Chapter 36

Ava's pov

Waking up this morning was a nightmare. Last night was amazing. I enjoyed dinner with Susan and Maxwell but the true highlight for me was being at Aiden's place.

He truly made me feel welcomed. His hospitality was so great that I almost started to believe I could actually visit there more often.

When he dropped me off at my apartment all I did was fall onto my bed and sleep.

I woke up this morning with the same dress I wore last night as well as my makeup still plastered on my face.

That wasn't the worst part of it. The worst part was the fact that I had a headache, an extremely painful one at that.

I was currently in my office when I got a knock on my door. I invited whomever it was in only to see a person I've never met before.

Once they were fully settled in the office, they spoke 'Ms. Hilson I am Mr. Hyde, a member of the board of directors and I am here to inform you that you are needed in a board meeting right away'

Confused as to what was truly going on, I asked 'I don't mean to be impolite but I must ask what is the meeting about? I am not aware of such meeting'

'It is unexpected for us too. We noticed something that needs to be addressed immediately'

'Okay then. I'm sure it's nothing that cannot be handled straight away'

'I'm afraid it may not be the case' was his response. The tone in his voice and the words he uttered caused panic within me.

What could possibly be the issue? Why do the board of directors want to have a meeting with me? Are there other staff members there also?

I followed him closely behind silently as we made our way to where the so-called meeting would be held.

I could not ignore the nervousness and anxiety that I felt within. I needed to know what was going on and fast.

We ended up going down a different floor that I wasn't familiar with. When we got to the door there was another man at the door.

The man held the door open while greeting Mr. Hyde and I. We made our way in only to see more people seated around a table discussing between themselves.

Noticing that someone else had joined them they stopped and looked at the direction of where Mr. Hyde and I stood.

'Ms. Hilson have a seat, great of you to join us'

I sat down in one of two empty seats. Once I was fully seated, I observed the people around me.

There were about twelve different faces in the room. Most people I was unfamiliar with, but I've seen them around the office a few times.

While some, I knew from meetings with Aiden. Speaking of Aiden, he was also in the room, but the strange thing was he could not seem to look at me.

It was as if it took everything in his power for his eyes not to meet mine.

A feeling I was unfamiliar with started brewing inside me. What could possibly be the issue that he could not bear the chance of looking in my direction.

This meeting cannot be for a good reason and I don't know what is happening.

'Ms. Hilson I am sure you are aware of why you are brought here today' A man spoke up while the room slowly became quiet. From the looks of it he was the head of this meeting.

'I'm afraid I am not sir'

'Since you want to have selected amnesia now, let me remind you of the crime you have committed' the man uttered with slight rage in his voice. I could sense he was finding it difficult to hold his composure.

'Crime? I don't know what you are impl-'

'According to the documents provided by our accountants. There seems to be money missing in the company's finances and under further investigation of this all evidence points to you'

'Sir, I am not capable of such things! I am not even in charge of the accounts.... I.. I am innocent in this. There has to be a mistake' fear filled my voice as I desperately tried to clear my name.

'Figures don't lie Ms. Hilson. By the information provided, money that was found to be missing had been found to be in your possession. There is no further explanation' Another man spoke who was seated at the office.

'From today on you will no longer be working with us at Morgan Ltd. We are yet to decide what consequences you will face' A woman from the board spoke.

'Please there is a mistake. I did not do this' I exclaimed in the verge of tears.

'Having her fired isn't necessary. I'm sure there is a better explanation for all of this' I heard Mr. Morgan try to add. He was the only voice of reason it seemed, but no one seemed to think so.

All of them were convicted I am the thief!

Still desperately trying to clear my name I said ' I would never do such a thing. I get paid well here at Morgan Ltd. I love my job and the people that work here. I respect the company'

'Did you respect the company when you were galivanting around shamelessly with Mr. Morgan over here' A voice in the room spoke trying to tarnish my name further.

'That was unreasonable. We all know the media exaggerates everything. Do not make this situation more difficult than it already is'. Mr. Morgan defended with obvious rage in his voice.

He seemed to be having a hard time being in the room right now.

The atmosphere was unbearable. It felt like an ambush, having powerful people tell you that you did something that you have no idea about.

By the tone and looks on their faces there was no convincing them otherwise. They were set and stone that the bullshit evidence they have is true.

'Ms. Hilson, you are dismissed. Pack everything from your office that belongs to you. You are no longer a staff in this cooperation nor are you longer Mr. Morgan's personal assistant'

Defeated I got up from my chair and made my way out. What is the point in trying to defend yourself when nobody wants to hear it.

They are determined that they have evidence to proof that I did it. Who am I to go against big powerful people such as them.

I pray that the truth eventually comes out.

I opened the board meeting door. I turned around to take a look at everyone only to see them watching me back like a hawk.

Feeling intimidated I turned back around and made my way fully out of the door.

Once the door was close. I was finally able to let out the tears I was holding within.

Why? Was the only question I could ask the universe.

I made my way to the floor that I worked in or at this point use to work in to get my stuff. I needed to hurry and leave before word spreads around the office that I have been fired and in the most shameful way.

