chapter three
1086 Words
Three
The car rolled to a stop as they arrived in front of a grand hotel. The man leaned forward pulling out a thick bundle of cash from his jacket pocket and holding it to her.
“Here,” he said softly, “Go inside, book yourself a room and get some rest.”
Ava hesitated, her eyes flickering between the cash and the man’s calm face.
“I…I don't know if I should….” Ava began her voice barely above a whisper.
“Take it,” the man interrupted, his voice gentle, but firm. “You shouldn't be out here any longer than you already are.”
Ava bit her lips, she wasn't sure what to think. Was this his way of controlling her? Or was he actually helping her? But his calm voice made her nod slowly. She reached out, taking the money from his hand, her fingers brushing against his cold skin for a moment before pulling back.
“Thank you,” she murmured, clutching the cash tightly in her hands, “Thank you.”
The man’s eyes lingered on her for a moment, “Go inside, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Ava turned, stepping out of the car with her mind racing. She walked towards the hotel entrance, The man’s gaze was fixed on her the whole way. That’s when he noticed her tattered looking clothes and rough long hair.
Ava took a deep breath and headed to the reception desk, handing some money to book a room.
Meanwhile outside, the man had ordered his driver to go on and make sure she was safe. Few minutes later the driver returned, nodding to his boss. “She’s checked in,” the driver confirmed.
The man simply nodded, his eyes still on the hotel doors, “Good, let's go.”
The car rolled away, the tension in the air dissipating as they drove towards his mansion. His mind stayed on Ava, lingering on the way she had looked at him,but desperate and afraid.
When they arrived at his home, the man didn't waste time , he walked straight to his daughter's room, pushing open the door slightly. Little Emma was fast asleep, her dark curls spilling over her pillow, her small chest rising and falling gently.
The man closed the door gently , not wanting to disturb little Emma’s sleep.
The next morning, the house was alive with movement as the household manager, Mrs Nora prepared Emma for school.
“Daddy!” Emma’s tiny voice called out in excitement as she descended down the stairs spreading her tiny hands and ran towards the breakfast table, where her father was sipping his coffee.
The man opened his arms with a smile, his stern features softening at the sight of his daughter’s excitement. He lifted her up to sit on one of his legs.
“How is my princess doing?” The man asked Emma, placing a quick peck on her cheeks.
Emma giggled in excitement, “Daddy, I had the best dream last night!”
The man smiled in response, “Oh? What did you dream about?”
Emma’s face lit up, as she talked,her hands gesturing wildly as she described an elaborate dream about flying with dragons and rescuing princesses. The man listened intently, nodding at all the right moments, though his mind occasionally drifted back to Ava.
“I’m sure you had such an adventure in your dream,” The man said, ruffling her hair. “But you need to hurry now, you don't want to be late for school.”
Emma pouted playfully but hoed off her father’s laps. “Okay, okay, I'm going, love you daddy.” She said as she grabbed her bag and skipped out of the door, with the guards following behind.
The man watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips, Emma was his world since six years her mother left her with him, and went off with another man.
After Emma left , the man’s thoughts returned to Ava. He hadn't been able to shake the image of her, sitting stranded on that bench.
“Tony,” The man called his driver, “Take me to the hotel.” He ordered.
Tony nodded in response, as he walked behind his boss as they got to the car park. Tony started the car and drove out of the mansion, in a few minutes , they arrived at the hotel, and the man stepped inside, heading straight to the reception desk.
“Excuse me,” he said to the receptionist, “the woman who checked in here late last night, I would like to check on her.”
The receptionist looked at him, in a professional way, “Please, what's her name?” She asked politely.
The man robbed his nose slightly, realizing that he hadn't asked for her name the previous night.
“I really don't know her name,” The man admitted. But after describing what Ava wore and how she looked, the receptionist confirmed that she had asked out.
“Checked out? When?” The man asked, furrowing his brow.
“This morning, very early.”
The man stood there for a moment, processing the information. She had left. He hadn't known why, but the thought of her wandering the streets again bothered him.
As the man walked back into his car, a dark thought crossed his mind, What if she wasn't running from somewhere else? What if she was running from him?
His jaw tightened, as he slid into the backseat, “Let's go, Tony.” He ordered the driver.
Just then the man’s phone buzzed, he glanced at the screen drowning when he saw the name Mrs Roberts.
He answered, his voice colder than usual, “Mrs. Roberts, What is it?”
“Damien,” the lady’s voice came through the line.
“Cut the crap Mrs Roberts, I am yet to see your collateral for your debt, what exactly are you calling me for. If you are not ready to bring your collateral then pay up your debt , to avoid losing your late husband's properties.” With that, the man ended the call, not giving room for arguments.
His phone rang again, it was Mrs Roberts calling , but this time he ignored the call, then almost immediately, a text came in. “The collateral is missing, I am searching for her, but I promise to bring her to you. Please give me some more time.”
- Writer
