A week flew by so quickly, the days seems faster when you're alone. It was a Saturday morning and Ava planned on sleeping in cause it was the weekend but her plan was disrupted by a phone call. With sleepy eyes she reached for her phone on the bed side table. It was a call from her father.

"Ava where are you" he asked immediately she picked the call. Ava was taking aback,why will her father be calling her so early on a weekend.

"I hope you're not planning on missing your sister's wedding?" Her father asked her when he didn't get a response.

Ava checked her phone and realised that today was her sister's wedding. She showed no emotions at all.

"What does her wedding has to do with me?" She said to her father's feeling irritated.

"Don't be childish, it's your sister's wedding so put every differences aside and be here" he said not giving her any chance to refuse. Ava was used to being treated this way, since her mother passed away mysteriously her stepmother and her daughter has made life a living hell for her, even turning her own father against her.

"I'll be there" she said and hung up the call. She decided to chat up her best friend,jane.

"Hey girl..you there?"

"Yeah.. what's good. Sorry for not checking in on you I was really tied up this past week". Jane replied almost immediately.

"It's fine.. will you be coming for Clara's wedding today,I don't want to be alone" Ava asked.

"Sure I'll be there with you,just text me the address. I forgot to ask, how did your date go?"

"Hmm something unexpected happened, I'll tell you all about it at the wedding"

"Alright then..let me go get prepared" Jane replied and went offline. Ava dragged her sleepy self from the bed and also began to get ready.

Ava got the venue of the party two hours later, it was held at an event centre at the middle of the city. She wore a navy blue silk gown that hugged her body, accentuating the curves on her body,she didn't bother to wear make up and just let her hair fall. She didn't want to draw any attention to herself. But none of that could help the situation,as soon as she walked into the hall all eyes fell on her,she could hear whispers as she walked in.

"Is that not the first daughter of Mr Lin?" Someone said.

"I thought she was engaged to Jeff"

"I heard the engagement was called off. Maybe she cheated on him"

"The bitch deserves it, she's just like her mother "

"I heard how miserable she has been since she lost her mother"

"I kind of feel pity for her. The poor girl has no one to run to"

Ava endured the pain she felt as she heard the words,she shouldn't have come here. Just at the centre of the hall she could see her stepmother greeting the guests with a smile while Clara said Jeff stood together lovingly. She felt the pain and anger building up in her, trying so hard to hold her tears she walked out of the hall to find the rest room to calm herself down.

Just as she left the hall a tall figure walked in. All eyes fell on him,his aura sent a chill down the hall. He walked in with large strides ignoring the eyes on him,he had guards surrounding him. Just as he was about to go sit Mr Lin walked up to him.

"Mr Ward, it's a pleasure to have you here sir. I didn't expect you to grace us with your presence". Mr Lin said as he smiled foolishly, trying so much to please the man in his front. If he could get him on his good side his family will be set for life.

" I didn't plan on coming either, I'm having a meeting at the next building and just decided to stop by" Elias said while looking round the hall to find that little woman.

"Please meet my daughter and son in-law" Mr Lin said as he brought them to greet him.

"Nice to meet you sir" Clara said sounding innocent and sweet and almost drooling at the handsome man before her Elias completely ignored her. She felt angry but quickly hid it with a smile. She didn't know the identity of this handsome man but she wanted him for herself. Jeff felt uneasy with the way Clara looked at the man but couldn't say anything.

Just then Ava walked back into the hall and their eyes met. It was him again. "Why was he here?" Ava thought to herself as she stared at Elias. His words still lingering in her mind. Elias kept staring at the little woman across the hall not minding the people trying to talk to him. Clara noticed his gaze and quickly walked over to meet Ava just before Elias could make an attempt.

"Big sis.. thanks for coming,I didn't think you'd come" Clara said to Ava trying to look innocent.. Ava tried to ignore her but she wouldn't back down.

"I know you're still angry with me but it's not my fault that he left you" Clara said trying to provoke her. Ava eyes turned red from anger but didn't utter a word. Clara continued speaking seeing her plan was working.

" It's not my fault he likes me more than you..I guess you're not his type" Clara continued.

"That's enough Clara" Ava finally exploded,by then everyone was watching them including Elias.

"I didn't mean to cause you pain,I know you hate me big sis" Clara said faking tears and trying to make Ava look bad"if you want I can call of the wedding and leave him for you but please forgive me" she continued while crying. Everyone around started to feel pity at her and threw accusing fingers at Ava, calling her all sort of names.

Ava was about to break down from all the things she heard so she moved to walk past Clara. Just then Clara let out a cry and fell to the ground.

"Big sis I know you're angry with me, you can push me however you want if that will make you feel better"Clara said still crying trying to make it seem that Ava pushed her. Ava looked at Clara with anger,she knew her sister was trying to humiliate her. Just then her stepmother,Rose,walked up to them and gave Ava a slap that resounded across the hall. Everyone was shocked as they didn't expect this.

" You Wicked bitch are you trying to paralyze my daughter,you want to ruin her wedding out of your jealousy. You're just like your mother!" Rose shouted.

