A Hazardous Meeting

Ava's Point of view

After my encounter with Nolan. I was almost patting when I got home. My lips tingled, because of the irritating kiss he gave me against my will. I'd bitten him hard. Of course, that wasn't enough to rid of this feeling of violation after betrayal.

I clutched the coat close to me in an effort to shut out that cold. The night was an Oppressive one. Suddenly, my head almost galloped, I was really trying to recall all that happened in these past weeks; getting married to Maximus while asleep and missing a big promotion, and Nolan coming back, it's so insane. All this can't but seem as some ill dream from which I want to wake from.

When I arrived at the Manison, I so such needed to rest my head as I began to walk up the stairs, rejecting the help from The butler. At the corner of the walk way when I turned, a sharp and deliberate were these taps that ran a shot of ice up my spine. My head turned as my body stiffened. And there she was; Sophia Blackwell.

Maximus's stepmother.

She was dressed in a fitted black dress, her figure perfect; her blonde hair drawn back into a chignon.

"Ava Sinclair," she drawled out, "What a surprise to be running into you like this.

I froze, my fingers clenched into the strap of my purse. "Mrs. Blackwell," I said, trying to keep the taut tone from my voice. "Is there something you need?"

She hitched one corner of her lip up into a sneer and moved closer, circling me in some kind of predator circle to size up their prey. "I needed to see you for myself-the woman who so effortlessly tricked my stepson into marriage."

I blinked. "Excuse me?

She laughed-the softness of the tone not holding a any humor. "Don't play coy, darling; you knew exactly what you were doing. You acted like you knew nothing about the wedding and played out the victim role. But we both know better."

I frowned, my hand aching "what are you even saying?"

"That you are nothing but a lowly slut after Maximus' fortune."

It lashed across my face. I opened my mouth but I couldn't find words, "What?."

"You heard me," she sneered on. "Girls of your kind are all liars and manipulators. Guess, you're already smiling to yourself thinking of what good money this wedding will result into."

I stepped backward, shaking my head. "You are wrong. I never wanted anything of this. As a matter of fact, I don't even know how I came to be married to Maximus!"

Sophia snorted. "Really? You actually expect me to believe that overnight you just magically woke up and 'oh dear! I'm Mrs. Blackwell'? That has got to be the most outrageous thing that I have ever heard."

I drew I. sharply, "Believe what you will, but I do not want, nor do I need, any of Maximus's money. I asked for none of this. If you'll excuse me now, I really must."

I partially turned away, before her grasp shot out, grasping at my wrist.

"I'm not done," she spat.

I pulled my arm out. "You are."

I saw a gleam in her eyes, and in one second-she gave a shove.

I gasped. My heel flew off the edge of the stair behind, and my arms flew madly; my stomach flipped as I lost balance. The world flipped, and in that terrifying instant, I was falling.

Then a strong arms caught me.

"Maximus?" I panted turning to see his face.

Immediately, pulled his arms around me and turned to Sophia.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He asked with a low tone.

To my utter astonishment, Sophia had guts enough to lie. She crossed her arms over her chest. "It was self-defence," she said smoothly. "She was getting aggressive, so I had to push her away."

 "You're lying! You did it on purpose!

Max frowned upon her, but he said nothing against the excuse. Faced back with me, looking my face up and down for injury. "Are you injured?"

I gulped, throat dry, yet still shivering. "No… that's a lie."

Without another word, he plucked me out of their clutch and swept along.

Max didn't answer her words.

"Maximus-

"I think you should go home, Sophia," he said finally. "Before you make it worse for yourself."

Sophia's face was red with anger, but for once, she knew she had over stepped her borderies

"Don't think this is over," she called after us. "She will ruin you, Maximus. You'll regret ever being associated with her."

Without a backward glance in my direction.

Me? I was still trying to piece together the action of the last couple of seconds, and yet, my body is shaking in spasms as Maximus held me and guided me to his car there.

The words came finally after he had got inside: "What were you doing out here alone?" He asked me coldly.

I let out a shaking breath, my blood still pounding from the adrenaline. "I was on my way home… then she just came out of nowhere."

He exhaled and breath and passed his hand through his hair. "Sophia has always been manipulative, but this. This is a new level of insanity."

I glared at him through my exhaustion, frustration, and confusion. "Why does she hate me so much?

His face darkened. "She sees you as a threat. She knows my father still favors me, and because I stay married, I get the biggest shares of the company. She doesn't want that.

I swallowed. "So it's all about the money."

Maximus's eyes fell on mine. "It usually is"

Some driving for sever"I don't belong in your world, Maximus."

His jaw firming, something almost pained seemed to shadow in his face for the very first time.

"You're in it, Ava," he replied, "and I don't think you'll get to say no."

Everything Weighed over me at his words, and for the first time, I realized-he was right.

This was going to be one very long nightmare.