Mr. Billionaire's Criminal Obsession

Ava clutched a small bag, standing outside the apartment complex and squinting up at the cloudless sky with a hand over her eyes. It was still bright out, despite the amount of time she had spent with Eitan.

She let out a sigh and started to walk. There were hardly any taxis at this part of the city, maybe it was because the people here owned cars and were well to do but she still found it a little unfair.

She finally came to the edge of the street and went to stand at a public bus stop, fidgeting with the others as she waited for a bus.

The small bag in her hand vibrated and she took out her phone, taking a look at the message that had come in.

Ava let a small smile slip at Kiera's mesage. It was a stupid, 'you alive?' text with a string of silly emojis.

She let out a small burst of laughter. Her chest felt lighter, and dare she say, she was a little happy too. The last time she remembered feeling this way was two years ago.

A bus arrived and she boarded it, taking a seat at the back by the window. Her mind wandered back to how Eitan had treated her bruises with spirit and her brows furrowed.

She took a look at her bandaged fingers.

'Is that really what he calls punishment?' She thought. 'It's silly… that's not punishment…'

After all, she more than anyone knew exactly how brutal punishments could be. The scars she had were proof.

They weren't physical, but it didn't have to be.

Eventually, the bus came to a stop and she boarded a cab to her apartment. One look at the rundown building from the outside and she let out a sigh.

Compared to where she just came from, what she was staring at was a slum in comparison.

The moment she pushed open the door, Kiera rushed towards her, nearly knocking her over.

"How was it? What did he say? Did he do anything to you?!" She couldn't stop asking questions as she inspected her at arm's length, especially when she saw that her friend had a change of clothes.

Ava put up her hands to calm her down. "I'm… I'm fine. It went… well."

"How well?"

Ava was silent for a moment. "Well, I can't tell you the details but… we reached an agreement… I won't be involved with the mission though…"

Kiera broke into a wide grin and pulled her into a tight hug. "It's silly you think I would worry about something petty like that! I'm so proud of you, Cookie! You seriously can't believe how happy I am!"

Ava returned her hug with a genuine smile, wondering if Kiera was going to ask her whether she was any part of her and Eitan's agreement.

But Kiera didn't ask. "Come on, you'll have to start parking up your things now, right?" She asked, moving to the wardrobe.

Ava just stood, watching her, then her mouth moved unconsciously. "If I was going now, wouldn't you want to come with me?"

Kiera paused, turning her attention around. "Why would I do that?" She asked, looking genuinely Confused. "You achieved this with your own strength, I'm not about to make myself a burden. I can survive for as long as I need to, you know I can."

Ava lowered her gaze, pressing her lips together.

Kiera let out a huff. 'She must have tried to convince him to take me in as well… he probably refused.' She thought. 'But it's fine, Cookie. You're the most fragile out of the two of us…'

Ava sighed. "I'm not leaving now though."

"What? Why?" Kiera asked, surprised. "I thought you said you reached an agreement?"

Ava nodded. "We did, but i can't move in today… what will happen to you if i do?"

Kiera's expression darkened. "You need to learn to be a little more selfish, Ava." She told her flatly.

Ava had a pained expression on her face. "I will… someday… but I won't start with my only family."

There was silence between them for a long time before Kiera sighed and closed the wardrobe.

"When are you moving in then?" She asked.

"...Tomorrow. We're supposed to meet immediately after the strategy meeting…." Kiera looked at her doubtfully and she hurried to add, "I signed a contract."

She didn't want to give Kiera too much detail into their plan. After all, to effectively fool your enemies, you must first fool your friends.

Which meant, after tomorrow, she wouldn't see any of the team members, not even Kiera, ever again…

Or at least, for as long as she could manage.

"...Alright." Kiera answered reluctantly. "I ordered some stuff for us to eat. Change and come into the kitchen, why don't you?"

Ava nodded as she watched Kiera disappear through the kitchen door. Her hand gripped the small bag she was holding even tighter as she fought back tears.

'I'll miss you…'

....

"You've got to be kidding me!" Kiera roared, nearly hurling her phone at the wall.

Her tantrum had woken up a sleeping Ava. She sat up on the bed, still groggy from sleep as she turned her gaze in Kiera's direction.

"Did something happen?"

"Vince happened!" Kiera bit out. "He's asking we meet up for the plan now!"

"Now…?" Ava asked in a daze, still rubbing her eyes as she took up her phone to look at the time. It was four in the morning.

That fact alone jolted her fully awake and the colour drained from her face. "What?"

"I know right? We're not bots like him, doesn't he know we need rest?!" Kiera screeched.

But that wasn't Ava's problem.

'It's too early… and too soon!' Her heart tightened in her chest. Why on earth was Vince so impatient?! Eitan probably wouldn't be awake by this time!

He had told her to message him and not call him. He had his reasons and she could guess what it was. Someone could be intercepting her calls without her knowledge and he didn't want to take risks.

Ava's hand started to tremble as She tightened the grip on her phone. After all she went through to make up her mind, was this all her measely courage could amount to?

Her deal with Eitan was going to go down the drain... just like that.

Ava hurriedly swiped at her phone screen to where her contacts were saved. She stared at Eitan's details for a second before she tapped the call button.