James smiled, “ is that all? I feel sorry for you Ethan, are you sure you really want to do this? Alright, I'll take the bet”.
“That's not all”, Ethan said as he got a sheet of paper and wrote down everything He gave it to James,” sign here”. James collected the paper, read it out to the hearing of everyone, and he signed. Ethan also signed. “Now, we have binded the bet”. Ethan knew James would want to break their promise after he might have lost with the help of his sister and mother. James smiled coyly as he scratched his head, staring at his mother who was silent throughout their bet. Kate was more concerned about the deal with Emerald Group, her reputation was at stake. If they decide to bet with their lives she doesn't care. Ava was more startled by the entire event, did Ethan plan all this before asking her to take the task? She had even signalled him to stop but he simply ignored her. When everything was settled, Kate turned to Ava and smiled, “Ava, you have just two days to accomplish this mission. The third day, we'll gather here to know the outcome of your mission. That's the end of tonight's meeting. “Excuse me mum”, Ethan said, please, let's put your offer into writing. It's just something to hold you to your words”. Everyone stared at Ethan in utter surprise, is he really okay?. “Okay, let's do it now”. Kate agreed to the surprise of everyone. She was willing to do anything to rise up the social rank. *** When they got to their quarters, they sat down in silence staring at each other for a few minutes. “I know you have a lot to say”. Ethan said, breaking the silence. “Really?” Ava exclaimed in awe, “what did you do? Did you hypnotise me? Why did I accept this?” Her voice breaking. Ethan moved close to her, placed his hand on hers and said confidently, “darling, I believe in you, you will get this deal. Do not underestimate your abilities”. With teary eyes, Ava looked at him “ Ethan, what if I fail? My business is not doing fine to even cater for us if we eventually get thrown out of here”. Ethan smiled, “Ava, you'll get it, do not bother yourself and go to bed. Tomorrow, you'll have to draft out designs and do some writing as well. I'll help you with everything”. She nodded and went to the bedroom, since they were given the boy's quarter they've never shared the same bed. Ethan slept on the couch in the sitting room every night. Lying down, Ethan found it difficult to fall asleep. Everything that happened today was a real shock, he was even scared of sleeping. He might wake up to discover he was dreaming. He walked to the bedroom, opened the door and watched Ava sleeping, then he said, “Ava, I will make your family respect you. Nobody will ever ridicule you again. I am a different man now. You'll know the truth in due time”. *** The next morning after breakfast, Ethan sent a text to Leo stating he will be heading to the bank and the company document should be brought to the bank as well.He was not ready to be seen in the office yet Ethan got to Pulse Bank a few minutes later. He walked nonchalantly to the entrance of the bank. The security guard who was stationed at the entrance saw Ethan walking towards the entrance and frowned. From his poor outfit, he looked like a beggar. He shrugged his shoulders, at the end of the month he'll still get paid,so he'll do nothing but watch Ethan to ensure he doesn't cause any problems inside the banking hall. When Ethan got to the entrance, he greeted the security guard with a smile. The man just nodded in response to the greeting. He scanned Ethan to make sure he wasn't carrying any arms before granting him access into the bank. Ethan smiled at the security guard before entering the bank. The security guard turned to stare as Ethan walked leisurely into the bank. He simply shook his head in pity. Ethan was looking at the signs on the doorposts, when someone touched him. He turned to see his college mate, Jasper. “ Hey Ethan, you must be the new janitor”. Jasper raised his brows as he stared at Ethan. “Janitor?” Ethan scoffed, “ I'm here to see the bank manager”. He smiled as he looked at Jasper. Jasper sneered as he looked at Ethan, his face filled with disgust, “manager? In your wildest dream, who are you to see the manager of Pulse Bank?” He looked at Ethan head to toe, “you want to see him dressed like this? The manager only gives audience to elite clients”. “Please, if you work here. I'll appreciate it if you can take me to the manager's office”. Ethan said smiling. “Ethan, the useless son-in-law of Steve's family, damn! You're really daring, you wish to see the manager. Do you think the manager will see you?” Jasper laughed. Ethan smiled, “ what makes you think he will not see me?” “If you're not the new janitor, are you here to see if I'm doing well?” Jasper said with pride as he turned 