Chapter Eight
1570 Words
Ava spent the first few weeks proving herself.
Despite the odds, she'd adapted quickly to the job. The paperwork, the scheduling, the constant demands-it wasn't easy, but she was good at handling pressure. Richard had given her a chance, and she wasn't about to let it slip away.
She rarely saw Callum, which was a relief. When she did, their interactions were brief, cold, and filled with an undercurrent of resentment.
The staff, however, still treated her like an infection they couldn't get rid of. Whispered insults, dismissive glances, and the occasional
"misplaced" document meant to trip her up. But Ava had dealt with worse in her life. If they wanted her to crumble, they'd have to try harder.
The only people who weren't unbearable?
Richard, whose sharp eyes always seemed to assess her beyond what she let people see. And then there was Tobias-the bulky bodyguard from the orphanage. He wasn't overly friendly, nodded silently the few times thier paths crossed; but he treated her with respect, which was more than she could say for the rest.
For a moment, things almost felt stable. Things were looking up.
Then Reese ruined everything.
Ava knew it was coming.
She just didn’t know when. Lately, things between them had been unraveling fast. At first it was mild complaints about not making enough time for him which Ava understood because she knew she had been trying extra hard to prove herself back at the company and that had taken most of her time.
Then Reese got worse. More impatient. More controlling.
More reckless.
He never hit her in places that would show. But that didn’t mean she didn’t feel it.
And lately, his apologies were getting shorter. Colder.
Like he didn’t think he had to say them anymore.
That night, Ava came home exhausted.
The office was eating her alive.
She just wanted to sleep.
Instead, she walked into a mess.
Empty beer cans. Food containers. A jacket she didn’t recognize.
And Reese, slouched on the couch, half-asleep.
The TV flickered in the dim room. Some old action movie.
“Are you serious?” she muttered.
Reese cracked an eye open. “Hey, babe.”
Ava stared at him, pulse throbbing. “What did you do the entire day, since I left? Did you even look for a job today?”
Reese groaned and sat up. “Not this again.”
“Yes. This again.” Ava’s voice was sharp. “You promised me.”
“Yeah? And you promised me a lot of things, too.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Like what?”
Reese smirked. “Like not turning into a corporate lapdog.”
Ava exhaled slowly. Don’t react. Don’t give him what he wants.
“I’m trying to build a life, Reese. Unlike you who sits at home in an apartment you can't even afford to pay rent for, doing absolutely nothing”
“No. You’re the one trying to impress some rich old geezer who just wants a taste of what's mine."
It was obvious He envied her. He was moody and constantly bitter, rattling on about how she was now making more money than him.
"When was the last time I even touched you, huh," Reese scoffed, leaning against the couch, arms crossed.
"That is not what we're talking about right now", Ava muttered.
"Oh look at you, Miss High and Mighty. Making the millions with your fancy new job while poor old Reese is left all alone in this ruddy apartment."
Ava clenched her jaw, yanking off her heels.
"Ruddy apartment? You ungrateful soul"
"Oh, spare me the lecture.” Reese stood up, suddenly towering over her. “You like it. You like playing the victim. Acting like you’re the only one struggling.”
Ava tensed.
She could smell the alcohol on his breath.
“Reese.” Her voice was a warning.
“No, let’s be real, babe.” His smile was sharp, cruel. “You love being the underdog. Makes you feel special. But newsflash—you’re not.”
Her stomach twisted.
She didn't say anything.
"What the hell is your problem, Reese?"
"My problem?" He laughed bitterly. "You're acting different. Like you're better than me."
Ava rolled her eyes. "I'm acting like someone who finally has a stable job. Sorry if that offends you."
"You barely even talk to me anymore! We've barely had any form of intimacy, we haven't sat down to have a real conversation in weeks. Everyday it's get up, dress up all fancy, go to work, come back late and immediately fall asleep. Why are you acting like this??"
