The woman he detests

AVA

THREE YEARS AGO

"Can I come in?" I begged as the rain pounded against both the pavement and my skin, making me shiver from the brisk cold feeling that spread throughout my body. My teeth chattered while I stood outside begging him to open the door and at least listen to me.

Ignoring the after effect the rain had on me, I called out to him again. Through the window I could see him sitting on the couch, he was still in the blue three piece suit he had worn to the event we had both attended.

"Please, Ryan just listen to me! You're getting it all wrong!" I said, practically yelling at the top of my lungs just so I could be heard over the sound of the rain and thunderstorm. I knew I was nowhere near as loud, but I was sure he heard me

, "Can, you ah-t lee-east o-open the do-or. P-p-l-leease," I said through gritted teeth, as a result of the shiver surging through me. Hot tears fell freely from my eye, contrasting perfectly to the freezing rain.

"No!!!" His voice boomed round the entire house, giving me a front seat show of his emotions. I jumped in fear from the sound of his voice, his voice held hatred and detest, something I would never in my life attribute to the sweet, loving and soft Ryan that I know. He had just said one word and that word was able to rip my world apart, utterly and completely.

It was like I didn't even deserve his words nor his ears to hear what I had to say.

Slowly, I sat down on the ground letting my tears escape my eyes and roll down my pink cheeks, not caring how wet and irritating it was, not caring if the white satin dress I was wearing was going to get terribly stained, the worst part is that I also didn't care how harmful the cold outside, and my non stop crying was to my health.

After sitting like that on the puddled ground, for God knows how long, I stood up. Looking through the window, I noticed Ryan was no longer sitting on the couch, I hurriedly went to the front door to check if he had opened it. To the crumpling of all my high up hopes, he didn't.

I took one last look at the house I had shared with him for the past two years after we got married. I couldn't stop myself from shedding more tears as I walked down the lonely dark road of the streets barefooted, alone, and with nothing but the shoes in my hand.

How easy was it to throw two beautiful years out the window or flush it down the toilet without a second thought? I asked myself while rubbing my free hand over my arm to generate a little bit of heat.

Even though we didn't get along during the first phase of our marriage, we were currently living like we had known each other and had dated like normal teenagers.

I found a bench on one corner of the dark street and sat on it. My feet were hurting badly, it was so painful that it felt like they couldn't continue the journey to an unknown destination with me. I gazed at my surroundings, I sat near a locked store. I couldn't see much else though, for it was far to dimly lit.

I placed my head in my hands. I was shivering from the cold, so much that you could hear my shivering through my shaky breath. I thought about the beautiful life I had just been shut out of and reminisced about the memories.

My eyelids were becoming heavy, so heavy that I was having trouble keeping them open. So I laid down on the bench, tucking my arm under my head, and slept. I dreamt of the day my father had told me I was to be married, but not wholly

I had just returned from college after acquiring my masters degree in business management. I can still remember how happy I was to see my dad and introduce my boyfriend to him, Nathan whom I had met a month back and was madly in love with.

Excitedly, I had pressed the doorbell and waited. My hand was by my side, intertwined with Nathan, who was beyond fidgety. The door was thrown open by my dad, a beaming smile was plastered on his face which surprisingly fell when he noticed our linked hands.

"Young man, you may leave while you still have the chance." My dad said in a firm voice, glaring at the Nathan who stood beside me.

Shocked by his sudden hostility, my eyes were wide so wide that I felt they might pop out.

"Dad!" I exclaimed in disbelief while he stood there staring daggers at Nathan who had already removed his hand from mine, intimidated by dad he walked, no ran away from where we stood.

"Ava, doll." My dad called smiling at me.

Is there any chance my dad could be bipolar? I had asked myself.

Stepping into the house, "Dad, why do you always scare away my boyfriends?" I asked him in a calm tone, trying to keep my cool.

"You'll know when the time is right. " He had always said each time I asked this question.

I haven't had a decent relationship because of his behaviour, and I'm 21. He was about to walk to the kitchen when I yelled.

