The Ruby Obsession

Ava sighed as she sat back on her desk and stared at the blank computer screen

"It's like I'm from the stone age and I'm wondering what this shining thing is" She muttered to herself, apart from playing video games and checking her emails which had no new mails she had no use of the computer whatsoever

Maybe she didn't have any Electronic work but she had a lot of errand to run. It's like she wasn't even an investigative journalist but a butler always available when the bell rings

"Ava"

She snapped from her thoughts as she looked over her desk to the blonde woman seated at the desk just in front of her.

"Could you check the printer please, I think it's stuck" The lady said with a smile Ava found most irritating

"Also once you get the printer working Help me copy these" She dropped a huge pile of paper works on Ava's desk and turned back to her computer

"Oh sure" Ava muttered half hearted

I'm not your AI assistant she wanted to yell instead which she did in her mind.

She glanced over to where Desmond, the only person in the company that took her as human sat at the corner of the spacious office

"You got this" he mouthed

" No I don't" she whispered but stood,carrying the stack of papers she moved to where the printer was

She was literally everybody's servant,

Ava please get Me coffee...Ava could you send this E-mail....Ava could you order lunch...Ava this Ava that!!!

No one ever said

"Ava I've got a big lead onto something"

Everybody humiliated her knowingly or unknowingly and it was all because of her selfish, narcissist and inconsistent boss

OH GREAT SPEAK OF THE DEVIL

"Ava darling" Her boss was a short man with apparently no taste in fashion, he wore a pink flare trousers, yellow jacket over a black mesh singlet. He talked, walked like a crazy gay guy in a hair salon. He was the human definition of unprofessional and lazy...who could blame him anyway after all he's just a spoilt brat who got a news bureau from his rich daddy

Ava forced an insincere smile as he approached her

"What's my henchman doing trying to fix a printer" he said with a disgusted smile

Ava tried to avoid him as she tried to figure out the exact place to hit the printer with her heels to get it working.When she found a nice spot, she hit it with all the annoyance in her heart. It gave a loud thud attracting her colleagues attention

"Are you destroying company's property in front of me?" Her boss Mr Blackwood said, his tone flat

"No I'm just trying to get it working"

She turned it on

"See...it works perfectly" she glared at him then transfered it to the paperwork

"Now...to copy these paperwork"...she took one look at the document in her hand, her eyebrows rose and her eyes stung

"This is my tip" she whispered, she looked at her boss, eyes piercing, he moved a step backwards

"How could you do this to me" she yelled

All the clicking and tapping stopped. Everyone looked up surprised

"Hey... did you just yell at me?"

"I..I mean, tell me...tell me what you have against me, tell me I'm willing to change, is it coz I'm catholic and your Buddhist?or coz I'm Canadian and your Spanish..."

" What nonsense are you spilling" her boss yelled dramatically

"This..." She paused holding herself from tearing up, she threw the papers at his feet

"I told you about the tip of the drug dealers how...how could you not let me cover this"

She turned her face to the side ruffling her dark brown hair

"Ah...is that why you're getting all worked up, I mean the person who called you anonymously called a journalist in the company not you specifically, you just happened to be there, isn't this a company stop being so selfish"

Ava muted she couldn't believe her ears

"If you act out like this I might send you on leave for a month"

"Fine!!, send me, I'll go, I'll happily leave"she shouted

"Fine go...go,leave!!!" He yelled

She paused blinked taken aback, she wasn't sure what happened but she was going to follow till the end. She walked over to her desk and took her bag

"I'll send someone to bring your stuff but Ava if you don't have a big lead that might as well settle every one here for a life time, you can as well take you CV to another company...I'm firing you, do you get it?" He shouted

She gritted her teeth and walked out chin up primarily avoiding Desmond's confused and questioning stare

* * * * * * *

"Don't"

He moved backwards, A sly smile played on his lips

"I don't kill people"

"Then please don't kill me"

The tension in the air rose, the sun was setting fast and the golden light added colour to his eyes, Ethan's dark hair a classic and neat side part with a sleek flat top didn't help to soften the look in his eyes

"No...you're an animal, some animals are meant to be pampered and treasured but you're just a bush rat to be hunted and killed as game"

"I didn't take Ruby"

"My grandfather says otherwise"

" You can't trust your grandfather" the bald man said

Ethan threw his head back in a throaty laugh. In a different situation or maybe if this was the Empire Magazine which he featured in, it would have really been an attractive pose.

"I don't trust my grandfather...but I trust that he doesn't joke with his ruby" Ethan said pulling the trigger and pointing the gun to the man's head

"Vincent Walker is only using you" the man said, panic setting in, he was tied to the ground about to see a grim reaper

"To that I'm aware" Ethan's voice had always been soft...too calm it sends chills down your spine. He was always so coordinated

*I'll tell you what you don't know so please..."

