The Assassin's Daughter

Chapter 2

8 YEARS LATER

"Good morning, sweetheart!" Ava's mother, Victoria, sang in her beautifully smooth voice.

"Morning." Ava hopped from the last step, her long, mocha and caramel locks of hair swinging with her steps. "Where's dad?" Ava grabbed an apple and refused a plate of pancakes her mother attempted to shove toward her. Her flight from Texas had just gotten in last night, she was not exactly in the mood for a large amount of food.

"Oh, he went to meet Edward." Her mother turned away from her and back to the counter, pursing her lips. "Don't forget you'll need to meet them for lunch today." Victoria's demeanor had changed and Ava wanted to know why.

Ava rolled her eyes. She despised Edward and his always slicked back black hair. She hated the way he looked at her. Like a piece of meat he wanted to devour. After spending four of her eight years in college with that entitled brat, she could not dislike him more. "Do I really need to be there for this? My degree isn't even in business or marketing or whatever it is dad does!"

"Yes, Ava. You need to be there. Your dad has something... special planned today." Victoria busied herself cleaning the kitchen, and without looking back at Ava again said matter-of-factly, "Please go get dressed. Make sure to wear something nice."

"Yes, mother," Ava sighed, and trudged back upstairs to rummage through her suitcase. Most of what was left in the closet here was just high school t-shirts.

A navy-blue dress, just above knee length is what Ava pulled from her wide selection. A pair of tan, open-toed booties to complete her outfit was just right. Ava wasn't one for jewelry.

"Oh, Ava. I'm sure Edward will love that outfit!" Victoria chimed as she walks toward to front door to leave.

"Uh, thanks, mom." Ava didn't understand why Edward needed to like her outfit. "Bye. See you tonight."

As she sat in her BMW, Ava's phone dinged. She looked at the screen. It was a text from her best friend, Melody.

"Hey! Can't wait to see you tonight!"

Ava had almost forgotten about girls' night, she quickly typed out her excitement and started the car, leaving for her early lunch with her father and Edward.

*

"Ah, there she is!" Leo, stood to greet her. His sculpted face looked like a pressure cooker that wanted to explode. His smile said she was late, and in trouble.

"Dad." Ava disguised her non-excitement well. "Sorry, traffic was bad this morning." Her excuse could be used in any situation. It wasn't really a lie.

"Which direction did you come from, Ava? I didn't experience any traffic on the freeway." Edward's pompous voice came from behind her. He was way too close for comfort. Edward Bertrum was the worst person on the planet if you asked Ava. He knew all too well how she felt about him.

Ava turned, repositioning herself. "Edward, never a pleasure." She sarcastically smiled at him and took her seat.

"Be nice, Ava." Leo scolded. "We have important things to discuss." He gestured for Edward to take the seat across the table from Ava.

"Yes, do be nice Ava. It would be a rough start to a marriage if my wife was so rude constantly." Edward smirked at her, an evil gleam in his eye.

Ava's mouth fell open, and she looked at her father, shocked. "Excuse me, did he just say wife?"

"Uh... Well... Yes... Edward is...Ava, we should have maybe come on a little less strong," Leo glared at Edward for a moment. "Yes, I would like for you to give Edward the pleasure of marrying you."