Chapter Text
There’s an audible gasp from next to him and he turns towards her, a confused quirk on his face as she taps his shoulder repeatedly with her free hand.
“Baby, baby you didn’t tell me there would be such a huge chandelier, that’s so cool!”
“What you never seen a chandelier before?”
“You knew I grew up an orphan JC, I don’t think that many orphans see chandeliers in their childhood.”
He clears his throat and smiles softly, “Right, I’m sorry Ava. I guess I’m just raised in all this so much that I forgot what it was like…all the small happiness that you can find from, well, everything. Seeing you so excited and happy though, makes me happy too,”
Ava gives him a toothy smile and a chaste kiss on his cheek, "Thank you."
Before JC can respond though, Ava is already back to looking at everything starry-eyed and excited. He's glad she's this happy but the nerves are acting up. He's sure his dad would love Ava as much as he does, but that barely does anything to quell his anxieties. He didn't tell his pops he bought a plus one today, wanting to surprise him. He hopes it's worth it and they don't end up making a scene. Hell, he didn't even tell him he was coming.
After his mother's death, they drifted apart but they managed to reconcile. It took many years of work - individually and together and now finally they were at least on speaking and amicable terms. He feels another tug of his elbow and chuckles when Ava drags him towards the food, him following without any complaint. He enjoys it too - the food - or at least that's what he enjoys the most about all these parties.
Ava takes little bites and her face scrunches up in unbridled joy and JC finds himself falling a little harder, a little faster. He shouldn't worry, his dad will like her.
"Hey,"
"Hm?"
"How long until your dad has to make his speech?" Ava asks, picking up a champagne flute as the waiter walks by.
"Oh! Uh," JC glances at his watch, "Maybe 25 minutes? Sorry if we're too early I just didn't want to rush, give us some time to wind down,"
Ava chuckles, downing the whole flute in one go. "Don't worry, 25 minutes is ample time,"
"Huh?" JC whispers as Ava pulls him deeper into the ballroom, slipping to the door at the very end and down the hallway.
"Ava, do you know where you're going?"
Ava giggles, "We just need a more secluded spot,"
"For what?"
Ava gives him an eyebrow waggle and realisation dawns on him.
"Ava, are you sure?"
"Babe it's just a-" Before Ava can finish her sentence, there's a knife to her throat and hands over her mouth. JC's eyes widen as he feels the same being done to him.
He pushes his shoulder back, trying to get out of his assailant’s grip, but suddenly another pair of hands are on him, and he's overpowered quickly, hands tied and head covered. He doesn't struggle anymore, fear eroding his system as a knife is pushed against his back, a strong hand leading him towards where they want him to go. All he can do is obey and follow, then hope that Ava and him are safe by the end of it.
After a long while of walking, he hears a pained whimper beside him, one he recognises instantly, though from better circumstances.
"Hey! Don't hurt her!" JC shouts, pushing his feet against the ground.
There's no response.
"Ava? Ava baby, talk to me, please,"
"I'm okay, I'm okay, I just got pushed a bit too hard."
JC sighs with relief.
"Alright, where the hell are you guys bringing me? Bringing us? If it’s money you’re after, I’m the one with it, don’t hurt her.”
Once again, there’s no response, but his bonds are cut free and he lets out a confused huff. Though, it’d be comical if it were easy. But it’s not. So he’s not laughing. Three pairs of hands are on him, one holding his left shoulder and wrist, one his right shoulder and left hip, and the last just his right hand. His right is led forward and he tries to pull it back, unsure what exactly they’re going to make him touch, but it proves fruitless when it’s one against three.
He knew he should have done that 4 times a week gym package instead of the 2 he has now. Fuck.
There’s a cold sensation on his hand, a beep, a woosh.
And then? Silence.
~
“Mr Carnell, Mr Carnell,”
JC’s head buzzes as he forces his eyes open, seeing a concerned face hovering over him.
“Mr Carnell, are you alright?”
“Huh?”
“We found you passed out on the vault floor, did someone ambush you?”
JC shakes his head, brain fuzzy as he stares at his hands, “Uhh…uhh…”
What was he doing here again?
“His ABV is on the higher side, I think he just drank too much. Carnell Senior said to check if anything is amiss or missing, if there’s nothing, then Mr Carnell might have just stumbled in wanting to find a place to rest,”
The security personnel all share a laugh.
“You know what they say, if you can build a bed with your notes, you’re a rich man,”
“Who the fuck even says that?”
JC drowns out the lively conversation next to him as he continues to rattle his brain, the muscle empty. The safe? Why was he even at his father’s estate in the first place? He touches around for his phone, begging for a brain jolt as he opens his calendar, a reminder staring back at him, “Papa’s speech”.
Oh.
Okay yeah, maybe he had a drink too many.
His head hurt, but it’s fine, normal for hangovers.
“It’s alright boys, I think I drank too much of that top shelf,”
There’s another laugh and JC feels at ease once again.
Yeah, why else?