It was so nice to meet you, Avery. Let’s be good friends” Jordan smiled, enchanted by Avery’s cheerful chatter.“Definitely, we will be seeing in school a lot more often.” Avery replied, as they finally said their goodbyes.She peered around the almost empty hall, looking for Fredrick.“Are you looking for me?”Avery jumped, startled at the sudden appearance of a figure by her side.She was quite relieved to realize that it was only Fredrick.“Yes” she grinned.“Are you ready to go?” He asked, trying hard to mask his jealousy.“Yes”“Did you have a good time?” “Yes…”Fredrick’s heart sank at the thought that she had a good time but it wasn’t with him.“Come, Alex has been asking to see you.” Fredrick said.Avery followed him outside to the garage where Alex was waiting by their car.“Hello Mr Alex.”“Hello Avery…”“You look beautiful.” Alex commented.“Thank you…” Avery replied.She had received a lot of compliments from people today, yet every time another person complimented her, s
The weekend ended in a slight note of disappointment for Fredrick, he had allowed his feelings get the better of him without thinking of the consequences.The week had been progressing slowly and he barely saw Avery.He had a feeling he was avoiding her and he couldn’t help but let her have some time to process her feelings.They were slowly moving from a contract couple to becoming friends and he had ruined it with a moment of weakness, things like this were the reason he hated being vulnerable.“What was I thinking?!” Fredrick yelled, tormented by the constant flashes of that night.“Is everything alright, Sir?” Fredrick’s Secretary hurried in, hearing his disturbing exclamation.Fredrick glanced at him, he couldn’t help the hysterical chuckle that escaped his lips.“How could everything be alright? He thought, “I’m losing my mind”He had a hard time concentrating at work, making him helpless and angry at the hours he spent being unproductive.“What is my schedule like today?” He as
Fredrick paced the expanse space of his office, waiting for a call on his phone.Avery’s second week at Bryson Medical School was supposed to end with a celebratory date night at Nei-nei’s.He had long rounded up his activities of the day, anticipating her call.He was growing increasingly impatient, frequently checking his wrist watch. A few minutes faded seamlessly into an hour, stirring his anticipation into a growing concern and anxiety.He pulled out his phone and dialed her number, the sound of the ringing phone echoed around his office.Fredrick looked around, wondering if he carried her phone to work mistakenly, he hurried over to his suitcase, rummaging through the bag for a few seconds.He was distracted by a sudden knock on the door.“Come in” he commandedAvery stepped into his office, trudging behind Garrison. She had thought to visit him in the office as a surprise.“What is it, Garrison?” Fredrick said without glancing at the door.“Your wife is here.” His Secretary an
“Do you want to go for a walk?” Avery asked after he regained himself.“Certainly” he replied weakly, Avery wiped his face with her hands and led him out of Nei-nei’s room.“Are you okay?” Avery asked.Fredrick quietly handed the old picture to her,“Who’s this?” “Your mum?” Avery said, her face glowing with excitement.Fredrick glanced at her and was confused by her expression.“Why are you happy about this?”“She’s my mother in-law, why not?” Fredrick smiled a bit wryly, his eyes still teary,“My grandma told me about her…”“She said she searched for her, but she was never found.” “One of these days, she will come around.”Avery said, her eyes shining with hope.“I am not sure if I want to meet her, but I am sure about something…” Fredrick replied.“This…” he said leaning in towards her. His lips rested on hers, and he kissed her passionately.She pressed her hand against his chest as they kissed, she could hear tiny thuds of Fredrick’s heart pounding and he suddenly pulled away.
