Vengeance

Chapter 24

Ava's POV

It seemed impossible to sleep. I was dreading the moment when the sun rises and the day of my 18th birthday begins. Sitting near the window, I stared into the darkness of the night. I glanced towards the clock in my room. 

3.45 am. 

Cool breeze blew over my face, I shivered. I pulled the shawl more tightly against my body. My tears had dried on my cheeks. The hiccups had stopped too. There was this eerie silence of the night, so deafening.

I always thought I would get married to a person I loved. Like my Mama, Papa.
I wanted a marriage where there was love, respect and trust, the way it was between my parents. But Arthur, he was nothing like my father. There was no love, no respect, no trust. He was psychotic. Marriage with that man was going to be like living in constant fear. Praying to survive each day. I thought, one day I escape this place. Or atleast bring them down somehow. But maybe it was not in my destiny. Maybe my fate was to live in this imprisonment forever. I will never be free. I will never see my family again.

How can life be so cruel?
They say, after every night there is a beautiful morning. But my night is never ending. There is no sunny morning in my story. This nightmare is never ending. But how ironic is it that today, I don't wanna see tomorrow. I don't want the sun to rise. I don't want this night to end. Because tomorrow, is my birthday, my wedding day, the beginning of my torture, a personal hell.

I glanced at the clock again. 

5.30 am. Time's running out. 

The night was turning into dawn. Birds had started chirping.

Could this be a new dawn of my life? Or will it push me into more darkness? 

I sighed. 

Removing the blanket I got up from there and paced around in the room. 
I had few hours left. 

Think Ava, Think! Is there anyone that could help? Martha? 

No, she can't do anything. 

I don't know anyone who I can trust other than her.. Think..

I went in my closet to grab my diary. It had all the things I ever needed to note down. I hoped I would find something in it.
When I was looking for diary, my eyes swept past an outfit, a sky blue jumpsuit. I quickly grabbed it. 

Vanessa & Veronica!!

How can I forget them. Those girls. They were only ones apart from Martha I ever felt comfortable with. Only ones I felt I could trust.
Will they help?
If there is even 1% chance, I need to take it.
They might be able to get me out of here.
But wait. How will I call them here? Hunt would never allow... not after last night.
What to do.. What should I do...??? 

I paced around scratching my head trying to think of some excuse. And then suddenly it clicked me. 

Ryan!

Ava, you dumbo! Nessa & Nik are Kings!
They will definitely come once I convince Hunt to invite them along with Ryan.
Yes!!!
There's still a chance.

I showered and got dressed. My bruises had faded just a little from my neck and arms, cheek was back to normal, swelling was gone, lips were healing. I had mild pain in the back and dark puffiness under my eyes because of all the crying. I tied my hair in a quick bun and quickly went to the door.
Of course, I found it still locked. I knocked with urgency. 

The guard outside opened it only barely, like only few inches.
"What?" He sounded bored.

Obviously, only thing he had done all night was stand there and listen to your cries, Ava.

"I need to see Mr. Hunt. It's important. Let me out." 

"No." He said without a second thought. 

"It's my wedding today. If something goes wrong, it's on you, since you didn't let me meet Mr. Hunt." 

He narrowed his eyes at me but stayed silent. 

"Do you really wanna lose your job?"
He searched into my eyes and stared right back at him, letting him know I was dead serious.
He slowly stepped aside and let the door open widely. I smirked and quickly rushed out of the room. 

As I was approaching the study, my heartbeats accelerated.
I stood outside the study and took a deep breathe. 

This is your last chance, Ava! Convince him anyhow.

I knocked and waited.
"Come in."
I gulped and stepped into the study. 

"Who the fuck let you out?" He shouted loudly and I jumped. 

"I need to ask something important "
I said nervously. 

"What now?" He asked. I was fidgeting. 

"Um...I.." 

"Don't waste my time." He warned. I took a deep breathe. 

Calm your nerves and ask.

"This is my wedding and-" 

"Oh so you are ready now? Locking you for a night changed your mind? I should have done this years ago. If I had known, you would have been saved from those beatings." 

I closed my eyes shut and patiently waited.
"Today is my wedding and there is no one present from my side. No family, No friends." 

"So..?" 

"I-I wanted to ask your permission to invite two of my friends as my Bridesmaids." 

There was pin drop silence. Except for my racing heart. 

"You have two friends? Who? How? Since when?" He said as if it was the most ridiculous thing in the world, me having friends. 

Butter him up, Ava. Speak to him in his language. The kind he understands.

"Sir, all that is not important. What's important is your reputation, Our family's reputation." I said a little venomously, but he couldn't notice my tone. 

"Since when did you started caring about my reputation?" He rolled his eyes. 

"Since I realized that I am going to marry in this family any which way. So I need to start behaving like a part of it."

"What does you inviting your friends has to do with my image?" He asked raising his eyebrow. 

"Everything, sir. You see, since it's the wedding of Arthur Hunt, son of The Christopher Hunt, there would be media coverage." He looked me intently. He was actually listening. 

Keep it up Ava. Spice it up even more.

"Since I don't have a family here, you can cover it up by making some story. But every girl has few girlfriends. Arthur must have already decided upon his best man. But if there was no bridesmaid, along with no family, the media might start questioning your judgement. They might question what kind of daughter in law you've chosen for your heir. They may even get suspicious. I don't want them to ruin my wedding. After all, it's once in a lifetime moment for me." 

I had got him into thinking. 

"Fine, that's acceptable. I want the wedding to go smoothly without drama. And the thing you are asking is something harmless. But first tell me who your friends are." 

"They are related to one of your business partners."

"Who?" He asked curiously. 

"Ryan King. I want you to invite his sisters to be my bridesmaid." 

"Hmm.. Alright. I'll give him a call. Now get out and go get ready."
I quickly left the study, ran to my room and closed the door shut behind me.

You did it! Fuck! Yes!
Nessa, Nik, you are my last hope guys! I hope you get me out of here.