Chapter Six

Lucien had come to get us shortly after, saying that he wasn't able to hold off the cooking staff much longer, and Marion herself was getting impatient. Charles and Lucas had already been summoned from wherever they were, and were waiting for us in the dining room. I tried to trail in behind Ashton and Lucien, unnoticeable at first, until they separated to take their seats, and left me in the open. I froze up when I laid eyes on the elegant woman seated at the head of the table in front of me. She had long, golden blonde hair, done up in a stylish bun, with a beautiful flower clip in it. Her eyes were a bright mix of blue and green, her skin a glowing, tanned bronze, like she spends a lot of time on tropical beaches in the beating sun.

To say the least, she was gorgeous. Ashton grabbed my hand and tugged on it gently, leading me towards a seat a little further down the table. Charles was seated next to his mother on her left, Lucien on her right, and Lucas next to Lucien. Ashton took a seat next to his brother, and seated me on the other side. I was thankful to be so far away from everyone, and closer to Lucas and Ashton. Out of everyone, they were probably the lesser of all evils.

"Well, who is this now?" Marion called out, finally taking notice to me. Ashton cleared his throat and took hold of my hand lightly.

"Mother, this is my girlfriend, Ava. She has come to stay with us for the week," he said, his voice tremoring a little. Lucien nodded at him in slight approval.

"A girlfriend? How come you never told me about this? How long has this been going on?" she asked, clearly upset.

"Relax, mother. You came all this way to catch up, and we can do exactly that. We have all been busy here, we haven't had the chance to check for any messages or incoming mail, your arrival was just a shock." I was a little proud myself at the way Ashton handled his mother, sounding so sophisticated. She frowned, but kept her mouth shut, eyeing me suspiciously. I didn't blame her, I would be quite suspicious too if I sent my son to another country, and he shows up with a girlfriend suddenly.

Marion let the subject drop and quickly moved on to something else, talking about a gala of some sort she had been to, talking to everyone like we all knew what she was saying. I, at least, had no idea what was going on. I kept my head down and pushed around my food to seem distracted, but looked up and nodded every once in a while, to also seem like I was listening. Marion seemed like the kind of woman who scolded those who were disrespectful.

"Well, that was just lovely," Marion said, after we finished off the lava cake desert. I was disappointed that she had ended dinner so soon, before I could even mention seconds of the cake. Ashton noticed my frown, and laughed at me.

"What's so funny?" I sneered, narrowing me eyes at him. He continued to chuckle under his breath, not saying a word. Marion called everyone's attention again.

"Shall I propose we have tea in the garden in an hour? I would like us to catch up, but I want to get settled in my room first. I assume it has been prepared for me?" she asked, though it didn't really sound like a question, and looked pointedly at Lucien. He bowed and smiled back at her.

"Yes, sister, your room is as you like it. I will take you and help bring your things," he said and rushed her out of the room, not before shooting a glare at the rest of us over his shoulder.

"Alright, does someone want to tell me, what the bloody hell is going on here?" Charles cried, placing his hands on the table and narrowing his eyes between Ashton and I. "Since when are you two a thing? Since when have you even fancied her?" he asked, looking more at Ashton, with a mixed look of shock and disgust. I was slightly offended; he didn't ask how I could ever like someone like Ashton.

"Relax, brother, it's fake. This is Lucien's brilliant idea to explain to mother why Ava is here, and what you and I have been up to these last few years," Ashton explained softly, not even flinching at Charles harsh glare. I wondered why he was so angry. Maybe because even though they were siblings, they were also still partners, in a way, and he was left out of something.

"So, what's the plan then? You have obviously talked this over. If we want this to work, we all need to know what the act is," Lucas said.

Ashton nodded. "While mother is here, she is going to believe that Ava and I are a couple, and she is staying with us for the week, while we are on vacation from school. I haven't figured out a back story, but we have another hour now to come up with something. So far, that's all we have."

"Alright, well, think of something fast. In the meantime, I suppose that means I should come up with something as well," Charles grumbled, and slowly walked off, lost in thought. Lucas remained standing across from us, his eyes darting back and forth.

"Is there something wrong, Lucas?" Ashton finally asked.

"I didn't picture it before, but you guys do make a good couple," he said, and dashed out the door, a giddy smile on his face. I felt the heat instantly rise to my cheeks and ears. I ducked my head and bit my lip, trying to contain my embarrassment at what he said. Was that really true?

I peeked up at Ashton to see his reaction, and I was surprised to see that he too looked a little red around the back of his neck, his head turned away from me.

