Chapter 5

Hearts racing, the sudden silence in her mind as she started praying, tears rolling down her cheeks as she mumbled the words. It was a beautiful morning – but she has to prepare for the worst. Ava always kept her feeling locked in – now they are slowly escaping.

She kept on replaying what Macy said in her head, the company was falling apart, and her dream of becoming like the great Alexander McQueen was about to be ruined.

Her mind was racing as she punched the wall and screamed – trying to summon confidence while she clenched her fists.

She believed in her heart there was still a way to raise again, with a glimpse of hope. She stood up and took the documents she left on the bed, Ava was willing to fight for her company – even if she as to make a deal with the devil, she won't give up so easily.

Ava's heart turned cold as she thought about Angela, if she makes it out of this situation, she promised herself that Angela would pay for everything she did to her.

She was putting all her emotions aside as she slammed the papers on the desk, the Wells Fargo bank manager's face was indifferent, and his voice was cold as he explained everything.

The bank got a report about Ava's company secretly laundering money in the bank and covered it up in the name of fashion they claimed to get the information from a snitch working within the premises, who got greedy and ratted them out.

The FBI and CIA are currently investigating the building for any sign of hard drugs or illegal weapons – if found guilty, Ava Khalil will be sentenced to ten years of imprisonment.

Angela planned everything out, putting Ava in a suffocating position, she'll come running for help.

Ava's blue eyes were wide opened as her pigment reduced size, she was feeling sick in her stomach as the manager's words affected her like the flu. Macy was speechless as she stared blankly at the documents.

Ava was losing her mind, she tried calling companies who offered her partnership deals before, but they refused! As much as they would love to help, they can't afford to deal with Angela.

Ava was slowly losing hope as she remembered Eugene, she dialed his number and after two trials, he picked up. She explained everything and Eugene sounded happy as he could tell Ava was desperate enough for Seth to take advantage of this opportunity.

"What's the name of your boss, if I may ask?" Ava asked with a calm voice.

"Seth!" Eugene said as he ended the call.

"Seth?" She whispered to herself as she placed her phone on the bed. Ava wondered why she hasn't heard of him before – maybe he was a foreigner who just resided here.

Macy stormed through the door holding a magazine, Ava told her about the call with Eugene, and she came the minute she heard the boss's name was Seth.

"You can't be serious right now?" Macy said as she gave Ava the magazine. Taking off her coat and boots.

"He's the only person willing to assist us, and I don't see anything wrong with that!"

"Yes but" she hesitated, "The devil doesn't bargain!" Macy hold Ava's hand as she sat on the bed.

"What?"

"Seth isn't trustworthy, it's useless, don't do this Ava, we can find another deal, we can't go on with Seth, it's hubris to try!"

"What If you are wrong?" Ava said as she looked away. This was her dream she was fighting for, isn't every opportunity worth it?

Macy can't help it if Ava got hurt, she tried telling Ava about the companies he took over and kept it low-key. Making CEOs sign off their businesses unknowingly, because of how desperate they act towards the situation.

"Why did you call him the devil?" Ava asked with concern.

"Because just like Lucifer, once you've made a deal with him, and you sign the contract. He can take back what he gave you, but you can't take back what you gave him. It's all temporary" Macy sighed.

"What if we tricked the devil, use his technique against him?" Ava suggested!

"You want to take down one of the baddest tycoons in the USA?"

"Well, it's worth a shot… I can't watch my company fall, but If you refuse to help me I'll understand, you kno…"

"You crazy ass bitch, of course, am with you!" Macy blurts out before Ava could finish her sentence.

Rain drizzled as she stepped her foot on the accelerator, the sky was bright as the rainbow came out.

Ava took a deep breath as she embraces the sense of freshness that abounds – it was supposed to be a beautiful morning that she'll enjoy over a cup of coffee with donuts.

She had a meeting with Eugene, today was the day she'll finally meet his boss. She prayed desperately in her heart that God should cut her some slack and make this meeting easy!

Seth was said to be a wealthy low-key billionaire who avoids paparazzi and the press – Ava thought otherwise after walking inside his City square, his probably a con man who stays hidden to avoid being cut by a client, there's no way a man with so much money can work here.

The Square was big and beautiful, it'll cost about $100 million to get it in shape like this, but it had low standards, with the number of people working and renting the spaces, there's no way he could make up to $50 million in a year.

She muttered to herself while stepping into the elevator, she got cold feet as she imagined what Seth will look like. She only saw his picture in a magazine Macy showed her, but his face was a bit blurry.

Ding!

The elevator stopped as the door opens slowly.

"There she is," Eugene said walking towards Ava, "Ms. Ava" he welcomed her with a handshake as they walked down the hallway.

She tried her best not to ask the question she's been craving to ask, Eugene walked calmly with a little smirk on his face.

"What is your boss like?" The question slipped as she tried to hold it in.

"They are many ways to define Seth but am sure you'll love him" Eugene's eyes lit up as he speaks highly of Seth. Ava saw the way he reacted and had a little confidence that Seth wasn't a bad person.

"I'm sure I'll like him" She whispered to herself while her face turned red.

Eugene opened the door without knocking, Nessa walked out of Seth's office with a pile of documents as she gave Ava a cold stare.

Seth waited patiently as Eugene came to introduce Ava, she took a seat, and he walked out.

"You want a partnership because you think am the only one who can save you from Angela?" His words came out like a stray bullet hitting Ava right in the chest.

"W-Well yes but I…." Ava stuttered as Seth gave her a cold look.

"Let's talk about mutual benefits… What do I gain from helping you?" He cuts in before she could finish her sentence.

"We can work something out!" Ava said, trying to regain confidence. Seth was trying to put her in a difficult opposition – so he can make her a deal that will only be beneficial to him.

"Work something out?" He sighed as he leaned back in the chair, "What makes you think I will help you, am not a shareholder in your establishment, I am not your friend or lover. Do you take me as Jesus Christ?"

Ava suddenly knew the card he was going to pull, he was going to reject her offer, and once she starts begging. He would grab the opportunity and make her sign a deal she will regret in the future.

"First off, I don't take you as a friend or Christ! I'm not begging you for a partnership, I'm simply requesting for it. So, why don't you cut the crap and make up your mind already, I've told you who am up against. Are you going to sit there and act like a pussy, or bring the damned documents on the table? Tell me what you want, and hopefully, we can work it out" Ava said looking at Seth as his face remained expressionless.

He could tell that she was desperate, but she won't let her desperation overtake her intelligence.

He replied to Ava with a smirk.

"Right now, we'll sign a partnership deal… Then I'll bring over some documents, which will contain the remaining part of the agreement"!

"Okay… What exactly is the agreement, apart from the partnership?" She asked, looking confused.

"You'll be my PA until the contract is over!" He said.

Her heart was beating twice as fast, not only does she have to deal with his bullshit in the office right now, she'll have to be by his side until her company is stable.

After going through the contract word for word, the deal was done. She walked out and opened her car door, taking a deep breath as she closed her eyes, "I fucking hate him!" She whispered to herself, reviving the engine, and zoomed off.