REVENGE IS A GAME

"You're going to make me do it again, aren't you?" Ava's voice shook with a mix of outrage and desperation. "You're going to make me get rid of this one too." Logan's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. "I'm not making you do anything, Ava. I'm just suggesting what's best for both of us""Best for both of us? You mean best for you, Logan. Best for your reputation, your business, your perfect little world" Logan took a step closer, his voice low and even. "Ava, we've been over this. You know why we can't have a child right now, right? My mother.." "Yes, I know.

Because I'm just your chef, your employee. Not your partner, not your equal," her voice was shaky. "Just a convenience for you to use and discard. Don't try to use your mother as an excuse again. You tricked me the first time, but not again." The tension between Logan and Ava was intense, but she wasn't ready to back down. Ava was done with Logan always trying to play her. "That's not fair, Ava," Logan said, his voice rising. "I've given you a great opportunity here, and this is how you repay me? Even when I had several other options, I picked you to be my chef. You are not being fair." Ava's eyes blazed with anger. "Opportunity? You call this an opportunity? You used me, Logan. You used my talent, my body... Am I being unfair? I went against my parents and aborted the first child all because of you." How did I fall in love with such a wicked man? I only came here to work as a chef but ended up falling for my boss, and now I am pregnant with him for the second time! Ah, my parents warned me countless times to resign, but I refused. My mother warned me against going through with the first abortion, and I turned deaf ears, to the extent that they disowned me! And is that what I got from this man?! Ava thought to herself quietly. Logan's face reddened, his jaw clenched. "How dare you," he hissed. "I've done nothing but help you." Ava's legs were beginning to go weak. "Help me? You've manipulated me, controlled me. Suddenly, the kitchen door swung open, and one of the senior chefs, Susan, stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with concern. "Excuse me, Chef? Ava? Is everything okay?" Ava's gaze locked onto Logan, her eyes gleaming with defiance. "Everything's fine, Susan. Just a little... creative conversation" Susan hesitated, then nodded and backed out of the kitchen, leaving Ava in a confused state. Just as it seemed like the argument was going to escalate further, the kitchen door swung open again and Logan's mother, Ryder, walked in. Her presence commanded attention, and both Ava and Logan turned to face her. "Ah, perfect timing," Ryder said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I see you're discussing the... situation" No way did he tell his mother about the pregnancy. He said his mother would never let him get married to a pregnant woman! He lied?! I have been a big fool! Ava thought quietly in pain. Logan has always been a liar. Ava bowed her head and stared at me angrily. She narrowed her eyes around the room, sensing something was off. "Mrs Ryder, what are you doing here? In the kitchen" Ava asked her while trying to act normal. Ryder smiled, her eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "I'm here to take care of things, dear. Things like you" Ryder never really liked Ava from the start. Before Ava could react or understand the situation, Ryder nodded to Logan, who grabbed Ava's arms from behind. Ryder pulled out a syringe from her pocket and injected Ava with a clear liquid. "What is that...?" Ava felt her voice slurred, her vision blurring. "Just a little something to help you... relax," Ryder cooed. "You won't be needing that pregnancy anymore." Ava listened to Ryder's sinister laugh as she fell to her knees. Ava's world went dark as she felt herself being dragged away, but her vision was blurred, and she was unable to see a thing. Logan and his mother dragged Ava's unconscious body to his mother's room upstairs without anyone seeing either of them. "See what you almost brought upon yourself, right? Logan, I warned you countless times to get rid of this girl, but, no," Ryder's heart pounding, she took water, and sat on the bed. "You have a beautiful girlfriend and wife-to-be, Harper. The only child of a billionaire. With her by your side. Your lineage will be rich forever! Don't you understand, Logan?" He nodded and hugged his mother. "Mum, what are we going to do? She has refused to abort the child" "By the time she wakes up, that pregnancy will be gone. I just need to think about how to get rid of her". Ryder said slowly, and then buried her face in her hands and inhaled deeply. Logan's girlfriend, Harper, walked into the room, her eyes fixed on Ava's unconscious form. "What's going on here?" she asked, her voice laced with disgust. Ryder smiled sweetly. "Just taking care of a little problem, dear. Ava here was going to be a problem for you and your future husband" Harper's eyes burned with rage just after looking at Ava. Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Ooh, I have a great idea! Let's get rid of her for good. We can take her out to the old cliff on the outskirts of town and...accidentally" push her off.' Logan's eyes widened in horror. "Harper, what?" Harper pouted. "Come on, Logan. It's the perfect solution. No more Ava, no more problem, and just so you know, I haven't forgiven you yet for getting this maid of yours pregnant twice," Harper whimpered and removed her engagement ring from her finger "If you don't agree to throw this woman out of this house this minute, then our wedding is canceled!" Ryder stared at Logan angrily. He can't refuse, Harper is his door to many more riches! She thought. "Harper might be onto something. But instead of a cliff, let's just...misplace her. Take her out to the outskirts and leave her there. She'll never find her way back", Ryder hurriedly said to ease the tension in the room, and Ryder gave Logan a sign to hug Harper. He did and put the ring back on her finger. Logan hesitated, clearly torn. Ava's fate hung in the balance. "Fine, I will go with whatever you want, Harper." He said and kissed Harper on the lips. "So what is the next step?"

Harper's heels clicked on the pavement as she led Logan to the car while he wrapped Ava's unconscious body in a cloth. "Come on, baby, let's get this over with," she said to him while he put Ava in the back seat. Logan hesitated, glancing back at the house while his mother stared at them from the window in her room, encouraging them to go on. Harper's expression turned icy, and she was beginning to get frustrated. "You're not having second thoughts, are you? After everything I've done for you?" she said to Logan, who immediately walked toward her, and kissed her shoulders.

Logan shook his head, getting into the driver's seat. 'No, of course not. I just...' Harper quickly cut him off, her voice dripping with venom. "You just what? Feel sorry for the little chef? Please. She's nothing but a disposable mistake." "Yes, of course. I only wanted to be a friend to her, but she took advantage of that and tricked me. I only have eyes for you, Harper." Logan said to Harper and she was happy. Harper smiled beautifully when Logan said that. As they drove through the city streets of Los Angeles, her excitement grew. "I can't believe we're finally getting rid of her. She's been a thorn in our side for far too long, don't you agree babe?" she asked Logan, and he nodded with a faint smile. She watched as Logan's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, where Ava's unconscious form lay in the back seat of the car. She reached over and stroked Logan's hand. "Don't worry, baby. This is for the best. We'll get rid of her soon, and we can move on with our lives." "Yes. It is also going to be a long night, my little fox", Logan said and smirked at Harper. No way he was trying to be naughty in a situation like this. Such a naughty man. Harper looked at him and thought quietly to herself. The outskirts of Los Angeles loomed ahead, dark and deserted. Harper's smile grew wider as she directed Logan to a remote spot, far from prying eyes. "How do you know all these directions, Harper?" "Logan.. You know I do travel a lot, right? So that is how" Harper quickly said to Logan. Logan nodded at her. While Harper stared at Ava with a lot of resentment toward her. When they got to the perfect spot, Harper dragged Ava out of the car, and then she quickly jumped back into the car and told Logan to drive as fast as possible. I'm I dead or alive? Ava was unable to open her eyes, and her whole body felt like it had been hit with a rock. Slowly, her eyes flickered open, grogginess giving way to agony. She tried to move, but her body wouldn't respond. Panic set in as she realized she was unable to move a finger, unable to stand, or even lift her head. The sky grew dark, and rain began to fall, and Ava realized how unlucky she had always been. Rainwater mixed with blood as it dripped from Ava's nose and mouth. Her mind raced, memories flooding back – the argument, Ryder's sinister smile, the injection... A burning pain shot through Ava's abdomen, and her vision blurred. She was bleeding profusely, the substance Ryder injected her with causing her body to betray her. The injection.. What was it for? Ava thought about