Elusive Billionaire Seduction

Death has a stench, and one that isn't very sweet smelling. It has a smell of hopelessness and despair, I would know, I've tasted it more than thrice in the last decade. My parent had died in an auto crash years ago and although I couldn't say I was still grieving, I still felt their presence once in a while. I was not ready for my grandfather to pass on too. No, I was not.

And it hit so hard, standing over his coffin that I could feel fresh tears bubble to the surface, threatening to spill and I held it in, I had to be strong, the whole paparazzi of Florida was right there, waiting for the cameras to flash on any moment of weakness, I was not willing to give them that.

"Avery, the pastor wants to speak with us," my elder sister, Sasha said as she came beside me by the grave side, it was then that I notice that the crowd had dispersed and I was left standing there alone with the eager camera men.

"I don't think I want to speak with anyone, Sasha " I replied, indeed I was not in the mood to hear any seemingly encouraging words from a man of God about my grand father being in a better place, I knew he would be, he was one of the few good people in the whole world, if he didn't make it to a good place then I could swear no one would.

"Cut the drama, Avery, the whole family is waiting." Sasha said stiffly and turned around to go back into the duplex.

I almost chuckled at the word, "family". There was no family, it was just me and her and a bunch of greying old men who thought because we were women that we could easy sway and play to their tunes, well Sasha was the prim and proper child, I wasn't, never had been and least of all on days like this, when I was missing the warmth of the last semblance of a guardian, I was not in the mood to be diplomatic.

But then, it was either that or stand with the annoying camera men who were eager like kids awaiting candy.

Pulling the sunglasses down from my forehead where it perched, I signaled the security who stood a few feet away.

"I don't want them here when I come, make sure they're gone or you'll be gone," I stated and then moved into the building, I didn't have a choice, I wanted the funeral to be as peaceful as it could, he deserved that respect.

The building was tastefully decorated, white linen hung everywhere, a large and handsome photograph of my grandfather hung on the wall, he had on a wide smile, the infectious sort that never failed for make me smile back.

Sasha was standing by the mantle, her hands in the firm grip of an elderly woman I did not know, she was all teary and I almost rolled my eyes. Everyone was pretending to be sad just to make us feel better. They didn't have to, it was our loss and we could handle it.

"Oh, you must be Avery, Sasha said you schooled away from here, I guess that's why I haven't seen a lot of you," the woman said and beamed at me, I smiled back, hoping it was not a sneer.

"I've been away, I spent most of my holidays and vacations here in Florida with Pa Harry." I replied and touched her old wrinkled hands as she held onto me.

With one last look around the room, I as already feeling suffocated and ready to head outside and into my Bentley go drive off, my Bentley, the last gift Pa Harry had given to me the past summer. Somehow getting on the leather seat awoke memories, in a less than three weeks, it had become my favorite car, somehow, I felt a sense of closeness to my late Grand father once I was behind the wheel.

"There are people here to speak with us," Sasha said as the elderly woman moved away.

"Oh please, can I quit acting like a doll? You know if rather be anywhere than here." I stated, factually and exhaled.

"You took a clean two weeks off work, Avery, where would you rather be?" She asked with a scolding tone.

"Does it matter? I just need to be away from here," I replied and looked outside, truly, the security was more or less dragging the paparazzi out of the compound.

"Could you please just dedicate the next two hours to Pa Harry? He deserves that much," she said, mirroring my exact thoughts. I stared at her, she was wrong, the moment he was put in the ground, it was no longer about him, all this was for looks and I wasn't ready to play host.

"Sasha, I know you keep telling me how I need to look good for everyone, I can't do that right now, not today, I can't play perfect princess," I argued, itching the leave the whole place.

"I'm not asking you to play princess, frankly no body is, all I'm saying is that an hour more of mixing won't hurt, Pa Harry is gone, all these people came here to pay their last respects, the least you can do is appreciate them," She said, and she was making sense, but then, we both knew it wasn't exactly the truth.