"I deserve to know now! " My dad turned around, surprised at my tone. He gave me the look.

When he noticed it wouldn't phase me, he sighed and gestured for me to sit..

"You're married, Ava." Was all he said

Confused and shocked at the same time, I let out a humorous laugh. I expected him to join me in laughing at his joke but composed myself when I noticed the serious look that was attached to his face.

"How is that even possible?" I demanded in a shaky voice.

"Your mum had you betrothed to the son of her best friend. Her friend was a great friend of the family when your mother was told she wouldn't be able to live up to your one year birthday because her leukemia had gotten worse." He was doing his best to keep calm but I could see the tears welling in the corners of his eyes.

"She wanted the best for you Ava, she had to sign you up for marriage with the son of her best friend. This man is now a billionaire so he will be able to care for you, and give you what you need. She had said that if she couldn't be here to protect you, she was sure he would take care of you. And so, her friend made me promise to make this marriage happen." I watched his shoulder shake in a manner that told me that he was crying, that was when I noticed the tears falling freely from my eyes.

I felt myself being shook by rough hands, immediately the smell of alcohol hit me. My eyes shot open to see a huge man covered with tattoos in such a way that there was no need for the black shirt that he wore without doing the buttons. His teeth were an apology to white and alcohol oozed from his breath.

"Can I help you with something, sweetheart?" He asked me,

I think my mind was playing tricks with me because I noticed his expression soften, I sat up immediately and was about to take to the hills when he gripped my arms. It wasn't the painful type of grip, but a firm one, firm enough to hold me still while his blue eyes were still staring down at me.

"Don't run, you look sick." Was all he said before sitting on the bench beside my shivering body.

I don't know this man, what if he's a serial killer, or a thief, or worse... a rapist? I asked myself.

I stood and turned around to walk away, but my legs were wobbly from the effect of the rain, which I didn't notice had stopped until now.

I tried to take strong steps away but failed miserably. I slipped and fell to the ground. The second I hit the ground the stranger rushed to where I was and lifted me up onto my feet. The feeling of his calloused hands on my arm made fear course though my veins. I was too freaked out to fight, and I was too weak to scream for help. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest, and then... I blacked out.

-

Beep! Beep!! Beep!!!.

The continuous beeping, and the scent of the combination of different drugs, gave me a massive headache. It was intoxicating.

Slowly, I opened my eyes but shot it due to the blinding effect of sunlight that hit me directly from the window that had been left open.

Taking my time to regain my strength, I tried opening my eyes once again. It took time for my eyes to get used to the blinding light.

Once my eyes had adjusted, I sat up to study the room. I was on a bed that I didn't know how or when I got on it. The walls of the room were painted white, so white that any colored spot on it wouldn't go unnoticed. The bed cover was sea green, the same color with the clothing was in.

Beep!

The beeping sound caught my attention again. I was still trying to adjust into the environment when the door was opened by a man. His hazel green eyes looked like he could see directly through my soul and his smile was so professional like it appears like it had been rehearsed for years.

I assumed he was a doctor, telling from the white lab coat and stethoscope he had come in with.

"How are you doing, miss?" He asked me. I gave him a quizzed look

"Good, how did I get here?" I asked, confused.

"Oh! A very kind young man brought you in two nights ago, he left you this note." The doctor said handing me a note.

"I've been here for two days?!" I asked in disbelief. The doctor nodded at me with a sad smile.

"Can you please send a nurse to this address for my belongings?" I asked. I was about to tear some part of the note but the doctor spoke again.

"That wouldn't be necessary, a young man brought them here yesterday, he said he was your ex-husband." my eyes widened, shocked at the words the doctor had just vomited

Ex-what? He didn't even want to hear my side of the story, Was it really that easy to dump me? How did he even know I was here? I asked myself these questions as tears began to run down my face.

"Don't cry, pull yourself together. It's not good for your condition." I nodded my head at the doctor's words, ignoring the word 'condition' that he had said.