it, and she began to cry without being able to move. With a great effort, Ava managed to turn her head, her eyes scanning the lonely landscape. No signs of life, no hope in sight. The rain boosted, threatening to wash Ava away like a rejected rag doll. As the darkness closed in, her thoughts grew foggy. Ava whispered a faint plea, "Help...someone...please..." But her voice was drowned out by the rain, leaving her alone, broken, and adrift in a sea of pain. "I can't die like this.. Ava, you can't die like this.. Please..," she cried loudly, as blood kept pouring profusely from her thighs, making her very weak to even speak out correctly. "This cannot be the end, please, give me one more chance to bring the whole Blackwood family to their knees for doing this to me, then you can take my life, please" Ava managed to look up at the sky, and after saying that, she immediately collapsed. Lucas is a young man coming back from a long trip using the same road where Ava's lifeless body is on. "Hello, Nana, I am almost at home. I will call you before sleeping" "What are you going to eat, my son?" "Grandma, I am sure that I will be able to grab a few drinks by myself.." "It is almost midnight. You won't get anything now. Only if you have a wife. Then she would have made something for you at home," Lucas's Grandma coughed, and he could feel her voice shake through the phone. "At least bless me with a Grandchild before I die." His Grandma exclaimed through the phone. "Grandma, please. What is that?! Grandma, I will call you back" "Sir, don't look, it's just a-' one of his guards started, but Lucas's eyes were already fixed on the road. "What's that? Is that a person on the floor?" He demanded, his voice firm. "Stop the car." They pulled over, and Lucas rushed out into the rain, his guards close behind. "Let me see," he said, pushing aside his guards as they tried to shield him from this person's lifeless body. Lucas's face twisted in concern as he moved closer, and saw that it was a lady. Without hesitation, he scooped her up, cradling her in his arms. "Get the car, we need to get her to a hospital now." As they sped away, he held Ava close, whispering words of comfort. Her eyes flickered open, her gaze meeting his. For a moment, they just stared at each other, a connection sparking between them. "Please, save me.." Ava said, and her eyes shut close again. The hospital lights blurred together as Lucas carried her inside, his guards clearing a path. Doctors rushed to attend to her, their faces grim. "Please, you have to save her." Lucas held one of the doctor's hands and pleaded with him.

"Sir, we need to leave. We have had a very rough and exhausting journey. You need to rest, sir." One of Lucas's guards said while looking directly at him. Lucas looked at the operating room and the light was still on. 'Should I leave now? Perhaps check back later.' he asked himself quietly. Lucas dropped all his details with a nurse, and then he left with his guards. When Lucas got home he could not stop thinking about the lady.

Why would she be lying unconscious on the road under the rain and bleeding profusely? Did she get run over by a car, or what could have happened? He kept contemplating himself. When Lucas came out of the shower, his phone rang, and he quickly answered it thinking it was from the hospital. "Lucas, I have great news." "Who is this?" Lucas quickly asked, as he was confused. "Tom.. Tom fontane.. You put me in charge of looking for your mother, remember?" "Oh.. So how is it going?" Lucas said and ran his hands through his hair. "I am sorry, sir, but I think your mother got married to another man, after abandoning you." "What do you mean abandon? Did I ever tell you she abandoned me?!!!" Lucas screamed and ended the call angrily. He sat on his bed reminiscing about how his mother left when he was only 3, and how his Nana raised him all on her own. Lucas has no idea if his father exists or not as he never knew his father. Lucas went to sleep with tears gushing out of his eyes. (ONE WEEK LATER) The car was ready to go, and Lucas was dressed in one of his best suits that his Nana had given him. Lucas flew down here to Los Angeles from Australia just for this meeting. Hopefully, it goes well.' he thought to himself as he got into the car. When they got to the building, it was more than he had expected. 