"Between me and you, these men are here to form ties and try to milk what they can out of us while his corpse is still warm, I'm not ready to play stupid like I don't know what they want." I retorted.

"Does it matter? We can't exactly cut open their hearts and see, courtesy demands we act nice, that's all, you'll be fine within the hour, it's rude to leave before your guest Avery, I'm sure mum taught us that." She said.

A low blow, yes but then it was not unlike her, I wasn't really living by her books and that always made me the wild one.

"There's something I need to tell you, Sasha," I began, there was no point trying to drag it forward, there was no way to butter it up.

"Can this wait? Please, we have forever to talk, can we see to our guests first?" She asked, clearly frustrated.

"No, Sasha, it can not wait, you no why? I don't care about our guests, the same way none of them truly cared about Pa Harry, he was a powerful man and half his friends were sycophants and disloyal pricks. I don't care what they think of me, I can assure you the feeling is mutual. I bought a ticket." I blurted, better now than later.

Sasha looked at me like my head was not seated correctly on my neck, it was not a new look.

"With everything that has happened, I need a fresh start I'm heading to New Orleans, I've booked a flight, it's due in less than an hour" I stated.

"What? You're moving?" She asked, her voice high and doubtful.

Maybe it was the best time for us to stick with each other, but no, I had a different plan, to be alone.

AVERY'S POV

New Orleans air was different alright, but not the good kind of different. Smoke was thick in the air and the city was bustling with life, unlike the slightly secluded estate that Pa Harry had built his duplex. I could do with all the life, I decided as I alighted my taxi and got into what would be my new home for the foreseeable future. I was looking forward to something, anything that would stray my mind from all the politics and diplomacy of getting my grand father's company to our control and planning out what would be what and who would hold what position. I would be more than glad to leave everything to Sasha, she was perfect with all the desk work.

I was more than happy with my job, I was an interior decorator. Yes, two degrees and I still ended up throwing paint on the wall and picking out sofas, but then it was the work of my dreams and I did not waste my degree venturing into what I loved. Pa Harry had teased me with it a couple of times, but deep down he loved that I was pursuing my passion.

Bags out of the trunk, I paid the man with an extra tip and he smiled widely and waved me goodbye.

My phone was vibrating in my purse when the gate rolled open and a valet came to get me, or maybe he was just a glorified housekeeper. He took my bag and bowed respectfully before leading me into the building.

On the third ring, I decided I had to take her call or I could die of paraplegia from the vibrations.

"Hey, Sasha," I said as she asked how I was and if I had arrived.

"Come on, I've been worried, you didn't take my call and I didn't know what to think," she stated and I exhaled, yes, ever the over thinker.

"I arrived ma'am, you can stop worrying now, I'm not a kid, Sasha, you don't like when you try to make me look like one," I retorted, I wasn't ready for her babying that always had a way of becoming a scold.

"I know you're not, you know me Avery, you know I wouldn't call, I'll let you be, but with all that's happened, Pa Harry and all that, I feel we should stick together," she said.

"Look, I just arrived and I'm tryna get a lay of the whole place." I said, trying to push her away, I knew where the conversation was steering and I didn't like it.

"I know what you went through when mum and dad died, I don't want you to go through that alone anymore, I'm here__,"

"Okay, that's enough, I get it!" I snapped, I was not ready to have that conversation. "I'm not some porcelain, and no, what happened with mum and dad isn't going to repeat itself, cut me some slack, I was a teenager, I didn't know better. Look, Pa Harry might have been closer to me but he was your guardian too, he was both our grand father and I know you're grieving, so please, don't try to play mother hen, I'm fine." I stated, hoping she got the message.

Sasha was silent for a while and then she told me to settle in and call her back, I hung up, not intending to call her back, at least not today, the whole point of leaving Florida was to be alone for a while, calling her would be the exact opposite of that.

