Chapter 8 It's Done

As agreed, after work, I meet Mia and we go together to First Place Group. I remain silent throughout the journey, feeling like a knife is piercing my chest and being forced to do this. However, thinking about the reason that led me to this and the recovery of my mother somehow comforts me. At least I managed to solve part of the problem that haunted me so much. "Seeing you like this makes me feel terrible, Ava!" Mia says as we enter the elevator. "I wish I could help you." "It's okay, Mia. I saw how much you tried to help me." I smile awkwardly, and she caresses my shoulder. "Now I just have to accept it. I'm sure I'll survive these two years." The elevator "ding" interrupts my melancholy as we reach the penthouse. We take a few steps to the reception, where a stunning blonde girl with blue eyes, who looks like she came out of a modeling agency, greets us in a completely robotic and somewhat snobbish manner before leading us to the meeting room, where Noah and Taylor are already waiting for us. "Excuse me, Mr. Ewing," the girl says in a friendly and coquettish tone, completely different from a few minutes ago. "Miss Hampton and Miss Moore have arrived." "Thank you very much, Miss Herrera, you're dismissed," Noah replies and stands up to greet us, while the "magazine model" girl nods and leaves. "Miss Hampton, Miss Moore, please have a seat." "Miss Moore, any doubts about the contract?" "None, Mr. Spencer. You did an excellent job!" Mia affirms. Taylor smiles proudly as he places the original copy of the contract on the table. "Miss Hampton, if you wish, you can review it again before signing," the lawyer says, but I can't even pay attention to his words. I turn to Noah, who looks bored, and ask: "Are we really going to do this, Mr. Ewing?" "Absolutely not, Miss Hampton! I called you here to have the "privilege" of seeing you again," Noah says in an ironic tone. "For God's sake, Ava, I've lost count of how many times you've asked me! Just sign and don't make me waste any more time." I pretend to reread the contract while trying to gather some courage to go through with this. But only Noah's impatient sigh makes me want to run away as fast as possible. After a few brief minutes, I hand the contract back to Taylor, who signs it immediately after Noah, and Mia sign it before handing it to me. I let out a long sigh as I sign, and as soon as the last letter of my name is written, the contract is sealed with a tear that falls involuntarily onto the pages. "It's done, Miss Hampton!" Noah says, indifferent to my restrained tears. "Or rather, Mrs. Ewing. As described in the contract, from today you have a week to move into my house." "I don't need to be reminded of this unpleasant part, Mr. Ewing. Mia, can we go? I really need a strong drink before going home." "Of course, Ava. Mr. Spencer, Mr. Ewing, excuse us," Mia says after standing up. She greets Noah and Taylor with a handshake. "Ava, remember that you are now a married woman. So, I hope you don't go around stealing other people's watches, or I'll end you before you even move into my house." I take a deep breath and ignore Noah's comment, formally greeting Taylor before leaving the room with Mia. "By Noah" Even witnessing Ava's tears of sadness, knowing that I am practically forcing her to sign the contract, I cannot afford to give up on this decision. I am not the type to come out on the losing end, and just as I helped her in some way, she will reward me in one way or another. "Do you think you're going too far with this?" Taylor questions as Ava leaves the meeting room after signing the contract. "I was moved by how she was." "First you question me why I didn't force her to find a way to return my watch, now you feel sorry for her because I decided to punish her for it?" I let out a laugh as I get up to leave and he follows me. "You saw that she tried to get the watch back, Noah. You could have given her more time." "Taylor, you've known me for years, you know that the last person who dared to mess with me deeply regretted it." I reply as we enter the elevator. "She didn't get my watch back; did she want me to let her off the hook? What's the next step? Suggesting that I talk to her, understand her problems, and console her? Too late, my dear. It's already done. By the way, we need to celebrate, don't you think? Pleasant days are ahead, and I'm looking forward to everything I've planned for my lovely wife." "You're really mean, Noah Ewing!" Taylor says, sarcastically. "I almost feel sorry for Ava's life from now on." "She's the one who will regret it, Taylor." I affirm, satisfied with being able to solve my problem with my father and, as a bonus, punish Ava for her actions. "How about a bachelor party? I need to distract myself before starting this new life as a married man. Let's meet at Pub S'échapper." [...] "For Ava" As much as I longed for the slow passage of time, my precious days of tranquility, away from Noah, seem to have disappeared in the blink of an eye. And now, the deadline for my move to his house is coming to an end. Wrapped in the feeling of farewell, I walk through every room of my apartment, absorbing every meticulously planned detail. Living alone has always been a dream I achieved when I came of age, and today, I bid farewell to it for two years. A smile mixes with tears as I pick up the last suitcase, left in the middle of the living room. With a sigh, I lock the door and head towards my new abode, which I reach in a matter of minutes. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Ewing!" A woman of small stature, with green eyes and hair elegantly tied in a bun, with an expression that reveals experience and an age close to fifty, greets me with a warm smile as she opens the door. "Allow me to welcome you. My name is Mrs. Hill, and I am the housekeeper of this residence." "Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hill. If you can, I prefer you to call me Ava, please." "As you wish, Ava." She takes the suitcase from my hand with a smile, carefully placing it at the foot of the staircase. "Let's start with a tour of the house before taking you to your room. This way." I follow Mrs. Hill as she leads the way, getting to know every corner of the house. After a few minutes, she introduces me to the other members of the staff and finally leads me to my room. I set my suitcase aside and let myself fall onto the bed, feeling a weight on my chest. As I nestle into the white sheets, the last rays of sun tint the room with a soft golden hue, announcing the evening. My gaze wanders around the room, confronting the harsh reality I have accepted. Marrying Noah is like surrendering, in a way, to the devil himself. It was a desperate gesture to protect the ones I love from my father's possible wrath. Now, here I am, immersed in this majestic mansion, surrounded by sadness and uncertainties. This is the price I accepted for impulsively charting my own destiny. Let the trials come, for what was at stake is more precious than I can measure. It is for her that I will face the consequences, even if it means enduring the presence of Noah Ewing.