WANTED BY THE TOP THREE CEOs

Chapter 5: Poisoned Affection

Ava walked out the office. She was given a week like she asked for, no more than that.

The look on her father’s face said it all ‘a complete waste of time’, but she didn’t care. Her chances were slim, she knew that, but she’d rather try than settle for a man who treated her like nothing but crap all her life.

She got to her office door, the words ‘CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO)’ etched boldly into the sleek wood. Her role was clear, handling day to day operations, managing departments, and implementing marketing strategies.

A job she fought hard to prove she was good at.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Mia was already there, arranging files neatly on the desk.

Mia was one of the company’s most hardworking interns, Ava chose her as her personal assistant after seeing her potential.

“Good, you’re here” Ava said, walking to her chair and sinking into it.

Mia adjusted her glasses, a habit of hers, “These are the files from the Marketing and Sales director, the charts have gone down by 40%, and—”

Ava raised her hand, stopping Mia from talking, “I need you to do something for me”

Mia blinked, adjusting her glasses again, “What is it Miss Ava?” She asked respectfully, though her tone tinged with curiosity.

“Are you familiar with the name Andrew Donavan?” Ava asked her, clicking her tongue, just saying his name left a bitter taste in her mouth. She leaned back into her seat, awaiting Mia’s response.

Mia nods, “The Donavans are well known across the city, they own one of the striving tech companies in New York, D-Tech LTD, which is—”

“Enough” Ava interuppted, hearing just enough, anymore and she might just throw up.

Mia bit her lips, thinking she said something wrong. She quickly tapped on the company issued iPad to double check.

As if reading her mind, Ava stopped her, “You don’t have to do that… ”

Hearing that, Mia stopped immediately, clutching the iPad to her chest.

Ava leaned forward, “Do you know any business man who surpasses Andrew in status, wealth, and… literally everything else?”

Mia hummed, thinking, “Well, according to the ranking in most thriving companies in New York and worldwide, D-Tech comes in as number four, leaving three more at the top which are, ‘Apexion Brands Inc’ coming in as number three, owned by Matthew Lancaster. Coming in as number two we have ‘Luminar Tech & Electronics’ owned by The Morts, Fredrick Mort to the exact…”

She paused to think before speaking again. “… and coming in as number one is ‘Paragon Luxury Holdings and Vehicles’ owned by one of the most esteemed bachelor in the city, Richard Grayson. His company spans several countries, making him not only the most successful business man in the city and worldwide, but also the wealthiest.” Mia informed but her curiosity got the best of her.

“Is there a reason you’re asking for them Miss Ava?”

Ava was lost in thoughts, her mind swirling, her eyes calculating. She knew these names, knew their power. Anyone of them could ruin people like Andrew in a blink.

They were perfect, but also completely out of her reach.

She let out a tired sigh. She had hoped Mia would know someone who was slightly above Andrew or possibly just the same, someone she could approach.

“Miss Ava?” Mia called softly, waving her hand in front of Ava’s face.

Ava blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. She sighed again, leaning back to massage her temples. The pressure of finding someone better in a short period of time was weighing her down.

“Why did you do it?” Mia suddenly asked, clutching tighter on the iPad.

Silence covered the office, the only sound was the soft ticking of the round golden clock mounted on the left side of the office wall.

Ava looked up, her brows furrowed as she didn’t understand the question.

Mia gulped, not knowing if she could shed more light on the question but she couldn’t help herself.

“The video,” Mia clarified softly, “Was it really you? And if it was… why?”

A sudden tension enveloped the room, growing with every second, the silence is almost suffocating. The ticking of the clock suddenly seemed to echo in Mia’s ears, as she waits for an answer.

Ava’s gaze flickered with something foreign which Mia caught, an emotion Mia couldn’t place. Confusion? Fear?

“I don’t know…” Came Ava’s quick response, her voice calm, but her expression flickered with something dire, “… I don’t remember”

“What about—”

A knock on the door cut Mia off.

