Chapter 6 Rude, Cold, And Merciless

• For a few seconds, I stare at the man who has served as an example and inspiration throughout my life, trying to believe what he has become, and then I leave in silence. I say goodbye to Dory and decide to go back home, as I no longer have the energy to return to work.
• Entering the bathroom, I turn on the shower, and the hot water starts to gently fall on me. Tears mix with the drops, running down my skin and leaving a salty taste on my lips. Each breath is a heavy sigh as I try to contain the avalanche of emotions threatening to consume me.
• I constantly question whether I deserve to go through this suffering, by agreeing to marry a man like Noah, who at first seemed so kind and gentlemanly, but has now shown himself to be a man rude, cold, and merciless.
• When I finally feel my body lighter and my heart less heavy, I turn off the shower and dry myself carefully. I look into the fogged mirror, observing the reflection of a woman who seems to have aged years in a matter of months.
• Before I could finish getting dressed, I received a call from Emma, asking me to meet her at her parents' house. In a few minutes, I am on my way, leaving behind the temporary comfort of the bathroom.
• "Hi, Ava!" Emma says as she warmly embraces me. "I know you must be tired from work, but I needed you to come here."
• "It's okay; actually, I hardly worked today."
• "You disappeared all day."
• "This day was one of the worst, friend," I say disheartened as we sit on the huge white sofa in the living room. "It started so well knowing that my mother's surgery will happen in the next few days, and then Noah appeared demanding the watch and proposing something absurd, Emma."
• "What did he propose, friend? Did you ask for some time?"
• "Yes, he gave me a new deadline until tomorrow morning to return the watch or..."
• "Or..." Emma looks at me in a confused and scared way at the same time. "Don't tell me he threatened you, Ava!"
• "No, not that; actually, I think it's even worse, as death would certainly be better. He proposed marriage to me, Emma."
• "What?" She exclaims, surprised. "Of course, Ava! He's not doing this for the watch. Friend, he's in love with you, or rather, he's obsessed with you."
• "Of course not, Emma! He said everything would be contractual, he definitely intends to continue to seek revenge on me through this. I was so desperate that I went to my father and he humiliated me again," I say with a choked voice. "I need to get that watch back by tomorrow, I can't marry a man like Noah, Emma; I don't want to suffer even more."
• "Friend, I promised to help you, didn't I?" She smiles as she holds and caresses my hands. "My parents arrived from their trip this morning, I talked to them and explained your situation, and they didn't hesitate to help you. Everything will be fine!"
• "I can't believe it, Emma." I hug her excitedly and we stay like that for a few brief minutes until her parents appear.
• "Ava, dear!" Ada, Emma's mother, hugs me affectionately and sits beside me.
• "Hi, Aunt Ada! How was your trip?"
• "It was great, Ava! Santorini seems to get even more attractive every year. George didn't stop for a second."
• "Are you sure it was me, Ada?" George, Emma's father, jokes as he joins the three of us. "You should have seen; Ada looked like an excited teenager, who didn't want to stop at the hotel."
• "I'm glad you had fun and enjoyed the trip."
• "We did, we needed it." Ada holds my hand while making small circles on top of it, comfortingly. "Ava, dear, Emma explained your problem; why didn't you call us and let us know what was happening?"
• "I didn't want to disturb your trip, Aunt."
• "You never bother us, Ava," George replies. "You know you can count on us whenever you need. Look at the trouble you've gotten yourself into, girl."
• "Don't remind me, uncle."
• "Anyway, let's quickly resolve all of this so you can enjoy the good times that are coming your way."
• We talked for a while, and finally, George transferred the value of the watch to my account, bringing immediate relief. After saying goodbye at dinner, I returned home.
• However, the anxiety of getting Noah's damn watch back and getting rid of the absurd idea of marrying him prevents me from finding sleep.
• For the second consecutive time, I watch the sunrise. After a strong coffee and some makeup to hide the dark circles, I head back to the pawnshop.
• "Good morning, sir!" I greet the man, who this time seems less bored.
• "Good morning, miss! Did you come to bring another watch? Today I can make a better offer than last time."
• "Actually, I came to pay for the watch I left here," I inform as I access my phone to make the transfer. He looks at me with a smile.
• "Where is it?"
• "I'm sorry, miss. But I sold it yesterday. A very elegant lady was looking for a gift for her boyfriend and fell in love with it."
• "This is completely wrong!" I exclaim, grabbing the paper he handed me when I left the watch. "Here it says I have a week to retrieve the pawned item."
• "Read the fine print, miss."
• "Fine print?" I question, examining the almost invisible characters at the bottom of the page. Right after the phrase "we are not responsible for any damages," I find the following condition: "The deadline to reclaim the item may be altered if a higher offer is made." "This is completely wrong! Sir, I need that watch, it's a matter of life or death. Do you understand that? My future depends on that watch!"
• "I'm sorry, miss, but it was written here all along. You should have read it before leaving. Besides, you negotiated a much higher value than what I paid; I couldn't pass up that opportunity."
• I take a deep breath, containing the immense urge to vent, avoiding causing a scene that would only bring more headaches for both of us. I walk away in silence to avoid misunderstandings and end up with a broken store.
• Upon arriving at the company, I take on not only my responsibilities but also those of my absent father. Since it has become my role to represent the company in his absence.
• After the second meeting of the day, I return to my office and check my phone. Upon realizing that Noah has not contacted me yet, I feel a temporary relief. "Maybe he has given up on this absurd idea," I think. However, it doesn't take long to receive a message from him, informing me that he is on his way.
• "Miss Hampton," Florence, my secretary, interrupts as I analyze a proposal presented in the meeting, "there are two gentlemen in the waiting room who wish to speak with you. I have already informed them that there is no available time in your schedule, but one of them insists on staying until he is received."
• "Did they identify themselves, Florence?" I roll my eyes and set the papers aside, already knowing who they are.
• "Yes, Mr. Ewing and Mr. Spencer."
• "Please, let them in and ask Miss Moore to come here."
• "Excuse me."