CHAPTER 14: BRAZEN

Gavin scrutinized the papers in front of him, his eyes narrowing in concentration.

As the executive leader, he occupied the central chair in the spacious conference hall, where a sea of chairs curved around the perimeter, forming a vast U. Clayton Wesley, a dynamic young intern, stood at the podium, his voice filled with conviction as he unveiled his visionary idea: Mechanical Gloves. This pioneering technology promised to redefine the boundaries of human potential, enabling athletes to build strength and enhance performance like never before - a game-changing innovation with far-reaching implications.

Mr. Wilson, directing governor of the fifth largest firm in North America, nudged Gavin. "You haven't said a word, Mr. Reed, you are scaring the poor boy. He's sweating bullets under the AC."

Although Gavin was the youngest amongst everyone in the hall, they all accorded him with indefatigable respect.

Gavin's intimidating eyes moved to the intern. He felt nostalgic, remembering his first day on the big stage. "You call this a life-changer?"

Clayton adjusted his oversized suit and replied with gained confidence. "Yes, Mr. Wilson. Young athletes could-"

Gavin didn't give him the chance to explain. "I would have called it an evolutionary change."

Clayton saw that as a compliment and smiled but Gavin's face was firm and rigid.

"Thank you, Mr. Reed-"

"An evolutionary change to create idleness. Physical dislocation at its finest, I must say!" Gavin got up and flung the papers away. He turned to Mr. Wilson. "I advise you to stick to the employees you have. None of these interns surprises me!"

Mr. Wilson stood guarded. He pointed at the boy and made a gesture that made him blanch. "Mr. Reed, if you just stay for another hour you may find someone good."

Gavin's impatience rolled over. "I'm not looking for good Wilson. I'm looking for outstanding." With that said, he headed to the exit door. Archer followed behind him.

As soon as they stepped out of the conference hall, Gavin spoke perfunctorily, " Call Logan to send in my car. Book a suite in the grand hotel."

"Budget?"

"As long as it's plush, luxurious, spacious, and has a good punching bag, I'll take it!"

Archer walked faster, barely keeping up with Gavin's long strides. " Noted sir. Anything else."

An ugly line grew on Gavin's face and he replied savagely, "Get to work and stop following me!"

Archer halted immediately, leaving Gavin to walk down the long extravagant hallway alone. He wondered if his boss was okay. Sure, he had been angry before, but not as much to disregard such a titillating life-changing idea. He pondered if it was about the death of his baby or Mrs. Reed's infidelity.

Whatever it was, it really disgruntled him.

__________

Logan knew it was best to maintain a good five inches from Gavin. Gavin got into the driver's seat, threw a bundle of dollars on Logan, and drove the car to the left, nearly running into Logan's.

Gavin had spent five minutes on the road when Alexa's voice filled the silence in the car, " You have a call from Avery White."

Gavin's left elbow was on the door whilst he held the steering wheel with his right hand. He ran a hand through his hair, distressed, and replied, "Accept call."

Avery was speaking now, "Hello, Gavin." Her voice was watery.

He was taken aback, he had never heard her cry. "What's it, Avery?"

She sulked for some seconds and answered in a disquieting tone, " Can you stop by Bluey's? I want to talk to you."

Gavin gave a derisive response, " So you can drug me again, forget it."

"Please Gavin, it's important." She said in a heart-wrenching familiar tone that made him grip the steering wheels tighter.

Lucid memories, surfed like waves in his mind. He rested his head on his hand and said, " Meet me at the dining lounge in the Grand Hotel, and don't keep me waiting."

With that, he ended the call.

_____–_____

Gavin changed into simpler yet enthralling clothes and headed to the hotel lounge. He stopped when he saw Avery being held back by a security guard.

"The brothel is down the block; you are in the wrong place, ma'am." The guard mocked belligerently.

Gavin looked at Avery's puffy eyes and frowned. He walked to the guard who saw him coming and stood rigid. "Mr. Reed, please don't tell the manager about this; I tried to take this prostitute away but she's being adamant"

Avery saw Gavin and went to him, shaking. Gavin ignored her act and looked at the guard. "If she was a prostitute, I would have considered. But, since she's a friend of mine..."

The guard turned pale immediately. He knew what Gavin said without him even saying anything.

Gavin didn't look at Avery when he instructed, "Follow me."

Eyes lingered on them as they entered the sophisticated lounge. Avery almost gaped; she had never seen such luxury in a very long time. She expected Gavin to take out a chair for her but he didn't.

She gritted her teeth. Baby steps.

