“No!” Noah exclaimed, his heart pounded loudly in his chest, he was sure the next person could hear him.Avery heaved a sigh of relief, her racing heart was finally at rest. Noah’s negative response had dissipated all the swirling emotions that made her dizzy, she was gradually regaining her self.She glanced at her screen, it was a little past 2am.“Shouldn’t we go to bed now?” Avery said.“Shall we, roomie?” Margaret said, beaming proudly.The early morning sun rose before Avery, snaking it’s way through the curtains of Margaret’s dorm room.She was passed out on the bed with her arms and legs sprawled all over Margaret.After the party, Noah could barely sleep. His reply to Jordan’s question kept haunting him. Finally, he found himself at his sister’s door, banging and screaming,“Margaret, open up!!” Noah yelled, knocking vehemently at the door.“What do you want?” Margaret retorted.“Breakfast!” Margaret went to the door groggily and pulled it open for him.“Thank you” he whisp
She sighted a luxurious car waiting outside as she stepped out of the hostel.Maybe it was something in her but Avery could spot Fredrick’s taste in cars even in a crowd of other luxurious cars.Even though she had never seen this one, as she set her eyes on the Bentley that waited outside, she knew Fredrick had to be in it.Fredrick glared at his wife and he felt his irritation building up at the peering gazes of people as she came out of the hostel.As she approached the car, she pulled the door and stepped into the car.“What are you wearing, Mrs Hughson?” Fredrick asked, his voice registered a hint of agitation.“I’m out of clothes. So I borrowed…”“You borrowed?!” Fredrick retorted.“Avery Hughson borrows cheap slutty wears from college girlfriend, Did the luxurious wedding break up only three months after?”“That’s what they’ll say. That’s the story they’ll sell.Is this part of the contract, Avery?” Fredrick ranted.“I’m sorry…” Avery whimpered.Tears welled up her eyes.Fredr
Why would I do that?” Noah replied, agitated that Jordan would even suggest something like that.“Well, I just thought it’d be fun for us, you know” Jordan winked.“If you don’t like her, even better. You can just see where it goes.” Jordan continued.“I can’t do that, Jordan. It’s not right.” “What if she finds out?”“She won’t. Who’s going to tell her? You?”“It’s just between the two of us. Come on, isn’t she intriguing?”“She is…” Noah replied, still contemplating.“But I don’t think it is right to put anyone in that kind of position.”“Don’t tell me you’re getting soft”“I’m not getting soft, I just know right from wrong”“So you like her then?”“I don’t like her!”“I take it you’re in!” Jordan replied.The ride back home was uncomfortably quiet but nobody noticed.Noah had a lot on his mind, he wanted to protect Avery, he had promised to make her happy, and he couldn’t resist the hate and anger that was building up in his heart against Jordan.Margaret couldn’t stop thinking ab
Avery ran crazily into the emergency ward of Premium Platinum Hospital.How she managed to get there, she couldn’t explain.She checked the ward number on the text Adrian had sent to her, it was room 4 on the third floor.As the elevator opened, she immediately sighted the tag on the door.She was oblivious to a man standing in the hallway until she ran past him.Her side eye unconsciously caught a glance of the man in the hallway.“Fredrick!” Avery exclaimed in utmost surprise.“Why are you standing outside? What’s wrong with Nei-nei?” Avery said in one breath.With one look at him, she recognized how much of a wreck he was, he had a depressed expression on his face, he was a ghost of himself.Avery could not help the compassion and empathy that tugged at her heart, she walked over to him and covered him in a hug.Fredrick cried bitterly on her shoulder,“I can’t go in, Avery”“I can’t, I’m scared”“I don’t want to see her die!” Fredrick sobbed.Avery patted him on the back gently un
“For Fredrick and Avery”Fredrick breathed in as he read the first line.“The contract couple, I always knew my grandson would not marry for love. He never wore that expression, I never saw it in his eyes, not even when he was with Claire.There was no redemption for him, he was grumpy, barely spoke, only cared about work, and making sure the next day stayed the same. My grandson likes to control things, they must go his way or the only way. Are you surprised that I know about the contract? One day, Freddie brought a beautiful, amiable young girl to my house. She was a complete opposite of Claire and I knew something was suspicious.Avery, Fredrick would never be attracted to someone like you naturally, logically.He likes quiet women, yes-sir women, women that quiver at his sight, women whom he has complete control over, women hypnotized by his charms.But you have that defiance in you, his charms didn’t penetrate you and that was my first cue.During dinner, you went to his side
Fredrick had been unable to get his mind off her decision to go back to the hostel.As he trudged up the stairs, their last argument replayed in his mind, his heart sank as her voice resounded in his head causing him to wonder if really, Avery felt suffocated staying in the same house with him.His efforts to shake Avery off his mind all seemed futile. He wandered around his room restlessly, unable to ease himself. He stepped out of his room and peered at her room, seeing her lights on, he sighed in relief and made his way towards the kitchen.Avery stepped out of the bathroom feeling refreshed. She had made a mental list of the things she’d do when she got out of the bathroom, she hadn’t called Margaret in a while and she felt guilty. She settled on the soft sheets of her bed and pulled out her phone.She held the phone to her ear for what seemed like forever, Margaret did not pick up after the second dial and Avery ruled that she must be busy with something.She plonked herself o
Noah sat at the Botanical garden in Bryson’s Medical School apprehensive glancing at his wrist watch every now and then.He was only a few minutes away from his basketball when Avery called him saying that she was driving towards the West Wing of the school.Although she hadn’t asked him to wait up, Noah could not control his incessant yearn to see her.He glanced at his watch again and realized he was late to practice, he was becoming more disappointed than nervous,“Gosh Adam will have my head” he sighed.He carried his kits and began to make his way out of the garden, as he began to walk out of the garden, he was startled by the revving sound of a car coming in a distance.He looked closely at the approaching car and his heart raced at the sight of Avery’s Bentley Mussane.A wide smile crossed his face as he waved excitedly at her. Avery pulled over to the side of the road,“Hey!” She smiled, equally happy to see him.“Where are you going?” She asked as Noah finally pulled open her
Avery buried her face in her palms immediately.“I am so sorry, I am so sorry.” She cried.“I only came to ask you to dinner, Margaret sent me” she continued, blushing terribly.Noah‘s heart dropped at the sight of her shrinking body, making him wonder why she looked like that. He looked around him and realized that he was only covered in a towel, he heaved relieving sigh and took a few steps forward aiming for his t-shirt on the bed.He glanced at her again and he couldn’t control the appeal to tease her with the situation.Noah whispered, retying his towel to reveal his well toned abs. As if Avery knew that he was teasing her, she raised her head and her eyes caught his stare, Noah made no attempt to avert his locked gaze with Avery, instead, unconsciously, his lips twitched into a smirk and he found himself sauntering over to her.Avery looked away instinctively, she didn’t understand his gestures but she knew that he was seducing her.“Are you scared of a naked man?” Noah teased
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