"Sir, This is the young man I told you about, he is very good at his work, many companies will risk anything to get him working with them." Jack praised him while Ethan and  Mr Adams exchanged greetings. Jack also introduced Ethan as one of the top personal investigators that works at the Ket organization. 

Ava could not understand what exactly they were saying , throughout the conversation she kept her eyes on Ethan's silhouette until he was ready to go.

The park was crowded with people leaving the party, it slowed down her movement, from a distance she could not see his face clearly. 

 While trailing behind him, her phone rang, breaking her focus. "Hello?" Ava answered, ready for whatever was coming. "Where are you? The boss needs you to come quickly." 

Before she could respond, the caller hung up. Her gaze snapped back to where Ethan was standing, but he was now walking towards the mansion instead of getting into his car. 

 Ava quickly followed him inside. Without hesitation, the old lady's voice rang out, " Nathan, why are you late?" 

Nathan hugged her, smiling and explained that something urgent had come up at the company that  needed immediate attention.

Ava, unaware of their conversation, quickly approached Granny, smiling in hopes of getting closer to Nathan.  Nathan ignored the lady behind him and  walked to his room.

The old lady turned to Ava and said, "Nina, come have a seat," gesturing towards the chair. Ava shifted her gaze from the stairs, where he had just disappeared . After she settled down, the maid poured coffee for her.

"You look familiar, who is your mother?" The old lady asked, sipping her coffee.

 Ava hasn't spoken about her mother to anyone since childhood. Honestly she felt uncomfortable talking about her mother to anyone, not even her best friend.

 "My mother is dead." That was the only word that could escape Ava's mouth. 

The old lady's face dropped , apologizing, "Ohhh, l am sorry, I didn't mean to remind you of the past." She smiled warmly and added, " You can always come here if you feel lonely." 

Ava nodded. "Thank you, ma'am" touched by her kindness. 

"Please call me Granny Walton," The old lady quickly said.

"Okay, ma'am." Ava corrected herself, "l mean, okay, Granny Walton." The old lady smiled.  

When they  finished chatting, she collected her paycheck then she quickly glanced at the place Nathan disappeared too before heading out. 

The next day, she got a new apartment then did a change of name and did a fake certificate, unable to risk getting caught. She then went to change her hairstyle and dye her hair black.

At noon, she officially started her new job at the cafe, looking completely different. After her night shift ended, she met with the manager to gather information about the party's host, but all she got was the name.  

Ava returned home and began her research on the Walton family. Unfortunately she couldn't get enough information about the family on the internet. Just as she expected, the family was known by everyone because of their son, Nathan Walton. They  seemed to be  people who stayed low-key and avoided social media. 

" NATHAN THE HANDSOME BACHELOR  BUILT HIS EMPIRE AT THE AGE OF 23 AND ACHIEVED BILLIONS WITHIN A YEAR." 

"NATHAN WALTON HAS HELPED HOMELESS PEOPLE BY PROVIDING SHELTER AND FOOD OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS." 

That's  the only thing Ava could find, no scandal relating to the family.

 Why would a billionaire be working for her father as a private investigator? She questioned. 

As days passed, Ava went on with her daily activities till the weekend. Despite all her efforts, she couldn't find any useful information about Nathan, only the name of his company.  

She entered a cab straight to Paragon Group's headquarters.  Arriving, she paid the driver and watched it speed off. The building was bustling people walking in and out.

 Paragon Group was known for being the largest company in the country, only the 1% can work there. She  approached the front desk, where a lady stood. "Good day, miss," Ava greeted her with a smile. "I'd like to meet with the president, please."

The lady looked up at Ava, with a doubtful expression. "Okay, did you book an appointment with him? If so, what's your name?" 

Ava explained that she didn't have an appointment with him, but it was urgent. Pleading with the lady to let her see the president. 

The lady looked at Ava, clearly unimpressed with her acting. "Ladies like you come here everyday, they have something important to tell our president too," The lady replied rudely.  "If you don't leave, I'll have no option but to call security on you."

Ava was not ready to cause a scene so she asked her, "How can I book an appointment with the president?" 

The lady ignored her, taking her as one of the ladies desperate to be in the president's bed. 

Ava kept returning to the company, determined to meet the president. However, her determination paid off in an unexpected way, she was kicked out by the security. But still didn't give up 

"Boss, there's a lady who has been coming here without an appointment for the past five days looking for you." Leo reported the situation to Nathan. 

Nathan's eyes darkened, and he asked,  "Who is she?"

Leo responded, "We don't know at the moment, but you can see the surveillance cameras outside the building," Leo said, while handing him the iPad . 

After watching the footage, Nathan smirked and instructed Leo to investigate her. 

He was surprised that she had found him so easily, but he had to be sure if she came seeking compensation. 

After conducting the investigation, Leo brought the result to Nathan. "She recently faked her certificate and her name," Leo reported. She's on the run from home. Nathan laughed and said, "Good! When she comes again, let her in.

