Chapter 1 Ava

• “Will you marry me?” Austen asks on one knee as he holds out the ring in front of her.
• “Yes” her voice comes out breathy as there is an abrupt cheer from the people surrounding them, putting the ring on my finger Austen stood to his feet and kissed her deeply, then shouted, “She said yes,” jumping and power punching into the air.
• She stares at her ring with glossy eyes, her other hand coming to cover her mouth as she squeals.
• “Cut,” the director says as the scene ends, all the crew claps as the last shoot comes to an end.
• It's been months and finally, I can drop this character because she was a bit draining in contrast to my personality. Looking down at my outfit, a cute yellow sundress, and bodice fitting me like a glove. I fit so well into the picture of happy ever after I could almost deceive anyone and that’s why I love my job.
• As a supporting character in the A LIFE FOR YOU movie, the female lead sister's friend, cheering the newly engaged couple for the last scene and any scenes before this one with very few roles, I was a part of them.
• I watched as the male and female lead moved to their trailer, probably to go finish the kiss scene without an audience. Rumour has it that they’ve been sleeping with each other.
• Grabbing my bag from where I stashed it, "Mr Shawn” I rush to where the director is in my heels, a tall brown man with a beard turns to me “Hmm…” he stutters “Ava,” I say to him smiling despite the fact that this might be the nth time I've introduced myself.
• “Yes Miss Ava, hope you enjoyed the shoot, your role?” he asks as he sorts through some papers in his hands.
• “Yes sir, amazing work, I can't wait for it to be released, I enjoyed every moment of it.”
• Clearing my throat, he looks up at me.
• “All Alright, why don’t you go with the others, I hear there will be a celebration dinner tonight," he says curtly at me.
• “Thank you sir,” I smile and he grunts turning to leave when I interrupt him.
• “Uhm sir,” I pull out a folder from my bag and hand it over to him “Please take care of this for me sir.”
• “Miss Ava you know this is not the format” he begins but I cut him.
• “I know sir, but last time, the audition information for this movie was sent to a particular set of people, if this is not a format, please just help me out this once for any future project,” I gulp, my lips in a grim line as I wait for his reply.
• “I'll see what I can do,” he pulls his card and slips it into my cleavage, looking me up and down with leering eyes, his gaze leaving cold chills down my spine.
• I thank him keeping my smile in place and he smirks before leaving.
• I pull the card out of where it hung between my breasts looking at it and back at his retreating figure, squeezing hard I throw it into my bag, breathing out with exasperation.
• Already changed and headed home in my sweatpants and hoodie, the trailer for supporting characters to change was full and I had to return my outfit. They were all excited about the dinner holding that evening. It was sponsored by our prestigious Reed Thompson (the M.C.).
• He probably slept with half the actresses on set including extras and errand part-timers. Typical blond handsomeness that has every lady running at his beck and call, add the fact that he is from a wealthy family giving him an ego big enough to carry an elephant.
• Layla (FL) should know better but I guess his charms worked on her too.
• Unable to be bothered by the unnecessary gushing and ingenuine heart-to-heart talk while drinking in the name of celebration because it's all about sucking up to who would aid your next job.
• I sigh as I try to imagine how many ladies Mr. Shawn will sleep with, remembering how his eyes roamed my body earlier, my phone buzzes in my pocket, I take it out to pick up but the caller ID has me pause, staring at my phone till the ringing comes to a stop, I switch off my phone and pocket it.
• Finally getting to my neighbourhood, it’s a rundown part of New York, pretty sure the government has forgotten about this area, kicking an empty can on the pavement, and the sun has set.
• I haven’t gotten dinner, reaching my studio which is on the last floor of the apartment complex, with a failed elevator,
• I have to climb ten flights of stairs.
• Opening my door, I gulp as I stare at green eyes. His frame is covered in a full black outfit, his hat does nothing to hide the tattoo on his forehead, his hands gloved and his feet booted.
• He rises to his full height and stalks me, "comes in Ava" he says.
• I turn back to run but a big man awaits me just outside, he stalks me back into my room and closes the door.
• "That wasn't very smart," He scolds.
• “How did you find me?”
• Acting unfazed I moved into my small room and dropped my bag on the desk.
• Six foot and buffy, he takes up so much space that I can't see past him from where I stand.
• “It's obvious you have been running away from me,So how do you think?" his eyes roam my body making me ick.
• “Gordon…” unable to complete my sentence because two steps and he is already in my face.
• “We had a deal little one, it's not fair for you not to keep your end of the bargain.”
• His voice comes out with no contempt as his hands move to my face and caress my cheek, I close my eyes as I remember his nickname for me.
• “I just graduated,” I manage to say while holding my breath.
• “We both know that is a lie now,” he says as he returns to where he was seated and makes himself once again comfortable.
• I force a smile at his statement, scratching my neck as turn to the fridge to get water, the temperature just dropped.
• “What do you mean by that?” I ask feigning ignorant.My back to him, as I spend more time than necessary grabbing a bottle of water from a fridge that isn’t capable of housing full groceries.
• "I have eyes everywhere,” the bottle falls out of my hand at his statement,and rolls to his feet.
• I manage to close the fridge and face him.
• “Did you think you could run and hide from me? Then suddenly show up on TV,” he spoke in a condescending tone, picking the water bottle from his feet, he raises it to me.
• “I had to sort out somethings after I was done,” I stutter.
• A sudden chill rolls up my spine as I move forward. On reaching him, he opens the water and I carefully take it from him “Drink,” he commands.
• My heart is beating faster than the first time I met him. I was just a shy young girl then, until I saw an opportunity and took it. I made a deal with a boogeyman only then I was too bashful to see it.
• “Why are you here?” I ask before drinking the water.
• A few drops comes off the side of my mouth and Gordon stands.
• He chuckles at my reaction and cleans the water off my chin, turning me to face him.
• “You owe me and I always collect,” he says as I mutter the last word in unison with him.
• I should have known, five years and I thought maybe I had escaped.