"Do you want me to order dinner or would you get to the reason why you wanted to talk to me?" His tone held exhaustion.

Avery couldn't believe she was going to act petty. She stared down at her fingers. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I forced you into—" She paused when she noticed a woman staring at them.

Gavin had noticed it too. He cursed under his breath and stood up. He held her by the hand and they left the lounge.

He took her outside and growled impatiently. "Talk."

Avery nodded and tears clouded her eyes. " My dad came visiting, he looked so worn out. He got kicked out of his house and had no place to stay. My dad he-" She sniffed. " I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Maybe it's Karma because I told you to divorce Sydney -"

"What happened to Auxanger, Avery?" Gavin stared at her, his demeanor soft and tense.

Avery broke into tears. She shook her head and when she saw his eyes soften, she moved towards him and wrapped her hand around his waist. "He is in the hospital. His heart couldn't take it."

Gavin's eyes widened. His fist clenched by his sides. She almost smiled in his chest, "It's all my fault; if only I had taken care of my mother, maybe she would have been alive, and none of this would be happening."

Gavin felt almost terrified. Avery wasn't the best person but he'd always considered her and her family. He felt bad after their breakup in high school because he was too busy thinking of her best friend to realize her mother was dying. It wasn't after they broke up he found out she was dead.

His veiny hands shook as he hugged her back. "It's not your fault. I'm to blame."

"No, Gavin. If I had taken care of my mother instead of listening to Sydney's constant nags, my father wouldn't be in this state."

Gavin remained silent. Avery moved slightly from his chest to look at him. He looked far from earth. She smirked and continued weeping.

Some distance away, a figure stood next to a bike, watching them.

_______________

"Okay, you've had enough alcohol for the night." Jaxon, Gavin's high school buddy, collected the bottle of brandy from Gavin.

Jaxon had called Gavin a few minutes before Avery left. He asked if he could come over and have a bottle of brandy with him and some old friends. It was a joke but surprisingly, Gavin agreed.

"Give me back the bottle Jaxon," Gavin growled. He was drunk but he still managed to compose himself.

"Just let him drink, Jaxon. If I had a wife like his, I'd drink myself into heaven." Michael, Jaxon's friend suggested groggily.

The other two guys with them, Landon and Cameron agreed with Michael.

"She may be a cheat, but she's as fine as wine," Cameron said, and they all chuckled except Gavin.

Gavin glared bitterly at them and they fell silent. As they gazed at the performance on the small stage, Gavin's mind suddenly splintered, and the woman dancing before him morphed into Sydney.

He rested his elbow on the chair handle, placed his cheeks on his palm, and smiled dreamingly.

"All right, it's midnight. Time to go home, Gavin," Jaxon said, getting up.

Gavin looked at him with a raised brow. "You can leave, I have two legs. I'll leave when I'm ready not now. Sydney's performing."

The four guys looked at each other and back at Gavin. Jaxon looked concerned, " I'm not going to let you get raped by all those whores looking at you like a Christmas turkey; get up, Gavin."

Gavin groaned and got up. He almost tumbled over but Jaxon and Cameron caught him. He wrapped his hand around their necks and smiled.

Landon shrieked, " That woman really messed you up, Gavin."

They walked out of the club. The parking lot was a bit far from the club. "Don't talk about my wife like that," Gavin warned, glaring at Michael.

"Yeah, Land, don't talk about Mrs. Reed like that. I won't blame any man that falls for her." Cameron chuckled, tipsy.

"But they can't because she belongs to me," Gavin growled, remembering the image of Sydney kissing an unknown man.

"Maybe if you tell her, she'd learn to tell other men to back off," Michael suggested wearily.

Jaxon's eyes glowed with glitz, " Yeah, you should call her. Call her and tell her now."

Gavin smiled and took out his phone. They cheered excitedly when the phone began to ring. She didn't pick so it went to voicemail.

Gavin grinned at them as they held their selves expectantly. Gavin held the phone to his lips, " Hello sweetheart, it's Gavin-"

Landon cooed and Gavin glared at him. Jaxon wrapped his hand around Gavin's lips and nodded for Gavin to continue.

"I just wanted you to know that I miss you and you belong to me. Anytime I see a chicken breast, I think of our first date." He frowned slightly. "I didn't mean what I said the last time, you are a good wife and my little princess. I hope you know that I-"

A wave passed through his head and he stumbled. Jaxon reached out to hold him but Gavin held out a hand. "I must say this." He swayed and continued. " Syd, I... I love-"

The guys held Gavin before he could fall to the ground.