Chapter 8

Tom arrived at work in style as always. He got out of his Rolls Royce car that was driven by his driver and stood in front of the doors of his company building. The building stood tall and proud with "GREY INDUSTRIES" bold in grey. He walked inside and immediately he could feel the atmosphere change. Everybody knew the boss was here. "Good morning sir," the staff greeted enthusiastically. He just gave an approving nod as he walked past.

He walked into his office and sat down on his black leather chair. Sam,his assistant came in. "Sir,today we have a meeting with...," Sam stopped talking as soon as Tom raised his hand. "Where is he?" asked Tom. "Who sir?"  Sam asked confused. "Sam do I have to remind you of everything or what," Tom was getting agitated. " Oh,uhm sorry sir, sorry. The bodyguard, oh uhm yes, yes he's here," she stuttered. "I'll go get him." Sam stepped out for a bit before she returned with a tall guy in a black suit. "So you're my new bodyguard, your name?" The guy looked straight into the eyes of Tom and replied confidently, "Johnathan Steele, sir," Tom looked at the guy. He seemed well built, he looked sensible and the type who'd follow any order. He needed a guy like him after his last guard went missing all of a sudden, but he wasn't going to let Jonathan in on his secret just yet, he needed to prove his worth. "You're hired Johnny...for now," Tom slowly got up from his chair and stood in front of John. "You'll have to prove your worth or else you can kiss this job goodbye. You can start tomorrow. Hasta la vista Johnny boii," Tom said walking out leaving John and Sam behind.

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"Mom! Is anyone home?" Ava called out as she walked into the lavish doors of her parents' mansion. It was beautiful it had the best architecture around, it was well decorated with antique and imported art works and ornaments. "Mom! Dad! Allison!" It sounded like no one was home until... "Ava,honey!" She turned to see her mother,Carol Jefferson. Carol quickly walked down the stairs and embraced her daughter in a big hug. "Charles,Alli! Come see who's here." Carol was excited to see her daughter personally after months. "How are you honey," she asked filled with happiness and excitement. "I'm fine mom," Ava lied."How are you guys doing?" She could see how happy her mom was to see her and she didn't want to spoil it."Come on now, you must be tired," Carol said as she ushered Ava towards the sofa. "Ava dear!" Her father called out from behind them. "Dad!" She ran to her dad and gave him a good hug. "My baby doll,how are you?" Ava smiled at Charles. "I'm good." Ava and Charles sat on the sofa beside Carol. "So uhm, where's Allison?" Ava asked. "Oh well...," Carol put her had on Ava's shoulder.

"Well,well,well. If it isn't my snobby little sister." Ava looked up to see her older sister standing in front of her. "Hi Allison."

"I thought you'd forget about us after fame and fortune." Carol got up and grabbed Allison by the arm, "Is that the way to speak to your sister, she's come home to see us after a long time,the least you can do is be happy!" Allison rolled her eyes and gave a wicked yet annoyed smile. How could her mom expect her to be happy after what her sister did to her. She could bare the fact that her younger sister got more attention than her but how could she bare the fact that Ava married the man she loved. "I don't see how I should be happy for her in a anyway, especially after what she did."  Allison gave Ava a deep dark stare. Ava could see hate in her sister's eyes for her she couldn't bare it. She understood Allison's pain,but it wasn't her fault, rather it was all Tom. He played both sisters and tricked Ava into thinking he was a genuine guy and married her. Ava never knew Allison loved him until after she had already gotten married to Tom. He was the reason for Allison's hate towards Ava, he drove a wedge between them.

Ava always felt guilty yet at the same time she felt as if she saved her sister. As it is Tom was abusive and if she hadn't gotten married to him she can't imagine what she'd be letting her sister into. She wouldn't be able to live with the guilt of letting her sister stay in a toxic, abusive relationship,but maybe she was in it because Tom didn't love her, maybe Tom loved Allison and he abused Ava because he wanted to marry Alli. But why would he trick Ava into marrying him, it all confusing Ava so much.

"Allison," Ava sighed. "I'm sorry if you hate me but it's been 5 years since I got married to Tom. "Oh give me a break!" Allison was fed up. "Alli please let's just patch up, I miss my older sis, I just want the old Allison back, please!" Ava pleaded with folded hands in front of her sister. "Stop it ok! Just stop it!" Allison was fuming with rage and anger "Enough of this act! If you really wanted to have a relationship with me as sisters maybe you would've thought twice before stealing the man I loved." Charles stepped in front of her. "Enough of this drama, can't you atleast be happy for your sister,just once! You're still bickering over something that happened years ago!" "Dad please stay out of this, it's between me and her.Oh and you, you can hide behind our parents forever I don't care but just know that one day they won't be here to save you from me. Hopefully you'll suffer the same pain I've felt all these years." Allison stormed away leaving Ava and her parents in shock. Too bad Ava was already suffering so much. "I shouldn't have come here," Ava sighed silently. "No,no honey you did the right thing by coming. Don't listen to her, it's been long since we saw each other so just come." Carol comfortingly put her arms around Ava and sat her down on the sofa. You just relax and catch up with your father while I go get you something to eat. Carol left Ava and Charles to sit and talk.