CHAPTER 13 & 14 : A Life-Changing Contract – Ava’s Big Opportunity
✨ STRANDED ✨
“Sir!!”
Shane eyes shook as he stood up from the group immediately. Shock was filled all over in his expression.
“What did you just say?” He asked.
“Miss Mitchelle is dead, she was dead before she was being taken to the hospital” the bodyguard repeated.
“That really bad” he sighed and waved his hands dismissively.
“You can go….”
The bodyguard left immediately.
He rubbed his forehead as he processed the news. Maybe fate had it way of doing things.
“Are you alright sir?” Alicia asked and he shook his head.
“I’m fine, Send my condolences to the Morales!!” He muttered and she nodded
“Ok sir” With that, she left the office.
AIRPORT*
A plane landed at San Francisco and a figure came out with shades on.
He removed the dark shades revealing Carlos as he let out a sly smile.
“I’m coming for you dear Ava” he smiled as he descended the stairs. His manager rushed towards him immediately.
“Is the car ready?” He asked.
“Yes sir” his manager replied, nodding as he led Carlos to the car waiting for him. He stepped into the car and soon it drove off out of the airport.
Carlos brought out his phone to see missed calls from his mother and he let out a sigh. He dialed the number placing it on his ears.
The call came alive as Mrs. Russell voice came from the other side.
“Son, where are you?, I’ve been reaching out to you but you aren’t picking? Where exactly are you?” She rushed her questions.
“I’m in San Francisco Mom, i won’t take long before coming back” He replied.
“What!!! You didn’t tell me before leaving” She exclaimed.
“You’ll have stopped me if I do” He said, narrowing his eyes.
“Don’t tell me you went to go take that girl, that nitwit?” Mrs. Russell asked.
“She is not just any girl mum, please stop calling her a nitwit” he replied.
“What has come over you Carlos, Charlotte has been waiting for you!!” She half yelled on the phone.
“Then tell her to leave, I’m not interested in her” He replied and he could hear her scoff.
“What are you saying Carlos, I thought she was your girlfriend” She asked.
“Yes, she was once my girlfriend not just was. She the past an Ex mum” He replied.
“But she already apologized…….”.
“And you believe she’ll change, Hell no. She will never stop being bitchy” Carlos muttered.
“Carlos, it was a mis…….”.
“Mum, I will talk to you later” he cut her off and hung up the call.
“We are here sir……” The driver muttered and Carlos nodded. He alighted from the car and his gaze met with the mansion before him.
He pocketed his hands and went inside….
AVA’S PLACE~7:30AM*
Ava walked out of her house to see a car pull over in front of her, the window whined down revealing Carlos and her eyes widened.
“Mr. Carlos!!” She exclaimed.
“He has woken up from Coma” She said inwardly as she clamps her lips together.
“Yes it me, pretty Ava” he smiled winking at her making her furrow her eyebrow.
He alighted from the car and walked closer to her.
“Why do you have to leave my company for here?” He asked.
“Your mother should have explained it all to you” she replied.
“She did but you shouldn’t have adhered to it……..” he muttered.
“I need to leave Mr. Carlos, excuse me” She tried to move away but he pulled her back forcefully and she gasped moving away from him.
“You are not going anywhere, you will be leaving for Los Angelos with me. You don’t need to work here” He said.
“Your mother fired me in the first place!”
“and I’m saying you should come back to the company, please come with me” he pleaded and she shook her head.
“I need you Ava!!!”
She sighed as her head hurt immediately.
“Gosh, excuse me!!” She muttered and walked away.
Carlos twitched his lips as he stared at her retreating backs.
“I won’t leave without you, Ava” he mumbled before getting into his car as it drove off speedily.
Ava walked towards the main road so she can easily get a cab, luckily she found one as she entered driving off instantly.
INDUSTRY~STUDIO*
Shane’s car pulled over in the industry as the chauffeur quickly came towards the backseat opening the door as Shane stepped out.
Ava came out from the front door and he smiled at her making her furrowed her eyebrow.