"Shoot him" Ethan said.

A loud gunshot was heard, the man on the ground lay mute,head bleeding out

"Clean him up" Ethan said as he threw the gun and walked out

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

ETHAN WALKER: NEW YORK MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR.The headline to Empire magazine read.

Ethan looked at his picture at the front cover of the magazine and scoffed, he threw it on the desk and leaned back on his comfortable chair. He closed his eyes, he could Smell blood ..his hand vibrated and his chest tightened...blood... pleas...screams...death...

A knock on the door woke him from his nightmare, he breathed heavily as he cleaned bids of sweat from his handsome and multimillion dollar face

The COO walked in, Mr Bryant had a relationship dating far long with Ethan Walker the CEO of eagles logistics, he was a thin man of thirty with a cute innocent face and blue eyes. He was the only one who Ethan knew was as innocent as his looks.

"You never wait for me to call you in before you enter " Ethan sighed

"That's how you know it's me "Bryant smiled

"Are you here to tell me something or to Snoop around? "

"Did you have those dreams again? "

"Nightmares... It doesn't have to be night to call them that "

"Maybe you should really try seeing a doctor "Bryant said concerned etched in his voice

"What is it "Ethan said changing the subject.Bryant sighed

"Your secretary quit"

"Again?"

"Yes... She's the fourth quitting in a year, dude why are you so impossible? "

"Quit then...and leave me miserable "

"You're already miserable as it is" Bryant cleared his throat

"Did you see the news about those drug traffickers... I think it's getting into something else "

"Why would I care about that...Just get me a new secretary" Ethan said hastily

"I wonder what fairy god mother can be able to fulfill your wishes"Bryant said with a scoff standing up

"I will try finding" he said and walked out

"Fairy god mother"Ethan muttered

If his secretary could be a fairy godmother he was eager to have one

Would she be able to Grant me my wish without quitting? He thought to himself

"My fairy godmother...where exactly are you ..you're keeping me waiting Tor too long" he muttered as his eyes closed

Ava sat relaxed on the sofa, her eyes glued to the TV in the sitting room,She wore a white singlet top and short. She held a big bowl of popcorn in her hand, she smiled, laughed and hissed at turns while watching the program

Ava's roommate and best friend Elsa stood at the door of her room watching her, her dyed red hair picking out under the black bonnet she wore. She had an exotic look with piercing green eyes, a high prominent nose and thin flat lips that press together in a subtle smile giving her an angular and striking appearance.

"I wish I could work from home like you "Elsa said coming to seat beside her

"What do you mean... your jobless"

Elsa furrowed her brows

"No I'm not Ava "

"What do you call an actor with no acting gigs "

"I'm on hiatus... that's it" Elsa said defensive

"You've been on hiatus for quite a while now don't you think?" Ava's eyes finally turned from the TV

"The next TV program you watch that make you laugh this hard I'll be in it "

"I hope so then we wouldn't have to pay rent here... the landlord gave us a notice to pay or pack"

Elsa's pupils dilated

"You said you were going to try taking loan from your work "

Ava snorted, eyes diverted

"Well... um, you see... I kinda like... Got fired "

"What!! "Elsa shouted rising up, Ava flinched at the pitch of her voice

"You got fired "

"Kinda... I said kinda ..."

"What does that even mean "Elsa rolled her eyes

"I might get back my job... But I'm free for a month "

Ava stood cautiously and went behind the couch, Elsa got kind of Violent when she was perturbed

"... So your hiatus is over... go get a job or something or we'll be out in the street " Ava said dodging a pillow Elsa threw at her running into the room

"Ava, you wrench get back here... "Elsa shouted

* * * * * * * * * * *

Once in her room, Ava stood behind the door breathing heavily, and thankful that she had escaped her psychopath friend with her bones intact

Just then her phone rang, it was a no caller ID

"Hello"

"Ava Anderson "

There was a pause in the line

"That's me "

"This is the office of the real estate, agent we are calling to let you know that a new tenant is interested in the house your father late Mr Trevor Anderson used to live in, please you have a week to come and get his stuff "

"Okay... Thank you "her voice was a whisper.

The line turned off, her breath became unsteady, her heartbeat raced unevenly. For the past 6 months since she lost her father, she hadn't gotten herself to step into his house, she was scared, she was scared that part of him still remained there and that it would be too much for her to bear... But she needed closure she tried telling herself. She wasn't going to postpone it for later, she would go now.

She sighed breathing one at a time to calm her rising nerve. She quickly got changed and took her coat

Thankfully Elsa wasn't in the sitting room, she opened the door and walked into the cool of the night.