__________________________________

Most people called me spoilt, but then, I wasn't. I'd been working since since I was in college and though it was at my father's office, it was a job I didn't joke with, my father was strict like that and although my mother could be all sweet and kind, she was not any less of a disciplinarian either.

My arrival in New Orleans did not stay as secret as I wanted it to, even with my line changed and my social media platforms on hiatus, somehow, my friend, Willow still reached me.

First, she made me feel guilty for not telling her I was moving and then she dragged my ass down to the finest club in the city to give me a "Welcome Treat." That welcome treat kept me up 'til last midnight and had me a little more than tipsy.

Four shots of tequila and three whiskeys after, I was ready to head home, Willow was waiting for her boyfriend whom I hadn't met yet and I did not want to be a cock-blocker. She deserved her fun and I'd had enough for the night, I was set to get up early and look for a good office space in the city if I had intentions of setting down permanently, or for a reasonable time. If reached the realtor and I had a list of places I thought would be fine, I couldn't do that tomorrow if I was too wasted.

At the parking lot, I saw a couple kissing behind a van, the man was groping her passionately and I whistled as I walked by, got into the car and drove out of the lot as carefully as I could, my vision was a little hazy but then, it wouldn't be the first time I was driving with a little alcohol in my system.

I was on the road, trying had to keep my eyes on the asphalt, one second at the time, the bright street lights were giving my head a terrible bang and I had to squint once of twice to be sure there wasn't a bump up ahead.

As I looked at the clock, it was 1:18am and my mind wandered back to Willow, she at least had a man for the night, I could not remember when last I had one of those, not like I was actively looking.

Almost immediately, my phone vibrated and I had to search myself for it, it was on the passenger seat and I stretched to pick it up, it was Sasha.

With a low curse beneath my breathe, I said "Hello."

"You'll need to be Florida tomorrow." She said, her tone hard, the ones she'd used in the past to make me know she was not kidding and I wasn't going to wiggle my way out of it.

"I'm scheduled to meet with the realtor and check out an office space," I explained, "And no, I can't move that meeting, I'm not taking that three weeks break from work, I need work."

"I heard you, look, I'm not ready to go back to Florida, I just need time away, can't of wait?" I tried to reason with her, she was silent for a while and I knew a tornado was coming.

"When will you ever not be self center?! It's always about__"

"Arrrghhhh!" The scream was mine, I gingerly stepped on the brakes as the headlights of the van came directly at me, I tried to swerve to the side but it was too late, head on, the impact flung my phone out of my hands and darkness overwhelmed me.

AVERY'S POV

The beeping from the machine beside me was worsening the banging in my head, I tried to reach for the alarm, but then, I knew it wasn't my alarm, I hadn't set one up since my arrival the past day, I wanted to sleep in and be well rested.

Just as I began to worry about my meeting with the realtor and if I was running late, the memories of the past night rushed in and I jerked up, I'd been in an accident.

My eyes flew open and I looked about the room, there was little to see, my eyes were struggling to adjust to the bright LED light overhead and the white walls.

It was a hospital alright and I blinked everything into focus eventually. I was dressed in a cyan hospital gown, laid on a flat bed and I had to tubes sticking out of me, nice.

As I became more aware of my surroundings, I realised someone was on the armchair to my left, it was Sasha, dressed in a tailored skirt, a tight white shirt and a pair of stilettos that Vogue would die to get a picture of.

"Am I in trouble now?" I asked, my voice was hoarse and my throat hurt but then, I think that was more about the alcohol than the crash.

"Avery," she rose, dropped the magazine she was holding and came to sit beside me on the bed. "How are you feeling?" She asked, worry etched on her pretty face.

"I can't say I am, if I was, I wouldn't be here now, would I?" I asked, trying to ease up the tension. Sasha wasn't buying it, she frowned and then looked at me. She wasn't going to scold, I could see the pity in her eyes and I did not like it.

