"I helped you, and you offered to pay me. This is the payment I need, and I'm not open to any negotiations." My heart pounded fast when I realised that the little lie I had told had landed me in deeper trouble. After narrowly escaping death, the only thing on my mind was moving on from the betrayal of my family and ex-boyfriend, but my little revenge plan backfired. Now I'm forced to be with a stranger and on his terms. Why must I pay such a steep price for a small favour? Ava had endured so much abuse from the woman who claimed to be her mother. Finding out about her best friend and boyfriend's secret affair just a few days after she let him take her virginity was the straw that broke the camel's back. After surviving an accident, shattered Ava ran into her enemies on the day she was discharged. To level up and make them believe she had moved on with her life, she told a little lie with the aid of a stranger who later asked her to return the favour, but his demands were outrageous for Ava. He threatened to make her disappear from the face of the earth if she refused his payback option, now Ava's trapped with the stranger, in a new environment, very far from home. How long will she be his slave before she gains her freedom again?
Ava's POV:
The loud sound of someone knocking repeatedly on my door woke me from my slumber.
At first, I thought it was a dream, so I stretched my body and took a different position on my bed, trying to go back to sleep. I heard another loud bang on my door, and my heart skipped a beat.
"Is there a burglar in this house?" I muttered.
"Ava!" I heard my name. It was Eleanor's voice.
"Ava, get up this instant."
"If you don't have a job, don't you think you should at least get up early and make breakfast," Eleanor yelled as she banged on my door again.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes instantly, looking at the phone at my bedside. It was barely 4:30 a.m. It took me a few seconds to process what was going on. A week after I bid my parents farewell, I moved in with my sweet mother's friend, who had never yelled at me until this morning. I was almost certain someone had gotten on her last nerve.
"Why did she have to wake me up this early?"
"Ugh!" I yawned as I got up from my bed and went to open the door for Eleanor who was still yelling and banging at my door.
"Good morning, Mum," I greeted.
"You fool! Who is your mother?" I was confused by that question because she told me I could call her mother when I moved in with her, she also promised to offer me motherly love and care for as long as possible. What changed?
"Why did you lock your room door? "
"I'm sorry, I..."
"Be sorry for your pathetic self, were you drunk last night or something? Because only a drunk person will pass out the way you did. I've been knocking and calling you for the past 30 minutes. Why did it take you so long to wake you up?" Eleanor yelled at me and I sighed heavily.
"I'm sorry," I said, still wondering why she was so upset that early.
"Go make breakfast," Eleanor said waiting for me to head to the kitchen immediately.
"What!"
"You heard me."
"But It's barely 4:30 am, and..."
"Shut your mouth, Ava. I know what the time is, go fix something for me to eat now!" She walked away after giving me a bad eye.
I didn't have the time to ponder why her attitude towards me had changed. But I knew that it was either she had been pretending all along, or she got possessed by the devil himself.
Who changes from a nice to a mean person overnight? I dragged my feet to the kitchen to prepare something for her.
"I want a sunny-side-up egg." I heard her say from the passage leading to the living room.
While I was on it, she came to the kitchen and asked me to prepare something enough for everyone at home.
We used to be four until her husband, Mr James went to jail.
Eleanor hated it when we mentioned his name, so we barely talked about him.
I made a breakfast of fried eggs, bacon, and toast bread with tea.
I wasn't hungry but I had to eat my breakfast at once and also prepare for work, I had received enough shock for the morning and didn't know what to expect next.
"Ava, you're eating all these?" She said looking at the food I served myself on the dining table.
"When you start making real money and supporting me in this house, you can eat this much, but for now, I won't let you eat like a glutton." She grabbed my plate and halved the food in it. I was angry about that, but I ate what was left.
I didn't know what response to give her without sounding disrespectful, but she was already getting on my last nerve.
She had the guts to mock me, but she used to eat over at our home when my parents were still alive. I had walked in on my Mum on three occasions giving her a few good-looking clothes too. My parents were not the wealthiest, but they were generous; they liked to share what they had, especially with family and friends.
It's funny how some people forget the good deeds done for them as soon as they stop receiving them, right? Maybe I should add "ungrateful" to that description.
It was over a year since I graduated from college but I was yet to get my dream job. I had to make do with the ones I got, even though the pay wasn't encouraging. Before my parents passed on, I had zero responsibilities, so I wasn't under much pressure to get a better job. They gave me all the assistance I needed.
I knew I had to continue applying and not give up. With the sudden turn of events, I had to start planning for the worse, I didn't have to wait to be thrown out.
I could only hope for the best, even though I didn't graduate from a prestigious college.
I sighed heavily and went back to the kitchen. I put Lydia's meal into a smaller plate to keep it warm for her while I got back to my room to get dressed for my job at the bakery.
I worked at the bakery in the morning and the library in the evening.
My jobs were not so bad after all, if not for any other thing, they kept me occupied, so I had less time to think about my parents who were no more. I loved the smell of freshly baked bread and enjoyed reading books, especially romantic novels.
After preparing for work, I heard Eleanor call me again.
I went to the living room, where she was watching a sitcom. She was still eating the breakfast I served her.
Once she saw me, she threw the cup of tea I made for her at me.
It hit me on the head, fell to the ground, and made a shattering noise.
I was stunned by that. It was the last thing I expected to happen amidst the frustration she let out since she woke me up. My next instinct was to defend myself, but I heard a small still voice say, "Don't do it."
"What kind of coffee did you make for me?" she spat. I had no idea what she meant.
"Is there no milk in the house?" She yelled at me angrily.
I sustained an injury on my head from the impact of the cup that she threw at me.