* * * * * * *

Vincent Walker stood, his red vintage suit giving him a more superior look, he puffed on a Cuban cohiba cigar. The smoke curling around his face like a halo

Ethan paused looking down at the floor

"...yes"it was a lie

His grandfather raise the brow

"Ethan "

His heart jumped

"By my hand grandfather "

Vincent breathed out

"Good... Come back home next weekend for a family dinner, important matters will be discussed... call Louisa too

Ethan cleansed his jaw

"You may leave now "

As he worked out, he realized he had held his breath for a long time. He breathed heavily of course he could go into the den of lions but not with Louisa, his sister. He'd done everything in his power to shield her from Vincent Walker and the family's business.

His grandfather was ready to turn his back on family for his Ruby like he did to his parents, he's own daughter and son-in-law

Money had beclouded his grandfather's mind, he was ruthless, dirty rich and old.

He walked to his Rolls-Royce phantom and drove out living the huge Mansion behind, his mind spiraling... Just then his phone rang, it was Bryant

"Hello "

"The real estate agent called... Head there I'll be coming too "

Ethan sighed and swerved his car

* * * * * * * *

Ava had just finished discussing with the real estate agent when a sleek car drove in. She sighed and turned on her phone, she swiped to her motivation quotes

"I can do this... I can do this, I can't... I can't "she sighed as doubts like a whisper crept in,

"... I'll turn a nervous wreck if I do that now "

She closed her eyes and turned to go, but bumped head first into a hard wall... Hard human wall, she blinked and staggered, he held out his hand to steady her.

"I didn't know people walked with their eyes closed"he said, his voice was soothing cool and quiet, she looked up and met deep dark eyes

"I'm sorry she breathed out "she found she was losing breath

"You're a nervous wreck "he said reaching out to straighten her ruffled hair

She pulled back involuntarily, he pulled back his arm and flashed her a smile

"You must be nervous doing business with me "he said

What was he talking about Ava thought to herself

"I'm Ethan Walker... You must be the real estate agent"

"No... I... "

"Ethan "a voice attracted both of them.it was Bryant, Ava breathed out. He was her Ideal type

"I just made the real estate agent and was about to start... "

Bryant reached out his hand for a handshake. It was in no way possible that she could see two strikingly handsome men with refined designers suits and who's aura screamed loudly: dollar bills!!

"I was just saying... "Ava said but her gaze strayed to Bryant's hand... It was polished, was it weird that she found his hand a classic turn on?

Bryant withdrew his hands lightly embarrassed

"You don't shake hands "

I'm not the..."

"Mr Walker "a voice called... Great!!

No one wanted her to finish her sentence

They all turned to the middle age the woman who walked towards them, hair tied in a tight bun, with a bright red lipstick on

"Who are you "

The woman looked confused, she was the real estate agent Ava had just finished talking to

"I'm the one Mr Bryant spoke with on the phone "she said surprised "the real estate agent "

Both men turned to Ava she blinked and swallowed hard

"I tried telling you "she said looking down herself confidence bar turned red

Ethan sighed surprised at his silly behavior

"Who is she then? "he said pointing to her

Ava stood still at the door of her father's house. She was here now there was no turning back, the incident that occurred some minutes ago had made her forget temporarily of her purpose and the fear that followed. She sighed, opened the door and stepped inside.

Ironically inside was more cold than outside where light snow was pouring, She feared the scent of her father would fill the house. Her throat tightened and her eyes widened

"Why "she whispered as tears welled up in her eyes. When the police had called to inform her of her father's death, it was impossible for her to believe it. Worst when she found out he committed suicide, she felt her whole world crumble. Had she been so busy?... Too busy to notice her father's increasing depression?, He would call her to spend the weekend but she had never had the time mostly because of her annoying boss... She didn't want to put the blame on anyone when she was his daughter and she had ought to take care of him like he did her as a single dad.

She breathed out and took a step in courage, another step... Soon she was digging through his clothes and folding them neatly.

"I'm doing it "she kept telling herself but her feeling of triumph wouldn't last for long, a small size journal fell from the pocket of the coat she was about folding

ODD

She didn't know her father was one to keep a diary, she opened the book nonchalantly and she glanced through the words, soon her eyes grew wide in shock at what she saw

I can't... I can't do this anymore

This isn't what I signed up for... People are dead and soon... I'll be dead, if I breach the contract with Eagle's Logistics I'm dead... If I cut him off he'll find me and kill me... I did it only for Ava... The business has to thrive for Ava but now I have to choose... Between Ava and Ruby

Ava's hand shook and she turned the pages, her breathing ragged.

He followed me today... I saw him,Ava has to stay away or he will take her too... I breached the contract, I can no longer work with Eagle's Logistics, I would rather die to protect my daughter

"No... No... No "Ava said hurriedly turning pages but there was no more... What? her father was murdered?

The only thing she knew was when her father's business crumbled, she knew it was because he had broken off contract with the company he walked with... She didn't even know the company... Her father had an upcoming fashion brand that sky rocketed speedily and crashed the same way

Ava stood up shook her head... Breathe breathe... Who was Ruby?