Fredrick spent the ride back home thinking of a way he could ask Avery to take him to the movies instead of going with Jordan.He suspected that this would be her first time and he wanted to keep being her first at everything.On the other hand, Avery kept admiring the golden tickets and wouldn’t stop talking about how surprised Jordan Smith would be when she showed it to him.“Did you know he grew up in England. He probably doesn’t know a lot of places in Greenville.”“It’s going to be my first time going to the movies with a friend…”“I thought I was your first everything…” Fredrick retorted.“Yes, that hasn’t changed.” Avery smiled, oblivious to Fredrick’s contorted expressions.“Why are you going to the movies with someone else then?”“Because Nei-nei said to go with a friend.”Fredrick remained quiet, jealousy churned him in his stomach. She glanced across his face and it was then she noticed his jealousy. She couldn’t help but find him adorable.To be honest, she knew Nei-nei h
Fredrick’s core shook with inexplicable anger. He wasn’t angry at Avery, neither was he angry at himself. Maybe he was angry that a good thing had gone sour faster than he anticipated.During their conversation, as they drove back from Nei-nei’s house, Avery had mentioned that “they were not really married” and that was true.He had been carried away for a minute, thinking he was in a fling, but this was more than that.This was more than a fling to him, he knew this would lead to more.Fredrick was afraid of committing, he wasn’t sure how he’d continue the rest of his life after his grandmother’s death.He even considered searching for his mother again.After all, Avery had mentioned that she might have had a good reason to leave him with Nei-nei.Earnestly, he was spiraling out of control because Nei-nei had told him to live for himself and he didn’t know how to do that.All his life, he had spent it pleasing her- not that she had demanded it of home but because he felt guilty, he f
Fredrick waltz into the kitchen, hungry and tipsy from drinking too much wine.His eyes fell on a sticky paper on the kitchen counter and he sluggishly went towards it.It was a note from Avery.“Out with a new friend, Margaret. She invited me to a party.P.S I took your car, the Mercedes Mercury. I promise it’ll be the last time.”“She took it before informing me, typical Avery!” He scoffed.He figured she actually needed a car but he was uncomfortable with her driving his Mercedes, mostly because it was too fast and too advanced for a baby driver like her.As if he was sobered up, he energetically hurried to his room,“At least, she deserves this much.” Fredrick muttered as he dialed a contact on his phone.“Fredrick Hughson…”“Yeah, I’d like a nice car for my wife. A model she can use everyday. She goes out a lot.” Fredrick said.The voice on the end talked excitedly for a few minutes and Fredrick’s only responses were, yes and no, until he said“Thank you, I’ll be expecting it”, h
“What?! Why not?!” Avery exclaimed, alarmed at his sudden suggestion.“No, no, no! What are you thinking Avery?”“you just don’t look good enough to drive.”“You should stay with Marg til morning.”“That’s all I’m saying…” Noah retorted.He didn’t understand his sudden nervousness.He had been the center of attention for as long as he could remember, and he didn’t remember ever feeling nervous around any other person.Something was definitely different with Avery and it was intriguing.“I guess I should do that…” Avery replied hesitantly, Noah was right, she didn’t feel good enough to drive but she felt bad about sleeping out of her home.She thought about texting Fredrick but decided against it immediately.“It’s not like he cares anyway…” Avery sighed.“Hey, look…that’s Marg and Jordan” Noah exclaimed.Avery glanced at the distance, all she could see were figures of two people approaching them.“How can you tell it’s them? I can’t see anything!” Avery exclaimed.“I can tell my sist
The next morning in the large mansion at White Avenue was quite a whirlwind.“Can’t you stay for a bit? Say two more weeks?” Avery sighed softly.Margaret and Adrian chuckled wryly,“I don’t want to go neither” Margaret replied.“But I have to…”“My fiancé needs me” she added, extending her arms so that Avery and Adrian would see her diamond ring.Avery rolled her eyes and pouted slightly,“You can have a fiancé and still stay here… don’t leave me!” Avery cried.Her cries were so outrightly falling on deaf ears because, as Alex emerged from the hallway with bags in hand, followed by Fredrick, Margaret leaped towards him,“Hi there, my fiancé” she squealed excitedly, hanging on her husband’s arm. Avery shook her head playfully, and gestures to her husband too.“I guess it’s just us from now on...”“I know so..” Fredrick replied.“Invite us to the wedding, if you please” he added.Alex nodded agreeably,“That definitely, you won’t miss.”Turning to Adrian, he laid his free hand on his s
EIGHT WEEKS LATERThe most expensive hotel in Greenville opened its ballroom doors to a vast number of guests trooping in. “The Right Wedding of The Hughsons” Fredrick insisted on calling their second wedding that.Of course, Alex was his Best man.“I’m delighted to be ministering at my best friend’s second wedding- to the same person, don’t get me wrong…” Gary said, taking the microphone as the MC of the occasion.Avery was beautifully dressed in the wedding gown Nei-Nei had gifted her, but this time, it was adorned with tiny diamonds, making her glow in the spotlight. Her blonde hair was straightened out and tied in a bun behind her head. Soon, the keyboardist made a procession of the most popular bride song in the world; announcing the arrival of Mrs Hughson.“Here comes the bride, here comes the bride…” The rows and expensive chairs of the ballroom filled with the richest one percent of Greenville, rose in a standing ovation of the prettiest wife ever.Avery scanned the room a
Fredrick sighed, frustration in his voice as he scolded his brother“It baffles me that the first person you went to ask for help from is someone who abandoned you years ago.” “And Aiden will be saying those same words to Adele some time in the future if you two don’t figure yourselves out.” Noah riposted with a smirk etched on his face.Margaret chimed in her voice feeble and weary,“You’re being really annoying right now, Noah.” “You should apologize for the distress you caused everyone of us here.”Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered, “I defended you blindly, and it hurts so much…”“No, no! Don’t cry, Mag” Noah said, wrapping his arms around his sister.“I’m sorry.” He apologized, his eyes brimming with regret.Alex, indignant, removed his hands from Margaret, replacing them with his own.“I’m sorry, please don’t cry… I love you” he whispered, gently patting her back.“You didn’t defend me blindly, you defended me rightfully.” Noah continued.“I wouldn’t dare kidnap any