I opened the note and read the words It was simple and understandable

"You shouldn't always judge a book by the cover"

-Luke.

"You're very lucky he brought you here when he did. Otherwise you'd have lost the baby."

"THE WHAT!!! " I shouted a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

-------------------------

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AVA'S POV

"Melissa! Melissa!!" I called the name of my two year old daughter as I frantically opened the doors of every room in the house.

I trotted down the stairs as fast as my legs would take me. I walked towards the kitchen to find a small human seated on the floor with her back to me.

"Lissa, you scared Mama" I tsked, approaching her.

She giggled, glancing at me before looking back at what she was doing.

Her magical, dark blue eyes always remind me of Ryan's when I stared into them. Her black hair and pointed nose, however, were mine. She is a perfect combination of Ryan and I.

I peeked over her tiny shoulders, "What are you doing?"

"Dwaing. Mama see." Lissa told me, showing me a paper. The lines were out of place and the drawing was rough but I could still make out what she was trying to draw.

My dad had taught her to draw shapes and animals, including the first amateur painting of herself.

The paper she was showing me had three drawings on it. It was a drawing of two big people and one small one right between them.

"This you, this me, this Dada." She explained excitedly, pointing her tiny finger at her drawing. I nodded my head at her, showing that understood.

"Mama?"

"Yes baby."

Her big eyes stared up at me, "Where's Dada?" She asked with a hint of sadness laced in her voice.

Numerous thoughts ran through my mind, I had no idea how to answer that question.

How was I going to explain to a child of two years what divorce is? How do I explain that her dad won't be coming to see her... ever.

He doesn't even know she exists.

I remember the number of times that I had called Ryan to tell him about Melissa, but never got the chance. Ryan always taunted me. He made the biggest effort to let me know how much he hates me and wants nothing to do with me.

I've promised myself that I was going to be the best mom, and the best dad to her.

God forgive me, but this is the only way she'd drop this topic.

"Your Dada is in heaven." I lied shamelessly to my daughter.

"Heaven with gra-grandpa?" She asked, tilting her head to the side slightly. I nodded my head.

Her small lips jutted out in a pout, "Mama, sowy don't cwy." Lissa said using her small palm to clean the tears on my face.

I nodded my head once again, picking her up from the floor and carrying her towards her room. I needed to bath and dress her up before taking my bath.

"Mama?"

"Yes dear?"

"One day I'll go to heaven and meet Dada." She decided.

"Will you go with me? " She innocently asked me. Of course,I nodded my head

-

We were seated in the dining area, having warm breakfast. I took my time to feed her as well as eating my own, I have become very good at multitasking.

"Mama!" Lissa called. I faced her while waiting for her to speak.

"Will you give me a new Dada?" She asked me.

I never expected this question from a two year old. I guess she must have seen the neighbours with their dad and it resulted in these painful questions.

I took my time to think about the best possible answer. Lissa stared longingly at me, waiting for an answer. I just didn't want to disappoint her.

"Yes Lissa, I'll get you a new Dada" I said to her. A huge smile broke out on my daughter's lips, showing her beautifully straight teeth. Her eyes sparkled... just like Ryans used to when he smiled.

I felt guilty because I had just made her a promise that I have no intentions on keeping. I couldn't give her a new dad.

The memory of how I had met Ryan without knowing he's my husband to be came rushing in

FLASH BACK, SIX YEARS AGO

"Dad, I'm off to the grocery store!" I shouted at the top of my lungs so he could hear me.

The grocery store was not a stone throw from but it was a trek-able distance so, like always, I decided to go by foot.

Upon reaching the store, I made a mental note of all the items I needed. I walked through the maze of aisles, collecting each item and checking it off my mental list.

I was done getting all I wanted and needed when I realised I haven't gotten sugar. With a frustrated groan I had walked to where it was arranged. Instead of the usual stake of sugar, I saw only one package.

I sped up as fast as I could so I could reach it before anyone else. I was stopped in my tracks when I ran into a huge wall of muscles.