"Come on, we have an hour to come up with a back story for how we met, and figure out how to remember it all so we don't screw this up. My mother is sometimes gullible, but she isn't stupid, and is in fact quite sharp. Especially when someone is trying to deceive her," he said, still not looking at me.

"Good thing I'm working with you and your Uncle, right?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood, but I could still feel the heat on my cheeks.

Ashton finally turned to me and frowned. "Me, yes," he paused. "My Uncle, however, is not good at lying to my mother. Or rather, my mother is really good at telling when he is lying to her. Having him on your side may not be the best thing, but don't worry, this isn't rocket science. I can't imagine she will stay in America for much longer, she hasn't never cared much for the country, and her business affairs somehow always interrupt and take her away at random."

He spoke with a slightly bitter tone, his eyes not meeting mine. Something told me, he was speaking from past personal experiences. His eyes were still cold, but they showed a hint of emotion, one I couldn't quite place my finger on. Regret? Remorse? What for? He blinked his eyes and it disappeared.

We sat back down at the dining room table and tried to think of ideas. The main story was already there; the pieces were just missing.

"What Universities are around here?" Ashton asked.

"Well, we can just say the best-known University, UCLA." It was the school I wanted to attend, but knew I never could. Especially if this didn't go well, and I meant either situations I was now placed in.

"What can you study there?" I looked at him, dumbfounded. He sounded as if he had never been to a school before, or even heard of University.

"How do you not know what they study in University? You can study anything there, literally almost any hobby or passion you have, there is a University for it somewhere."

Ashton frowned at me, and it almost seemed like my question bothered him. Was I right? Had he never really heard anything about school? Did he even have a passion, besides bounty hunting?

"What is your passion?" I asked softly. He looked surprised, the frown wiping from his face. It was momentary, before his eyes went back to be cold and emotionless, his mouth a hard line, revealing nothing.

"We don't have time for this, Ava." I pouted, knowing he was right. I wanted to know, though. For some reason, a part of me wanted to know if he had any passions, and if so, what they were, and why. I wasn't sure why I was so curious about him, I shouldn't give a crap what he does or likes.

We continued to cover our back story, letting the conversation drop. We both settled on saying we met during our first year of Business and Communications, during the school's orientation. We started dating a few months after that, and it has been almost a year since. That way, it has been long enough for her to hopefully not be upset, when it comes to not telling her, and long enough for me to already be staying over at his place for summer vacation, before we "return to class".

"Do you think we can really pull this off?" I asked Ashton, while we waited for Lucien to say everything was prepared for tea in the garden. I felt like I was in some sort of fancy British soap opera; except I was the outcast character, trying to fit in with the elegant ones.

"I'm not entirely sure, but I guess we're going to have to find out." That didn't encourage me. I was a little disappointed that Ashton and I had spent so much time trying to come up with lies, that I didn't have any time to freshen up myself before officially meeting his mother. Sure, we met at lunch, but this time we were meeting specifically to talk about everything we just tried to come up with. How can you fake a whole year, with someone you have just barely met, to someone you have just met?

Marion was waiting for us at a large, circular white table, adorned with a wide umbrella on top, and lots of tasty looking snacks. I had been upset about missing out on seconds of the cake, but seeing all the tiny finger sandwiches and cookies, that disappointment went away quickly. I tried not to load my plate as much as I wanted, keeping in mind that I was about to do a lot of talking, and remembering. I didn't want to let the distraction of food get in my way.

"So, where to begin? It feels like ages since I have last seen you boys, and it seems I have missed out on quite a lot," Marion said, giving me a look. I wasn't sure if it was good or bad, but there was a ghost of a tight smile on her lips.

"I want to begin with the story of you two, since this is my first time ever hearing of you…"

"Ava, Miss." I nodded my head respectfully and straightened my posture. I was raised in a very posh and sophisticated house myself, I knew how to cater to people like her. She gave me a little smile of satisfaction.

"Very well mannered, and you are quite beautiful as well." I was taken back by her compliment.

"Thank you, mam," I muttered, trying to not look phased. There was a chance she was just trying to throw me off.

"So what is the story between you two?" she asked again, gesturing eagerly with her finger. Ashton sat forward, and started our fake back story. I tried my best to keep up with him, catching all the slight hints and cues for when I should speak. His mother stayed indifferent to most it, only widening her eyes slightly when Ashton mentioned he was in school.

"You're in school now? That is surprising, and another thing I am shocked I wasn't told of. Why have you kept so many important things from me? Do you really despise your mother that much?" I wasn't sure if she was serious or not. Despise was a strong word.

