He has a strange aura around him. One that makes people feel intimidated. I will never enter into a relationship again. I'm going to live with my mum till I die"

"Look at you, blushing hard. You must have had a passionate night. Just take your time, okay? And whenever we see that Liam, allow me to just teach him a lesson"

Ava laughed and nodded. " Alright. Ah, Sara. I need a job. After this month's Business Gala, my boss is relocating with his family. I need a new job. Help me find one. A secretary or Personal Assistant job just like the one I'm doing"

" Got it. I have a friend quitting his job next week. I'll ask if you can take over. It's great that way. New job, Fresh Start. I'll make sure the pay is high" Sara said and winked.

" Thanks. It'll be a fresh start" Ava smiled.