Why is he smiling?
She shrugged as they walked into the company. “Sir…..” she called.
“Call me Shane whenever we are alone” He cut her off and she blinked twice.
“Sir??” She said as if she didn’t heard it well.
“you heard me Ava” he muttered as her eyes met with his.
She broke the contact nodding slowly as they walked into the director’s office.
Mr. Williams looked up on seeing him, he adjusted his glasses on his eyes as his gaze met with Shane.
“Shane!!” He exclaimed as Shane took a seat in front of him.
“Mr. Williams”.
“So how do I owe this visit” Mr. Williams asked.
“I came concerning the next Movie shoot, who is the female lead since Mitchelle is no more” he asked.
“It Isabella Dawkins” Mr. Williams blurted and Shane furrowed his brows surprisingly.
“Isabella??”
“Yes!!”
“She is not an Actress not even a model” he muttered feeling surprised.
“She signed up for it yesterday” Mr. Williams said and Shane tilted his head backwards.
His mind raced with thought.
Isabella does not act but why now? Or is she responsible for Mitchelle’s death??
He shook his head and stood up as he left the office while Ava followed.
His gaze met with Isabella in the studio and he stopped as he gestured for Ava to go.
He walked towards Isabella dragging her out of the building to a quiet area. “Shane!!!!” She exclaimed.
“What are you doing here?, how come you suddenly signed up for Acting??” He asked and she narrowed her eyes.
“I just have the passion for Acting so I decided to go for it” She replied and he furrowed his brows.
“You’ve never acted before Isabella, what with the sudden change?, You even signed up for the Lead role before Mitchelle died” he muttered and she rolled her eyes.
“Tell me, did you kill Mitchelle?” He asked and she frowned.
“No, I didn’t. Why would I do such” she replied.
“Tell me the truth Bella” he requested.
“Believe me Shane, I didn’t do it. You know I can’t do such, we have been friends for years” She urged and he stared keenly at her expression for a seconds.
He twitched his lips and left her instantly, Isabella called out to him but he didn’t respond as he approached his car.
AIRPORT~2PM*
Ava got to the Airport smiles on her face as she was expecting her kids. Soon, a plane landed smoothly on the ground as some people rushed out to welcome their beloved ones.
Ava eyes roamed everywhere in the crowdy place until her eyes landed on Maggie and it gleamed excitedly.
Meanwhile Kayla and Kayla were held by Maggie as they descended the stairs. “I can’t wait to see mum” Kyle smiled widely.
“Me too” Kayla muttered too as their eyes roamed everywhere.
“Aunt Maggie!!!” Kayla called.
“Yes Kayla”.
“I thought you said mum would be waiting for us here, I can’t find her” Kayla asked.
“I’m sure she’ll be around…….” Maggie replied as her gaze met with Ava and she smiled.
“There….” She pointed at a direction and the twin turned there to see Ava waiting with smiles on her face.
“Mum!!!!” They exclaimed, their eyes gleaming in excitement as they ran towards Ava immediately.
Ava bent widening her arms as she saw her kids. Kayla and Kyle ran into her arms as she hugged them both tightly.
“Mummy!!!”
“Babies, I’ve missed you” She closed her eyes.
“Me too mum” Kayla said.
“Me three” Kyle muttered as she broke the hug laughing.
“Hope you’ve not been stressing Aunt Maggie?” She asked and they shook their head slowly.
“No mum!!!!” They chorused as Margaret approached them and Ava turned her gaze to her.
“Aunt Maggie” She called and hugged her too.
“How are you doing dear??” She asked.
“I’m fine, Aunt Maggie” she replied.
“Let go babies….” Ava smiled as the twins held both her hands and they walked away, smiles glaring on their face.
DAWSON’S FASHION COMPANY*
Ava walked into Shane’s office to see it empty, her eyes scanned the room but not even a soul could be seen.
She dropped his schedules on his table as her gaze met with two envelope on his table.
As curious as she was, she took it and opened it to see information’s about her, almost everything about her was included except her past.