That night, Ava went to the store, gathering some veggies, fresh meats and some snacks to restock her kitchen.   Approaching the drinks section, she overheard a man apologizing with his head facing down while pleading with a customer. "Sir, the drinks are all sold out." As she got closer, she recognized the man was Nathan.

Ava headed to the counter to pay for her items while darting her eyes to where he was.

Nathan saw sneaky eyes from afar and instantly recognized her. He smirked while dismissing the manager. Ava saw Nathan approaching and she quickly fastened her footsteps towards the entrance. 

After she thought she had finally escaped him, Ava felt a hand on her shoulder tapping her, and she froze. "Miss?" Nathan asked. Ava, staring at him with her mouth wide open, taking a close look at his face. She found him familiar, but couldn't recall exactly where.

Brought out of her thoughts, Ava replied, "Nina." If Nathan was a private investigator sent by her father, she couldn't reveal her true identity to him.

"Nice to meet you," Nathan said, acting cluelessly. "I met you at our family mansion, one of our guests, huh?" He wanted to see if Ava had any other motives. 

Ava found the perfect opportunity to cling to him. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Nathan," she replied.

"Oh,  please, just call me Nathan," he smiled. "Do you need a ride home?"  "Yes...Yes.. please." Ava stuttered out of nervousness. 

The car was filled with silence, and  Ava tried to stop the awkward moment by starting a conversation. "Mr Nathan, do you have other business that you do?" She asked.

Nathan's eyes darkened without looking at her, and he replied sarcastically, "Seems like Miss, want to know more about me, huh?"

"Not that I am invading your privacy, but I actually know your secret," Ava replied, with confidence.

The car came to a halt on the highway.  "What's my secret?" Nathan asked, gazing at her with a frown.

"That you have another identity apart from being a CEO," Ava replied nervously.

Nathan smiled, eager to hear what she wanted to say. "Which is?" he asked.

"I know you're  importing hard drugs to the elites." Ava said nervously, hoping her lie will pay off. 

Nathan got speechless for a while, until he decided to play along. "Really! And how did you know?" he asked.

Ava, thinking she has exposed him, she smiled and said, "That isn't important right now. Let's make a deal."

Nathan raised his brows, while staring at Ava, waiting for her to continue talking. 

"Marry me then I will keep your secret safe," Ava said with a smile.

Nathan leaned in closer to Ava, his lips only an inch away from hers. 

Staring at her lips before looking into her eyes, and smiled. "You shouldn't be doing this," he warned. "Entering a sleeping lion's den can be dangerous."

Ava smiled and said with determination in her eyes, "Deal or no deal?"

"For how long?" Nathan asked. "For a year, after a year we can divorce," Ava replied.

Okay, deal, little chick.  You can't go back on your words now," Nathan  said as he drove down to the marriage registry office.

Ava couldn't believe that she was finally married to a man she barely knew.

 Staring at the marriage certificate, she felt a mix of excitement and regret, but she had a mission she needed to accomplish within one year with him.

"Are you going to keep on standing there?" Nathan asked, drawing her out of her thoughts.

Ava smiled nervously, " I'm coming" She said, as she walked towards the car. "So where are we heading to?" Ava asked.

"Mrs Walton, I am obviously going to your house,  where do you think we are going??" Nathan asked sarcastically.  

"Don't forget you are just my wife on papers, you can't interfere with my private life and I won't do the same. This marriage should be a secret, for the meantime, you will be staying in your house. If you need anything don't forget to call me." Nathan said as he arrived at her house.

Ava went on with her normal routine,she was given whatever she wanted, she couldn't stay at home all day, so she had to continue working. 

After one  month, Ava didn't see Nathan because he was so busy to meet her, he always sends his assistant. She wasn't worried since he said she has no right to interfere in his private life, but she needs to be close to him to start plotting her plans.

"Welcome! What do you want to order?" Ava said, her eyes focused on her phone. "Can I get a latte and a sandwich please," a deep voice said.

"Okay," Ava said as she looked up to take his orders, her eyes came into contact with her childhood friend, whom she hadn't met for seven years.

"Charles," Ava called out, but she couldn't say it out loud. Charles smiled and said," look who we have here, the almighty Ava." He said, sarcastically.

When Ava finished high school, she left for another town. She had been crushing on him then, but he had a girlfriend who wasn't supportive of their friendship, causing them to lose contact. After his family business expanded he left for the US to continue his studies. 

After Ava gave him his orders, he left to take a seat. When he finished eating, he didn't stay for long. "I have to get going, Ava. I'll come to visit often." Charles said.

Ava smiled, she didn't want him to visit at all. If Charles' family found out that she ran away, her whereabouts would definitely be exposed by Charles, and she would be in trouble.

"Do you know that guy? Jessica chimed in excitedly.  "Ava replied,  "Kind of."

"He is our regular customer," Jessica said. "He has increased our sales for the past six months and is  admired by many ladies who come to buy from the cafe." Jessica smiled, not noticing the frown of Ava's face.

"I think my shift is over," Ava interrupted her. "I need to be going, bye," Ava waved her goodbye and exited the cafe's entrance.

