Trapped in a Billionaire's Deal
Ava’s ear rang louder than the chapel bell after Olivia’s deafening slap, throwing her body against the cold tile.
“How dare you…question mother, witch?!” Olivia thundered with her body vibrating, ready to tear Ava into shreds but for the timely intervention of her mother.
“Calm down, sweetheart,” Tori said, pulling her backward and affording Ava the generous time to get back on her feet despite her eyes seeing multiple stars, she knew it was to her detriment if she remained on the floor.
“No, mum! Let me show her who’s boss!”
Olivia clamored.
Tori advanced towards her, pulling her face to meet hers with her index finger. Her strong cologne filled Ava’s nose.
“That won’t be necessary…right darling?” She smiled wryly, forcing the sobbing Ava to nod affirmative.
“You’ll marry the Scottish creditor, Ava. You are a Thompson…and this is the best way to show your loyalty…or wait!” Tori paused, feigning a frown.
“Do you want them to render us homeless?” Tori pouted, tugging Ava’s arm until she nodded “No, ma.”
“Good! Pack your bags, the wedding is tomorrow!”
“What about… college?” Ava stuttered.
“Oh! That… you’re smart, I’m sure you don’t need it!”
Tori said as she stormed out of the room with Olivia marching carefully behind her. Ava rushed to the door, quickly locking it before letting her woes envelop her. How?
Her life has been full of woes for as long as she can remember. Growing up, her stepmother and sister showed her hell, especially in her father’s absence. Although her father said nothing about Olivia being her stepsister, she knew it. All the time curiosity made her ask questions, he always shunned them, assuring her that they were just jealous. Not until Tori blatantly told her, she wasn’t her mother did she realize the reason for the undue hatred. Seeing the brutality meted out to her by her stepmother. Her father who was the only source of solace and peace she found in the house was murdered some weeks ago. After his funeral, several creditors came to acquire the agreed collateral heightening the frustration of Tori and Olivia. When it seemed like it was getting better, the Scottish delegates came and explained the huge debt of the Thompsons but left the ridiculous condition of letting the debts go if allowed to marry one of the Thompson daughters as compensation. Tori was quick to donate Ava despite her young age and the fact that she just got into college.
>>>
Ava cried herself to sleep but first thing the next morning, Olivia banged the door for her to come out.
“Are you crazy?!” Olivia screamed, seeing Sophia still dressed in her nightwear.
“I’m…sorry.” Ava cried, rushing back inside her room to get dressed.
“What do you plan on…wearing?” Tori and Olivia barged into the room restricting her from choosing any of her clothes. She had no new clothes, Tori made sure of that. Seizing all her monthly allowances and only letting her have Olivia’s damaged clothes.
“Here, wear this!” Tori said, pushing the sleek red gown to Ava, who was overwhelmed by how elegant the dress was. She turned to Olivia who was pouting, obviously angry that one of her best clothes was given to Ava.
Just as Ava was getting dressed, the loud honk of car horns drew her attention to the window- they had come. The entourage was larger than the one that came some days back. Ava’s heart skipped several beat, the reality was dawning on her. It was actually happening, she would be married to a complete stranger today.
Tori rushed to the living room to welcome the guests while Olivia did a rush makeover on Ava’s face before leading her out. Ava held in her gasp, noticing the hefty guards that filled the living room, in their black suits. None of them looked like the groom.
“The bride is here…we can start the process….where’s your lawyer?” A tall lady in a suit said in a crisp Scottish accent. Tori pushed Mr. Edward, the family lawyer, forward to examine the documents. Ava held back the tears welling in her insides, in all her life she had envisioned her wedding to be the happiest day of her life but there she was at 17, being wheeled away as a loan collateral.
“Ava!” Olivia tapped her back to consciousness. “It’s time for you to sign.”
Ava dragged her steps to the signing table, reaching for the pen in Mr. Edward’s possession. Looking at the marriage certificate, the well of tears in her heart broke out, releasing the tears she was withholding.
“Sign the damn papers, Young Lady!” Tori gritted to her hearing. Slowly but surely she signed, moving aside for the groom to sign. It was then that the absence of the groom was noticed by all.
“Mr. Douglas?” The female lawyer, Alisa called out to him. The cluster of the guards parted, making way for the fierce-looking figure to emerge. His shoulders are broad complimenting his chiseled chin, his dark hair fits his black suit. Tori and Olivia let out a loud gasp in awe. For a minute, Ava forgot the clog of pain in her chest focusing on the dreamy figure but it was soon cut short.
“Gavin? Where is Mr. Douglas?” The female lawyer asked him. Ava’s expression dropped realizing that he wasn’t the long-expected groom.
“He says, he would rather not be here…giving me the permission to sign on his behalf,” Gavin responded, bowing lightly to greet Ava.
“Is that ok?” Alisa asked Mr. Edward, who in turn asked Tori who gave her permission.
“Sure…”
“No!” Ava yelled, ignoring the warning signals of Tori and Olivia.
“Is something wrong, Miss?” Alisa asked.
“Yes…it’s enough that I’m been forced to get married to a stranger…I want to see him.” Ava insisted as a strange confidence rose up from her inside causing a mild commotion in the room. Alisa whispered to Gavin who retreated to obey the request.
A strange silence fell on the room as the sound of the shut door was heard. All eyes were glued to the entrance to see the groom.
The air was thick with anticipation, slowly being revealed. Aiden Douglas wheeled into the room in a sleek black wheelchair. His eyes sunken and haunted, his face gaunt and pale. His brown hair and beard were unkempt and matted, framing his face in a tangled mess.
Ava froze as he approached, her fixed on him with a mix of revulsion and fear. Her body slowly becoming heavy with the sound becoming distant.
“You can sign here…” Alisa’s distant voice said. Losing it entirely, Ava gave up, letting go of her consciousness.
“Ava, wake up!”