Looking up to see who it was. Immediately I became hypnotized by dark ocean blue orbs, my eyes accidentally trailed to his lips. His lips were plump, pink and perfectly kissable. His hair looked like it needed some ruffling from me Which I personally wouldn't mind. I could imagine how smooth his hair would feel when passing between my small feminine fingers.

His dark eyebrows suddenly dipped, making me realize the awkward position we were in and how stupid I must have looked staring at him.

"Sorry." I muttered, my cheeks growing red with embarrassment.

Turning to the sugar, I stretched my hand to collect it when I noticed another hand aiming for it. A frown overtook my face as I hurriedly collected it, smiling like I had just won a trophy.

"Please, I really need the sugar. My wife to be, loves baking and I'd love to give that to her." The handsome stranger said.

His voice would have made my knees buckle and my stomach produce butterflies, I'd have also gladly given him the sugar... if he hadn't mentioned his stupid, stupid wife to be.

Rolling my eyes I said, "Well Mr-my-wife-to-be, I love baking as well and I'm pretty sure I bake better than her. So, I'll be leaving here with the sugar because I do it better. And most importantly, I got it first." The man's eyes softened and his shoulder sagged.

I was about leaving when I found myself impulsively stretching my hand with the sugar in it towards him.

He immediately collected it, showing off his perfect dentition, "Thank you so much."

I nodded my head and watched him leave. I pouted the entire walk home, disappointed that I wouldn't be baking this evening.

"Dad, I'm home" I shouted, opening the door and walking in.

"Princess, you came right in time." My dad said, walking towards me with a grand smile.

"I'd like you to meet Ryan," he said, pointing at the man sitting on the couch.

When he lifted his head, I discovered he was the sugar stranger.

"You?" We both said in unison.

My dad stared at us confused, "You both know each other?" He asked, confusion evident in his voice.

We sat on the couch and I told my dad about the incident at the grocery store I had gone to, making both him and Ryan laugh.

AVA'S POV

"Hello Tracy. " I said into the phone. Tracy was my dad's secretary before he passed away last year. When he passed, his company was handed over to me, since then we've gotten pretty close

"Good day, Madam." She replied politely.

"I'll be coming into town this week. I want to relocate to a place closer to the company." I explained

"Would you like me to inform the board?" She asked, trying hard to conceal the excitement in her voice,

Most of those that worked with my dad have no idea who I am. I plan to use that, to my advantage. You never can tell how the manager treats his coworkers unless you go a day in their shoes, you know.

Mentally congratulating myself for this mischievous plan of mine, I replied

"No, I do not want a single soul to know. So, act as if you don't know me when I come to the company." A small smile formed on my face.

"Will that be all? " Tracy asked with a hint of suspicion in her voice

"Just get some people to clean my dads mansion and employ a cook too. That will be all for now."

I ended the call and joined Lissa to watch the animated movie that seemed to have taken all her attention. I had just sat down next to her when I noticed she was asleep.

Picking her up, I took her to the bedroom we both shared and placed her on the bed. I covered her with the duvet and joined her in bed, watching her peaceful sleeping figure.

The doorbell went off, making my hold body jolt in surprise. I walked down the stairs quickly.. I stopped in my tracks momentarially to turn off the Tv before continuing on my way to the door.

On reaching the door, I threw it open to be greeted by one of the people I do not intend to see even on the day I die.

"Hello, sister-in-law Miss me?" She said excitedly, I just knew her face was hurting from the smile.

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"Oh that's no way to say hello to your sister-in-law. Your sister-in-law, whom you haven't seen for three years." Gwen said

She is the wife of Ryan's younger brother, Adrian. She absolutely hated me from the start and was determined to make my life a living hell. She hated me because Ryan was married to me instead of her friend, Ciara.

"What do you want?" I spat, glaring at her, I've never been so grateful to God for the sleep he had blessed Melissa with right now, otherwise this lady would have said things to my little girl.