A mile away, a black car was waiting for her. After she got married to Nathan, his assistant always takes her home after work.

"When is your boss coming back?" Ava asked Leo. "My boss is back, he is home waiting for you," Leo replied.

The atmosphere became quiet, with a lot on Ava's mind. She didn't notice when the car arrived at their destination. She had never been able to go to Nathan's house before. The mansion was very similar to the one she had gone to, but the building was bigger. 

After Ava went into the mansion, she felt a chill while entering the living room. It looked as though nobody was living there, the paintings were all white and black, giving off a deathly vibe.

"Love it?" Nathan asked as he came downstairs.  "Hmm.."Ava said, not like her opinion mattered

"Now that I have seen you're okay, you can now go back to your house,"Nathan said. 

Ava stared at him speechless. "What? You just brought me here to see if I am fine? You should have called me.  Also you couldn't offer your wife a coffee or something?" Ava frowned.

"My maids are off work today, if you want to eat anything, go to the kitchen  and make a meal yourself, then leave." Nathan said coldly.

"What a rude, crazy man"Ava thought and walked towards the front entrance. 

 Ava asked Leo, "What's wrong with your boss?" 

"Sorry miss. Something just came up in the company. He's really upset." Leo replied with a sad expression.

Suddenly remembering something she walked back to the living room, where Nathan was immersed in what he was watching on the television. 

"I have something I want to discuss with you," Ava said to Nathan.

"Go on," Nathan replied coldly.

"I want to move into your house," Ava said.

Nathan smiled. "You're pushing things too fast, don't you think so, Mrs Walton?"

Ava blushed and said, " No, I have my reasons, not what you're thinking."

"What was I thinking?" Nathan asked Ava, acting dumb. "If you want to move in with me, you will have to keep our marriage secret if my family visits, is that clear?" Ava agreed and left the mansion to move in the next day.

The next day Ava moved in with her property, hoping she will be staying with Nathan.  

    'Where are you going Mrs Walton? ' Nathan asked with a smirk.

 Ava felt her body stiff, her palms sweaty avoiding eye contacts with Nathan, unsure of what to say. 

Nathan saw she was avoiding eye contact with him. 'Mrs Walton I never knew you have such an ulterior motive, you can just say so, we can do our wedding night right now.' He teased her.

 "Sure, why not? It is no big deal for a legally married couple to sleep together, right  Mr Walton" Ava decided to play along.

Nathan's eyes darkened, "You  will be staying in the guest room till our marriage is over and don't pass the boundaries." He said walking into his room, leaving her speechless. 

Ava, shocked by his sudden attitude, moved into the guest room, remembering how her life went from sunshine to darkness within a week.

Days passed on so fast, Ava stopped working at the cafe, went on to look for remote  work to keep herself busy  and tried calling her best friend's number several times yet no response on the line. 

No sight of Nathan in the house, always on business trips. If he keeps disappearing, how will she get information regarding her father within a year. Ava sighed, making her way to the kitchen to make a meal for herself.

'Nina what are you doing here?' Granny Walton asked with a shocked expression on her  face, while holding some groceries.

'Granny.....'

Granny waited for her reply. Ava stuttered, 'I..I...I am... I am his umm..M'

 Before she could complete her word someone interrupted, 'Granny what are you doing here?' Nathan asked while glancing at Ava.

'I came to visit since you can't visit me,' Granny replied to him with a warning look. 'What is she doing in your house?' She shifted her gaze to Ava.

'That's my maid,' He quickly said with a straight face.  'Granny, let's go get  your favorite meal outside."  

Granny sighed,  "l didn't know you had a young maid, since I am here with the groceries, it won't be fair to go outside to eat right, Nina?' 

Ava nodded, still recalling what Nathan just called her, a maid? gazing at him with her hands clutching onto the kitchen knife tightly.

Nathan smirked, "Yes my maid will make a meal, let's head to the garden. He said stretching his hand at his granny.

As they strolled towards the garden, Granny leaned heavily on Nathan's arm, her eyes filled with suspicion. "A maid, you say? She looks more like a wife, doesn't she?"

Nathan chuckled, a nervous edge to his voice, " Granny you're overthinking, she's just helping out around the house." He knew what she meant by more like a wife but Nathan wasn't ready to talk about it.

He subtly glanced back at the kitchen  window where Ava stood frozen, her hands still clutched in her hand. He could practically feel her gaze burning into his back.

In the kitchen, Ava finished dishing out the meal. She walked towards the garden, a sweet smile plastered on her face. "Mr Nathan," Ava called out, her voice dripping with false subservience. "The meal is ready." I will be leaving now, she thought, shooting Nathan a dangerous look.  

"Join us for dinner," Granny said, pulling Ava towards the dining table. Ava was led by Granny, while Nathan followed from behind. 

"Nina, are you single?" Granny asked, piling dishes onto Ava's plate. Nathan silently glanced at Ava, waiting for her reply.

Ava smirked, "Yes, I divorced my husband." 

Nathan's eyes darkened, and he dropped his spoon harshly. Walking out of the dining room without finishing his meal.