#Chapter 21: Trust Runs Deep, So Does Rage

As Elijah looked at the pictures in front of him, he tried his best to piece everything together with the little information that was in front of him. While he did agree to give Ava a new identity and background; he could not stop him self from trying to find the gaps in her past. He did not extinguish the search for what happened to Ava for the decade that she had been missing.
How did a young child star just go missing for ten years and no one report it? Elijah thought as he looked through old newspaper articles on his desktop.
Everything about this was as clean as a cut.
Even with all my connections I should be able to find something more about Ava’s disappearance.
Elijah thought as he leaned back into his desk chair. Grayson had warned him not to obsess over this situation, but Elijah could not help it.
Looking at all her pictures and headlines when she was a young child she could not have been more than nine or ten years old when she was discovered. She had been in and out of small commercials and plays when she was younger. Elijah had considered her his favorite actor.
When he found out that she was auditioning to be in a series about a supernatural child trying to survive he was on the edge of his seat with excitement—as if it was his big break and not hers. She was fifteen at the time.
After the casting was announced Elijah did not hear anything else about Ava. Like most of her audience and fans, Elijah assumed that she decided to step away from the spotlight,.
Clearly that was not the case seeing as she was clawing her way back to glory.
Without warning Ava storms into his office. Elijah could tell this conversation was not going to be enlightening.

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Ava’s POV
I could not get it out of my head. I did everything right. I did everything that pompous jerk told me to and still I was getting shut down left and right.
How dare he!? I screamed inside my mind.
My rage took control, I knew my wolf was still resting. This was all me. I let my anger fuel and motivate me to stomp to the front of his office.
I walked past his secretary not giving her words a second thought. I was tempted to kick down his down to be frank, but I still had some restrain left. No much.
I barged into Elijah;s office without thinking, without knocking. I could see his look up from his work on his computer but he hardly acknowledged me. But I did him mutter something on the lines of:
“Get everyone just let themselves in.”
You wanna play this game fine.
“What the hell is your problem.” I demanded.
“Right now it is your lack of manners and letting yourself in my office.” Elijah said.
“You told Sally that I cannot audition for the role of the seductress. Why?” I gritted my teeth.
“Why,” Elijah answered back with a question.
“Why would you deny me the opportunity for a series role. The role is so complex compared to the two dimensional roles that you and Sally keep giving me. This is something that could push my career.”
“I denied your request because that is not a role you are ready for. Nor is your audience ready to see you play.” He said as he clasped his hands together. I noticed he did not gesture or ask me to sit yet.
“Actors and actress change personas for roles all the time. Most of the time actress get into the role based on their age and personality not just their demographic.” I said countering him.
“And some situations it back fires. Some child actors cannot shake their old roles and it follows them. You are lucky that no one put the pieces together and noticed you are Little Aviator. This series could actually ruin your innocent girl persona.”
Shit he had me there.
Elijah was looking at this from a business take but I felt it was more than that.
“Ava you have a contract with Moon Entertainment. It is a binding and legal contract I would like to remind you.”
“I get it.” I said. I grounded my teeth against every word.
“And yet I have to keep reminding you. If you don’t trust my judgment, then we shouldn’t work together,” Elijah stated harsher than I ever heard him.
I turned to leave, there was nothing left to be said.
“Ava, one question.” Elijah said making me turn and face him.
“Yeah,” I tried to hold me words and tears.
“During your younger roles, did you ever wear contacts?”
“No. No, I didn’t.” I sneered at the stupid question before leaving.
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Elijah’s POV
I leaned my head back against my head as Ava slammed the door behind her. I knew she would be upset about me denying her the series role. I never imagine she would be pissed at me.
I had wanted to share news with her, but I think it would be better if I waited until she calmed down. Staring down at my hands, I shook my head.
Maybe wait til we have both calmed down.
I wanted to share with Ava that the original film that she wanted had gotten a second chance. The film and director was getting another budget, but after the exchange of words between us I doubt I could hard back my tempter.
But I could not figure out why? She was another actress under my company. Most actors and actresses would demand to have serious roles to boost their careers and after a discussion between myself and their agent or manager they would get it.
However with Ava I shut it down the minute Sally put the damn thing in front of me.
Why was I so upset about her auditioning?
You know why? I heard a graveling sound in my head. I shook it off.
Be honest. Do you really want her in a role like that. I took a deep breath as I stood up from my chair. I walked over to the cabinet and grabbed a clear clean glass from the shelf. I leaned down and grabbed the bottle of dark liquid.
You don't want her in roles like that because you want her to stay a innocent sweet thing as long as we can. I took a swig.
Not just that ….you don’t trust her. I paused at that statement. Did I trust Ava? I thougth about the question that I asked her before she left my office. I heard a growl in my thoughts.
“Ava, one question.” I asked making Ava turn and face me.
“Yeah,” She said. I could tell she has trying to hold back her emotions.
“During your younger roles, did you ever wear contacts?”
“No. No, I didn’t.” Ava sneered at the stupid question before leaving.
The growling sound broke me away from my thoughts.
If you truly trusted her than you would not be poking into her past.
It was true Ava’s appearance had drastically changed from the years she was missing. Her physical form did not fit the age she said she was. She looked younger than twenty-five. Hell Ava could pass for a woman in her late teens.
But what stood out to me the most was her eye color. She told me she neve wore contacts and yet her eyes wear different. Ava was hiding something from me that much I was sure of.