360, “I'm doing well as you can see. Please leave before I call security on you” Jasper sneered and said mockingly, “you're still trash and you'll never rise to the level of seeing the manager of Pulse Bank, go back home and continue your duties as a useless husband. I feel for that beautiful lady”. Ethan laughed, “Lead me to the manager now, if you wish to keep your job.” He said authoritatively. “Hahaha”, Jasper laughed out loud, “ that was so real, for a moment I fell for it. You should consider acting, maybe you'll be useful there”. “Is that so?” Ethan's mouth curled up into a smirk as he stared at Jasper. “I gave you an opportunity but you're blinded by your stupidity, you just dug your own grave”. “Really? An opportunity? I gave you an opportunity to leave but you decided to act foolish” Jasper said as he signalled the security guard to come. The security guard who manned the entrance, came in immediately. “ I knew you're here to cause trouble”. Ethan looked at him as he pulled out his phone, the black card fell out. “Thief!” Jasper screamed as he picked up the card, “ you're the black card thief”. Jasper quickly called for more security guards, he just caught the black card criminal. Recently, they've recorded a high increase in missing black cards, so Ethan was the one behind it. This revelation made everyone in the bank shocked. They thought the news they've been hearing were just people seeking public attention. “He had the guts to come to the bank”. “That banker is a smart person”. “Finally, the theft will end”. People made comments which made Ethan smile, he was unmoved by their words. The security guard noticed the attention of everyone was now on Ethan, he decided to play the hero for public admiration.He quickly rushed to Ethan, he slapped him on his left cheek, “you had the guts to walk in here, I'll treat you like the criminal that you are”.“You're making a huge mistake” Ethan said coldly, as he dialled Leo's number.“Hello, young master.” Leo said cheerfully, he was hoping to hear everything went well.“I'm at the bank but some dimwits are accusing me of theft, denying me access to the manager, call the manager and tell him to come out in two minutes if he still wants to keep his job” Ethan said with an air of authority as he hung up the call.“Who do you think you're calling, huh? Jasper sneered at Ethan making a call.“We'll see when he comes,” Ethan shrugged as he looked at his wristwatch.“ You're so foolish, you've been caught red-handed and you're still acting innocent” the security guard said as he raised his baton to hit Ethan.“How dare you?” A scolding voice came immediately, the security guard's hand hung in the air.“ You must be the manager, you came out on time.
Ava had sketched a few designs but none looked worthy of a contract. She drew the last one and laid down on the couch with her laptop beside her. She fell asleep, she didn't hear when Ethan walked in. From the dining table to the living room, papers were everywhere. Ethan smiled at the sight without waking her, he picked up the papers and sat close to her. He picked a few good ones. He was amazed at how she could still make beautiful designs. He studied business management and has an idea of fashion designs. This was why Ava's grandfather had ensured they got married. He believed if they worked together Sterling Fashion would go global. Looking at the designs he knew, Glam Fashion, a subsidiary of Emerald Group, would go global with a change in designs and he would make sure she gets to work with them. He looked at the designs thoroughly, he took the laptop beside her. He was about to check out her contract proposal when Ava opened her eyes. “Hi, when did you get back?” She
Gasps arose from people around them, their gazes now focused on Ava and Ethan. Ava was aware of the attention, and knew right away that Susie wanted to humiliate her publicly.“ You're aware we're trying to get a deal with Emerald Group, yet you still came here to get a deal for your company. The same company you stole money from us to set up? You're the reason dad died” Susie lamented, shedding crocodile tears.“How shameless” someone commented. The comment was followed by several exclamation of agreement.“What an unfilial daughter?”“She should be ashamed of herself”Ethan was not left out of the ugly comments.“ He's a bad man”“He's so greedy”“He's very useless”“They don't deserve to be here”.“They should be sent out of here” another person suggested. Everyone nodded in agreement.Ava looked at Ethan, his face had deepened with visible anger. This wasn't the first time a member of her family has tried to humiliate him in public.Susie wiped some more fake tears beneath her eye
