Matilda smiled coldly, "You seduced him! You are just a temporary wife, by the time his mother recovers, you will be out of here!" She said, walking away with her hands clenched.
Ava returned to the hall a few minutes after Matilda left. Nathan noticed her expression and frowned.
Sensing something wasn't right, he quickly told granny they would be leaving.
Remembering the promise they made to her, Granny's eyes lit up as an idea popped into her head.
"Sleepover! lt is getting late and we have plenty of rooms here enough for everyone," Granny announced, her voice filled with warmth, gesturing for the maids to come.
Ava and Nathan exchanged a quick, uneasy glance. .
Granny smiled knowingly.
Ava, ready to go against the idea, glanced at Matilda whose eyes were filled with malice. What is it with this woman? Could it be that she likes Nathan? Ava wondered.
A slow smile spread across Ava's face, as she thought of something. "Granny, thank you so much," Ava said sweetly. " We would love to spend a night here, that way I get to know more about my husband's family."
"Am I right, Aunt?" She sharply met Matilda's gaze, noticing her bite onto her lower lip suppressing her anger.
Observing the tension between Matilda and Ava, Granny smiled. She never liked Matilda for once, at least she finally met her match.
"Nathan, take your wife to the room, she looks tired." Granny said, waving her hand dismissing everyone to rest, as the maids cleared the table.
"What do you think you are doing?" Nathan frowned, trying to keep his voice low as Ava linked her arm through his, her fingers digging lightly into his bicep.
"Granny is watching us," Ava whispered, her warm breath against his ear, while her fingers tightening on his arm, silently warning him.
They arrived at the bedroom , Nathan immediately removed her hands from him, his eyes filled with irritation.
Ava smirked, "You will sleep on the couch while I sleep in the bed," she announced, her hands clasped behind her back, fingers crossed silently praying he would resist the idea.
Nathan hesitated, his gaze locking on Ava before agreeing to her idea.
Ava frowned as she watched Nathan take the pillow and blanket towards the couch.
She turned away, feigning a yawn, and began zipping down her dress, with her back facing him. She could feel his eyes boring into her back and smiled.
She let the gown slip from her shoulders, sliding down close to her waist.
Nathan's eyes darkened, slowly clearing his throat. "What are you doing?" he asked, his gaze locked on hers.
Ava turned to him, her smooth cleavage exposed to him. "Obviously removing my dress," she muttered with a smile spread across her face.
The sound of his feet dragging against the cold tile towards the bathroom. He then turned back to Ava, his eyes filled with uneasiness and self control. "Nina," his voice breaking the sudden silence.
This was the first time he had ever called her name. "Granny is upstairs, don't do anything stupid," he said, giving her a warning gaze.
Ava's smile widened, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So?" She said, taking a step closer. "Are you going to let her stop me from having my moment?" her hands on her chin, pretending to think.
He leaned in, his body an inch closer, "What exactly do you want?" he asked, his eyes anticipating her reply.
"What are you talking about?" she grinned, "l need to undress, this dress is uncomfortable but keep staring at me, interesting huh?" she asked, taking a step backward.
Under those piercing blue eyes, she wants something more than what he actually thinks.
...
Meanwhile, miles away different kinds of tension was building. Mr. Adams paced anxiously through the living room. "No information yet, where could she be?" his fingers angled to his lips, impatiently biting the tips.
Mrs Adam, Ava's stepmother smiled coldly, "She will be back soon or else we go for plan B,'' she said confidently.
Mr Adams grinned, revealing his upper teeth and said, "I think I have another plan. That way, she will be running back for forgiveness." He continued, " I'm going to make her realize how much she needs us."
Nathan and Ava returned home early the next day, they didn't wait for dinner because Ava was uncomfortable with the stares, she kept getting from Nathan's Aunt.
She hasn't forgotten her conversation she had last night with her, not allowing anyone or anything to distract her from achieving her main aim. She pushed that thought aside.
Staying inside all day with nothing to do, her remote work is usually twice a week. She made herself busy by getting to know the building. The building had five rooms, but at the back of the mansion, there was another room with a black door boldly written, "NON RELATIVE DO NOT ENTER."
Ava smiled, well she married the owner of the house so…..
She walked closer to the door, her footsteps slow and steady, as if she was arguing with her inner self that she shouldn't open it.
Suddenly her phone buzzed, the light of the screen breaking her thoughts.
It was a brief message from Angel, "I have something to tell you, meet me in our usual spot."
Ava sighed, forgetting about the door. She quickly turned back while dialing the unknown number Angel used to text her
The line on the other side wouldn't connect. Ava tried again and again, yet there was no response.
"You must be the Young master's wife?" An old man appeared from behind. He seemed to have seen her close to the black door.
His hair was grey and had shining brown eyes but he wasn't wearing any luxury outfit, just a simple black top and black trousers.
Ava nodded, hesitant about her next move, "And you are?" she asked, gradually stepping back with a suspicious look.
The butler laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the hallway. He hadn't seen someone so interesting in a long time. Nathan had married the right person, he thought.
"I am the butler of the house," he said, a smile widely spread across his face. "The young master called me to resume work last night. I didn't know he would bring such an angel with him."