"I'm glad you have nothing to say for yourself," Nadia Sinclair grabbed a check book beside her, and tore a piece. "Here," she stretched it out to Aveline after scribbling something in it. "Take it and get lost for life. Get out of my family's life."
Aveline looked down. 'Ten million dollars,' she read in her mind.
It was more money than the entirety of her generations before had ever seen. Possibly more money than her generations to come would see-assuming she didn't have to deal with Atlas.
She blinked as soon as that name sprung in her head. "Atlas," she thought.
There was already a deal with him. Although, this deal could be easier.
She wouldn't have to pretend to be strong in front of Atlas, so he won't see her as undeserving of the money he was willing to pay her.
It really could be easy. Accept the money, and leave. She would go so far away after clearing all her debts, no one would ever see her again.
Her fingers tingled. They wanted to stretch out so bad and grab the deal, and run.
"Atlas," she thought again for some reason she couldn't explain.
"Why are you worried?" The words came out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Nadia's eyes squinted in disbelief, as her head doubled back. "Excuse you?"
Aveline took a deep breath. She hadn't willingly said those words, but since they were out, she might as well continue on that path.
"You said Faiza and Atlas have been an item since they were kids. Granted, their relationship has not been smooth, but they always find a way back to each other. So why are you worried about me?"
Nadia withdrew the check, and scoffed scornfully.
"What right do you have to question me? Where does such audacity stem from?" She gave Aveline a disgusted once over.
"I'm sorry if my words came out as audacious. It was never my intention. I'm just genuinely curious. If Atlas always finds his way back to Faiza, then I'm not a problem. You should relax knowing our marriage won't last. He'll leave me eventually, and return to her," she continued, despite her heart drumming loudly in her ears.
It took all the strength within her to continue on the path she was on. A path she knew would cause her more misery in the future.
Yet, she stood weakly on it. Again, for a reason she couldn't decipher, but only knew it had something to do with her deal with Atlas Sinclair.
Nadia chuckled dryly. "Now I see–" she bobbed her head. "You think you're sleek. In the presence of others, you pretend to be a weak wimp who cannot utter more than five words. But in secret, you challenge me?" She squeezed the paper in her hand into an odd, unrecognisable shape.
Tossing the paper to the ground, she tore off another piece, and scribbled on it.
"Here." She stretched the new check towards Aveline.
"Twenty million dollars," Aveline read in her mind.
Her heart skipped a beat. It was almost touching the money Atlas promised her if she kept all the rules for an entire year.
Money that would do so much more for her than she could ever imagine.
One day, neck deep in debts she inherited, and another day, a millionaire.
"This is more money than you'll find anywhere else. I doubt whatever you have over Atlas, is worth this amount. Take it and leave us alone. I know you need it," Nadia taunted.
A positive response travelled from the depths of Aveline, up to the tip of her tongue.
The temptation was great. It was taking the easier route. And if she did, she would be justified in a way, because she had not fallen for the initial temptation.
She opened her mouth to answer when the door pushed open, and Cara Sinclair walked into the room.
"I just had a conversation with Sid, and now I need to talk to you," she said, walking past Aveline like she didn't exist.
A furious expression adorned Nadia's face, as she whipped her head towards this intruder.
"Don't you understand the concept of knocking? How can you just barge into my room?" She scolded her.
"Maybe because I saw your husband downstairs which only meant you two weren't together. Is there another reason you would need privacy?"
Nadia's nose flared, and her eyes widened in absolute disbelief. "Are you serious right now?!"
Cara's head lowered, and her gaze fell on the check. "What is that?" She pointed, disregarding Nadia's obvious irritation.
"None of your business." She pushed the check behind her.
"You're not—" she stopped and turned to finally acknowledge Aveline. "Leave us. I need to talk to her in private," she said.
"You've lost your mind. She's not going anywhere. I was just talking to her," Nadia hissed.
"Nadia, I need to talk to you." Cara counted her words carefully, holding eye contact with her.
The sternness of her voice made Nadia realise it was actually more serious than she thought.
"Fine, leave us alone. But this isn't over yet."
Aveline didn't wait to be told twice. She turned right around, and almost fell to the ground scampering away.
The second she stepped out, she found both Freya and Riley waiting for her.
"Did we manage to save you on time?" Freya asked in a low voice.
Aveline eyes squinted first, and then it widened as she looked from one girl to the other.
"Yeah we did that." Riley lifted a hand, and Freya smacked it in a high five.
"Come, Aveline. Let's show you to your room. We told Atlas his mother dragged you to her room. He's on his way home," Freya said.
Aveline couldn't find the words to express her gratitude to the girls.
Even after they brought her into the room, and excused themselves to give her some privacy, she still couldn't say a word.
She sat on the big bed, and just stared into space.
It had been a close call back there. She had been this close to accepting Nadia's proposal. If only Cara Sinclair didn't arrive at the time she did.
Aveline sighed, and began to take off her accessories.
"Its so much harder than I expected." She started to converse with herself, as she took items after items off.
Soon, she was left with just her dress. Rising to her feet, she looked around the room.
"Huge," came to mind first. "Oh no!" She gasped, when another thought followed.
She was holding on to her heels, with mouth hung open from the thought that just crossed her mind, when the door opened.
"Good you're here already," she heard Atlas' voice, and the heels fell out of her hand.