That night, Ava went to the store, gathering some veggies, fresh meats and some snacks to restock her kitchen. Approaching the drinks section, she overheard a man apologizing with his head facing down while pleading with a customer. "Sir, the drinks are all sold out." As she got closer, she recognized the man was Nathan.
Ava headed to the counter to pay for her items while darting her eyes to where he was.
Nathan saw sneaky eyes from afar and instantly recognized her. He smirked while dismissing the manager. Ava saw Nathan approaching and she quickly fastened her footsteps towards the entrance.
After she thought she had finally escaped him, Ava felt a hand on her shoulder tapping her, and she froze. "Miss?" Nathan asked. Ava, staring at him with her mouth wide open, taking a close look at his face. She found him familiar, but couldn't recall exactly where.
Brought out of her thoughts, Ava replied, "Nina." If Nathan was a private investigator sent by her father, she couldn't reveal her true identity to him.
"Nice to meet you," Nathan said, acting cluelessly. "I met you at our family mansion, one of our guests, huh?" He wanted to see if Ava had any other motives.
Ava found the perfect opportunity to cling to him. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Nathan," she replied.
"Oh, please, just call me Nathan," he smiled. "Do you need a ride home?" "Yes…Yes.. please." Ava stuttered out of nervousness.
The car was filled with silence, and Ava tried to stop the awkward moment by starting a conversation. "Mr Nathan, do you have other business that you do?" She asked.
Nathan's eyes darkened without looking at her, and he replied sarcastically, "Seems like Miss, want to know more about me, huh?"
"Not that I am invading your privacy, but I actually know your secret," Ava replied, with confidence.
The car came to a halt on the highway. "What's my secret?" Nathan asked, gazing at her with a frown.
"That you have another identity apart from being a CEO," Ava replied nervously.
Nathan smiled, eager to hear what she wanted to say. "Which is?" he asked.
"I know you're importing hard drugs to the elites." Ava said nervously, hoping her lie will pay off.
Nathan got speechless for a while, until he decided to play along. "Really! And how did you know?" he asked.
Ava, thinking she has exposed him, she smiled and said, "That isn't important right now. Let's make a deal."
Nathan raised his brows, while staring at Ava, waiting for her to continue talking.
"Marry me then I will keep your secret safe," Ava said with a smile.
Nathan leaned in closer to Ava, his lips only an inch away from hers.
Staring at her lips before looking into her eyes, and smiled. "You shouldn't be doing this," he warned. "Entering a sleeping lion's den can be dangerous."
Ava smiled and said with determination in her eyes, "Deal or no deal?"
"For how long?" Nathan asked. "For a year, after a year we can divorce," Ava replied.
Okay, deal, little chick. You can't go back on your words now," Nathan said as he drove down to the marriage registry office.
Ava couldn't believe that she was finally married to a man she barely knew.
Staring at the marriage certificate, she felt a mix of excitement and regret, but she had a mission she needed to accomplish within one year with him.
"Are you going to keep on standing there?" Nathan asked, drawing her out of her thoughts.
Ava smiled nervously, " I'm coming" She said, as she walked towards the car. "So where are we heading to?" Ava asked.
"Mrs Walton, I am obviously going to your house, where do you think we are going??" Nathan asked sarcastically.
"Don't forget you are just my wife on papers, you can't interfere with my private life and I won't do the same. This marriage should be a secret, for the meantime, you will be staying in your house. If you need anything don't forget to call me." Nathan said as he arrived at her house.
Ava went on with her normal routine,she was given whatever she wanted, she couldn't stay at home all day, so she had to continue working.
After one month, Ava didn't see Nathan because he was so busy to meet her, he always sends his assistant. She wasn't worried since he said she has no right to interfere in his private life, but she needs to be close to him to start plotting her plans.
"Welcome! What do you want to order?" Ava said, her eyes focused on her phone. "Can I get a latte and a sandwich please," a deep voice said.
"Okay," Ava said as she looked up to take his orders, her eyes came into contact with her childhood friend, whom she hadn't met for seven years.
"Charles," Ava called out, but she couldn't say it out loud. Charles smiled and said," look who we have here, the almighty Ava." He said, sarcastically.
When Ava finished high school, she left for another town. She had been crushing on him then, but he had a girlfriend who wasn't supportive of their friendship, causing them to lose contact. After his family business expanded he left for the US to continue his studies.
After Ava gave him his orders, he left to take a seat. When he finished eating, he didn't stay for long. "I have to get going, Ava. I'll come to visit often." Charles said.
Ava smiled, she didn't want him to visit at all. If Charles' family found out that she ran away, her whereabouts would definitely be exposed by Charles, and she would be in trouble.
"Do you know that guy? Jessica chimed in excitedly. "Ava replied, "Kind of."
"He is our regular customer," Jessica said. "He has increased our sales for the past six months and is admired by many ladies who come to buy from the cafe." Jessica smiled, not noticing the frown of Ava's face.
"I think my shift is over," Ava interrupted her. "I need to be going, bye," Ava waved her goodbye and exited the cafe's entrance.
A mile away, a black car was waiting for her. After she got married to Nathan, his assistant always takes her home after work.
"When is your boss coming back?" Ava asked Leo. "My boss is back, he is home waiting for you," Leo replied.