Pictures of her and her kids were there also and her eyes narrowed.
Why is he prying into her life??
She dropped and check the other one to see the picture of a pretty lady, “who is she?” She asked herself inwardly.
Just then, the door to the inner room opened and Shane came out, she quickly dropped the envelope composing herself.
“erm…..I just came to drop your schedules” she muttered letting out a sly smile before leaving his office.
He chuckled as he saw her expression, his gaze went down to see his table a bit scattered. He instantly knew that she went through the envelope and he sighed.
7PM*
It was getting as Ava quickly cleared her table, she picked up her bag and her phone walking out of the office.
Almost everyone had gone home only those that still had works to do were around. She went into the elevator as it took her to the last floor.
She went outside to see the sky darkening like it going to fall.
“Oh no!!!!” She exclaimed as her roamed the street if she could find a cab but no car was in sight.
“are taxi drivers on Holiday” she mumbled under her breath as everywhere was scanty.
A car pulled over her and it window whined down revealing Carlos. She narrowed her gaze as she saw him.
“Come in Ava, the rain is going to fall soon” he muttered.
Just then, another car pulled over in the other side and Shane’s face came to view.
“Come in Ava, I’ll take you home” Shane said, the rain started dropping as Ava became stranded.
CHAPTER 15 & 16 : A Business Deal or Something More?
✨ NOT AGAIN ✨
The rain started dropping heavily as Ava became stranded staring at the two guys offering to help her.
“Ava, the rain is dropping. Hop in” Carlos urged and she let out a deep breath as she heard Shane’s voice too.
“You wouldn’t want to catch cold, right? Come in Ava” Shane said and she shook her head slowly.
“Av….” Carlos didn’t complete his sentence when Ava rushed towards Shane’s car and he smiled widely.
Surprisingly, she ran past his car and his smile fell as she stepped into the cab that just pulled over. Soon, the taxi doomed off leaving Shane and Carlos.
Shane twitched his lips as he watched the taxi take Ava away and he narrowed his eyes.
“Drive” He said to the driver and his car left the scene too.
Meanwhile, Carlos clicked his tongue as he hit his steering hard. “Shitttt”
AVA’S PLACE*
Ava alighted from the cab and rushed inside her apartment with her bags, her dress was a bit wet from the wait earlier as she entered the living room to see her kids running around.
The moment they saw her, they squealed and rushed to her.
“Babies!” She smiled as she pulled them into her wet arms.
“You are wet mum” Kyle said as they broke the hug.
“I know…..”
“Kids, it time for dinner” Maggie voice came and they turned to her immediately.
“Hey aunt Maggie” Ava called.
“Oh! Ava, you’re home” she exclaimed and Ava stood up. “Yeah”
“You’re wet, go change upstairs and come join us” Maggie urged and Ava nodded smiling.
“Ok” with that, she went upstairs.
“Kids come over here” Maggie called the twins as they rushed to the dining.
“I can smell it, it fried spaghetti sauce and chicken……” Kyle giggled, his mouth watering as he took his seat.
“I’ll prefer Macaroni” Kayla pouted.
“I know it your favorite, you’ve got to eat spaghetti today Kayla……” Maggie muttered and Kayla nodded.
Maggie served them both, herself and Ava before she sat down down.
“You two should eat” Maggie said when she noticed they haven’t started eating.
“I will wait for mum…..” Kayla muttered.
“Me too…” Kyle added and Maggie smiled Patting their hair.
Soon, Ava descended the stairs dressed in another dry and soft comfy clothes, she noticed the tension in the dining as she took her seat.
“Why are you all quiet?” She asked, knowing her kids can’t do without talking.
“We were waiting for you mum!” Kyle replied and she chuckled.
“Really!!!” She exclaimed and Kayla nodded.
“Ok, since she is here then eat” Maggie muttered and they shook their head.
“Mum feed us!” They chorused and Ava narrowed her eyes.
“Why?, do you have a sprain in your hands??” She asked and they shook their head.