"I'm sorry mother, as you can probably assume, I have been busy. Even this summer, I am trying my hardest to earn an honest living, but have taken a break the past week until I return to classes with Ava." I could tell Ashton was getting tired of having to deceive his mother; or he was just tired of his mother. Their relationship was hard to put together.

"Well, I'm just glad you're doing something with your life, and not stuck in some dead-end job, or worst; a criminal." Everyone at the table hesitated at the mention of the word. Ashton cleared his throat, his smile tight and posture rigid.

"Of course, mother. I know better than that. Charles and I are doing fine here with Lucien, he is providing for us well, and leading us both down the right path." That was a clear hint to pass the conversation off to Charles himself, and take the limelight off us. I was relieved when his mother fell for it, and started questioning Charles as to what he has been up to.

He shot his brother a slight glare, before launching into his own made-up back story, one I wasn't able to keep up with. I took the time to start devouring some of the small treats on my plate, savouring the flavors, a big upgrade from my bland daily prison meals.

Lucien soon ended the get together, saying he had business to attend to, and needed the help of Ashton. I excused myself along with them, not wanting to be left alone with Marion. I gave the garden one last fleeting look, before rushing back into the house behind Ashton and Lucien. We stopped at the bottom of the stairs and Lucien turned to address us.

"Ashton, I have some things I want to discuss with you, meet me in my office." Ashton nodded and dashed up the stairs, leaving me alone with a rather nervous looking Lucien.

"I don't want Marion asking anymore questions. Return to your room, I will come up with an excuse as to why you are absent for the night, and bring you something for dinner later," he said and pushed me up the stairs. I inwardly groaned and trudged back to my prison room, cringing at the dark and damp atmosphere that welcomed me when Lucien opened the door. He shut it quickly and locked it. I could hear his footsteps scurry down the hall.

I wondered what had his nerves on edge, then realized I didn't really care. Unless it was my dad making a rather large threat, enough to shake Lucien, then I wasn't interested in his well-being. Regardless of how 'nice' he has been, it didn't change how much of a criminal and murderer he was. I had to keep my wits about me here, I was slowly losing them.

Especially around Ashton.

The more time I spent with him, the more I forgot where I was, and how much my life was in danger being in this house, surrounded by these people. But he made me forget all of it, just being in his presence. The feeling scared me, I shouldn't feel this way. No matter how hard I tried to fight it, they never faltered. It wasn't my fault he was so incredibly handsome, and had that sexy accent. I could tell he had a sweet side, which made me want to get even closer to him, to see what it looks like.

I was a hopeless romantic. If my life was a book, then it was inevitable that I would fall for the bad boy, the mystery guy, like Ashton. But he was so much more than that. He was all the novel stereotypes in one. Mysterious, handsome, strong, brave, maybe even romantic and sensitive. Regardless what he really was, something in me wanted to know more about him.

My time spent waiting until Lucien arrived with dinner was spent thinking about Ashton, even though my brain fought to try and banish the thoughts, my mind had other plans. The color of his eyes flashed before me every time I tried to close my eyes and think of other things, and even the books and magazines that were left for me reminded me of him somehow.

Lucien looked better than he did before when he finally arrived at my door with food. He didn't tell me how he managed to explain my absence at dinner. Instead, he gave me a small smile.

"Your father has contacted me," he said slowly. I perked up, relief and joy washing over me. I was finally going to go home. This whole crazy nightmare can be over.

"What did he say? Is he going to pay what you want?" I asked eagerly, putting my food aside, my appetite forgotten. My hope faltered when Lucien's smile dropped a little.

"Not exactly, maybe I should have explained myself further, but we never really had the time." Lucien welcomed himself inside and gestured for me to take a seat on one of the couches in the small lounge area the room provide in the right corner.

"You see, the relationship between your father and I go far back, we were once rather close."

I furrowed my brows in confusion, wondering how my father could ever be friends, or even acquaintances, with a man like Lucien.

"Long story short, your father double-crossed me and cut me out of a very large deal, leaving me to pick up the scraps afterwards. I don't take kindly to those who backstab me, and take all my money, so what I want is more than some ransom."

"What do you want then? His life?"

"No, that's so typical. I want his fortune, his name, everything he owns. I want it all. I want to leave him with nothing, like he left me, except he will have the privilege of not seeing what the inside of a jail cell looks like," he sneered.

That would mean, we would lose everything. Our house, our cars, probably even the clothes on our backs. How does he plan to do that?