THE DECEPTION CONTRACT MARRIAGE

Unexpected Enemy

Just as Maria was starting to feel sleepy, she heard the sound of the gate opening. She looked out the window and saw Avira walking towards the house, a bright smile on her face.

Maria's heart was joyful as Avira entered the house.

"Hey, Mom" I'm so sorry I came late. Avira said, giving Maria a warm hug and sweet peck.

Maria smiled, and hugged her back. "It's okay, Avira."Where are you coming from?"

"Mum, have you forgotten,l told you that I was going out with Ethan Pierce,"Avira replied.

Avira noticed Maria's bad expression and immediately asked, "What's wrong Mom?

"You look like you've had a bad day."

"It's just been a really bad day, Avira. I made a mistake at work, and my boss screamed at me that I was frightened. I'm struggling with depression presently"Maria sighed, rubbing her forehead.

Avira listened with tears running from her eyes,her mood suddenly changed.

"Oh, my goodness,Mom, I'm so sorry.''

She quickly moved closer to her Mom and hugged her tightly.

"You know I'm always here for you, right?

"You will soon leave the work,l promise you that."

"We'll get through this together."Avira said, sobbing silently.

"Mom, I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you today," Avira said, her voice sounded like a baby "I was out with Ethan to see how l can get a good job instead of dancing in the club.

"It's okay, love," she said. "I know you're always there for me."Maria said, stroking Avira's hair.

Avira readjusted herself and looked at her mother, her eyes red with tears. "I'm trying my best to get a decent job because of you, Mom," she said.

"You've always taken care of me, even when things were difficult. I want to be there for you too."

"We're there for each other, Avira," she said. "Maria smiled, and held her daughter's hand.

"Thanks so much,Mom,"Avira said as she cleaned her mom's tears .

"I kept some food for you, go and get it,l brought it from work, refresh yourself too and sleep in time, so that you can wake up early for school."Maria said to her daughter.

"Okay,Mom, right away."Avira said as she stood up.

"I know l will surely overcome all these challenges one day."she murmured to herself and continued reading her book.

Maria smiled weakly, knowing that with her daughter beside her things will get better. She had been struggling to make ends meet, and her job at the mansion had been a constant source of stress.

Her job has taken much of her time and the salary is very poor, but half a loaf of bread is better than none,"Maria murmured to herself, and took a handkerchief to clean her eyes.

But with Avira by her side, she felt like she could face anything coming her way .

Avira came back with a plate of food her mother had kept for her.

"Thanks, Mom,*Avira said.

"Thanks too, sweetie,my beloved daughter, " Maria said, smiling and hugging Avira tightly. "Just talking to you makes me feel better."

"I really appreciate you,"Maria whispered into Avira's ear.

Avira smiled and hugged her mother back.

"That's what I'm here for, Mom. Now, tell me more about what happened today."

"And promise me that you will not cry again,"She said and rubbed her mother's cheeks.

Maria sighed and stood up facing her daughter who was sitting on the couch, Avira looking straight into her eyes.

Maria begins to narrate her story with emotion.

"It was just a really bad day, Avira. I broke a plate,a special plate that belongs to him and my boss screamed at me. He said he is going to deduct the cost from my salary."

"That's not fair, Mom! You're the hardest worker I know." You don't joke with your work, you leave the house very early and come back very late in the night,"Avira's eyes widened with emotions as she talked to her mother.

Maria shrugged. "Yes,l know, my love,"But accidents happen. And my boss is just really strict."

Avira nodded, closed her eyes and thought so fast and deep. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll talk to Ethan about it. He'll know what to do.since he promised to assist me for part time job"

"Oh! really, that's great,"Maria smiled.

"Thanks, sweetie. Just knowing that you're here for me always makes me feel better."Maria said happily.

"Thanks,Mom,"Avira replied.

"You welcome,my love,"Maria said.

The next day, Ben woke up early and started thinking about Avira.

He suddenly sat down as if something sting him, his mind went straight to Avira.

"Am in love, someone should just tap me and tell me this,"Ben murmured to himself.

"I think I have to tell her and make her fall for me as soon as possible before the inter-house sports,l need to oppress some students,"he said proudly.

"I don't care if she got the admission through scholarship or not,"

"Avira is mine,mine only, and Reynolds should watch his back because l will make sure l bully him until he leaves that school for me,"Ben said laughing.

The following day,Avira went to see Ethan at his office.

He was very happy to see Avira in his office.

She explained everything that had happened to her mom, from the broken plate to the deduction from her salary.

Avira starts sobbing silently and informs Ethan how desperate she wants the job now.

Ethan listened attentively, his face growing more and more angry.

"That's ridiculous," Ethan said, slamming his fist on the desk. "I'll talk to the board of directors and get this sorted out."

Avira smiled, "Thanks, Ethan. That means a lot to me and my mom."

Ethan smiled back. "Anytime, Avira. That's what friends are for."

Immediately,Ethan picked up his phone and dialed one of the board of directors numbers.

He talked to him for a few minutes, his voice firm but polite. When he hung up, he turned to Avira with a smile.

"It's all sorted out," Ethan said. "You will surely get the job as soon as possible,"Ethan announced.

"Really? Oh, thank you, Ethan!"Avira's eyes widened in shock.

"Anytime, Avira. You are welcome,"Ethan smiled.

"I will tell my secretary to forward the appointment letter to your email address ,"Ethan added.

Avira couldn't hold her joy,so she stood up immediately and shook Ethan.

"Thanks so much, Ethan,"she said smiling.

"You are welcome once again, Avira.

"I would like to take my leave now,"she announced.

"Okay,go ahead,"Ethan said.

She left the premises with a heart full of joy."

She. dipped her hand into her little bag and gave the cab man his money.

Maria had left for work before Avira came back from Ethan office,

She opened the gate and locked it behind with a key.

Meanwhile, the unknown spy was watching her until she got into the gate and made a call before he disappeared into the thin air.

She went into the kitchen and prepared noodles before heading to her room.

"I can't wait to start the job,"she murmured to herself and stood up to check her money under the mattress.

She brought it out and counted it again.

"Good,l have to think about spending the money now,"she said as if someone is listening to her.

She took a pen and paper and jotted something down.

"I will also get some dresses for myself and my mother too, foodstuffs and house rent must be sorted out too,"she said and looked up.

"Hmm, how l wish the money was more than these, so that my mom can start a little business instead of this work,"she lamented.

She heard a knock on the door,she quickly hid the money back under the mattress and wore her slippers to check who's Knocking the door.

"Coming,"Avira said.

She opened the door and searched everywhere but there's no body.

She was surprised, because she heard someone knock on the door several times.

"I heard someone knocked on this door some minutes ago,"she whispered.

She was about to go inside when she noticed an envelope on the ground, she quickly took and locked the door immediately.

"Who could have dropped the envelope here,"she said as she was trying to open the letter.

"Watch out, Avira, you are mine and all the property belongs to me.you and your mother should not come for it." BE WARNED."

"Oh,my goodness, what is going on here, who's this? " Avira said, shaking her hand as she held the letter.

She rushed inside her room, jumped on the bed and covered herself with the blanket..