"I'm sorry, I'll make another one," I said to her and she scoffed.
"Never mind, just get your filthy self out of my sight," she said to me and I nodded and walked into the kitchen to get a broom. I swept the pieces of broken glass carefully.
"Replace my teacup."
"I will," I responded as I went into my room to change my dress. I felt bad but didn't want to give her the satisfaction of seeing me broken.
I took off my clothes and went to take my bath for the second time that morning. I changed into a new set of clothes, grabbed my bags, and was ready to leave the house.
It was already 7 a.m., and I was supposed to clock in at work by 7:30 a.m., so if I didn't leave immediately, I'd be late.
"Ava," Eleanor called out when she saw me heading toward the front door.
"Give me some money! I need to go shopping for the house today, what I have on me won't be enough," she said and I frowned.
It was now clear to me that this woman was after my life, I didn't know why. What was my crime?
"I don't have any," I responded and she laughed.
"I guess that's a joke, Ava." She said to me and I sighed heavily wearing a more serious face, hoping she would believe me this time.
"I honestly don't have any money to give you, all I have is my transport fare," I said and turned to leave.
But I made the wrong decision because she pulled me to face her and gave me a dirty slap.
"Give me the money you have now!"
Serena agrees to marry her boss on contract to save her sick Father and give elevation to her poor family. She has no choice but to remain a maid in secret and a housewife in public to the rude CEO of Eclat Finance. Things get complicated for Serena when the CEO's best friend blackmails her about her past and threatens her into doing the unspeakable to enable him to swindle his best friend. Serena is stranded as she falls in love with the CEO but cannot go back on her agreement to betray him as that could cost her life and her family. Find out in the chapters what would go on, and how it would end for Serena.
"You don't matter to me, and you never will." He pushed me to the ground as I sobbed. "But here my dear, you're meant to please me. If your father had not come begging on his knees, I wouldn't be marrying you. So you better make this worth it or I'll have to kill you with my bare hands." He said, causing me to tremble out of fright as he moved towards me... No... not now please, I wasn't ready to lose my virginity. I fled out of the room but he was quick to catch me. He slammed me to the wall and my head hit hard against it. I wasn't strong enough to take the pain that came with it...my head felt light, and the next thing I knew was that I was consumed by darkness. ****** Kassidy's life became a relentless series of injustices after her mother's death. She was coerced into a marriage she had to endure, bearing witness to her husband's cruelty. She never considered their union genuine, having been raised in an abusive home. She could only hope that one day she would find peace with the world and life. Meanwhile, Melody, her covetous stepsister, desired everything that had ever been offered to Kassidy, including her inheritance, claiming it as her birthright. Melody's father, Steve Jean, who is also Kassidy's stepfather, withheld privileges from Kassidy while he imposed an unfair condition. Kassidy must marry! Perplexed, Kassidy felt chills of terror running down her spine upon hearing the name proposed for her. The rumors circulating about him filled her with dread, but she was left with no choice. She reluctantly surrendered herself and her birthright to her step-sister. How much longer could she endure this injustice? As for Bruno, fate appeared to have different plans in store for them. How could she possibly cope?
Two people - both fiercely independent and unapologetically restless. Bound together by a love that is both beautiful and dangerous. Can they learn to trust and rely on each other, or will their individual natures tear them apart?
Eliza's life was destroyed by them: her boyfriend and her best friend. Five years ago, her boyfriend's career was at its lowest point and Eliza sacrificed everything to support him. However, her best friend fooled Eliza to be a surrogate mother. When her boyfriend led a successful career, he dumped Eliza because she had lost her virginity and had babies. It was just an excuse for the affair between the shameless couple. Losing all interest in life, she agreed to marry Mr. Valentine, a disfigured billionaire who likes to torture women in bed. It was said that his two exes died horribly in bed. Eliza didn't know that Mr. Valentine was the man she used to carry babies for. In this way, she got a handsome husband and a pair of adorable twins... """
After a devastating divorce with the man she had been married to for over three years, Rachel thought her life was over. Her family disowned her, they wanted nothing to do with her anymore and she couldn't blame them. She had just divorced David Hart, one of the top successful bachelors in the country and heir to the Hart industries. But they would never understand that she didn't divorce him, he divorced her after she caught him cheating on her with her god-damned best friend! Rachel was just about to end everything by jumping off a bridge when she was saved by the most unexpected person. The boy she once bullied severally in highschool because he always wore ugly glass and was from a poor background, how come that glass make him so hot now? Why was he helping her get revenge on ex-husband who is trying to make her life even more miserable? And most important how did he get so handsome? What exactly does he want from her? ... No, you must want something, anything. If you can really help me get revenge on David and Lana, I can't just let you do it for free". Ethan went quiet for a while. I held my breath waiting for what his request might be. If it was something money could buy, I'll try my best to get it for him even though I was somehow broke right now. "You're right I do want something". He said after thinking for few minutes "What?" I asked slowly. " Until you get your revenge on David, Lana and every other person you want, you will live here". Live here as in...? " Wha... What are you saying? ". I stammered hoping he wasn't saying what I thought he was saying. I tried to step back but I missed a step and almost fell on the bed but Ethan caught me holding me in his muscular arms. Ethan moved his face closer to mine be was so close, our nose almost touched. " I want you to be with me! ".
Five years ago, he upped and left his wife without informing her. He had always felt unworthy. As a result, he decided to go and become a better man. It took him five whole years of daily hard work. When he was satisfied, he returned as a powerful and honorable man. He intended to start a family with his wife. But he got back to meet the greatest shocker of his life. He actually had a daughter!
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"