Quincy Hobbs couldn't contain her excitement as she looked and sounded all the more demure.
The old madam clasped their hands together and brought her towards the direction of Xavier's ward.
Isabella blocked the way and stood defiantly without budging.
"Mom, this is not right at all", Helena shouted while hurrying to meet up with the trio.
"Giving me orders in this family? Have you forgotten our positions or did we swap them at a certain point? Such an audacity from you two".
Helena went pale and frustrated just thinking about how her son will be forced into a marriage without love. This can't be, no way.
" Mom, I beg of you to let Xavier off please".
"I have decided on her as my granddaughter-in-law, do you have any problem with that?"
"Grandma it's Xavier's feelings we are talking about now. We all know the situation at hand".
The trio shared an unexplained glance at each other.
Despite the disagreement, Fiona Lawson still headed toward Xavier's ward and pushed open the door slightly. The air in the room was germ and bacteria-free, so they stood afar off his bed.
"I have set my heart on you as Xavier's wife and nobody can stop me. My grandson is a good man, he will not let you down", she squeezed Quincy's hands.
Just then, Xavier stirred in his sleep and the pulse monitor beeped. Helena allowed her to stay behind while she went to get the doctor.
Xavier's finger moved slightly and the doctor came in to examine him.
" He is in a coma as we speak and he is fighting to break that barrier between this conscious and unconscious state. He needs someone so close to him to stay by his side, he will come around faster than we expected".
Helena and Isabella had already rushed into the room when the pulse monitor beeped.
"Then doctor I will stay with my son".
"It would be preferably someone who has a deeper connection with him".
At the end of the discussion, Quincy was allowed to stay. She was over the moon with joy as she gazed at the flawless face before her.
The family of three agreed on giving them space and left. Seeing that she was the only one left with him, she was grateful to fate for bringing them together.
"Xavier, can you please wake up? If you don't wake up I will kill myself. How will I be able to live without you? I can't wait to share the good news of our marriage with my parents. Am yet to call them", she sobbed while wiping her tears.
She went on to caress his face, touching him as if she is afraid of waking him up.
In Xavier's unconscious state, he found himself in a dark tunnel but towards the end of the tunnel, he saw a ray of light. just then, he heard a voice he did not recognise.
" Xavier, can you please wake up?" Who Is this woman sobbing, her voice irritated him and he felt like running out of the tunnel to tell her to shut up. She is too noisy. He ran up towards the end of the tunnel and pushed himself forward although a certain force opposed him. He struggled and at last, he jumped out of the tunnel.
Xavier gaped at the person touching him? That person must be bold enough to do that, he or she must be tired of living.
The rays of the sun blinded him when he opened his eyes. However, he looked around and was worried about where he is before he could say anything a shrieking voice sounded.
" Oh thank God, Xavier you are awake"
"Who are you?" looked at her with a strange attitude that made her feel he could see through everything.
"Am Quincy"
"Quincy? I have not met any woman by that name before? Besides, I do not recognise you".
Quincy flushed red and suppressed her anger. He has a sharp tongue for a person who barely made it. He just came out of a coma and maybe he has lost his memories which may be the reason for his weird behaviour.
"My memories are intact okay".
"Wow, you should chill, I never said so".
Xavier couldn't bother to talk with her anymore.
"Get me the doctor on your way out", he turned to face the wall.
Did he just chase her away like that? Great! As expected of him. You will soon have no choice but you butter up to me because your grandmother is on my side.
She came to realize that the old woman wielded a lot of power in the family, she is like the matriarch whose decision is the law.
" Sure", she went on to inform the doctor and he came in to examine his condition.
"You have to stay for a while so that we can observe your condition".
" Get me out of here, am sick and tired of this place".
Of course, he is Xavier Lawson, who can tell him what to do?
"Mr Xavier just calm down, I will let your family members know".
The door burst open and Helena came into view, she wished to envelop him in a bear hug but she could only wish. Ever since he was a child, he loved staying all by himself and hated body contact with the opposite sex. This made him grow a cold personality and even more averse to women. They repulse him in a way he can't explain except for his mother, sister and grandma.
Quincy was already left on the sidelines while the family interacted harmoniously.
Xavier was transferred to his sanitarium where he would go through his regular checkup. The technology and high-precision equipment there made it inaccessible to ordinary people. Of course, who is Xavier? A man who would summon the rain and the sun if the need arises.
