1 Banquet

As the black car rode near the huge black gates of the tall Mansion, Ava ran her tongue through her dry chapped lips. Her mind was troubling and she was nervous for the party she was about to attend with her Aunt. She didn’t want to attend as she was not fond of being around too much people. “Don’t fret, Ava. You are thinking too much it’s just a party.” Her Aunt, Jenna said to her. She took in a deep breath and turned around to look at her Aunt. “You are twenty one and still do not want to mingle around with people. Don’t you think young girls of your age are supposed to be married at this time?” Her Aunt asked. “I am still young and just started figuring life for myself. I am not ready for marriage.” Ava said. “You make me remember when I was still young like you. At that time men would come around me but I was not interested in men or love. It was like a foreign language in my ears. I was too stubborn to realise that time had gone so fast. It was until I started getting old and younger girls appeared. Men didn’t bother to look my way but instead go for the younger ones.” Jenna said. “My dear I don’t want you to make the same mistake i made years ago. I do not want to see you regret anything.” Jenna continued to advise her. “Aunt Jenna like I said earlier I was still too young to think about marriage right now.” Ava said. “You should find someone who loves you now and bare children. Time flies so quickly and I do not want to see you in frustration later on.” Jenna warned. When the car reached the Mansion, Ava couldn’t help but bring her head near the window to see the beautiful Mansion. There was garden at the side where the flowers was chopped neatly. She had never been to a place like this before. Even though her Aunt was rich, her Aunt was not wealthy enough to get such luxurious Mansion. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Her Aunt asked. “To be in the Mansion of one of the Billionaire’s in this country is something I hadn’t dreamt of.” The car pulled over at the garage and the chauffeur opened the door for them to step down. Jenna was the first one to come down from the car before Ava followed. As they walked towards the Mansion, Ava looked at the tall building which was painted white and it had many pillars. They walked closer to the Mansion to be greeted by the butler who took them to the room where the party would be going on. “Mrs Susan.” Jenna bowed her head slightly towards the woman in front of them. “This is my niece, Ava. It was a pleasure to be invited to this banquet.” Jenna said. Mrs. Mrs Evelyn had invited them to the birthday party of her youngest child who would be completing seven years old today. The woman nodded her head before going to speak with other guest who had come to the banquet. As Ava stood near her Aunt who was taking a sip from the cup of juice, her eyes explored around the Mansion. Carried away by such luxurious Mansion, she wanted to see more of it. As she took a step forward, Jenna pulled her close to whisper in her ears. “Be careful not to wander around. Remember we are just like ants amongst these wealthy men and women so please don’t go around causing trouble for me.” As she said this, Ava nodded her head and her Aunt let her go. Her eyes moved to the luxurious chandelier hanging on the ceiling and her lips parted with surprise. The chandelier shone brightly around the room they were in. Her eyes then went to the elevator near the stairs. Why would someone still need an elevator when there was stairs? Ava thought. She took a step forward and then took another one until she reached the stairs. Her hands went to touch the railings before taking one step in the stairs. With curiosity to explore more of the beautiful Mansion, she continued to walk upstairs until she was in the quiet corridor where there was no guests. Her eyes explored the beautiful and wonderful canvas hung on the wall without noticing what was coming her way. When she took another step forward, she bumped into something hard. Ava raised her hands to rub her forehead before looking at the person whom she had bumped into. Her eyes trailed up to look at his blue cold eyes which had no warmth in them. He had black short wavy hair and his skin was the colour tan. Upon recognizing whom she had bumped into, she stepped backward with an apologetic expression before bowing her head slightly. “Apologies for not looking at my direction.” Ava said. This was the man who was hosting the banquet for his younger sister. One of the youngest Billionaires in Paris. He was of the young age of twenty nine years. When the man took a step forward, Ava quickly took one away from him to see the man grab her wrist. “Are you blind?” He asked and she looked taken back. Even with his innocent calm face, under that expression was a ruthless sly man. “I am sorry for bumping into you, Sir.” She bowed her head again hoping the man would let her go. “I asked a question to you. What are you answering?” He intimidated her with his body frame and height. “I am not blind Sir.” She tried to pull her hands from the man to see him tighten his hold on her. “Little girls like you are supposed to stay with their Mamas. What are you doing wandering around the Mansion when you are told not to?” He asked. Ava felt a vein pop in her forehead. She opened her mouth ready to throw some insults on him when she heard footsteps. She turned around to see it was her Aunt who was walking towards her. “I apologize Sir. Is my niece bothering you?” Jenna asked. “Yes she is. Take your child from here.” He said in a cold tone. Ava was infuriated by his words. If it weren’t for his status as a Billionaire she would have smacked him. Her Aunt pulled her and they walked downstairs. “You should stop bothering him. Not now when you haven’t discussed properly.” Her Aunt chided. “What are you talking about?” Ava frowned. “How do you see him?” Jenna questioned back. “He’s rude, arrogant and big......” She paused and waited for some time until Mrs Susan walked past them. “I am sure you would be able to make him warm.” Her Aunt chuckled and she narrowed her eyes at her. Ava put two and two together and upon realizing what was going on, her eyes widened with anger. “Aunt Jenna don’t tell me—” “I brought you here because Mrs Susan asked me to. She wants you to get married to her son.” Jenna said. “Aunt no..... No.” Ava shook her head. “Yes, Ava. Have you forgotten I borrowed some money to clear most of the debt for your father’s burial? The car, the house are under huge debt. Mrs Susan promised to clear them off if you marry her son.” Jenna said. “Which of his son?” Ava was already boiling with anger. “The one you met upstairs. Mr. Liam.” Jenna replied. And as the words came out of her mouth, Ava’s eyes moved upstairs only to meet with the man they were talking about. He was staring at her coldly and she gulped softly.