“Noah!” A voice called from behind him as he stepped into the five-star restaurant. Swiftly, he pivoted his head to the direction of the voice and came face to face with face so strangely familiar. “You asked to see me…?” “Please sit down…”Noah scanned the room suspiciously before settling at the table.“Waiter!” “No! I’d rather not…” Adrian interjected,“Why? I can’t let you watch while I eat” lovely smiled awkwardly.“Fine, I’ll take a cup of coffee. Thank you” he replied.The waiter laid a cup of espresso on the table for Noah and a glass of freshly squeezed apple juice for Lovelyn.“Thank you, Meredith” she muttered to the waitress.“How long are you planning to stay in a hotel?” Noah asked, a hint of disapproval in his tone.Lovelyn grimaced uncertainly, “Why did you want to see?”“I’ll go straight to the point. I need your help.” Noah replied.Lovelyn shifted uncomfortably on her seat, unable to contain her excitement.“I never thought this day would come” she smiled warm
Fredrick woke up to the sound screeching chairs and creaking doors piercing loudly into his hearing. He groaned miserably and snuggled into his sheets, unable to bring himself to witness Avery’s departure, especially after his charade last night, he had regretted announcing their divorce and end of contract at the table. He had breached their contract and if Avery wanted, she could take him to court and sue him for damages- after all, the contract was to be done and resolved confidentially, in order to protect each other from prying ears.He shuddered unbelievably as last night replayed in his mind,“Why did I do that?!” “Alex hates me, I’m sure of it” he thought aloud.Suddenly, a thunderous bang sounded on his door, jolting up from the bed instantly.The thudding persisted urgently, without as much as a pause,“Don’t break down the door, I’m coming!” He thundered, hurrying towards the door. Before he could pull the door open himself, the outsider had pushed it open and let himsel
Ivy turned down the volume of the soft music on her phone to hear the approaching footsteps clearly.As Ivy strained to listen, the muffled thuds grew louder, echoing through the quiet hall way.She took a quick glance at her phone’s screen which displayed the time as 1 in the morning. It struck her as rather alarming and unexpected that at this late hour, people were not only awake, but also strolling around the neighborhood.“But this is Greenville” she told herself, shrugging it off as she turned the next page of the novel she was reading.Just then, the approaching footsteps stopped in front of her door, accompanied by a knock. Panic surged through her as she held her breath, silently praying the unknown person away. The knocking persisted, this time, a bit louder than before.With trembling hands, Ivy advanced to the door, her voice quivering with anxiety as she muttered,“Please, whoever you are, go away!”“Ivy!” Adrian replied,A rush if emotions coursed through her as she he
Avery drove into the mansion that had been her home for the past one year, her heart wrenching and aching badly at the sight of the man she loved dearly drowning himself in alcohol. Fredrick had readily signed their contract termination papers two days ago.It felt surreal their contract was really over, and she had a week to leave the mansion.As she stepped out of her car, her heart sank at the sight of him sitting absentmindedly in the garden, taking no notice of the car that drove into his compound.“Hey, Avery!” Margaret squealed, startling her from the wrenching sight she was engrossed in.“Hey Mag” Avery replied, forcing a smile.“Fredrick has been like that for days” Margaret said, observing her gaze.“Is something wrong? I’m worried, even Alex is drinking.”“I… don’t know…” Avery stuttered, her voice trembling with inexplicable emotions.She was the one leaving him, but she was the one crying, she couldn’t understand herself.“Are you okay, Avery? You don’t look good either”
Avery’s phone rang persistently, dividing her attention from the crying babies she was trying to tame.Noah walked into the house, just arriving from school, sensing the chaos in the house, he hurried to the direction of the cries where he found Avery, clutching her phone to her ear.“Can you check on them, please?” She pleaded, grimacing apologetically.Noah quickly nodded, making his way to them.“Okay, Uncle Noah is back and he wants absolute silence!” Noah exclaimed, his voice a little higher than theirs. Surprisingly, as if they understood his command, they gradually quietened.“How did you do that?!” Avery gasped in relief as she re-entered the room. “They’ve been so troublesome today.” She added.Noah turned to face her, a wide grin played on his face, beaming proudly,“Of course, they’ll listen to their uncle. It’s just how it is…” he smiled.Avery nodded sheepishly, grateful for the peace in the house.“If you don’t mind, uncle Noah, can you spend some more time with them? I
Just as Alex had advised, Adrian arrived at the cafe and it was already booming. His regular customers were already served breakfast. The idea to add more food to the menu was a good one, their sales were gradually growing by the day and Adrian gave Ivy credit for it everyday.He scanned the room desperately, looking for a red head in the crowd, his heart racing as he scanned through the bustling crowd, searching from face to face for Ivy.Amidst the chaos, he finally spotted her. She was standing near the bar, her red hair sprawled over her back as she drifted seamlessly across the room, going from one table to the other to take their order.“It was a mistake…” Adrian muttered to himself.He head been practicing the same lines on the drive down here, but as soon his gaze fell on the fiery head in the distance, the tingles of her warm lips on him shook him to nervousness.“Adrian!” A voice called from behind, snapping him out of his reverie.As he turned around, his eyes met with the