“We just want you to feed us, the food will be more sweeter if we eat it from your hands” Kyle pouted and Maggie chuckled loudly.
“Seriously,……how do you expect me to feed two grown kids while eating mine” Ava muttered, her expression filled with amusement.
“Mum!!!! Please” The twins pouted.
“Fine” Ava sighed they giggled excitedly. She started feeding them slowly while eating hers.
“Aunt Maggie” Ava called.
“can you recommend any school here in San Francisco, these kids can’t just stay home”
“New school!!!”
“Keep quiet kids” Ava warned and they blinked, dropping their shoulders.
“I can recommend one, I will take them there myself tomorrow” Maggie thought and Ava nodded.
“Thanks, Aunt Maggie” Ava let out a short smile.
DAWSON’S FASHION COMPANY*
Shane was in his office when someone came in, he looked up to see Alicia.
“Sir, someone is here to see you” She reported
“Who is that?” He asked.
“He said he is a business partner……..”
“His name!!!!” Shane snapped and she flinched.
“Mr. Carlos!” She replied and he furrowed his brows, curiously.
What is he doing here?
“Let him in” he said and she nodded leaving the office.
Instantly, Carlos came in and Shane eyes narrowed.
“I know you are not expecting me right Shane?” Carlos asked and he took a seat.
“Why are you here!!?” Shane asked.
“I just need a favour from you” he said and Shane frowned.
“Which favour……” He asked raising his brows.
“Promise to do whatever it is..!!” Carlos urged and Shane scoff.
“I can’t” Shane replied placing his hands on his jaws.
“Why can’t you, it not something hard yunno” Carlos muttered.
“I don’t make promises, Carlos. I’m sure you know about that” Shane twitched his lips.
“Just say whatever the favour is, if I’m okay with it, I’ll go on but if it not, then is a big NO” Shane added making Carlos glare daggers at Shane who was smirking.
He composed himself and rested his hands on his table.
“Well, I want to take back my secretary so I’m hoping you sign the papers and let her go back with me” Carlos asked and Shane raised his brows.
“Which Secretary?” Shane pretending to be thinking if he has any of his secretary in his company.
“Is it Alicia??” He asked and Carlos frowned.
“No,……”.
“Marcus”.
“Nooo, I’m talking about Ava” Carlos snapped.
“Ava, my P.A. what has she got to do with this?” He asked.
“She is the one I’m talking about, she is supposed to be in my company not yours Shane!”
“But you fired her already”.
“I didn’t, my mum did” Carlos protested.
“What difference does it make, Carlos!!!” Shane snapped and Carlos blood boiled.
“F*ck, if not for mum!!!!” He groaned inwardly as he stood up adjusting his suit.
“You are still the Mummy’s boy I once knew” Shane added and he rolled his tongue, his face hardening.
“You’ll regret this Shane” Carlos muttered and left his office, frustration filled in his voice.
Meanwhile, Ava has been hearing their conversation from the beginning. She held her forehead and sighed.
“What the…….” She mumbled.
“Am I an asset now!!!” She exclaimed as she walked back to her office.
“Carlos should go back or should I urge him to go……” She thought as her mind went to their conversation earlier. Shane was not ready to let her go.
“Does he perhaps likes me!??” She thought and she shook her head.
“Stop imagining things, Ava!!” She cautioned herself and sighed before going back to work.
Isabella came into Shane’s office and Shane darted his towards her approach.
Isabella walked towards him sitting in front of him placing her long nailed fingers on his table.
Shane sat back on his swivel chair folding his arms. “What are you doing here bella?” He asked.
“Can’t I come here to see you anymore” she raised her eyebrows.
“You have a job bella, so what are you doing here?” He asked.
“I just came to see you Shane” she replied winking her eyes, “Maybe discuss about our upcoming shoot…..” She chuckled and he frowned.
“What makes you think I’ll be interested in the shoot!” He blurted and the smile on her face disappeared.
“What do you mean!” She asked.