Choose between Ava and Ruby? Did her father have another child?... She didn't know, she had no idea... She ruffled her hair and paced hastily, Dad... You left this for me to find, didn't you? She thought as tears spilled from her eyes

She'd always known suicide wasn't an option for her dad, that's why she felt guilty, she thought what he was going through had been too bad for him to consider that option

She let out a loud groan until her head started spinning. She sat on the floor to recover herself

Two minutes passed...

Four...five...six... eight...ten

Suddenly it clicked

Eagle's Logistics... Whatever she got from her father's journal was that Eagle's Logistics killed him....but why?

She'd heard of Eagle's Logistics, it was a multi billion transportation company with branches all over America, what did the company have to do with her father? Why kill him over a breach of contract... Wasn't that way overboard in the family of too extreme?

Unless...

What did her father uncover to silence him?

The CEO was behind pulling the strings, following her father and then killing him?

Hot tears flowed from her eyes. She decided in her heart then...

Whatever it took to uncover the truth and drag Eagle's Logistics down to hell she would... They would all burn together

* * * * * * *

Bryant glanced at the troubled Ethan from the rear view mirror, he sighed out

"Are you still flustered "

Ethan looked up, a look of disbelief on his face

"Flustered? "

"... I'm well over embarrassed "

"You didn't know she wasn't a real estate agent "

"I didn't know I had so much pride in me... I was about bragging to her how I'm usually impossible to work with since I'm rich and all but I'm very easy going actually "

Ethan shook his head in shame, Bryant chuckled

"You shouldn't take all the blame then... She should have some too... Should have cleared the air immediately but she didn't "

Ethan's eyes lit up

"That's true "he said but looked downcasted again

"I didn't give her time to speak "

Bryant sighed, Ethan might be seen as the man all of the ladies in New York wanted but it didn't help him live up to it. In fact he didn't have to work hard to earn New York's most eligible bachelor, his looks, he's wealth, those eyes and his soft soothing voice, he didn't have to make an effort.

"Ah... That's right have you sent out the notice that we're looking for laborers with no credentials at all?" Ethan said looking up

"Yes, we've started getting applications but are you sure you don't want just male employees, it's going to be hard labor "

"Do you know what male is in today's world?, Just make it open to all, besides not all packages are heavy" Ethan said

"You need to get a secretary quick, I can't be doing this for you all the time "

"Haven't you found any yet "

"We need to find someone new, the staffs in the company are all unwilling to work closely with you... Man what exactly did you do?"

"I only ask for one wish "

"They are not fairies Ethan what's the wish? "

"If you're willing to be my secretary I'll tell you "

"Sorry, but my job has a higher pay "

Bryant said and they chuckled

Ethan rested back as the car moved into his apartment 432 Park Avenue, 111 Murray Street

"If I told you my wish you'd be heartbroken " Ethan said to himself

* * * * * * *

When Ava got home, Elsa was sitting on the couch waiting for her

"So... Did you find any job? "Elsa asked almost immediately

Ava was weak and spent from her discoveries but she didn't mind Elsa, it was never her thing to read the room

"I didn't go looking for a job "

Elsa opened her mouth in shock

"You didn't go looking for a job, I did and I'm currently employed "

As if... We are not going to live on the street though... I've decided to use it "

IT was the bankbook her father left her it contained thirty thousand dollars, she had felt too guilty to use it, and had thought of donating the money to a charity foundation but now she was going to use it to uncover the truth about her father's death and Eagle's Logistics, and to do that she had to have a roof over her head.

"But I got a job though and I'm taking it... No credentials required, I think you should too"Elsa was saying but she's sighed, walking to her room

"I don't have time to get a job, I have other things to do"

"Says the unemployed... I'm happy I got the job though who knows I might as well bump into dreamy Ethan Walker of Eagle's Logistics. Ava paused in her tracks, she turned to Elsa immediately

"Did you just say Eagle's Logistics?"

"Yes... Ava, I don't have water in my mouth "

"I'm being serious "Ava walked up to her and held her arms. Elsa's eyes widened

"Yes, it's just a warehouse work not anything serious "

"I need that job "Ava said, the first tinge of excitement running down her spine

"Um....okay"Elsa said cautiously stepping away from Ava's hold, she was the one known for being a psycho but when Ava got in the mood it wasn't really funny

Ava walked back to her room,she thought silently, she had to be in the lion's den to get the lion after all. She would uncover the truth about her father and earn bonus point as an investigative journalist

How is this for a big tip boss?

If she did uncover this, she would get recruited by top media companies, kissing her boss goodbye, she'd have closure from her father's death in knowing she'd done Justice. Her life would be better just by the downfall of one man, the CEO of Eagles Logistics whatever his name was.

Okay then let the journey begin!!