"Nothing you can give, besides I heard your dad's company is going bankrupt soon. Poor he, his daughter couldn't even handle her own marriage, never mind run his Company." She said with a fake pout, eyeing me head to toe while feigning sadness.

I wouldn't give her the satisfaction she desires not now, not ever.

"Oh and that's coming from a lady who faked a miscarriage, even when she knew she had no womb." The look on her face showed me that I had just struck a nerve.

"I thought as much " I smirked, shutting the door... No, more like slamming the door in her face.

-

The incident with Gwen that night disturbed my inner peace, I couldn't stay in that house any longer. Since she knew where I lived, she'd stop at nothing to ruin me. I couldn't take that chance, especially now that Melissa is part of my life.

So I called Tracy the next day, and informed her about my change of plans.

We arrived at my dad's old mansion two nights ago thanks to Tracy, who made sure the house was neat and tidy.

The new cook, Isabelle, is a very young and beautiful young lady, with sharp curves and wavy brown hair which she ties in a tight bun. Her brown eyes were bold and adorned with thick long lashes.

Melissa has really warmed up to Isabelle, which offered me some form of relief.

Lissa rarely ever complained about people, but that's only because she has been close to no other person aside from my dad and I.

"Isabelle, isn't Lissa ready yet?" I asked, loud enough for her to hear me from upstairs.

She had earlier insisted on dressing Lissa while I got ready, so we wouldn't be late. I wanted to take Melissa out for dinner today.

"She's here Miss" Isabelle announced, descending the stairs with Lissa held securely in her arms.

I wrinkled my nose, "Isabelle, please call me Ava" I insisted.

The difference in our age was not even close to five years, and I don't like the title Ma. The title had a way of making me feel older than I really was.

She nodded with a smile attached to her lips. Happy with her agreement, I looked at my daughter. Isabelle placed her on the floor and streighted her dress. Lissa giggled and ran towards me with the cutest smile ever.

Melissa was dressed in a flare floral gown that matched the small snickers on her feet. Her hair was in a ponytail.

"You look really beautiful, Lissa " I admired her, kneeling to meet her gaze

"Aunt belle drr-dress me." She said, pointing at Isabelle. I chuckled at the new nickname she has given Isabelle.

I gathered her in my arms, turning my face to Isabelle. She's been nothing but nice to both of us.

"Thank you." I said smiling. She nodded smiling back at us, while we made our way to the door.

Placing Lissa in the back seat of the car, I fastened her seat belt before slipping into the driver's seat and driving off. While I drove i remembered to search for beautiful sites that we could stop by and have fun.

-

"Mama, hungry" Lissa whined from the back seat

"Lissa, Mama's looking for a healthy restaurant. I don't want you to fall sick after eating, okay?" I said, looking at her through the rear view mirror. She nodded her head, playing with the hem of her dress.

After driving for close to twenty minutes, I pulled up in the parking lot of a classic restaurant. Stepping out of the car, I turned to the passengers seat to unfasten Melissa's seat belt while she raised her hands up for me to carry her, which I did. I made sure to grab my wallet and phone before shutting the door with my free hand. With Lissa in my arms, I walked towards the entrance of the restaurant.

We were seated in the private area of the restaurant. I picked this spot to make sure Lissa was comfortable. The waiter that waited at our table had gone to get our order so I decided to use this opportunity to have a little chit chat with my daughter.

"Lissa?" I called to get her attention. She has been looking round the restaurant ever since we stepped in. Upon hearing her name, she faced me.

Taking her small left hand, I placed it in mine before speaking, "Baby, do you really like Isabelle?" I asked her.

I didn't want Melissa around people that would make her feel intimidated or uncomfortable, as that could affect her self-esteem. Feel free to sue me for wanting the best for my daughter.

"Belle!" She exclaimed in excitement, bopping her head up and down. I chuckled at her reaction, breathing a sigh of relief.

After a few minutes, the waiter returned with our order. We ate in comfortable silence, taking turns to feed each other.