The sound of the heels on the tiles,showed the gender of the intruder. It was a lady's voice! As she approached them, the air was set aflame by the frail of her perfume. It was a scent that spoke of wealth and sophistication, it was modern, elegant and alluring, like the lady who wore it with such confidence and grace. “What's the meaning of this?” She asked when she got close to them. The whole hall was silent, the voice was one with authority. Miss Josh comes to work early and leaves late, it was difficult for junior staff to see her. Whatever brought her out must be important. The security guard knelt down immediately trembling as he explained everything. She turned to the lady beside her, "Please, lead Miss Steve to my office”. The young lady nodded and led Ava to the office. With Ava gone, she turned to Susie “ young lady, I have no appointment with you. Drag her outside”. The security guard dragged her out of the premises. She freed herself and ran back to meet Miss Jos
Ava nodded, she couldn't believe things could be this easy for her. She quickly followed the assistant who had come to accompany her to Miss Josh's office. The moment Miss Josh saw Ava, she stood up from her chair and greeted her, “ Hi Miss Steve, you're welcome”. Ava was a bit nervous as she shook hands with Miss Josh, she took a deep breath and replied calmly, “Hi Miss Josh, thank you for inviting me again”. She tried to hide how nervous she was about the whole meeting. Miss Josh motioned her to sit down, “Please, have a seat”. After a brief silence, Miss Josh spoke immediately, “would you like a cup of coffee?” “No, thank you” Ava declined the offer. “Okay, Miss Steve, I've gone through your proposal with the team from our fashion industry. The reviews were positive. Your designs are top-notch and I think you're the perfect partner for us to work with as we plan to hit the global market”. Miss Josh said calmly. The news rendered Ava speechless,she blinked several times, an
“Why was Ethan there with you? You two plotted and brought fake documents here”. Susie shouted, her veins pulsating. James sneered, “you even lied about the contract quotation, have you ever made 100 million dollars in your life before?” Susie shifted in her seat, “ your designs are way below standard, you can't deceive us. Everyone knows I'm the best fashion designer in Nova City”. Turning to her mother, Susie said, “I wish I had taken this mission. I would have saved us from this humiliation”. Ava had heard enough, she walked towards Kate with the file in her hands. “Mum, this is the signed contract,my initial quotation was 50 million dollars, but Miss Josh said it was too low for the designs. Since they intend to go into the global market soon”. James curled his lips in disdain, “Ava, your tactics are too cheap, stop fooling around and face reality”. “This is outrageous!” Susie exclaimed, “Ava, you're trying to save your face and you came here to lie to us, is this the best
“Get out” A voice said calmly pointing at the door, “ you're not fit to be here”. “Please ma, you can't do this to me. I really need this job”, James sighed as he pleaded for the umpteenth time. “Young man, you're unfit to work here. So get out”. The young lady shook her head, still pointing at the door. “But !” James said, scratching his head. “Get out quietly before I call security on you!’ the lady banged the table as she stood up in a fit of anger. “Please ma, you have to be considerate. I have everything in the requirements and more”. James sighed as he continued to plead with the lady. The lady before him is the human resource manager of Emerald Group “Leave before I call security on you”, she shouted. “Please ma, you can't do this to me, you didn't even allow me to sit down. I really need this job,” James continued to beg. “A gambler and a spoilt brat? You think if you mess up here, your mother can cover it up with money? Do you even think you're qualified for any job?
In the peripheral of her eyes, Ava noticed that the two voices belonged to the two shop assistants who stood by in case more help was needed. She was shocked to find that employees at such a popular store were so rude and unprofessional. “So, will you take that one?” the assistant who was accompanying them asked, crossing her arms across her chest and sticking her hip out. She was no longer pretending to be professional and Ava could feel her irritation rising. Ava looked at Ethan who hadn't said anything besides looking at the clothes she picked. His jaw looked tense and she realised that he too was bothered by the attitude the shop assistants were showing. “My previous place of work, shopping was done by appointment only. That way only people who could actually afford the clothes showed up. Here, any beggar from off the street can walk in”. the owner of the voice sighed.“I wish they would make it like that here”. “Yeah, that would be nice,” her fellow assistant agreed. “ A stor