His special condition made it impossible for him to go to a regular hospital.
"Man, am curious as to how much your condition has improved by a little percentage".
" If you don't know what to say, then stop speaking".
"Okay maybe you have to see it for yourself", he handed the test result to him.
" How can it be possible?"
"Am supposed to ask you that, who have you come in contact with recently?"
He shrugged and couldn't remember exactly who it was. A certain face popped up in his mind and he smiled unconsciously.
"Wow, I think something is going on, so spill it", Lionel who is his personal doctor cum close friend wriggled his eyebrows as he waited for him. He stretched his neck to get the details.
" Oh, it's like you are less busy these days. You don't have to worry about the funding for your research anymore because you have a sponsor, right?"
" "
He always likes to hit where it hurts, fine you got me there. What did his question have to do with having a sponsor? Research has always made Lionel feel alive and he now wants to cut off his funds? No way, scampering to his feet, Lionel Jessie made a beeline for his office.
Xavier had built this sanitarium for research purposes, hence he picked up this medical expert and gave him the funds to do that.
Xavier relaxed and tried to remember what exactly happened to him after he had the accident. Someone rescued him, then who was that person? The figure was blurry and the scent of her hair gave him a sense of comfort.
He picked up his phone and called Jeff
"Get me the footage of the accident scene in the next ten minutes".
"Alright sir".
He held his casted neck and grumbled while moaning in pain.
He received the video at exactly the slated time, he watched the video over and over again and felt that something was amiss. Something is missing in this video, though the entire parts were connected. It would take the eye of a professional to know that it has been tampered with.
He sent his subordinate to fetch his laptop, he managed to type some lines of complicated strings of codes, he felt tired as time went on and couldn't keep up anymore. He rested, gritted his teeth and had to find the complete video. Lionel came out of his office and met him in that posture.
" "
Can these rich and powerful people not be too willful and make things difficult for poor people like him? Does he want to kill himself with work? Great. Just great.
"Can you not make things difficult for me? You can get one of your people to do this thing for you. Let your neck heal properly".
"Try persuading me again, it's like you don't need any more funds for your proposed research".
" "
"You can continue with your work President Xavier. I shall not disturb you again"
"Or perhaps I should let your family know that you are in America".
" Can you let me off?
He scooted far away from him and the former relaxed in a more comfortable stance while clicking away on the keyboard.
Xavier had hidden Lionel's identity and whereabouts from his parents. Whoever he wished to find can always be located but if he did not wish to cause trouble he would keep a low profile. This is how powerful bye can be. Lionel's parents had always wanted him to take over the family's business but he took a different path hence his family had nothing to do with him since then.
After a short while, he couldn't still recover the complete video.
He got frustrated and wondered why this has happened in the first place. Who had the guts to conspire against him?
He closed his eyes and felt a headache coming up.
The subordinates knew better than to stay around him at this point. The aura he gave off was so oppressing and they couldn't withstand it.
"Lionel, I want to be discharged, make preparations for it right away".
Lionel could only nod and shook his head.
Back at Ava's little home, she yanked off the wig on her head and her long dark hair mane cascaded onto her back like a waterfall. She went under the shower and stood still for some minutes, the cold water woke her up from her dazed state.
She wiped her face and glanced at the mirror, the image she saw was that of an honest and weak girl. She scoffed at the image and poked the mirror while smiling with a sly expression. She whipped out her phone from her trouser pocket and peeked at the caller.
"Ava", the girl at the other end yelled.
Ava took away the phone from her ears
"Can you behave like a girl for once?"
" "
Who was the one always cross-dressing and behaving like a complete gangster? Nevertheless, she would not argue with her today.
"Well, I have good news for you".
"Which is?"
"The richest and the most eligible bachelor Xavier Lawson is coming to our school soon. Guess what? However, e will sponsor all the scholars who perform well at the competition".
" Which competition is that?"
"Oh my gosh! It skipped my mind. However, it's not as if you are a serious student and you barely passed the tests".
"Lily", she called her through gritted teeth. The other laughed and reminded her of the date before hanging up.
Ava laughed as if she had just heard the funniest thing in history. Why would he come all the way to her school? Ok fine, two can play this game.
Her grandmother was in the backyard tending to the flowers.
" Grandma, am off to school".
"Don't cause any problem in school, have you heard me?"
