Chapter Five
1032 Words
The fence was rusted, barely holding together. Ava traced a finger along the cold metal, feeling the rough edges scrape against her skin.
There was nothing left of the orphanage. Just a skeletal frame of burnt wood and crumbling bricks, overgrown with weeds.
She had expected it to hurt more.
Maybe if this had happened years ago, she would have cried. Would have raged at the injustice of it all. But now, all she felt was an empty sort of acceptance.
She had nothing left here.
Time to go.
Ava turned on her heel, pulling her jacket tighter against the cold. She had barely taken two steps when she heard voices.
Men.
She stilled, her ears picking up the sound of hushed arguments near the main road.
A three men stood by a sleek black car, clearly out of place in a neighborhood like this. Their suits were too crisp, their shoes too polished. One of them—the tallest—was running a frustrated hand through his silver-streaked hair, checking his watch impatiently.
Ava was about to walk away.
She didn’t need to get involved.
But then she caught the words—
“Damn mechanic isn’t answering.”
“It’s freezing out here. Can’t we call another service?”
Ava glanced at the car. Luxury model. European. And judging by their frustration, it wasn’t starting.
Her lips curved.
Rich men of some sort stranded in the middle of nowhere, especially in a place like this?
Now, that was interesting.
She shoved her hands into her pockets, strolling toward them casually. The moment they noticed her, the tension in the air shifted.
One of them—a younger guy with sharp eyes—looked her up and down, unimpressed. “Not a safe place for a girl to be wandering alone.”
Ava smirked. “Funny, I was about to say the same thing.”
The older man, the one who seemed to be in charge, studied her carefully. He didn’t look like the others. His presence carried weight, like a man who was used to people listening when he spoke. The other two seemed to be a bodyguard and maby some sort of chauffeur, if her intuition wasn't a bit off.
His gaze dropped to her scuffed sneakers, then back to her face. “Do you need something?”
“Nope,” Ava said, popping the ‘p.’ “But it looks like you do.” She nodded toward the car and added casually. “Won’t start, huh?”
The younger guy scoffed. “Yeah, and unless you’re secretly a certified mechanic, which I doubt, you can keep walking. This is not some silly game of let's see how much cash I can make today.”
Ava ignored him, stepping closer. “Engine turns over or completely dead?”
Silence.
The older man narrowed his eyes.
Ava sighed, rolling her sleeves up. “Pop the hood. And no, I'm not here for your money.”
The younger guy looked at his boss like she was a joke, but after a brief pause, the older man nodded. The other bodyguard only looked on, face devoid of any emotion.
Ava walked around to the front as the hood was lifted, revealing the powerful engine beneath. She leaned over, inspecting the parts with quick efficiency.
Loose battery connection.
She had seen this problem before, back when she worked at that shady auto shop for two months.
Without a word, she reached in, adjusting the cables with practiced ease. A few sparks flickered, and the younger guy flinched.
“Try it now,” she said, stepping back.
The older man gave her a measured look before nodding toward the older bodyguard, who slid into the driver’s seat and turned the key.
The car rumbled to life.
The group stared at her.
Ava smirked, brushing dust off her hands. “You’re welcome.”
The older man studied her for a long moment before speaking. “You’ve done this before.”
“A few times.” Ava shrugged. “Worked at a garage for a bit.”
The older bodyguard, who she noticed was also bulkier, spoke up. “That’s not exactly a common skill for someone like you.”
Ava arched a brow. “Someone like me?”
The man hesitated, as if realizing how that sounded.
The older man, however, looked intrigued. “What else can you do?”
Ava tilted her head. “Depends. You hiring? I do happen to be looking for a job”
There was a beat of silence. Then, unexpectedly, the older man laughed.
A deep, rich sound.
“I might be.”
Ava blinked.
She hadn’t expected that.
Before she could respond, the younger guy stepped forward, shaking his head. “Mr. Vale, we don’t have time for this. We are already very late”
Mr. Vale.
Ava’s breath caught.
That name—
Richard Vale.
The billionaire.
The CEO of Vale Industries.
Could he be related in anyway to the arrogant prick who got her fired?
Ava’s lips parted slightly, but she quickly schooled her expression.
Richard Vale turned back to her, considering something. Then he reached into his coat, pulling out a sleek business card.
“Come by my office tomorrow morning,” he said. “I have a feeling you’ll be useful.”
Ava took the card slowly.
Her fingers brushed against his for a fraction of a second.
Then he stepped back, gesturing for his men to get into the car.
“Wait—” she started, but the younger guy shot her a warning glance.
“Don’t be late,” Richard said before sliding into the car.
The engine purred smoothly as the vehicle pulled away, leaving Ava standing there, stunned.
She looked down at the card in her hand.
Vale Industries. Richard Vale. CEO.
Her heart pounded. Her lips were dry.
This was it.
This was her chance.
A slow, wicked grin spread across her face.
Callum Vale had gotten her fired. And if he was in anyways related to this Richard Vale then she was in luck.
She clicked her tongue.
Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.
Oh, this was going to be fun. Real fun.
- Writer
