The Gold Digger's Cunny Game

Lucas' POV

I sat quietly in my office, clutching my glass of whiskey. The iced cubes clattered to the sides as I swirled the drink, the burn in my throat only half registering what was going on.

My mind was too busy demonstrating and eplaying the evening—the way Victoria had walked in, all calm and sharp, with that look in her eyes like she was still the one holding me. God, it was indeed pathetic. But no, it wasn't Victoria who caused this tight knot in my chest. It was Ava.

I expected her to sit alone, reserved and indifferent, just like in the contract she had signed. A contract marriage. Nothing more. He would just take the money, go home, and disappear, just as he had planned. Instead, it made me feel... something. I didn't even know what to call it.

She had been watching me, her beautiful eyes shining with concern as Victoria had begun her act, though I had been surprised by her, as if she was really... attentive. Ava cares right?

My fingers are too tight around the glass. I thought she was just like any other woman. After all, you know women like her do for a living: gold diggers, manipulators, always looking for the next big thing. She played her part well. She played the role of the sweet, supportive wife, just for days.

But then I caught her watching that night. She wasn't necessarily acting. He wasn't pretending real time There was something real about it. I stood up suddenly, restlessly pacing the room.

"Am I cnow razy?" I whispered loudly, addressing no one in particular. My thoughts were rudely interrupted by the sound of the phone vibrating against the table. I looked at him, my mind still racing. It was my best friend, James.

I answered the call with a sigh. "Lucas, you're not seeing things clearly. You need to stop falling time upon time, James said into the phone, in the same calm, steady tone he always used when he thought I was stupid. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my cheeks.

"What exactly are you talking about now?"

"You have an excuse for him, to night be awake, thatman," James continued. I know you. You've been there before. -You fall for his game. I won't let myself be fooled by anything. It's just a means to an end. It's just business.

"You fool no one in this village, never knew, at least of all yourselves, James replied. I've told you from the beginning: this contract, this cursed marriage, was supposed to be your shield. Your protection against all those who want to destroy me."

" I know what it is! I answered briefly. But her, what do you do, Ava? She's different to France now She's not like the others."

James stopped on the other side of the hallway, lowering his voice menacing " That's the problem, Lucas. You let her in too soon. I told you she was playing a game, and you never believe it. I was rubbing my face."

"You don't know everything about of her as well as I do."

"Oh, I know more than enough. I know she is only here for the money, for the power. Hell, she'll probably end up checking out one day, like Victoria almost did without warning."

James' words hit me hard and I was scared. I hate that he was somehow right. "I'm not letting her get away with this," I muttered, my hand gripping the edge of the table.

"Just remember who you're dealing with, Lucas," James warned. "Ava's no different than anyone else out there, don't trust anyone. She just knows how to hide it better."

I hung up the phone without a word, too angry to continue the conversation. It was wrong. It had to be wrong. Ava had to be different. But the seed of doubt James had planted continued to fester in my mind. Can I trust her entirely? Was he really just in it for the money? I picked up the phone and, without thinking, dialed Ava's number.

She answered on the third ring, her voice a little hesitant. "Hello?" I paused, not knowing what to say. What were you doing?

"We need to talk now."

"What?" She asked in a cautious but not cold tone.

"About what just happened," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. I saw how you acted crazily when Victoria arrived. It's clear that something is bothering you. You care about me and I'm not sure I'm okay with that."

There was defeaning silence on the other end of the line and I could almost hear him processing my words. "I didn't mean to interfere, Lucas," he finally replied, his voice soft but strong. "But when she came in here, saying she was right about you, I couldn't just sit back and let her walk all over me."

"I don't need your useless protection," I snapped back, my irritation reigniting coldly."I can handle my own problems, Ava."

" I wasn't protecting you in anyway, Lucas," he said, his voice calm but tinged with something else. "I only support you."

I gripped the phone tighter. "You support me? Is that it? Are you playing the role of supportive wife now?"

Ava sighed and I could almost hear her nodding at the other end of the line. "Lucas, I'm not here to take anything from you. I'm here because I have no other choice, just like you di."

I froze instantly. Her words hit me harder than I expected. "I'm doing my best, Lucas. But if you keep treating me like I'm a gold digger, then maybe we shouldn't talk anymore." Her words hurt me more than I wanted to admit.

"Ava..." I started, but she cut me off without respect. "Good night, Lucas," he said before hanging up. I stared at the phone in my hand, my heart pounding unending in my chest.

What on earth was going on with me?I understood I couldn't rely on her forever. I recognized she must have a motive, just like the others.But why did it seem like I was losing my grip by trying to figure them out?

I was the one who possessed everything to be treated. I was the one leading. I couldn't let go of control now, not to her, not to anyone.Yet deep inside, I realized something different.Something had changed.And I wasn't sure if I could halt it.

I gazed at my phone screen, the final chat with Ava resonating in my thoughts. She had ended the call on me. I should have felt triumphant as I always wanted, but instead, I was stuck with this unsettling sensation deep within me.What had just taken place?Why did it matter to me?