She climbed on her bicycle, "unless they are bullies, I don't bully the weak".
She rode her bike away and the grandma shook her head in pity. She may not have turned out this way had it been she was not abandoned by her parents.
She doesn't behave like a girl at all, she was unhappy because she thought she had failed in her parenting duties.
Ava rode her bicycle into the school premises and parked it at the designated spot. She slung her bag on her shoulders and made her way to her class.
"Here comes this uncultured and sassy girl".
"She always looks awful with that makeup".
"No one has ever told her that the foundation doesn't suit her skin tone?"
Ava heard all the chattering and pretended that she did not. Her red hair stood out in the sea of students as they made way for her whenever she comes close to them. She weaved her way through the crowd to her class.
They booed immediately she stepped into the class.
"What is this disgusting thing doing here?"
"I thought she changed school".
"it would have been better for her to be a bimbo, she is an ugly duckling".
" Hey, what's up with this make-up, this is a disaster. Forget it", Lily observed.
"If you do not know what to say then don't say it. This is not the first time am using makeup".
"I know but today's makeover is so horrible, did you clear the store! I know her majesty can be tyrannical sometimes but....."
"Have you done your assignment?" cut her off.
Lily's face changed as soon as she realized the class had gone quiet.
"Damn you, Ava, you could have given me heads up".
" No girl, go in for it".
"Just you wait, this is not over", Lily smiled mischievously.
" Miss Anderson, I presume that you are done with your assignment. Can you share some of the steps with the class?" Mr Luther the mathematics teacher did not let her off.
Lily felt like crying but she summoned up the courage to tell him that she did not do it.
Ava's lips curled in a smile of revenge as she threw her a provocative smile. She knows the art of lip-reading hence she knew that it wasn't over between them.
After the morning sessions, Ava and Lily went to the pool at the back of the school. This was their leisure point anytime they had nothing to do.
Three bullies had followed them to the poolside just to harass Lily.
"Hey, I sent someone to call you yesterday but you ignored me. Do you know my status in this school?" The rudest one looked at them like they were small fries.
Ava had been absentmindedly throwing pebbles into the pool. One of them came to drag Lily away. Ava stood up.
"Even if you want to kick a dog, look at the owner first"
"Who is this idiot?"
"I heard she is the worst student in her class".
"You still have some time to change your mind and walk away".
"Who do you think you are?" He was about to slap Ava when she held his hand effortlessly and twisted it backwards. A blood-curdling scream broke out.
The rest of the boys came up to beat Ava but she delivered a kick to them at certain vitals that rendered them weak. They began to panic as she advanced toward them.
" I, her majesty truly hate arrogance. Who are you to behave arrogantly before me?" She broke their arms and twisted their legs while they yelled for mercy. Ava had already switched to a vicious mood such that Lily was scared.
"Now crawl by yourselves and disappear from my sight".
They crawled on their belly while enduring the pain.
" Before I forget, if you ever crossed paths with me or my friend, scamper for safety else if I lay my eyes on you... I will break all the bones in your body".
They shuddered in fear because she looked like a monster to them. This soft-looking and a hideous girl could be this violent?
Ava led Lily back to the cafeteria and they ordered their meal. Just then the school belle and her minions sauntered in. Ava concentrated on her meal but they made up their seek her out.
"Sandy wants to use hat seat", one of the girls said.
" And so what? Do we look weak to you people?", Lily was furious and almost choked on her food.
"Eat your food, not everything that buzzes around your ears are insects"
"Really?" Ava commented half-heartedly
"Some are flustered"
The other students puked blood, what a sharp tongue! Nancy looked as if she had swallowed a fly.
"Let's go", Lily stood up and the school beauty mad to slap her. Ava gripped her hand and balled it into a fist.
" What are you doing?"
"Ha, what do you think am doing? She exerted pressure on her knuckles. Nancy's complexion gradually turned pale.
The other students were excited to watch the showdown between the ugliest girl and the school beauty.
" Can you afford to bear the consequences if anything happens to Nancy?" one of her friends said.
"Quickly let go of her".
" There is nobody that I Ava can't afford to offend, bring it on. I will be waiting for you".
The rest of the student's gape at her as she further twisted Nancy's hand and bone-cracking sounds were heard. Cold sweat dripped down her face.
"Next time, make good use of your hand. Don't go around randomly hitting people", she dusted her hands and walked away with Lily in tow.
