5

Avery Thompson

What exactly is wrong with him? How in the world did I fall in love with a man like him?

"I swear, I really hate you. After hating me for so many years and dumping me for another woman, I can't believe you decided to show up and start claiming me back again like I meant nothing! Do you know why I hate you so much? Because of your stupid ego. You always believe that the world revolves around you- you can do whatever you wish just to satisfy yourself and your stupid ego. But let me tell you one thing, Benjamin Williams... I'm no longer that girl anymore. The girl you can just order around and control as you want, I'm no longer that same girl again. Just go and look for someone else to use because there's no way I'm going to allow you walk over me this time around again" I burst angrily at him whilst poking him on his chest with my index finger before turning around to leave but immediately I turned, I ended up seeing four pairs of eyes staring back at us with their eyes widened in horror.

"Sophia? Mrs. Clara?" I called out their names in a surprised tone. I'm shocked to see them standing just a few inches away from us.

"Wait, what did I hear you say just now? You're Mr. William's wife?" She questioned in a surprising tone.

"It's not what you think. I... I can explain" I stuttered whilst trying to explain myself to her but it was already too late for me because Benjamin beat me to it.

"Yes, Mrs. Clara. Avery is my wife" He said proudly.

No, I must have heard wrong!

And, did he just call me his wife? He should refer to me as his ex-wife for goodness sake! EX-WIFE!! We're already divorced!

"Oh my goodness! Is this true? Wait, you mean, there's something is going on between you two?" She questioned and before I could answer, she continued again. " You were very upset at him earlier, Avery. You were so cold towards him the other time. Oh my goodness, I can't believe this... So, you're our benefactor's wife? But I thought... I thought you were single?" She questioned again, surprisingly.

Now, this man has completely ruined everything for me. I just can't stay here any longer. I need to leave right now before I end up breaking down in front of them. I may have appeared strong but my body is betraying me. I need to leave right now. I just want to go away from here before he ends up seeing my breakdown.

"Excuse me" I hurriedly excused myself before she could pin me down with any of her questions again and run back inside.

I heard Benjamin calling after me but I just don't want to talk to him right now. Why can't he just let me be? Can't he read between the lines? I don't want to see him or have anything to do with him again!

I walked into the kitchen and finally let the tears out. I thought I had forgotten about him completely. I thought I would no longer be affected by his presence again but, what I didn't know was that I'd been deceiving myself all this while. He still holds a tight spot in my heart and I hate this feeling so much. I hate everything about him. The moment I saw his handsome face earlier, my whole body weakened.

I just don't want to have anything to do with him ever again but, is that even possible? He just told me a while ago that Stanley is sick and she needs me. I don't know how she's doing at the moment. I wanted to go and see her. I missed her so much- I know I always think about her and worried sometimes but that's all I could do. Never in my wild imagination have I ever thought that she was sick.

Or, could he be lying to me?

No, there's no way he would throw out such big lies just to have me around him. If Stanley wasn't sick, I would have sensed that from his tone- from his words.

Does this mean I will be going back to New York again? To the place where I was once treated badly by the only man I truly fell in love with?

I gently took a sit and got lost in my thoughts.

Two Weeks Later

A wide, proud smile crept at the corner of my lip as my gaze got fixed on the certificate in my hand. I have finally gotten my certificate and now, I am a graduate. This made me to be so proud of myself. I never knew I would be able to do this- all thanks to my benefactor who always encouraged me with his kind words. He's been very supportive all through the journey.

It's been two weeks already since I last saw Benjamin. After that incident, he vanished into thin air and I never heard anything from him again.

When I got back home that night, I called my Mom on phone and explained the situation to her. She told me to follow my heart and to do what I feel is right.

Of course, checking up on Stanley is right but with Benjamin around, it feels somehow.

To clear my doubt, I had to also call Clarissa- my friend and Benjamin's cousin. I just needed to be sure that I wouldn't be making the greatest mistake of my life. After I left New York three years ago, I deactivated my call line and stopped reaching out to everyone that I knew. I just wanted to move on with my life very quickly without being stuck with the past.

She was shocked and happy at the same time when she heard my voice. I told her everything and also apologized for not keeping in touch. After we both talked for a while, I decided to ask the question on my mind- about Stanley's sickness if it's true.

I asked and her response was a 'Yes'

So, he wasn't lying after all- I thought worriedly.

"Stanley keeps asking after you all the time, Avery. To think that she doesn't want her father to bring home any woman except you. No woman dares step foot into that house because of the promise her Dad made to her." I heard her say.

Promise?

What promise?

No woman dares come into his house?

I am tempted to ask questions but refrained myself as it will only make it seems like I'm still interested in him. I don't wish to know anything about him or his love life. I don't care!

"Avery, are you even listening to me?" I suddenly heard Clarissa asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? You were saying something?"

"I asked if you will be coming back to us? Look, I know it's shameless of me saying this but believe me when I say both Benjamin and Stanley really needs you right now. Yes,  I know things didn't work out well between you and Ben in the past but he's now a changed person. He's no longer that Benjamin you used to know."

"Risa, you don't-"

"Please, Avery... Can you at least do this for Stanley? Until she's better? Please ...." She requested in a desperate tone.

I really don't know how to respond to that right now. Of course, I also want to be with Stanley and take good care of her but with Ben in the picture... I just can't phantom it.

"Erm, I... I will call you back, Risa. I need to go now" I said to her.

I'm glad she didn't push any further, she respected my silence and promised to keep in touch again before we ended the call. A heavy sigh escaped my lip as soon as I dropped the call.

What do I do now? All I wanted was just to start a new life! A new beginning especially now that I'm done with school. But, ignoring Stanley when I clearly know that she really needs me at this moment will be very heartless of me.

Ever since that night, Risa has been keeping in touch frequently. Surprisingly, she never brought up the issue of me coming back to New York which I'm very grateful for.

Now, after two long weeks, thinking back and forth about the whole thing, I have decided to go back to New York.

But, only for one thing. And that's....

STANLEY.