Maximus point of view
I sat at my desk, my fingers tapping restlessly on the shining wood as I stare at the pile of documents before me. The morning has been a disaster, and I hardly had enough time to understand all that was being said to me by my secretary.
A loud knock on my office door pulled me from my thoughts
The door was open before I could say a word, and the last person I would expect walked in , my father. He was wearing a fitted navy suit and he was looking neat as always. I was looking excited, I wondered why.
"Father" I whispered as I stood up from my seat.
"Well, well, Maximus," he said with a kick, shutting the door behind himself. "I must say, I'm impressed."
I arched a brow, hooking back into my chair. "That's new. His never impressed with me?"
His chuckled, "You got married, isn't it?"
I tensed, but masked it with a smirk. "News travels fast, father." I replied with an awkward smile.
"And you didn't bother to inform your old man." He questioned but I lowered my head instead.
I and my father don't really get along but this was different.
He wasn't wrong; I knew that. He sat back in the chair opposite mine, his one leg crossing over the other. "Yes, News travel fast. You are a Blackwell. Everything you do makes the headlines."
I bit my lips to check my urge to roll my eyes.
"And as your father, I couldn't be prouder," he said. "This is stability, not just for you but for the company. People with investments, they like a man who has settled down, who isn't some wild card. Imagine what this will do for you in the future?"
I didn't reply immediately, I wasn't expecting him to be proud of me, no, I wasn't.
But before I can say anything, he whips out an expensive-looking black folder and slides it across my desk. I picked it up and slowly flipped through the pages and I swallowed hard.
Properties. Stocks. New board privileges. More control over the company.
I grit my teeth. "You're giving all that to me just because I got married?
He smiled knowingly. "Marriage is a symbol of commitment, son. Responsibility. It means you're ready to handle more than just running the day-to-day business." He tapped the folder. "With this, you'll have the authority to expand our empire, seal deals without board interference, and have access to assets that were previously under my name."
I exhaled hard but slowly. My mind was all over the place. This was what I was working for. My hard work finally paying off.
There was a price for it.
Ava.
My Father's voice pulled me back into the room. "I want to meet her."
I blinked. "What?"
He chuckled. "Your wife, Maximus. I want to see this woman who turned an honest man out of you."
I smiled-the forced smile, heart racing. "Of course."
"Good," he stood up. "Let's have lunch tomorrow. Bring her along."
I nodded as I tried to extending my hand for a handshake. "I'll arrange it."
At the door, he stopped and turned. "I want to see progress, son. A real marriage. Not just for the company, but for yourself. I'm expect grandchildren too." He said as he smiled out of my office.
And in turn, I bit back a groan. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
He laughed again before turning and disappearing down the hall.
The second he was out of view, I let out a long sigh, running a hand through my hair.
Son of a bitch.
I needed to get Ava to play along.
I was still staring at the folder when my office phone rang.
"Mr. Blackwell," my butler's voice came. "I thought you should know-Mrs. Sinclair just left for her ex-boyfriend's wedding."
I shot out of my chair, "She did what?"
"She left in a haste, Miss Turner accompanying her, I think."
I ground my teeth.
She showing up at that wedding, would be a catastrophe.
I reached for my jacket and stormed out of the office. "Have my car ready, Now."
The drive to the venue felt like an eternity. I drummed my fingers impatiently against the wheel, weaving in and out of traffic.
This was not just to keep Ava in line but to protect all that I had struggled so hard for.
When I stepped into the reception hall, I scanned through to find her
Then, suddenly, my eyes found her.
Ava stood near the front, her body stiff, her face white. Her gaze was glued to the man standing before her- Nolan.
His arm was around his new bride, and he had smirk on his face. Then, just about as I feared, the new wife sniffed, looking down on Ava with her words.
Ava's body began to sway. Her breathing grew shallow. She was going to break.
I moved in before she could hit the floor-slicing through crowd. In one swift motion, I caught her in my arms.
"Honey," I said with a good volume in my voice loud enough for the whole room to hear- "I have been looking all over for you."
Ava's eyes fell on mine in a shock.
The whole room just stood silent and watching.
Turning for Nolan, I gave him a slow, deliberate smirk. His jaw went tight, his hands balled into fists.
I wrapped my arms around Ava's waist, tugging her close-like we were the happiest couple in the world. "Let's go home, honey."
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
The woman Nolan had married exclaimed "No way, Maximus Blackwell?"
I didn't waste time to look in her direction. Instead, leaning in, my lips brushed near Ava's ear and I whispered to her, "Trust me. Play along."
She quivered against me but didn't resist.
I took that for my cue. Scooping her up in my a
rms, I strode away from the spectacle like some kind of royalty, and out of the room.
As we got to the door, I heard Nolan utter a silent curses at her
"Great, let him swallow in his mess." I said