Tied To You

o

Scandals

"Now tell me about this scandal regarding you, your brother and Cora." Alvin Montenegro said as the disappointment in his voice turned to a bit of curiosity.

"The article is claiming that I am the father of Cora's baby. I mean I can see why they think that, I was dating her for a long time, but I know that the baby she's carrying isn't mine. The timing doesn't add up from the number weeks she's pregnant." Michael explained.

"I see. Has she agreed to do a paternity test? If she is telling the truth she would at least agree to it." Alvin said being curious as ever despite already knowing the news.

"We didn't talk about a paternity test, but I think she would agree to it, but I don't know about my brother Brandon. He's trying to keep his reputation clean so he can gain the people's vote this election. He wants to be a district attorney much as my dad wants your seat for mayor. They're willing to get their hands dirty. I wouldn't be surprised if the media confronts them and they drag my name down." Michael wanted to get this off his chest. He always felt like he got the short end of the stick around his family. He was the one to clean up everyone's messes, creating enemies that he didn't even know trying to destroy him and his parents did not care one bit or even try to help him.

"Michael, I will try to my best to help you in the best way I can. Ava's name is dragged in this and I don't want this to affect your nuptials in the coming month. I also don't want you to be discouraged about what the media says about you. Prove to them that you're more than just the article and that you can overcome this because if there was one thing of many I learned from growing up in the spotlight at an early age is that the media will try to create lies and bring you down all for a good story and paycheck." Michael didn't really know the extent of the media. He knew that they were nosy as the literally followed his family during election season, but he didn't know just how crazy they were. "If you think this is bad, this just a taste. Now that you're affiliated with us be prepared for all the things people are going to say or do." Alvin advised. He wanted to prepare Michael for the inevitable. Michael for the longest time hated the Montenegro's because they had so much power and influence, but he can finally see why. Everyone respected them, they were the perfect rag-to-riches story, but it is unfortunate that the media made them look like money hungry, power hungry people they are when in reality, they're the most generous people, who are intelligent speakers who can get what they want without affecting others around them.

"I have a good way to make this story benefit you, but you have to trust me." Michael nodded.

"Good. Now time to inform Ava because this involves the both of you." Alvin added.

A week later, the stands were flooded with the news of the Montenegro Heiress' secret elopement with Michael Solis sparking different opinions on all sides. Some thought this was a ploy to cover up a pregnancy, others thought the Montenegro's paid Michael in order to sweep the scandal under the rug. In summation, it was mostly bad than good but the article ended by congratulating and praising the two newly weds. Michael and Ava were both surprised at the attention the story was getting and quickly the scandal was swept under the rug. With the help of Cora, the Montenegro's were able to dig up dirty intel on the Solis' some of which surprised Michael. All this time he was blaming the wrong people for his sister's death. The whole time, the people to blame were right in front of him.

"Now that you know what happened to your sister. What are you going to do Mike?" Cora asked as Ava looked at her husband with dismay. She felt his burden, the whole week was overwhelming. The scandal, the secret elopement, the intel, all of it was mentally and emotionally draining for Ava even though it had nothing to do with her. She felt bad for Michael.

"I don't know. I think I'm just going to move forward. Focus on my start-up going public, the company, and working on building myself." Michael said with a bit of indignation and contentment.

"You deserve to be your truest and most happiest self Michael. Whatever you chose to do, we will support you because we care." Ava said as she embraced him. Cora watched them, holding back her sadness, but she was happy for him because Ava is his perfect match. She's someone who can feel the aura of other people and instantly offer them comfort and love. They complemented each other, and as unconventional as their relationship is, it works.

"I hate to cut this moment short, but I have to go. I have an appointment with my OBGYN." That was a lie, but she needed to make something up in order to prevent her from crying.

"Do you need a car to take you to your appointment?" Ava asked, but Cora politely declined.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm okay. I drove here. So I'll be driving to my appointment." Cora said grabbing her Birkin Bag from Michael's desk.

"Alright, let us know how the appointment goes. If you need anything you know how to reach us." Ava added as Michael walked her out of his office.

"Alright Mr. Solis, what's on your agenda for today?" Ava asked.

"Well Mrs. Solis on my agenda today is to train you in running a business because in a matter of months your father will be running for Governor and the company will be in both our names. I want train you so that we are both on the same page and so that you don't get taken advantage of because as much as I hate to say this, the business world is a male dominated career, so I need to build you to be feared but also respected." Michael said as he organized the files on his desk.

"Okay so where do I start?" Ava asked.

"You'll start at Reddington University's School of Business. Where you will be taking 18 units a semester studying all the coursework related to business. I pulled a few strings to get you into the impacted cohort. So please take this seriously. The workload will be intense, but it will be related to the real world. I know you want to go to University so this is your chance." Ava's eyes shined with enlightenment. She was surprised. She would finally be going to University, though it wasn't the major she wanted it was an opportunity she wasn't going to waste.

"Thank you Michael." She thanked in excitement as she hugged him.

"You don't know, how hard I had to convince your dad to enroll you into Reddington." He said still wrapped in Ava's embrace. She looked at him and released her hug. This time a hint of anger was gleaming in her eyes.

"What's the catch?" Ava asked with annoyance. Ava knew her father well and as much as he trusted Michael, he still had final say in whatever Ava did. He was always overprotective of Ava.

"Nothing." Michael said nonchalantly.

"Really? Nothing, there's no catch?"Ava asked with curiosity. "There's always some type of catch with my father, you can call it a form of compromise." Ava said as Michael nodded at her.

"He did say that you're an adult now so you can make your own decisions. Just remember what he told you." Ava was in disbelief over what Michael had just confirmed.

"There's going to be a lot of adjusting to do but go at your own pace. This is just as difficult for me as it is for you. So since we are legally husband and wife and know nothing about each other lets be friends." Michael proposed.

"That's going to be hard Michael, when we've already had sex before and you're an attractive man who happens to be married." Ava smirked.

"What happened to naive Ava?" Michael joked.

"She's gone, she's a kept woman now." Ava flirtatiously looked at Michael. "But this new Ava is careless, and more confident than ever. So get use to it." Ava said pulling Michael's tie, as their faces nearly touch each other. They can smell each others scent. Ava slowly pulled him closer and planted a kiss on his soft lips.