"Because I have a job, Reese??? And I'm wondering were yours is cos last I checked you said you'd get one, like you always do. But instead all you do is sulk and find reasons to pick fights!"
She got up to walk out of the room.
Before she could reach the door handle, his hand wrapped around her wrist.
"Don't walk away from me!"
Ava turned sharply, yanking her arm back. "Let go. I'm tired. I don't have time for this"
He quickly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to him. He slipped a dry hand under her skirt and pressed on her thigh. Her nose twitched as his ashy, alcohol infused breath washed over her face.
"I'm talking to you! Don't walk out on me. Instead, tell me, does this boss of yours pleasure you like I do? Huh? Tell me," he tried kissing her, but she dodged it.
"You're disgusting. Let go of me!"
"I'm the one who's disgusting? I'm not the one opening my legs for an old rich man for some tips", he hissed.
"f**k off!"
"You think you can just toss me aside like trash?" Reese's voice was rising, shaking, his hands digging deep into the flesh around her waist and her thigh.
"After everything?"
"After what?" she snapped. "After mooching off me? After making me feel like s**t for working hard?"
Something inside her snapped. "Get out."
"What?"
"Get. Out."
Reese's jaw tightened. "You don't get to order me around-"
Ava shoved past him, heading for the door. "I'm done, Reese. I'm done with this crappy life! I'm done working myself to death while you sit there and accuse me like stupid useless fool you are. I'm done chaining myself up in this jail of a relationship and I'm most definitely not dealing with your stupid insecurities anymore!!! It's over, Reese."
His face twisted with rage.
And then he hit her.
Ava barely registered the impact before she stumbled back, her cheek burning.
Silence.
The moment stretched, heavy and suffocating.
Reese's chest rose and fell, his expression unreadable. Then, realization flickered in his eyes.
"Ava, I didn't mean-"
Her voice was deadly calm.
"GET. OUT!"
She didn't need to say it again.
And the second the door slammed shut behind him, Ava collapsed onto the floor, pressing her hands over her face and the first sob broke free.
Elaine didn't say a word when she saw Ava's face.
She simply pulled her into a hug.
Ava buried her face into her best friend's shoulder, gripping onto her like she was the only thing holding her together.
"He hit me," Ava whispered, her voice raw.
Elaine's entire body stiffened.
"I'll kill him."
Ava let out a weak laugh. "No need. I already told him to leave."
Elaine pulled back, cupping Ava's face. Her eyes burned with fury, but there was also something softer-sadness. "You're not covering for him, right? Because if I see bastard near you
again-"
Ava shook her head. "It's over, Elaine. It really is"
Elaine exhaled, brushing Ava's hair back.
"I can't tell you how glad I am about this evening though I don't like the part where he hit you. But if this was the only way to finally get some sense into your head... I don't even know what you saw in him"
"Neither do I. I think I was desperate to something"
"The crazy things you do, Ava. We need to cover this up before work tomorrow."
And just like that, the very next day Elaine did what she always did.
She patched her up.
Made her look like nothing had happened.
And Ava let her.
Because pretending was easier than dealing with the truth.
At work, Ava played the role of a perfect employee. She smiled when necessary, did her tasks flawlessly, and ignored the throbbing ache in her cheek which grew worse every passing day. The makeup hid most of the dark bruises, but she still felt exposed, like someone could see through the cracks.
Richard definitely noticed.
"Are you feeling alright?" he asked casually during their morning meeting.
Ava forced a smile. "Just tired."
"I didn't know that you wore much makeup", he observed.
"Just trying out new stuff. Trying to 'fit in' with the other flashy ladies out there. I am your secretary after all", Ava said trying to keep her usual humour.
Richard's gaze lingered. He wasn't convinced. She could tell. But he didn't press.
He only nodded, leaning back in his chair for a moment before handing her a few documents to work on.
Later during the day he tried giving her the rest of the day off. Ava declined politely.
She had enough gossip floating around about her. She didn't want to give them anything more to talk about.
- Writer
