Price for Survival

Ava's Point of view 

I woke feeling very hazy and I was still trying to remember what had happened but it still wasn't making any sense.

But what had happened? I whispered to myself.

I slowly rolled my head to clear my head. Finally, my eyes rested on the person sitting beside the bed.

Maximus Blackwell.

He was wearing a dark fitted suit, his dark eyes fixed on me. There was a document on the bed, close to him. 

I blinked, still feeling hazy, I was trying to sit up, but my body was too weak. Again, it was like the room was whirled in front of my face. A soft voice cut through my fog and I tried to follow it.

"Ava, easy now," Elsie said, rushing to my side as she helped to lift me easily into a sitting position, propping pillows behind my back to steady me. Her hand brushed my hair back from my face. "How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Confused," I muttered, still trying to put together what was happening. "What-what happened? Why am I here? And why is he here?" I pointed weakly to Maximus.

Maximus cleared his throat. His frame was still stiff, like he had some presentation. The tension that lay between us was like some thick veil, it made my stomach stir.

"I know all this is a bit much to swallow," he started , trying to keep an even tone, "My father knows about our marriage. His even demanding that you to come and make an acquaintance with him . In order words, he wants to meet his future daughter-in-law-but again, I don't want to force you into something you don't want and won't benefit from."

I scowled, trying to reach beyond the fog in my brain for what he was trying to say. "What does he want from me?" 

Maximus took a deep breath and a sigh. "It is not about what he wants from you, Ava, but about what he expects of both of us. All of this is game, I just want you to play along."

"Play along?" I repeated, and it came out all spilling like a question that I didn't want to ask.

This time, he leaned in closer, very serious. "Yes. For our safety, until we understand what is really going on." Finally, he looked down at the paper in his hand, then extended it to me; I took it, peering at the large, bold print but it was all so difficult to focus on.

"I want to propose something, Ava," Maximus said, "Our marriage… i want it to be contract." 

I stared at him, my throat suddenly going shut. " Contract ?"

He nodded, his eyes not leaving mine. "Yes, that way it will not feel like you will not be gaining anything. My father wants to believe this marriage is for real, and that's what we're going to give him . He won't take less than this. It's the only way to save us both from his control.

I shook my head, trying to get it to click into place in my brain. "Let me get this straight-you're telling me this marriage is some sort of game?.

Maximus didn't even blink, "It is not a game, Ava; it's just complicated."

I rubbed my head, trying to clear the fog in my brain. "What have I really gotten myself into?" 

 "My father gave me documents to his inheritance because I'm married. To you. That's strange and I wanna understand why?"

"But what about me, Maximus?" I spat I'm anger "What do I have to gain in all this?"

His eyes flashed a dark shade, "You get security. You get protection. You get a life that is free of threats,You get everything."

I snorted, my head was boiling."Everything? And what's that supposed to mean?

He stood then, his voice firm, "I'll put you on a salary." He paused. "I'll give you five million dollars monthly."

My heart jolted in my chest. I stared wordlessly at him. "Five. five million?"

He nodded. "It is no bribe, Ava. It's a way of us making this marriage work. I want you to remain with me and keep up with the appearance - and for the baby." 

I froze. "The baby?"

His eyes didn't leave mine. "Yes, the baby you're Carrying , that would be the proof my father needs of a valid marriage. And he would want you to keep the baby."

I was reeling with those words-the world spun again for me. "You would want me to carry this child so that you get the your inheritance?

Maximus let out an audible sigh; in an instant, his gentle countenance fell grim. "Ava, please-this is the only way. I just can't do this without you. We really need to make it as realistic as possible."

 Elsie who was quiet all along finally spoke up beside me for the first time. Her voice was steady , yet at the same time full of concern. "Maximus, I really believe that Ava should be given time to think this through. So much has already happened to her. She should think about this."

Maximus didn't argue. "Fine," he finally grumbled, with a deep sigh. "I will leave. But, Ava, this is the only way we're gonna make it through this. Just consider it."

He turned and walked to the door, stopping at it. "And Ava," he said in a softer tone. "Believe me I'm not after your body, just to be sure, this marriage won't have romance in it."

The door was shut gently behind him, and Elsie and I were alone.

I sat in the silence that had befallen us , the paper still on my lap. My heart pounding within my chest by all the things going on in my brain.

"What to do, Elsie?" I asked her.

Elsie laid a comforting hand on mine; her eyes filled sympathy. "Take your time, Ava. You have to just think this over. You can't make decisions like these without thinking it through."

I nodded in r

esponse, though inside I knew that there could not be an easy choice.