The Don's Captive Lover

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Ava stepped out, her black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of night. Her brown eyes, once bright and full of life, now seemed dull and haunted, reflecting the turmoil within. The red dress she wore, once a symbol of confidence and elegance, now hung loosely on her frail frame, accentuating the weight of her sorrow.

As she gazed up at the entertainment industry building before her, the neon lights and billboards seemed to mock her, their vibrancy a stark contrast to the darkness she felt inside. The building's sleek, modern design and bustling energy only served to highlight the desolation within her.

The sound of laughter and music drifted through the air, mingling with the hum of cars and chatter of passersby. Ava's eyes wandered across the crowded sidewalk, taking in the diverse faces: some beaming with excitement, others wearied by the day's struggles. She felt disconnected, a ghost hovering on the periphery of life.

The entertainment industry's sign, "STARLIGHT," above the entrance, its letters bold and inviting, with almost thirty floors high, it truly was the home for movie production. Ava's heart ached as she recalled happier times, when music and laughter filled her own life. Now, they seemed like distant memories, lost in the darkness of her fake marriage.

With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and stepped forward, her heels clicking on the pavement.

After pushing through the revolving door, leaving the car behind, the driver's warning echoed in her mind: "Don't think of escaping, or you'll put my family in danger."

She nodded to herself, "I won't."

-----

Ava's confident stride and elegant demeanor commanded attention as she walked through the bustling lobby. Her gaze swept across the sleek, modern decor, and sparkling floor, truly speaking of STARLIGHT'S success. She exchanged pleasant smiles with passing corporate-dressed workers, who returned her greetings with a mix of curiosity and admiration.

Approaching the secretary's desk in front, Ava's poise remained unwavering. "Good morning, I'd like to meet Mister Lucas, please."

The secretary, a young woman with almond eyes, didn't look up from her laptop. Her tone was definitely with practiced politeness as she replied, "Good Morning to you too, but, I'm afraid Mister Lucas is unavailable. He's on a business trip and won't be back for a few days."

Ava's expression remained serene as she heard this, but her eyes narrowed slightly. She knew Lucas's schedule better than most, so she again reassured the woman with a lie, "I spoke to him yesterday. He assured me he'd be here today."

The secretary's fingers paused on the keyboard, her head raised with her gaze flicking up to assess Ava. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Ava sensed a sense of curiosity from the woman's look, but, this, she never cared about.

"May I ask who you are, ma'am?" the secretary asked, her tone softening.

Ava's smile showed definitely she won't be speaking anything in truth, "Tell Lucas his 'Starlight' is here. He'll understand."

The secretary's eyes narrowed, "The CEO is busy for a reason and nobody cannot just walk in here saying something or two."

Ava had to push on, "Would you just give him a call?..." She begged.

The secretary replied to this, "Ma'am, like I said earlier, the CEO is not around.... And even if he is... He—"

Ava frowned, "He would answer when he hears my voice."

The secretary calmly responded back, "Then how about you give him a call?."

Hearing this caused Ava's time. Morano had cleared her SIM and deleted almost all the numbers of her phone. But there are numbers which can't simply be forgotten, so, she requested, "Can I use your phone. Mine's Dead!."

The secretary, without any further delay, handed it over. She had been in various situations as such. Many claim that they want to see the CEO, not his assistant. And now, no one who isn't close to the CEO knows his personal line. He always gave them his assistant line, and it would always lead to embarrassment from them as his assistant has a dismissive tone.

At this moment, the secretariat was awaiting two things:

One, for the number on the desk not to ring.

Two, For his assistant to reply.

Ava, on the other hand, dialed the number at quick speed, and placed it on a loud speaker.

The call had just rung twice, before a deep voice replied, startling the secretary.

"Who's this?." He asked.

Ava smiled, she didn't know how to contain her tears as they freely rolled down her cheeks, and she quickly replied, "Luca, it's Ava, your starlight."

Suddenly, the firm tone became light, "Ava, how are you?"

Now, the secretary had become uncomfortable.

Ava, on the other hand, replied, "I want to see you," She said. then added, "But the secretariat says you're on a business trip—"

The next response startled the woman.

"WHAT!!!!," He thundered, "I AM HERE! I DIDN'T TRAVEL. I ONLY LEFT LAST WEEK! NOW, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT WOMAN!"

The secretary immediately snatched the phone from Ava's hands, and she spoke, "Mister CEO, I told her you were out before. Not presently—"

The man anger was clearly heard from the phone call as he commanded, "Do your job and take her to studio 3!"

The call abruptly ended, and the secretary quickly rose from her seat, her face filled with embarrassment, as she not only lied but was confident to hear a mishap. "Right away, ma'am. Please follow me." She became polite towards Ava.

Ava however, crossed her arms as they both entered an elevator, taking them to the eleventh floor.

Ding!

The door opened as it reached the preferred floor, and, once again, she trailed the secretary through the labyrinthine corridors, A sense of familiarity and nostalgia washing over her.

Years ago, she was up in this place... But, that time, Lucas had been so busy, he couldn't have a single minute to laugh with her.

Again, she found herself quite foolish going to the CEO's workplace, for fun, rather than for important business activities.

After following the secretary through the winding corridors, the sound of cameras clicking and laughter grew louder. They approached a door marked "Studio 3," and the secretary pushed it open, revealing a bustling photography set.

Ava's eyes scanned the room, and her heart skipped a beat after a few minutes, as she spotted Lucas, the CEO of STARLIGHT. He stood tall, his black hair perfectly messy, and piercing blue eyes commanding attention. Sunglasses perched on his forehead, adding an air of rugged charm.

Lucas wore a sleeveless blue top, showcasing his toned arms, and faded jeans that hugged his athletic build. His casual attire belied his CEO status, but Ava knew he liked to blend in during shoots.

As he directed the photographer, his passion and energy were palpable, and Ava's gaze lingered on him, a mix of nostalgia and gratitude swelling within her. They had shared countless memories, from childhood adventures to late-night conversations about their dreams.

The secretary led her in, and as they walked closer towards Lucas, she cleared her throat, "Excuse me Sir, Your 'Starlight' is here."

Hearing this, Lucas's head snapped toward Ava, and a warm smile spread across his face. He excused himself from the shoot right after shooting the position to a random man, who would be in charge till he would be done.

He walked toward Ava with purposeful strides. "Ava, it's been too long," Lucas said, embracing her warmly.

Ava felt a sense of safety in his arms, a feeling she hadn't experienced in years. "Lucas, I need your help," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Lucas's expression turned serious, and he guided Ava to a quieter corner of the studio. "What's going on? You sounded urgent on the phone, I could tell from your voice—."

Ava face fell as she said, "I want to tell you something.... It's about a Don."