Lily was anxious about the outcome of offending the two people.
" Ava, am worried about you, will you be fine?"
"I will be fine, what can happen to me?"
" Hey, that competition is the day after tomorrow so will you come to school?"
"I don think so after all I don't score higher than 10 per cent"
"Nobody told you to be a bullllard"
"Mood spoiler", Ava bumped her shoulder and ran away.
Somewhere in New York City at 10 am...
" Mom, am back", Quincy slumped onto the couch in the living room while her maids helped her to remove her shoes and massage her aching feet.
"Quincy Hobbs, Where have you been? What happened to you?" The mother rushed down to the see her looked exhausted and the clothes were rumpled.
"Mom... I have hit a jackpot", She yelled out.
" At where?"
"Well, I happen to be the daughter-in-law of the Lawson's", Quincy jumped up and down.
" You must be joking right?" She stood up and sat down again.
"Mom, I am fated to be with Xavier lawson. I cannot believe my luck"
She went on to explain to her what happened.
Both mother and daughter began to day dream about the change in the circle of their friends. How high they will hold their head from now onwards?
She began to call some of her friends to share the good news. She had no care in the world and began to plan Quincy's wedding right away.
The door was pushed open from the outside and Hobbs Shaw's tall figure came into sight. He stopped in his track and saw the wife telling the butler what to write.
The stepped closer and the butler greeted him with respect.
He waved him aside and settled himself on the couch. He raised his eyebrows in askance.
"Our daughter is engaged to Xavier Lawson", she grinned widely.
" When did this happen?"
She narrated the whole story to him while the former was in deep thought.
"This forced marriage never ends up well. There is no mutual love and it's what spices up marriage"
"Love can grow with time"
"Love is not dependent on time. Do you wish to see her get frustrated if the marriage doesn't work out?"
" At least she will get the necessary connections before the marriage ends. even the asset can be split in case of divorce. she will still have something to fall back on"
"How can you be so callous to your child?"
"We are not having this conversation anymore".
"Stop right there".
Bernice Hobbs continued to head towards her room, soon after Hobbs heard a loud bang on the door.
Hobbs had no choice but to head towards their bedroom too. He had no idea how to settle this issue with Bernice.
Xavier woke up to experience severe headaches and neck cramps. He had to transport himself around with an electronic wheelchair that support voice commands.
While wheeling himself around he remembered that he had to head to the company to know if the programmer had done his job.
On arrival at his company, he was wheeled by his secretary towards the IT department. Ava was busy tapping away at the keys, switching from one computer to another while ordering the other staff on the sidelines around. Xavier came in quietly and unannounced while observing Ava from the rear. The fingers were too cute and too slender for a man, even her figure looked small and frail from an up-close inspection.
" I can see how hard-working you are?"
Ava adjusted her fake hair and groaned internally. She had her back straight and ramrod as she tapped the keys at the speed of light such that he became dazed and got lost while looking at her.
Ava saw through him at a glance and paused for a second.
"Does Mr CEO have anything to tell this subordinate of his?"
"Huh".
Xavier was lost and saw the staff stealing weird glances at him.
He glared at them, they froze and turned away immediately. Ava's lips tilted at a familiar angle and Xavier thought he was seeing things.
"An done, the firewall is unforgettable and well-secured".
"The experts came forward to test the security system one after the other".
Xavier Observed everything with keen interest while code 001 had crossed his legs and had he assumed the posture of a big yet reckless boss.
" Can we talk in my office?"
"I am not sure if that will be possible but a deal is a deal", Ava bounced out. Go to his office with him? Not a chance.
"There is something weird about him, follow him", he signalled to one of his subordinates.
Ava knew that she was being followed yet she calmly walks into a big convenience store. She would never be careless to avoid being caught.
Being trailed is what most people are scared of but Ava quietly entered the restroom and changed back to her original self with waist-length dark hair. She avoided the cameras along the corridor and went out.
everyone was stunned by her beauty when she came out. She needed a camouflage hence she shopped for a few things that came to her mind.
Ava flaunted her hair and took a cab directly to her house. She had seen the credit alert from Xavier so she didn't worry about bumping or having anything to do with him.
This subordinate kept checking the road for the frail-looking young man but he did not see him come out. They had missed him......What will happen to him now that he has no idea where he could find that idiot? That crazy hacker! Just wait till I get you, he hit the steering.
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