Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Ava

I finished the last paperwork in the file and heaved a sigh of relief. It was time to go home and rest. I needed a cold shower and a cup of my favorite ice-cream and some netflix movie. My phone buzzed in my hand, I swiped it up and saw that it was my mother's message. I smiled before opening it, when I saw the content, I cursed under my breath wishing that I hadn't done that.

“Hello Pumpkin, dinner at Cary has been moved up a bit. I'll see you at 5pm this evening, don't be late”

“Oh god!” I whined and hissed. The meet and greet wasn't supposed to happen until tomorrow. I sighed again and quickly closed my laptop and walked into the elevator which took me to the first floor. I checked my wrist watch and saw that I still had an hour left to prepare. Thankfully, my apartment is close to my work place,so I didn't have to wait for a cab. I got home and began preparing for the dinner after sending a message to Kyle, my childhood friend, to take me to the Johnson's house later.

The Johnsons. I thought and sighed again for the hundredth time, wishing that my mother had chosen someone else. I love my mom and I wished her nothing but happiness. It has always been she and I since my father left her for his mistress, when I was barely a year old. So, I grew up watching her do all she could to take care of me, therefore, when she told me she's met her heartthrob, I was extremely happy for her. It was time for her to break away from the vicious circle of being alone and find someone to call her own.

I've watched her bottle up emotions for years and finally she was getting herself a partner. I had been enthusiastic about it until she told me about him. Cary Johnson is a renowned Businessman in New York and so I couldn't help but wonder how they met. Both of them are nowhere in the same league,so I couldn't help but wonder how it happened.

I turned around in front of the mirror and did a final touch on my face when my heart went to Cary’s son Rowland. A notorious and meticulous young man known for his ruthlessness in business. Since he clocked twenty five, his father had made him the CEO of his company, making him the youngest in the industry. Rumor has it that he's gay because contrary to what anyone expected, he hasn't been seen with women. He seldom dates at all.

My stomach churned and I shivered as I remembered all that I had read about him online. Taking one last look at myself. I got out of the apartment and walked to the bus stop. Kyle had promised to get me there on time even though it was impromptu.

I hadn't waited for five minutes when Kyle's car pulled over and honked at me. I got into the car and he ignited.

“So, you are meeting up with Mr. Johnson and his notorious son today? Didn't you say it was tomorrow? He asked.

“Yeah,I did but change of plan," I said as I fastened the seat belt and Kyle pressed on the pedal.

“To say the truth, I don't know what I would have done if it were my mom. Getting married to a man with a son older than I am?” He said to my surprise and I smiled.

“I know right. But my mom has always been my world. Her happiness is mine too. Even though I'm not too keen on this, I'd give anything for her happiness. I want her to be happy and no longer have to deal with loneliness,”I said with a smile.

“Has anyone ever told you that you are strong?” Kyle said and smiled. “Seriously, you are someone who'll put others happiness before yours and for that, you deserve some accolades”

“Oh really?” I said sarcastically. “Why did it take so long to know?”

“Now I'm taking it back,” he said and I laughed. I brought my hand to his other hand which wasn't on the wheel and I squeezed it.

“Thanks Kyle, I appreciate it," I said and he smiled at me too. Growing up with a single mother and no siblings, I had often wondered how it feels to have siblings. Fortunately, I was gifted with Kyle and he has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Kyle got to the Johnson's mansion and I almost got a heart attack. The media did no justice to the beauty of the house at all. I gaped as Kyle pulled in at the entrance of the house. The security guard there stopped us and bombarded us with a series of questions. He finally let us in after I had shown the security guard my appointment card.

It was exactly 5pm when he pulled into the immaculate building. He got outside quickly and came to my side of the car and opened it for me. He took my hand and helped me down as carefully as he could.

“You look gorgeous this evening Ava. Such a shame you don't have a boyfriend,” he said and I laughed out loud.

“Cut the crap Kyle, you do know how to make a girl blush” I said again laughing. He bowed, took my hands and kissed the back.

“Wish me good luck Kyle,” I said, I did a trinity cross all over my body and I pulled him into a hug. He released me and wished me luck before leaving the house in his car.

I smoothened my gown and walked inside the mansion with my heart pounding. Now that I was there, I suddenly got cold feet and wished I could take a turn and ran back to the safety of my apartment. The door opened from inside, welcoming me into a more beautiful place. I was still admiring the beauty of the space as I walked in when I saw a figure walking down the stairs. I didn't need anyone to tell me who it was because from his pace, I knew who it was.

Rowland Johnson. I thought and my heartbeat increased. Who would have thought that Ava Blackwood would be in the same room as him. I watched as he fixed his gaze on me as if entrapping me. I stood still like I was in a trance and all I could do was gaze at him. He is handsome, I'd give him that and his gait is as sturdy as ever.

“Ava!” my mom said as she saw me, breaking the spell. I walked in and Cary introduced his son and his friend Darren to me.

“I didn't know Brenda here as a grown up daughter,” Rowland said in his thick baritone voice that shook the room. I saw that his question made mom uncomfortable and his father shot him a glare. It made me uncomfortable too because I knew he had the intention of insulting her.

“Yes she does, do you have a problem with that?” I asked, meeting his mischievous gaze. My mother looked at me in surprise and I heard a gasp from Darren.

He frowned and looked at me from head to toe before shaking his head. He walked to me menacingly as if I was his prey. All the while,I held my breath and was shaking inside, waiting for his reaction.

“Not at all, I'm just surprised. I guess you can't judge a book by the looks of its cover,” he said to my surprise and this time making me frown.

“Alright everyone, dinner is served,” Cary said, before I could reply to Rowland's statement. I glared at Rowland again and he smirked. We all followed Cary towards the dining room.

“You are a feisty one aren't you?” Rowland said just as I was about to walk past him into the room.

“I know, I hear it all the time,” I said and marched past him into the room.