CHAPTER FOUR

   It's been two weeks since Ava took refuge in Jacob Blackwood's penthouse and still no news on her brother and no word from him either. She feels uncomfortable just living in the house without chipping in any way, regardless of how wealthy he is. 

Living under the same roof with such a man has been nothing but bliss, regardless of the very few words they exchange once in a while. He's a very good host. A wealthy one at that. Wait. Did she just say host?

 "I must have been crazy to think I'm a guest here. I'm a hostage but regardless I need to do something to ease the tension. I'm in chaos. I need distractions."

   Ava stands before the ornate mirror in her lavishly appointed room, sunlight filtering in through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow around her. Her fingers delicately trace the fabric of a simple yet elegant outfit she has chosen – a knee-length navy blue dress made of smooth silk, adorned with subtle floral patterns. 

The dress gently hugs her frame, accentuating her graceful figure, and falls in gentle pleats around her knees.

She pairs the dress with a pair of comfortable beige ballet flats, allowing her ease of movement as she navigates the opulent penthouse. Her eyes, a deep shade of hazel, reflect a mix of determination and vulnerability. 

Long lashes frame her eyes, casting subtle shadows on her cheeks. A smattering of freckles adorns her nose, giving her an endearing charm.

Ava's lips, naturally rosy, are curved into a faint smile, reflecting her newfound resolve. As she runs her fingers through her hair, she gathers it into a loose ponytail, allowing a few strands to frame her face delicately. 

A silver pendant necklace dangles around her neck, a simple yet meaningful piece that brings her a sense of comfort.

In this outfit, Ava feels a strange blend of confidence and apprehension. The dress, though not as luxurious as the surroundings she finds herself in, gives her a sense of normalcy amidst the extravagance. 

It's a reminder of the life she had before this unexpected turn of events, grounding her in her identity.

Taking a deep breath, Ava straightens her posture, her reflection in the mirror exuding a newfound strength. With a determined expression, she leaves her room, ready to go talk to Jacobs in his study room.

   In the dimly lit study room, mahogany bookshelves line the walls, showcasing an impressive collection of leather-bound volumes and antique artifacts. A large oak desk sits at the center, cluttered with papers and a vintage brass lamp, casting a warm glow over the room.

 The air is heavy with the scent of aged leather and the faint aroma of cigar smoke. Jacob, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, sits behind the desk, engrossed in his laptop. 

Ava, determined and resolute, enters the room, her steps surprisingly soft on the lush, Persian rug that covers the floor. Her eyes briefly scan the room, taking in the elegant oil paintings adorning the walls and the antique globe standing proudly in one corner.

Ava, her voice steady but assertive, breaks the silence.

 "Mr Blackwood, may I talk to you for a moment?"

Jacob looks up, his sharp gaze meeting hers. 

"Of course, Ava. What's on your mind? And call me Jacob here."

She takes a deep breath, her eyes flickering with determination. 

"I appreciate everything you've provided for me here, but I can't help but feel uncomfortable just being here without contributing in any way. I would like to help with the housework and other tasks around the house. It might give me a sense of purpose while I'm here."

"But everything already is being taken care of. There are workers for every single duty." Jacob answers, his eyes going back to the monitor before him.

"I'm aware of that, but I just want to be able to do something."

Jacob pauses for a while, then looks up to get again, "I suppose I can arrange that then. Anything else?" 

"Nothing I can think of."

"Good." Jacob adjusts his sitting position, his back falling behind the chair, with his hands akimbo, "because I have a question for you, Ava."

"You do believe your brother, didn't steal from me. Why?"

"Because I know Ethan. And he's not capable of doing this. He can't." Ava answered, walking towards him.

She slumps on the fancy cushion, and breathes in heavily, "Actually…"

Ava sits across from Jacob, her eyes carrying a mixture of sadness and affection as she begins to share the story of her twin brother, Ethan. Her voice is soft yet steady, and her hands occasionally gesture to emphasize certain points of the tale.

Ava's eyes focus on a distant memory as she starts, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

 "You know, Ethan was always the sweetest child. Quiet, incredibly smart, with a curiosity that knew no bounds. But he was painfully shy, especially around other kids his age." 

Her lips curve into a fond smile, reminiscing about her brother's innocence.

"Despite his intelligence, he struggled to fit in," she continues, her tone becoming more somber.

 "Kids can be cruel, Jacob. They teased him relentlessly, making him the target of their jokes. It broke my heart to see him endure such pain."

 Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, reflecting the depth of her empathy for her brother's past struggles.

Ava's expression then shifts, her brows furrowing in determination. 

"I became fiercely protective of him, even though we're twins. People always assumed I was the older one because I matured faster than him, both physically and emotionally. I was his shield, his confidante, and his biggest supporter."

A hint of anger flashes in her eyes as she recalls the injustice. 

"I watched him face the world with unwavering kindness despite the torment he endured. His resilience made him stronger, but it also made him retreat further into his shell."

"When our parents died, we were adopted at different times by different families together, because we couldn't function without each other, and the orphanage wouldn't put us up for adoption separately." Ava sobs

"One time, we got adopted by this couple and the man made advances toward me. He touches me inappropriately even though I was still young." 

"One night he came into my room and tried forcing himself towards me. But I wouldn't dare raise my voice, neither can he, because adjacent to my room is the room he shares with his wife."

"Young Ethan came into my room at that moment and requested to sleep in my room because he's scared of sleeping alone which I know isn't true. The man had no other option than to leave." Ava pauses, then continues

"From that day onward till the day we left that house, Ethan always comes into my room at night to fall asleep with me. He protected me. He was very young but still, he did protect me."

Her eyes meet Jacob's, pleading for understanding and empathy. 

"I hope you can see why he means so much to me, and why I'm willing to do whatever it takes to find him, even if it means enduring this situation with you." 

Ava's vulnerability is palpable, her emotions laid bare before Jacob, as she waits for his response, hoping he can comprehend the depth of her love and concern for her twin brother.

Jacob stands and walks across Ava,

"I do sympathize with you, and I do hope I'm wrong, that we are all wrong and you're right about him not being capable, because, Ava, Ethan is the only one with access to those encrypted files. Since he's your brother, you do know very well how smart he is with computers and everything else."

He walks to the door, and looks over his shoulder at Ava,

"And one more thing, I'm thinking of putting in extra work in finding your brother. I'm putting a deadline on his appearance, and if he doesn't show up with possible explanations and my money, you look smart, so I'm guessing you are smart."

"You should know what would happen." Then he walks out the door.

Ava froze on the spot, blood drained from her, "did he just threaten to kill Ethan?"