Olivia quickly stood up as Calix seemed uncomfortable talking.
"I should excuse myself since this seems like a business discussion." She said politely.
After Olivia left, Calix sighed, his expression still hard.
"Ethan Gray isn't someone anybody should be working with." He stated firmly.
Ava gulped.
"Why not?" She asked even though she had a good guess.
"I've heard a lot about his terrible personality and what happened to some of his workers." Calix revealed, his voice grim.
Ava felt shaken but maintained her composure. Her determination to succeed and help her mother get back on her feet pushed her forward.
"Did you witness him doing any of those things? Any evidence?" She asked carefully.
"No, but I used to hear about it. More of them were rumored to have lost their minds because of frustration. And the way he is insisting I come work for him... I believe he is up to something bad." Calix explained.
Even though, Ava herself barely knew anything about Ethan other than the terrible rumors, she found herself defending him. Her desperation to succeed at her first assignment clouded her judgment.
"Those are just rumors. You shouldn't worry about them." She told Calix confidently.
The man shook his head.
"No. I know my safety would be in jeopardy if I work for Ethan Gray." He insisted.
"I will protect you from any harm! I will ensure your safety!" Ava blurted out, desperately.
At that, Calix chuckled dryly.
"You think you can protect me because of that little drama you created back there?" He asked rhetorically, raising an eyebrow.
Ava fell silent, knowing she wasn't even sure of what she was saying. Then a sobering thought hit her.
"Should I really risk someone's safety just because I wanted to succeed at my task?" She asked herself inwardly.
Seeing her conflicted expression, Calix's face softened slightly, making up his mind.
"Please take your leave." He said quietly.
Reluctantly, Ava walked out to find Olivia waiting.
"How did it go?" Olivia asked hopefully.
Ava just shook her head sadly. Olivia understood that and she pulled her friend into a hug.
"Everything will be fine. You really tried your best." Olivia encouraged her.
Ava nodded, fighting back tears.
"Are you going back to the hospital to see your mother?" Olivia asked gently.
"Yes." She replied tiredly.
"I will drive you." Olivia offered.
Ava was too tired to refuse. She simply allowed her friend to lead her to the car.
~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, James Lawson sat waiting in his office. He had sent his driver to pick up Ava from the hospital.
When she arrived, his cold eyes were fixed on her.
"Why couldn't I get a hold of you since you went for the interview?" He demanded.
"Did you mess up?" He raised an eyebrow.
"No! I actually aced the interview. Mr. Gray seemed really impressed." Ava said sharply.
"Then what happened?" James pressed on, narrowing his eyes on her.
Ava took a deep breath.
"After the interview, Ethan Gray told me I was hired but there was a condition." She began her explanation.
"What condition?" James inquired.
"He wanted me to convince a cyber security specialist to work for his company. He said if I could do that, the job would be mine permanently." Ava continued.
"And?" James was curious.
"Everything went wrong after that. I got into a cab to go meet the specialist, but the driver..." She paused, remembering the terrifying moment.
"He robbed me of everything including my shoes."
James just scoffed at that, instead of being empathetic.
Ava continued nevertheless.
"I managed to find my way to the specialist's house anyway. But when I got there...There were these men – assassins. They were trying to break in and kill him. They had disabled his security..." Ava hadn't finished her narration when James interrupted her.
"So, were you about to convince him before he got killed?" James asked with a bored expression.
Ava was taken aback by that. Her lips parted slightly in surprise.
"I just asked a question, Ms. Collins." James pressed on.
Ava gritted her teeth but decided to remain calm and not snap.
"No, and no, he didn't get killed. I was able to distract the..." Ava was going to continue her narration but James wouldn't allow that.
"So, you failed?" James cut in, his voice cold and unsympathetic.
Ava was flabbergasted by that.
"Did you not hear what I just said? I could have died!" She pointed out, her voice rising.
"Aren't you sitting here, all okay and well?" James replied with a bored expression.
"What matters is the mission, and you failed." He added sharply.
"I tried my best! I literally put my life on the line!" Ava shot back.
"Well, your best wasn't enough." James stated coldly.
"And speaking of life and death, how is your mother doing?" He asked and a smirk crept up his face.
Ava stiffened at the mention of her mother.
"The doctors say she is stable, but..." She was saying gently but got interrupted.
"But she still needs those expensive treatments, doesn't she? Quick question; Aren't you bothering about your mother's health anymore? Or have you forgotten about the payment due next week?" He asked, his tone condescending.
Ava felt her strength leaving her. She clenched her fists, remembering her mother's pale face in the hospital bed.
"What must I do now?" She asked weakly.
"Now, we are talking!" James said with a firm nod.
"Go back to Ethan's company. Find a way to win him over and remain his personal assistant. I don't care how you do it, but you need to secure that position." James instructed.
Ava slumped in her chair, the weight of her situation crushing down on her.
"But what if Calix is right and then I managed to bring him in... Won't l have blood on my hands?" She whispered.
James's smirk got bigger.
"Then I guess you have a choice to make – your mother's life, or your conscience."