Ava wanted to defend herself but just before she could speak up Rose emptied the glass of wine she held on her face. Ava felt so humiliated and pained,her dress was soaked from the wine. She ran out of the hall crying.

Elias watched all this unfold and didn't move until Ava ran out of the hall, he went after her without anyone noticing. When he got to her he saw Ava crotched on the floor crying. For some reason he became angry seeing her in that state.

Ava looked up when she heard footsteps beside her,she turned and met his face with teary eyes. At that moment she made the decision that will forever change the course of her life. She stood up wiping the tears from her eyes and said to him.

" Let's get married".

" What did you just say?" Elias asked just to make sure he heard her clearly.

" I said let's get married...or are you no longer interested in the marriage?" She replied while looking at him with determination in her eyes.

" Of course I am,I just wanted to be sure I heard right" he said staring at the little woman in front of him. By now she was looking pale probably because she was crying. " So when do you want to get it done,now or we could wait till tomorrow?" He asked her.

" Let's do it now, before I change my mind" Ava replied.

"Alright then,as you wish" Elias said as he signalled to Mathew who was watching them from a distance.

"Yes boss" Mathew said as he ran up to them. He was surprised to see the same woman with his boss again but he dare not ask any question.

"Prepare the car, we are leaving" , Elias said to Mathew as he turned to look at Ava. "Let's go"

When they got to the car Ava got inside while Elias followed after her.

"Take us to the registry court" Elias said to the driver. Mathew was taken by surprise when he heard this,he wondered what his boss was up to.

On the way to the registry office Anna finally said something. "I don't have my ID card with me, how are we going to process the certificate?" She asked as she turned to look at Elias.

" We will drive to your house first so you can get the necessary documents. Just give the driver your address" Elias replied without turning to look at her. When they got to the address, Elias was shocked to find out that she lived in a rented apartment. Why will the first daughter of the Lin family live in such apartment. There was a lot for him to find out about this little woman,he thought.

" I'll go up and get it myself, just give me few minutes" Ava said as she got down from the car and went into the building. Ava moved into the apartment when she turned eighteen,her stepmother and sister made life a living hell for her at the Lin residence after her mother death so she decided to move out as soon as she got into college. Since then she has been living in that apartment alone.

When she got to her apartment,she went straight to her room to get her documents,after retrieving the document she looked around her room, this was the place that has served as her home for more than five years now. It wasn't that well furnished but just enough for her to live comfortably. She quickly locked the door and went down to the car.

" What took you so long?....for a moment I thought you had changed your mind" Elias said to her as soon as she got into the car.

" No I haven't" Ava replied to him and looked out of the window. The drive to the court was quite long and the car was silent all through. Everyone had thoughts running through their minds. Elias turned to look at the little woman beside him,she seemed tired and her body looked fragile. He wondered what was going through her mind but didn't try to disturb her.

The car finally stopped,they had gotten to the registry office. Elias tapped Ava who seemed to be lost in thoughts.

" We are here already" he said to her.

" Ohh... alright" Ava said as she looked at the building in front of her. She had been doing a lot of thinking all through the drive down there. She was having a double mind if she had made the right decision. Marriage was not a child's play and she felt she wasn't ready for it. Ava turned to look at the man beside her, her husband to be, he seemed relaxed like getting married was something he did every day. She turned to look at the building, took a deep breath and said.

"Let's do this"

They both got down from the car and began to walk towards the entrance of the office. Mathew went ahead of them to make enquiries and prepare everything before hand. As they got to the entrance of the office, Ava could see couples who had just gotten their marriage certificate. They all seemed happy with smiles and laughter plastered on their faces as they took pictures with their partners.

She looked at Elias who was walking ahead of her,he didn't seem to care. She started to regret her decision,but at this point there was no going back. She could only hope for the best.

When the got inside,they sat on the bench at the reception as they had to wait for their turn. Elias turned to look at the woman beside him.

" Are you sure you're ready....after this there's no turning back?" He asked her.

" I am ready" Ava said as she held tightly to the helm of her dress as if seeking reassurance from it. She was about to become a wife to a man she barely new nothing about,the thought of that sent chills down her spine.

After waiting for few minutes it was finally their turn,the lady at the front desk directed them to an office. When they got inside the office they met an elderly woman sitting behind a desk. She smiled as she saw them walk in. They both sat in front of her.

"Another young couple again..you both look good together" she smiled and said while she collected the documents from them. The process of issuing the certificate didn't take up to two minutes. The elderly woman handed them the certificate and told them to go through it before signing. They both signed and gave it back to her to stamp. After stamping it she gave it back to them and said.

" Congratulations to you both....I wish you the very best in your marriage" she said, " you can proceed to the front desk for the final step.

When they got to the front desk,they were asked to take a couples photo for the passport which they did reluctantly. In the picture, Ava managed to force a smile while Elias kept a straight face. The lady at the front desk attached the picture to the certificate and handed it over to them.

" Congratulations once again... It is done" she said to them. Elias thanked her and collected the certificate from her and began to walk out. When they stepped outside the building he handed Ava a copy of their marriage certificate.

Ava collected the little book and stared down at it with mixed expression.

She was married.

From now on she was no longer Miss Lin....she was now Mrs Ward.