Ava's Pov:
My phone kept buzzing with notifications from Instagram. That morning, I took a few pictures around the house with Pearl's help, and then posted them.
Most, if not all my followers were shocked to see I was back to posting. The penthouse and the luxurious estate made the attention worse. I gained over five hundred followers before the end of the day. Nadia didn't like that.
She used her main, and spam account to monitor my like count throughout the day. I kept seeing her in my profile views but paid no attention to it. It was typical Nadia being her usual competitive self.
I stared outside the balcony in my room as I read through the comments. It was filled with women pretending to be happy for me and saying how much they envy me. Others complimented me like I had become a celebrity overnight.
Then, I saw it. A strange comment.
"Be prepared."
I checked the stranger's page. Nothing was on it. There were no signs that I knew the person. The thoughts that came to mind left chills on my skin. I wanted to tell Leon oddly, but he had left before I woke up that morning.
I thought it was weird how I sang him to sleep on my bed and we spent the night together just for him to disappear the next morning. The contract didn't involve him listening to my overthinking so telling wasn't an option either way.
So, I told myself it was just one of and went to the kitchen. The maids greeted me politely. They showed me where the already made food was kept and offered to serve me, but I didn't let them. I served myself and sat in the extremely large dining room. I looked around wondering what to make of this new life I'd be living.
A text message from Leon set my head straight after minutes of pondering.
"Meet me at the garden"
I didn't reply, just picked my plate up and walked to the garden. He was sorted, looking at his ipad on one of the chairs. I sat opposite him.
"Pardon me for my disappearance this morning, I had to stop by at the office."
I shrugged and placed a piece of an apple in my mouth. "It's no problem."
His eyes scanned me from the plate to my face before he spoke. "I promised to explain your position and the contract yesterday, that's what I want to do now."
I nodded.
"Firstly, the contract states that your job is strictly business and loyalty. There's no line between professionalism and your personal life, at least that's what I expect. Breach of contract can result in very subtle punishments. Secondly, you're working as my personal assistant. You can't work other jobs, You can't be unavailable when needed. I should know if you ever want to leave the house. I know it sounds controlling but I assure your comfort."
"Assure my comfort how?"
"Well you're allowed to leave the house, and I'll mostly only need you at night so you have more freedom than you think."
"That's all I need to know?"
"Basically, yes. You can always read the contract again to get rid of your doubts or ask either Marvin or Pearl questions when I'm not around."
"Okay then. I can leave now, right?"
"To?"
"Was informing you of my whereabouts part of the contract?"
He rolled his eyes. "Tell Marvin to take you then."
"I can handle myself Leon."
I walked past him into the house, and then to my room. I quickly changed clothes and texted Alicia to tell her I was coming over to the bar.
I wanted to get one of the drivers to take me but all the cars were in the car wash so I took a cab. I got to the bar barely ten minutes later and sat down at a booth directly opposite the wine area where Alicia stood. I watched her work for a few minutes before she finally came to sit next to me.
"I see the bar's been doing good since I left." I said.
"Oh please. Most of the customers come here in hopes their favorite singer would perform again."
We both laughed.
"So tell me, how's things with Leon?"
"What?"
"You thought I wouldn't find out?"
"Not exactly. I told you over the phone that I couldn't explain."
She turned around and looked me straight in the eye. "Well now you can."
"How did you know it was Leon?"
"I didn't. You just told me." she said.
We both stared at each other after that. I didn't know what to say and she looked too disappointed to say another word.
"He's a friend of Kira's, my old boss at the restaurant. He came in and offered me a job, alongside the men that were following me."
"And you took it?!" she yelled. "You have no idea who this man is, and need I remind you of the fact that he literally had his guards follow you."
"I know it all sounds bad but it isn't as risky as you think it is. I'm safe, I promise."
"I don't believe you." She turned around to leave. I held her hand back.
"Come on Licia, it's me."
"No, it's not. Everything you've ever told me has been a lie."
I let her hand go slowly while trying to grasp what she just said. She was right but I always assumed she'd find out through me and not some other secret means.
I watched her go back to work and completely ignore my existence. It hurt to see that but I knew she'd come around. I scribbled the words "I'm sorry" on a piece of paper on the table and left.
"Why is it so hard to get a cab?" I whispered to myself.
I pulled my phone out of my bag to call Marvin. All I heard was a single ring before my eyes closed and my body felt dizzy.
After what felt like hours, I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. Nothing.
I was tied to a chair in the middle of a completely empty room. I tried my hardest to break loose, but I didn't scream. I was too scared to even attempt.
"Oh wow." a low voice echoed from somewhere around me. "Has our artist finally decided to wake up from her slumber?"
I sprung up on the chair. "Who are you?"
"Let's say a good friend of yours." he said with a wide smile.
"What do you want?!" I yelled.
"From you?" He walked closer towards me. "Nothing at all."
I looked up at him, unable to read his face. His eyes were a very dark shade of grey. He didn't look old but he walked slowly as if he was.
"But I do need you to deliver a message." he said, brushing my hair behind my ears.
"What message?"
"You don't have to deliver it yourself. What I do to you will send it."
"What? No. No."
The lights faded again.