How could Mr. Morgan not speak up, it's as if it wasn't his company. Does he truly think I would do such a thing? Why would he think that? I've never giving him a reason to.

'Ava, Ava..Ava'

I jumped up slightly frightened from the voice of someone attempting to get my attention.

I looked at the direction the voice came from only to see it was Susan. Not wanting to make the situation harder than what it is I fought back tears.

'Are you okay, you look like you have just heard some bad news' she spoke again examining my face carefully.

'I will be fine I just need to go to my office' I replied my voice cracking in the process.

'If there is anything Ava you can let me know'

'I just want to be left alone' I yelled at her face before walking to my office well ex office.

'Ava' I heard Susan say behind me, but I chose to ignore her.

I can't believe this is happening right now. How can I go from being constantly praised for my work ethic then be fired for laundering money. Make it make sense, please.

What is going to happen to me. Am I ever going to be able work again or even show my face in public?

Will they take me to court for something I did not do? No, the truth will come out right?

If I did nothing wrong, it will surely reveal itself right?

I walked into my office locking the door behind me. I looked around what was once my office just minutes ago.

I slowly leaned on the door and slide down to the floor, slowly breathing out.

Everything I've ever worked hard for has gone down the drain. What would my father think of his daughter right now? A failure? A girl and not a hardworking woman? No, he would tell me to not give up and fight for my right,

How can I go against these people? They supposedly have proof of me laundering money.

How can they have proof of something I did not do and worse of all why isn't anyone believing me.

There must be a way out. There must be somewhere I could go to seek help or someone I can talk to.

No one in this cooperation cares to know the truth all they care about is money.

Knock knock

I turned around sharply at the sound of someone knocking on the door.

I quickly used my left hand to wipe my tears before slowly getting up.

I cleared my throat and said 'who is it' before unlocking the door to see who could possibly be on the other side.

When the door swung open, I saw someone who looked to be a security guard.

'Ms. Hilson, I was told to help assist and escort you out of the premises' the man who stood at six foot five spoke.

He had his hands to the side as he spoke, his face lifeless with no sense of expression whatsoever. It was even harder to see with his thick beard covering most of his face.

'Okay' was the only word I could muster up at that moment.

I turned around and began arranging my stuff. Starting with my laptop.

'Is there anything I can help you with Ms. Hilson?' The company's security guard asked.

'Please can you find me a few boxes so that I can pack my stuff'

'Alright, was all he said before walking away'

I continued packing my stuff arranging all that is mine so that when the boxes arrived it would be just a matter of placing the items in them.

The sooner I leave the better. I don't want to be around when the news of me being fired spreads.

I would hate the looks and stares.

'Here you go Ms. Hilson'

'Thank you...'

'Greg'

'Thank you, Greg'

'I will help with that' Greg quickly came beside me and copied my action by putting the stuff that was on the table into the box.

'Have you worked here for long?' I asked trying to fill the deafening silence.

'No, I'm actually new to this. I've been in employment since last week'

Now getting a closer look at his face I could tell he was young, younger than myself. His beard makes him appear older, but he could be twenty or perhaps twenty-one.

Once the two boxes were filled, I picked up one saying 'I guess it's time for me to take my leave'

He followed suit by picking up the other box. I turned around and walked out of my ex office.

I waited for him to come out before locking the door. Once it was locked, we made our way to the lobby. Luckily it was still early so there wasn't much people around the office typically at this time.

I noticed Susan was at her receptionist desk. She suddenly looks up, staring as I made my way past her.

Not wanting to speak I looked straight and continued to walk through the lobby. We had finally made our way to the elevator.

Greg pressed the button and shortly after the elevator door opened. We made our way in and the door closed in front of us.

Greg pressed the button again indicating that we wished to go to the ground floor of the company.

'Ding' the door opened.

As we walked through several people looked at us curiosity filled their minds.

I tried not to make eye contact with any of them. Luckily, we had finally made it outside of the apartment.

'A taxi had already been called for you by Mr. Morgan' Greg explained as I saw a taxi waiting in front of the building.

'Oh'

'Let me help you place the boxes in the boot' Greg insisted taking the box from my grasp.

I let him take the box as he walked over to the boot of the car. I stood not truly knowing if I wanted to go to the taxi just yet. I turned around to look at the tall building behind me.

Feeling the tears build back up again I turned around to face the taxi once more.

'The key' Greg said as he walked towards me.

'Oh yes', I went into my pocket and retrieved my former office keys.

I placed them on top of his stretched-out hand.

'Thank you. Best of luck' he exclaimed before making his way back to the office.

'Thank you'

I made my way to the taxi. I opened the back door and got in.

'Apartment complex at greenway Avenue please' I requested to the middle-aged taxi driver.

'Okay Ms' she said pulling off from the side and onto the main road.

What now, I thought.

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Heyy, can someone say consistency!!! I'm back with chapter 36, I hope you enjoyed it. Things seem to have taken a turn for the worst. Why do you think Ava is getting the blame for laundering money of all things? What does the future hold for her now that she is potentially jobless? Why didn't Aiden speak up? Let me know what your thoughts are I love hearing them. Stay blessed.