She quickly turned to go answer it.

Ava let out a breath of relief, she looked down at her trembling hands, hiding them underneath her desk. She inhale slowly, but stopped mid-breath as she heard Mia’s stunned voice.

“Mr. Donavan?” Mia exclaimed with widen eyes as she stared at the tall handsome figure in front of her, she had only seen him from afar, news and in magazines.

Andrew smirked, letting himself in and locking his eyes with Ava whose face wasn’t the least welcoming.

“Leave us” He ordered without looking at Mia.

Mia turned to Ava, who gave a small nod. She exited, closing the door quietly behind her.

“You’ve certainly grown beautiful since the last time I saw you” Andrew said smoothly.

He carefully took off his expensive coat, hanging it on the rack before taking a seat.

“Your eyes… they still sparkle like—”

“What do you want?” Ava sharply cut him off, frown lines appearing on her forehead, just hearing his voice makes her skin crawl.

He chuckled, his gaze sweeping over her, amusement plastered on his face.

Everything he heard was true. This new Ava… she was fire, smarter, stronger, sharper. And somehow even more alluring than before.

He stood up slowly, walking behind her desk. Ava didn’t move, maintaining a stern expression, but her finger hovered near the security button beneath her desk.

Andrew turned her seat to face him, placing his strong hands on either side, caging her.

His voice toned down to a husky whisper, “Isn’t it obvious?”

He leaned in closer, too close.

“I want you”

She shot him a death glare, which surprisingly thrilled him.

His right hand gently traced the outline of her face, his gaze locked on those beautiful hateful eyes, down to her nose, before settling on her lips, a sudden urge consumed him, in a swift motion, he crashed his lips on hers.

Unlike Maurice, Ava bit down hard on his lips instead, making him break it forcefully.

“YOU b***h!” He roared, stepping back and taking out a handkerchief from his pocket to clean his bloody lips.

Ava spat out, wiping his kiss away from her lips with disdain, “The next time you try such nonsense, I’ll make sure that’ll be the last day you kiss someone!” She threatened then stood, “Security will be here in two minutes, either you leave on your own, or they drag you out.”

Andrew let out a sickening laugh despite the sting on his lower lip, “You think they’ll listen to you? Dragging out the person who is going to save the trash of a company they work in?”

He stepped closer, his height towering over hers, “You’re lucky I want you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t bat an eye when this all come crashing to the ground. Just imagine, your pride destroying everything you’ve built. Not even your sister can save it. Belmont will finally perish, forever. Too bad your brother isn’t here, he would’ve had a chance but I guess—”

SLAP!

Andrew’s head snapped to the side from Ava’s hand clashing sharply on his cheek before he could finish.

Her blood boiled, eyes raging with pure fury, “Don’t you ever… Ever! Talk about my brother. He might be in jail, but he’s a hundred times the man you’ll ever be! You’re nothing but a pathetic loser Andrew. That’s all you’ll ever be, and no amount of wealth or status can change that!”

Andrew gritted his teeth, veins almost popping out from the side of his forehead. He raised his hand, “You f*****g slu—”

The door burst open before his hand could touch her, buff men in black coming in.

Mia also walked in, a frown on her face, she had listened to their conversation. “Step away from Miss Ava, Mr. Donavan” her voice firm, leaving no room for any argument.

Andrew scoffed at the audacity, a mere assistant, talking to him that way. He brought his hand down, stretching out to grab his coat from the stand, and wearing it back as he locks eyes with Mia, “This Company will crash, and I’ll make sure no other one takes you.” His words got through Mia, her hardened expression faltering for a split second.

A slow smirk formed on Andrew’s face, he shifts his gaze to Ava, “And you… You’ll come crawling back to me, you’ll beg me, and I will enjoy every moment of it.”