Just then, Ava came in with a file dropping it on the table.
“Sir, you have a meeting with the leather agent by 4PM at starlocks ” she muttered he nods slightly.
“Get me a cup of coffee” He said, his gaze on her. She mouthed an ‘ok’ and left. Shane eyes followed her and Isabella saw it.
She scoffed and soon Ava came back with a brewed coffee, dropping it on the table.
Isabella gazed at her and narrowed her eyes. “She’s too pretty to be here” She muttered inwardly when she noticed Shane’s eyes on her.
Soon, Ava left and Isabella faced Shane.
“Shane!!”
“What is it?” He asked.
“Is she your new P.A you talked about?” She asked him and he nodded.
“Do you have any problem about it…” He said and she frowned.
“She is too pre……..” She stopped halfway and cleared her throat. “Nevermind” She added and stood up.
“I’ll see you later” Isabella walked out approaching Alicia’s table.
“Miss Isabella” Alicia called her eyes gleaming.
“Alicia, I have a job for you” She muttered and Alicia nodded.
“Anything, Miss Isabella” Alicia assured and Isabella grinned.
She brought a bundle of cash dropping it on the table and Alicia eyes widened taking the cash hiding it under her desk immediately.
“Keep an eye on his P.A for me” Isabella whispered and Alicia nodded smiling.
Isabella let out a smirk and left her office.
During the little break for staffs, Ava groaned and walked out of her office to see Sophia standing at the entrance.
“Hey Ava, I was just about to come in” she said and Ava let out a short smile..
“I need to grab something to eat….” Ava muttered.
“Let go together then” Sophia offered and Ava nodded as they walked together out.
DAWSON’S CAFE***
Ava and Sophia got their meal differently as they settled on an empty seat.
“So Ava!!!” Sophia called and Ava looked up from the burger she is eating.
“uhm” She mouthed as the burger filled her mouth completely.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Sophia asked and Ava narrowed her eyes before shooking her head.
“No” she replied.
“Huh!” Sophia muttered surprisingly.
“Seriously, you don’t have a boyfriend?” Sophia asked and Ava mind lingered on her past.
She never had a boyfriend nor even get intimate with any guy ever since she was in school. She sees couples doing things to each other but she wished she had one too not until the incident happened.
Her face fell immediately.
“Ava!!, are you okay” Sophia asked and Ava nodded.
“I’m fine, it nothing…..” She replied and composed herself.
“Okay”.
“How come you don’t have a boyfriend?!” Sophia asked and Ava furrowed her brows.
“What do you mean!!”
“I mean, you are too pretty to be single, Ava” Sophia Explained and Ava let out a short chuckle.
“Seriously!!!”
Suddenly, Someone joined their table turning out to be Marcus.
“Marcus!!!” Ava exclaimed and Marcus flashed her a warm smile.
“Hey Ava, it looks like you’ve been avoiding me” He muttered and she shook her head.
“No, I’ve not Marcus…..I just don’t see you around” .
“Excuse me, I’m I invisible” Sophia interrupted waving her hands and they turned to her.
“Seems like it” Marcus replied.
“Then how come you are hearing my voice?” She asked.
“I can’t see you but I can hear your voice” he teased chuckling and Sophia frowned funningly.
“You two know each other before” Ava asked.
“No, we don’t”.
“Yes!!”
They said at once and Sophia rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, you two must be hardheaded on each other” Ava smiled.
Sophia scoffed folding her arms. “I’ll just go to another table then” Sophia muttered standing up. She looked around if she can find an empty seat but her eyes couldn’t catch one.
It seems like almost all the staff had occupied all the spaces, she grinned and sat back placing a big frown on her face.
“Aren’t you going anymore” Marcus asked
“Don’t speak, eat in silence” she warned and he chuckled as they continued eating.
SKYLOCK RESTAURANT*
The restaurant was silent as Shane and Ava walked in, Shane eyes roamed everywhere knowing the restaurant has been booked for the day.
His eyes landed on a familiar figure and he walked towards him taking the seat opposite him and Ava stood behind.
