Leon's Pov:
The meeting was a success, thankfully. No one noticed my mind wasn't there.
I left immediately after I was done.
Noah on the other hand was convinced Max would come for him immediately and went home before I even got to the board room. I couldn't blame him, I was doing the same.
I slammed the front door. Everyone lined up in front of me thinking I was about to give a speech again. Everyone, except Pearl. I dismissed them and walked to Ava's room.
Pearl walked out at that exact moment.
I lashed out at her.
"What were you thinking!"
She looked scared.
"Did you tell me before leaving the house?" I continued.
She didn't answer.
Ava walked out but she didn't say anything either.
I kept throwing questions at Pearl but she looked stiff in place.
I paused for a moment and all the rage instantly turned into fear.
"Did Max threaten you? Did he come here?"
"Yes, and no." Ava answered.
"You can leave Pearl."
She bowed and ran downstairs. She was young and I hated yelling at her but I was just so angry.
"Is this your definition of protection?" she crossed her arms.
"You keep saying that without understanding anything."
"Then make me understand!"
"I was fucking kidnapped! Under your protection mind you. Of course I want answers, a lot of them."
"Ava you need to…"
"Relax?"
"Yeah, I've heard that a few times. I'm leaving and you're not stopping me. I'm not gonna be involved in your sick, twisted life."
"The contract says you can't."
"What? So I'm in bondage now?"
"No, you aren't, but it's what the contract says and unless you're ready to pay for the breach, you can leave."
She looked disappointed hearing that. I felt disappointed saying that. I didn't want it to get to that, but it was the only way to keep her here. If she left, there was no way Max wouldn't kill her or even worse.
She turned around to walk back in her room.
"Wait."
She did.
"I'm sorry Ava, I'll explain everything but I promise everything I'm doing right now is to protect you and you honestly don't owe me your trust and I know I haven't earned it just yet but what I need now is patience and your cooperation. Okay?"
"I'll accept it when you prove it. Okay?"
She walked in and locked the door.
I felt terrible but I couldn't do anything. Telling her would complicate things.
I went back to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of Don Julio. It always did the trick.
I took the whole bottle to the balcony.
I kept thinking of how to kill Max successfully. Many tried before me and a good amount of them ended up dead. Others too traumatized too speak on how close they got.
Noah walked in.
"Drinking without me?"
I poured a glass full and moved it towards him. "Be my guest."
I took the bottle to my mouth and drank way more than I could handle.
"Have you seen Pearl? She looks upset about something."
"I lashed out at her, and Ava."
"Why, because they went shopping? They didn't know Max was going to show up and neither did you. That's what he does."
"I know but still, they could've told me."
I took a deep breath.
"I don't know why I'm so soft with her."
"Who, Ava?"
"Old me wouldn't give a single damn if she lived or not."
"That's exactly why it's the old you. That isn't us anymore, it's okay to care about people."
"I literally just met her, what? Three weeks ago?"
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I like her."
"It doesn't mean I like her like that, I'm just not as reckless as I used to be."
"Is that what you choose to tell yourself?"
I ignored him.
"We have bigger problems. We have to figure out a way to stop him before he does something."
"Isn't it surprising how he hasn't?"
"Surprising isn't the word. It's scary."
"We need all the help we can get. Let's whip up a group of guys before Alvin gets here."
"I'll find some."
"So will I." he took the last drops of alcohol in the glass. "I have to go but i'll keep you updated."
I went back to drowning myself in alcohol.
I slowly started to feel a migraine coming in. I hadn't felt it in months.
I struggled to walk back to my room.
It felt like I was going to fall but someone caught me.
"Ava?"
"Alvin…thats a new name, or rather a new lie."
I could barely understand or hear her, but I did let her carry me to my room.
She carefully dropped me on the bed and tucked me in.
"What are you doing?"
"Making sure theres no breach in contract. I could go to jail, right?"
I couldn't help but laugh. She looked annoyed.
"Close your eyes. I'll begin now."
She started to sing.
Within seconds, my whole body calmed down. It was like her voice was a drug. I felt safe again.
Her voice was soft and beautiful. The most beautiful I had ever heard.
"Goodnight Leon."
She wiped my forehead before leaving. As she walked out I felt a great sense of relaxation. I could finally sleep again because of her.
There was no way in hell I was letting her get hurt.