He leaned down to her level, whispering, “But don’t worry, if you beg enough, I’ll forgive you. Like I said before, you’re lucky I want you.”

Saying that, he brushed pass her, walking away with so much confidence, the guards knew who he was so they didn’t lay a finger on him.

With the guards gone and the door closed, Ava walked back, grabbing anything she could sit on.

Nothing went her way, all because of that video. She balled her fists, suddenly slamming it on her desk.

“Miss Ava!?” Mia exclaimed, a horrified look on her face as she rushed towards her.

“Ahhhh!!!” Ava slammed her fists on the desk again, putting out all her frustrations and anger on the poor wood.

Mia quickly held Ava’s hands before it could hit the desk again, “Miss Ava. Please, calm down!” She said loudly, hoping to get through her.

Ava’s eyes were wild, she yanked her hand away from Mia’s grip.

“Mia” Ava calls, trying to sound calm but failing.

Mia gulped, fear clearly creeping inside her, “Y-yes?” Mia answered.

Ava looks at her, her eyes no longer wild, but pained, almost haunted, “I don’t care how you’re going to do it, but I need you to arrange a meeting for me to talk with the CEOs you mentioned earlier.” Ava said, meeting Mia’s gaze.

Mia’s eyes widen in surprise, thinking Ava was joking but seeing the desperation in her eyes, Mia didn’t know what to say except,

“What you’re asking for is close to impossible Miss Ava. These men won’t just meet up with anyone unless you have something of value to give—”

“I don’t care!” Ava snapped, causing Mia to flinch, “Get it done however way possible! Lie, bribe, do whatever you have to do. I’ll take full responsibility of the consequences; just make sure I get to speak with them!”

Mia quickly nods, stuttering, “O-of course”

She turns, leaving the room immediately.

Ava stood there for a few seconds, before running both hands through her honey brown hair, hoping it’ll stop her hands from trembling.

A flicker of remorse crossed her facial expression for how harsh she was towards Mia.

Her phone vibrated on the desk, lighting up with a message from an unknown number.

The message read, ‘Got the location from where the video was sent’

Her grip tightened on the phone as she read every word, finally, she was going to get to the root of this, and maybe remember what happened that day.

Meanwhile, a bit far from the door to Ava’s office, Maurice stood, her fists clenched tightly. She’s been standing there ever since Andrew entered and left the office.

“He’s mine…” She whispered to herself, a crazy glint in her eyes.

“Andrew’s mine”

***************************

In a storage warehouse far from the city, three men in black stood, one in particular standing out from the rest.

His face was rough, his expression cold and unreadable. He glanced down at his watch, his patience slowly slipping away as his face hardens even more.

Soon, a loud bang of the door being opened echoed loudly.

Two men in normal casual wear walked in, one of them carrying someone who was blindfolded and tied over his shoulders.

They got to the three men, throwing the body of the person to the ground.

"Argh!..." The body, clearly a young man, probably around his twenties, groaned in pain.

"You're late" the rough looking man in a suit spoke, calmly.

The two men in casual wears chuckled,

"You think it was easy?" One of them said with a sneer.

"Doesn't matter whether we're late or not, give us the money and we'll be on our way." The other one with a foreign accent spoke.

"And the phone?"

The one with the accent threw a phone at the man which he caught easily.

He turned to his partners, nodding at them which they understood immediately.

The one holding a briefcase stepped forward and opened it to reveal bundles of dollar bills.

The two men in casual wears smiled greedily as they took it.

"Nice doing business —" one of them couldn't finish when a bullet pierced through his head.

The other one's eyes widen in fear, hands trembling, before he could react, another bullet went off, piercing through his heart. Both men dropping dead to the floor.

"Take care of the other one" The rough looking man commanded, referring to the guy in blindfolds, "And the bodies" he added.

The two other men in suits nod, stepping forward to carry out the task while the man stepped out, his eyes locked on the screen of the phone, reading the message that was sent to Ava.