"I'm fine, really, I'm more worried about the other person, who was it? Are they okay?" I asked, I didn't want her to panic over me.

"Drunk no doubt, it was a Van, we got that from a CCTV footage, they fled the moment it happened." She explained and I knew immediately it had to be the kissing couple from the club, I had recognized that van even in the alcohol cloudiness and darkness of the night.

"I don't want no charges, I'm glad no body is hurt," I said, I was not ready for all the drama of court and all that. I had just arrived New Orleans and I wasn't in a hurry to create a name or follow through with exhausting court proceedings.

"I knew you'd say that, I didn't press any, and no, you got hurt, and you got me and everyone else worried," she said and then looked me over, the scratches on my arm to the small cut on the side of my face, it was stitched up neatly and would no doubt leave a hairline scar there, another cosmetic surgery to cover it up. Great, I thought sarcastically and then tried to smile at Sasha and ease her worry.

"I had a mini heart attack, one minute you were on the phone and the next it was you screaming and I kept calling but you didn't pick up, I had to call someone to track you, you're lucky someone else found you and brought you to the hospital before it got too late." She explained and I nodded, I could not recall getting out of the car or how badly it was damaged, but by the force the van had collided with me, I was sure the Bentley would no longer be my favourite car, and it was a shame, I was already getting used to it.

"Avery, I love you, so much, you know you're all I have left in this whole world, you may think I have my job and a boyfriend but, listen, none of that matters to me more than you do. Listen, if anything ever happened to you, it would destroy me, please, if not for you, then do it for me, please take care of yourself," she plead.

It was much more than she would normally and I could hear the honesty and emotion behind every word.

"This isn't about Mom and Dad, I promise, it was just a mistake," I said, defensive, I would never try to kill myself or do something equally stupid, I was fine and it was just a few shots, a few shots I totally blamed Willow for.

"I know, but you drank, the doctors found alcohol in your system, I'm hoping I can negotiate that out of the medical report, drunk driving is a crime, I'm sure you can still remember that, you endangered yourself and others out there." She said and quickly, the frown was back on her face.

"I had a few shots with friends, and trust me, that van ran into me, not the other way round."

"It doesn't matter, we'll have to talk about your late night driving and clubbing habit, one has to go." She stated, in her usual bossy manner, I didn't want to remind her that she couldn't run my life, but then, I'd caused her enough worry already and I didn't want to start another fight.

"Don't worry, you don't have to decide right away, but you'll have to, or I'll make the pick for you," she said decidedly and then turned to grab her bag which was on the stool by the right, she dug around, tumbling for a while and then she drew out a manila envelope.

"What is this about? Please don't tell me you're selling the house." I said, it was not news that Sasha had never really loved staying in Florida, and with moving out and all, she might just decide to put it up for sale.

"Well, technically I don't even have the power to do that, you do." Sasha replied and passed the envelope to me.

Skeptical, I took the envelope but I felt a certain dread to tear it open. What was it about? Is it why she'd come all the way? Maybe not, it was certainly because of my accident but then, if it bothered her enough that she couldn't make it wait 'til later then if was a serious issue and it made me nervous.

"Will you open it?" She asked, looking at the item in my hand. I shook my head, not knowing what to say. "What is it?" I asked.

Sasha exhaled sharply and shrugged, "The lawyers came earlier to read the will, I managed to bring them to New Orleans but trust me that wasn't cheap. Seeing your health and all, I stood in for you. Let's get straight to the point, Pa Harry left you the house in Florida, his home here in New Orleans too and 70% of the company's shares." She stated, it didn't seem like she was joking.

I was overwhelmed, Florida? New Orleans? When I wanted a vacation, I didn't know it would turn out to be mine, and shares? I wasn't ready for company politics.

"But that's not all," she warned and I turned to look at her curiously. "What more?" I asked.

"There's a term to the will that says you must marry before your 30th birthday or lose it all." She said and my heart sank. That was in barely a year.