'Now this is what I am talking about', Lucas said, and smiled at his guards. He went into the building and someone directed him to the office of the boss. Lucas walked into the luxurious office, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on a man sitting behind the desk. He was younger than Lucas had expected, with a smug expression that immediately put him on guard. "Logan," Lucas said, his deep voice firm. "Thanks for agreeing to meet." he needed to sound like someone who knew what he was doing. Logan looked up, his eyes tightening narrowly as he took in Lucas's imposing figure. "Lucas. I've heard a lot about your...business dealings" Lucas smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. He felt proud of himself. "And I've heard about your family's...reputation," Lucas said to Logan, even though he had never really heard about Logan's family. The air was thick with tension as both of them sized each other up, their words piercing through each other's hearts. "So, what can I do for you, Lucas?" Logan asked, his tone dripping with false courtesy. 'I have heard from my other colleagues that Logan is a parent's child. Thankfully, he didn't bring his mother to the meeting." Lucas thought to himself as he scanned through the room. He leaned forward, his hands clenched together. "I think we can help each other, Logan. I have a proposition that could benefit both of us." Logan raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "I'm listening." Logan said sharply, and Lucas smiled. Lucas leaned back in his chair, feeling like the boss, as he pressed his fingers "I have been looking to expand my oil company's reach into the US market. I believe we could work together to create a new venture." Lucas said to Logan. Logan raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure how my textile company can help with that" Lucas smiled. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong. You see, I've been looking into sustainable materials for oil production and your company's creative textiles could be just what I need." Just like the saying goes. Tell people what they want to hear. He should be impressed by all I have been saying, right?' Lucas thought to himself. Logan's eyes narrowed, intrigued. "Well, you are right, we are the best, of course. Go on" 'Felt like I was talking to a child with the way he kept smiling and running his hands through his hair. Such an amateur', Lucas was so disgusted by Logan's childish behavior. Lucas leaned forward again. "I propose we create a joint venture, using your textiles to create more efficient and sustainable oil production methods. In return, I'll provide funding and resources to help expand your company's reach into the Australian market." 'Now, this should have him locked him in. Lucas thought. Logan's eyes widened as he grabbed the potential. "That's a bold move, Lucas. But I like it." Lucas nodded. "I thought you might. As a token of our new partnership, I'd like to offer you a deal on a shipment of rare Australian wool. It would be perfect for your high-end textile lines." Logan's eyes sparkled with interest. "Now that's something I can work with." Lucas stretched forth his hand to Logan, but before he could take it, the door burst open, and a woman walked in angrily. 'She looks familiar', Lucas thought to himself. "Logan, what is going on here?" the woman demanded, staring at Lucas, who was still confused. Logan held and kissed the woman on her lips. Then he looked back at Lucas. "Harper, this is Lucas. He was telling me about partnering with me" Lucas stretched forth his hand to shake her, but she hissed at him. Wait, I know this lady. Harper.. Harper Leigh? Lucas rolled his eyes, and he wanted the ground to swallow him at that point, as he remembered Harper. "You are working with him after what he did to me, Logan? Why?" she hit him on his chest and he held her hands. "Do you know Lucas?" Logan quickly asked Harper. "Ah, Harper. I see you are still holding onto that grudge, right? That was years ago. Please let it go." Lucas said with a faint smile on his face, and he rubbed his fingers together. "Grudge?! He toyed with my feelings back then in Harvard!" she said to Logan, who looked at Lucas with rage in his eyes. 'Of course, the universe had to bring in my ex from way back! I thought this suit was for luck. Lucas exclaimed quietly. "Lucas, you seemed like a perfect gentleman. I am sorry, but I can't work with you", Logan said, without looking Lucas straight in the eyes. "Harper, I thought we were both having fun back then." "Fun? You knew my feelings for you were real, but you decided to play with my emotions and humiliated me. Tell him to leave Logan or better still go down on his knees and apologize to me", Harper said to Logan, who held her by her waist. "Knee before you? I did what I had to do then. And I'm not apologizing for it" Lucas said, and immediately walked out of Logan's office. Lucas's phone rang when he got into his car, and it was a call from the hospital.