Leo hesitated, unsure whether he should tell her, "It's best if the boss tells you himself." he finally said. Without waiting for her to utter a word, he quickly dashed towards the front entrance.
"Her liver is failing. We need an organ donor, and fast, so we can perform the surgery quickly,'' The doctor reported to Nathan in the private ward.
Nathan's mother had been suffering from hepatic encephalopathy at an early stage, a sickness that has plunged her into coma for a year. His father had abandoned them long ago, running off with his rich mistress.
Raised by his Granny while his mother worked hard to provide for him and his little sister, Jessica. Till he was twenty, he built his wealth from scratch.
"Get an organ donor. I don't care if I have to pay billions to get one!" he instructed the doctor, breathing heavily.
As the doctor hurried away, Nathan sank into a chair, burying his face in his hands. He was a tycoon in the business world, but here, he was just a son desperate to save his mother.
Nathan arrived home late, his face pale, dragged his feet sluggishly to his room to freshen up and returned to the living room, where Ava was waiting for him. "Granny invites us for dinner tomorrow," he said.
Ava stared at him, waiting for him to talk about his mother, but he said nothing. She nodded, agreeing to him silently.
Nathan stayed in his study room all day, while Ava went shopping to get gifts for Nathan's family members and some casual clothes.
Ava found herself smiling at the mirror, admiring the red gown she had selected. The gown revealed her cleavage, stopped below her knees with a bow at the back with a slit behind.
She marched down the stairs, gracefully counting her steps.
"Can you be fast?" Nathan grumbled, his gaze lingering on her cleavage. Remembering that night, he frowned.
The drive was silent and awkward, Ava exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself .
Going to meet his family members…. What if someone recognizes her or knows her father? Her inner self prayed, equally anticipating what would happen.
They arrived at the mansion, it was different from the one Ava went to for work. She knew Nathan was rich but didn't expect his family to own a penthouse.
The blonde-haired lady approached them, extending her arms towards Nathan for a hug. "Welcome."
Granny walked towards them with a welcoming smile. "Glad you made it, at least he wasn't too stubborn to come." She gave Nathan a dismissive look.
Before Ava could respond, a sharp, icy glare cut into her from the woman in red standing behind the blonde. The woman in red narrowed her eyes, lips pressed flat, the stare cutting into Ava.
Granny felt the tension in the air, an awkward silence, she smiled and waved them towards the grand dining room. "Come, come, everyone is waiting. Dinner is served."
As they walked into the dining room, Ava kept her head low, she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched, a pair of eyes watching her every move like a predator stalking its prey.
Everyone was already seated, heads turned towards Ava as she entered. Until her gaze landed on the man in a dark green suit, the one who had helped her that night, her breath seized.
Micheal hugged Nathan, "So good to see you! Granny told everyone to come back to celebrate your marriage. l was surprised because you didn't inform me."
He shifted his gaze to Ava and smiled, "What are brothers for?" he asked Nathan, in a teasing tone, the corner of his mouth quirking.
Ava stared at them, speechless. "Brothers? If they were close, would he ruin her plan? She pressed her palm on her head, lost in thought.
They all sat down. Ava served herself some veggies and meat, the fork trembled against her fingers. While a pair of eyes kept watching her every move.
Nathan didn't look her way, keeping his gaze safely above the table. He leaned towards Micheal, his voice low whispering something to him and chuckled.
Granny frowned, as she watched Ava's bowed head, the silence, small bites she was chewing on. She tapped her fork against the plate, loud enough to grab everyone's attention.
"Nathan, introduce your wife to the family!" Granny shouted.
"What is there to introduce? Everyone here knows she's my wife," Nathan muttered, his voice flat.
Granny smacked the back of Nathan's head, hard enough to cause a headache then fixed her gaze on Ava, "Do you have any siblings?'' Her voice softened.
Ava scanned the room, as she saw all eyes on her, patiently waiting for her reply.
Her palms rubbing nervously against each other below the table, unsure of what to say, she answered, curtly. "No." Then added, "I need to use the bathroom," her head bowed slightly, as she stood up walking towards the exit.
After a few minutes, the lady in red excused herself and dashed to the same direction that Ava left.
Inside the restroom, Ava splashed water on her face, trying to compose herself. She hadn't even been there for an hour and she already felt like leaving.
This is not what i expected, she muttered.
"Tell me, what exactly were you expecting?" The lady in red walked in, swaying her hips, her hands crossed.
Ava turned towards the voice, her mouth wide open . "Nothing," She answered, with her head bowed.
Matilda smirked, "So you're the one that married my cousin? She narrowed her eyes, walking around Ava, scanning her like a predator assessing its prey.
Ava's smile didn't reach her eyes, knowing where this was heading. "Aunt, do you have any grudge against me?" she asked, unbothered, while drying her hands.
Matilda leaned forward, placing her palm on Ava's shoulder. "Do you know what will happen when she comes back and finds out you stole her lover?"
Ava frowned, curiosity got her as she met Matilda's gaze, "I don't know who you're talking about, but I do know that i am Mrs Walton for now," She took a deep breath, then continued, "I appreciate it if you would warmly welcome me to your family till whenever."