chapter 10. If not her then no one else

Xavier sat on his leather chair and his subordinate was reporting to him.

"Boss, we have received information that you are being investigated and a certain person in Rye high school has been investigated too.

He narrowed had eyes dangerously and he knew who exactly is behind this. He would let no harm come to Ava and her grandmother as long as he lives.

" When did this happen?"

"Boss...", the subordinate stuttered.

"Should I repeat myself?"

"Boss, they covered their tracks very well and we just discovered it some minutes ago".

" You cannot be serious"

"I am the sorry boss", he bowed his head.

"Then tell me what am I paying you for? If anything should happen to Ava or her grandmother, I will not let you off".

This person was trembling with anxiety and paid fervently that nothing should happen to them or else the boss will use dark methods to punish him.

He grabbed his car keys and ran out of the office. He does not need to think twice to know how ruthless Helena Lawson can be. His car tyres left a mark on the ground before his bodyguards could catch up with him. He had already gone far. they organized themselves and went after him. He had never been this rash before, what could have happened?

Fiona Lawson sipped her tea slowly as she listened to the report her subordinate was giving her.

Her wrinkled face looked stern and shrewd.

" So you are telling me that you couldn't track her down? You are telling me that you don't know her whereabouts? How can a little, foolish and pitiful girl fool you? Do you need orientation courses on how to do your job? Find her at all cost and bring her to me".

The door burst open and Xavier's tall figure stepped in accompanied by a gust of cold wind. His entire features were shrouded in ice.

"Ha! Bring who to you? " He turned to face the subordinate. "Let me see how you date to touch the tiger's tail"

The subordinate shuddered and took a step back. He would rather obey Xavier because the old mad has lost most of her power in the family.

"How dare you challenge my authority? Wait, you are dissing me because of a pauper? I mean I don't get it. Have you forgotten the family you come from? You want to throw away your status all because of a woman who is a dullard, a fool and..."

"It's my happiness we are talking about"

"I don't care. You do as I say"

"What if I say I won't?"

Raised his eyebrows arrogantly.

The old madam was filled with anger that she grabbed her staff and hit him on the head.

"Ate you trying to kill me with anger?"

The blood flowed down his face and dyed his crisp white shirt. There was no remorse on Fiona's face.

Helena heard the commotion and went downstairs only to witness such a bloody sight. She was frightened.

"Get me the first aid box now", she screamed and the maids scampered to get it.

She took out the necessary things and was about to disinfect them when he gently tugged her hands down.

" I'm fine mom. My doctor will handle it"

"At least let me clean the blood".

He sat still and the mom disinfected the wound and bandaged it.

"The wound is not deep. it will firm a scab a few days from now. just don't let water touch it".

"I said I'm a fine mom", he stood up and his tall frame swayed. Helena got up to support him but he declined.

" Grandma, Ava will indeed be my wife in this lifetime. If not her then no one else. It's like you have forgotten something? "

They had an unspeakable understanding. Xavier took long strides and vanished from their sight.

"Ava, Ava....", Helena mumbled. Why was she the last person to know about this? For how long has he been attracted to this Ava. She will not allow her son to be trapped by a strange woman. She doesn't care about status all that matters is that the feelings between them should be mutual.

" Look at the good son you brought up", She huffed and went back to her room.

"Mom, so when a son is good it's the father's doing but when he is a bad son it's the mother's fault, right?"

Fiona stopped in her track and gave her a solemn gaze.

"Just think about how much he has sacrificed all for this family. He has upheld the family's name ever since your " good son" disappeared".

"Enough!". Fiona growled in a weak voice.

Fiona had never liked Helena to be her daughter-in-law, she had preferred her to be the daughter of her friend.

" You do it but you don't want others to talk about it?", Helena choked on her tears and ran to her room.

She had experienced a loveless marriage and she would never wish her son not daughter to be trapped in that abyss.

Perhaps it was her wishful thinking that Brian Lawson loved her the way she did but who knew that she was just baiting in their scheming game.

To the Past. 26years ago.....

Helena was in her final year in college. she had practically fallen for Brian Lawson since her sophomore year. But who would take notice of the average background nerd? Anytime she hears his voice she would turn red and her heart would race against her ribcage. She was hopelessly in love such that she got list during lessons and only cared about looking at his devilishly handsome face.

All the girls practically wanted to have a huge of him and bring a playboy he got enough girls than he would ever need. She knew that she was only wasting her time on her one-sided secret love of hers. she didn't care as long as she could see his face daily.

His escapades with other girls usually make her uncomfortable yet she would bite her lips each time she listens to the girls recount their experiences with him. Her naive self wanted to explore too.

Heavens heard her prayers on a rainy morning.

The rain fell so hard that it was difficult to move from one block to another. she decided to cross over although it was still drizzling. With no umbrella above her head, she jogged in the rain towards the class. two steps away from the veranda, she slipped and found herself falling.

She didn't know when a strong arm grabbed her by the waist. She turned around to see a beautiful face with blue eyes.

"Hey, are going too far?"

"Of.....course no", she gulped nothing.

" ahh... them I guess I can walk you to the class".

"Oh no". How can she allow the Greek God of the college to walk her? She would be stoned by his admirers and crushes to death.

" I insist".

Helena couldn't say anything as she shook her head sheepishly.

Somewhere at a distance, a group of guys cheered him and gave him a go-ahead sign.

Helena felt sweet within her for the first time and wanted it to last, alas! good things don't last long. The journey looked short but she was content breathing in his minty scent.

She bade him farewell and went into her class.

Her friends gathered around her and asked her what exactly is going on. she shrugged and said nothing. Some were jealous while some out rightly scolded her for her naivety and reminded her that the latter is a well-known playboy.

"So do you mind telling me what this am hearing?"

"What did you hear?"

" Check the school blog and you will know", she turned her phone as the words "A USELESS BITCH CLINGS TO BRIAN LAWSON"

Helena's face turned pale. This spelt trouble.

" Are you ready to tell me what exactly is going on?"

She narrated the whole incident to Olivia her best friend.

"What a naive cute cat! That is one of the playboy's tactics".

" You mean he is treading on my feelings?"

"Yes baby, he is".

" How could you be so sure?"

"I have passed through this before remember? Steve did it".

"Not everyone is unlucky in relationships as you were. Not everyone is your Steve. If this is the beginning of a fruitful relationship, why can't you be happy for me?"

"I can never be happy when the person involved is a known playboy. Lena, open your eyes to the reality, don't be fooled by that face".

" Let me be....", Helena gritted her teeth and slammed her hands on the desk.

The teacher turned to give both of them a stern look.

"Miss Anderson and Miss Vincent, do you have any problem with my lectures?"

"No, Mrs Carlson. Carry on with the class".

Helena had always believed that Olivia is against her relationship. A few weeks later, she rose from being an eyesore to a princess. Brian Lawson doted on her with the whole of himself.

Helena had forgotten several warnings by her close friends. It was on this day that Brian celebrated his birthday, Lena decided to give her first time to him as a special gift. As naive as she was, after the blissful night Brian's calls and messages stopped coming. He gave excuses and a thousand reasons why he couldn't put a call through. Being her first time in a relationship, she couldn't spot the change.

Brian had hopped onto the next girl unknown to Lena, she appeared at his doorpost when she got wind of the rumour and caught them right in the act.

She had felt heartbroken. Reality dealt another blow to her as she fainted on her way back to the hostel.