“Welcome, Mr. Dawson”.
“Thank you, Mr. Thomas,” Shane replied, his eyes fixed on the him. “I trust you’re doing well. I’ve come to discuss a potential business opportunity with you.”
Thomas, a seasoned leather supplier, raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised you asked for us to meet here. What can I do for you?” He asked as his eyes caught Ava behind him, he couldn’t help it as he fixed his gaze on her.
Shane saw it and hit the table making Thomas flinched jolting out.
Shane leaned forward “I’m looking to purchase a large quantity of high-quality leather. We’re expanding our fashion line to include designer bags, and I need a reliable supplier who can meet our demands.” He requested.
“I see, and what kind of quantity are we talking about?” Thomas nodded thoughtfully.
Shane faced Ava and she pulled out a folder containing specifications and projections handing it to him
“We’re looking at an initial order of 10,000 hides, with the potential for more in the future. We need a variety of colors and finishes to match our designs.”
Thomas whistled softly. “That’s an expensive order, but I’ll need to check our inventory and production schedule.”
“I expected as much. I’m willing to pay top dollar for the quality we need. Can you give me a rough estimate of the cost and delivery time?” Shane smiled, confident in his decision.
Thomas nodded, pulling out his phone to calculate the numbers. “Let me see…” He paused as he typed on his phone.
“Alright, I think we can do it for $500,000, delivered within 6-8 weeks.”
“That good. I’ll need to see some samples before we finalize the deal, but I think we have a good starting point here.” Shane nodded positively.
“I’ll arrange for the samples to be sent to you tomorrow Mr. Dawson.” Thomas smiled, extending his hand as he shook hands with Shane.
“Sir, Please Excuse me” Ava said as she felt pressed immediately.
“Sure” Shane smiled and she left. Thomas eyes followed her and Shane held his jaw bringing his face back.
“Is she your new secretary?” Thomas asked.
“No, my P.A” he replied.
“She’s beautiful!!!” Thomas complemented as his eyes went to the path Ava took.
“Take your eyes off her” Shane warned and he narrowed his gaze.
RESTROOM***
Ava finished her business as she went to the washbasin opening the tap to wash her hands.
As she did, her mind went to the looks of Thomas and she scoffed.
He is probably a flirt!!
Suddenly, the light in the restroom went off immediately and Ava eyes widened. Her heart started racing with fear as the memories of that night flood in.
She heard footsteps at the doorstep and her fear increased “No….no”.
She tried to pick up her phone from the counter where she placed it but mistakenly, it fell from her and shattered on the tiled floor.
Her body began trembling at the dark room as her mind went back to her dark incident.
“No……Nooooooooooo” She screamed.
Meanwhile, Shane and Thomas were still talking when they heard a voice coming from the restroom.
Shane eyes widened as he remembers Ava, he stood up and rushed towards the restroom to see everywhere really dark. He search his pocket to switch on his phone light but he couldn’t find it as he had forgotten it on the table.
He entered the restroom where he had heard the voice.
As soon as Shane entered, it installed great fear in Ava as memories flood in.
“Ava!!!” He called.
“Don’t come near me, don’t” She warned without seeing anyone’s face.
“It me Ava, Shane?” He muttered.
“Ahhh, don’t touch me” She said, her voice trembling as her hand met with a bottle grabbing it immediately.
“Ava it me, what going on…..why is the light off” He moved closer to her.
Ava noticed his movement and she moved back too, her heart almost leaping out of her chest.
“Ava!!!!” He moved again instilling more fear inside her.
“I said don’t come close” she groaned and threw the bottle sideways crashing on Shane mistakenly.
Instantly, a sharp cry escaped Shane’s lips as the light came on again.
Ava’s face was filled with sweat, her hair covering her face as her met with someone on the floor, instantly, Thomas came into the restroom to see Shane lying on the floor unconsciously.
Shane!!!!
Her hands trembled as she realized what she had done.
“Oh! No….Not again!!!!”