Chapter 5 - What makes you think that I would divorce her and vice verse?

Martin leaned in and looked him in the eyes. “She doesn’t love you so how are you sure that she hasn’t planned anything with Trent? You can’t fight love, Ander.”

Anderson already knew that Avery didn’t love him. He didn’t love her too but was ready for love to grow in his heart for her. For as long as he was concerned, he wasn’t going to let her go once they were married. However, hearing the truth about how Avery felt made him annoyed. “Why not?”

“If you divorce or she divorces you, she walks away with fifty percent of your wealth. Have you thought about that?” Martin asked critically. 

“What makes you think that I will divorce her or vice versa? My parents have the most beautiful marriage and I’ve learned a lot from them,” Andrew said mischievously. There were things he couldn’t do because Avery wasn’t his. If she was, things would be different but Martin thought differently and said,

“Your parents have been in love for a very long time. How can you compete with that? Your story is different.”

Anderson wasn’t ready to give him any details. All he wanted was to hurt Trent badly and right now, Martin wouldn’t understand, no matter how Anderson explained. “I think we should go back to work. We also have a wedding to prepare for.”

After that, the two men walked out of the cafeteria, shoulder to shoulder, just as they walked in. Martin smiled and waved at Avery when he passed her but when Anderson walked past her, it was as if they hadn’t spoken just a moment ago. They were like total strangers.

Avery lost her appetite and felt the taste of the burger acidic in her mouth. She wanted to go to the washroom to call Trent on facetime but lunchtime was almost over so she decided on a quick phone call. Just when she was about to dial his number, the phone rang. It was her best friend Joyce.

Before she would have been excited but at the moment, she felt saddened. "Joyce, sorry I haven't been in touch." Joyce was helping her sick mum and so she hasn’t been in any internship program. Her mother just got better and she decided on catching up with her best friend.

"I should be the one apologizing. I'm in town and guess what? I wanna crash at your house." The usual response would have been an exciting yell but all Joyce got was a frustrated sigh.

"I'll tell mum that you have to sleep over but I won't be there."

Joyce felt suspicious and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Avery wanted to hug her, cry and tell her everything but the environment wouldn’t permit her. "I can't talk now. I'm at work."

Joyce was so disturbed that she couldn’t wait. "Let's chat on W******p."

"Sure, cool,” Avery agreed and sent a chat through W******p.

‘I'm getting married, Joyce.’

Joyce didn’t see anything wrong, wondering why Avery would be upset. After all, they were in love. ‘That's great but when? I thought you'd graduate first. Trent must be desperate to make you his wife.’

Avery sighed in frustration and typed. ‘I'm not getting married to Trent. It's an arranged marriage to Anderson Crown.’

Joyce had missed feelings and typed, ‘no way.’

‘I don't have a choice. The wedding is in a week and he wants me to move in with his parents till then,’ Avery explained.

‘I'll come too,’ Joyce typed. She had to be there for her best friend and nothing was going to change that.

‘What?’ Avery felt that Joyce was not understanding her predicament. How could she come with her to Anderson’s parent's house?

Joyce saw her response as strange and typed, ‘What? did you get a maid of honor already?’

Avery sighed with relief. Since she wasn’t in love, she forgot things such as the maid of honor, bridesmaids, or bridal showers. Who would have thought that she would get married whilst still in college? ‘Oh, those, I forgot.’

‘So, can I crash with you?’

‘Yes, but not tonight. I have to get there and talk to them first.’

‘Ok. I'll wait for your call.’

Avery went back to the office and got swarmed with so much work, she only realized she hadn't called Trent till she had closed and stepped out of the Crown Towers to go home when a white limousine pulled over in front of her and a man of at least sixty years stepped out and addressed her politely. He was neatly dressed in a black suit. 

“Miss Smith, I’ve been asked to bring you home.”

Avery shivered slightly. She hadn’t called Trent and it wouldn’t be right to do so in the car. She lowered her head and made an excuse in a low tone,

“Can you give me a minute? I have to make a private call.”

“I’m sorry miss, since I have seen you, I’m responsible for you.”

What a beautiful way to deny her. The man wasn’t going to let her out of his sight. Avery was pissed and looked at the opened door where the chauffeur stood. Pursing her lips tightly, she slid in. They didn’t cover much distance when her phone began to beep with an incoming FaceTime from Trent. Gritting her teeth, she ended it and sent a text message.

‘I sorted things out with Anderson but he insisted that I should live with his parents or him till we get married in a week. I chose the latter and their chauffeur picked me up from work so I can’t talk now.’

When Trent received the message, his anger boiled. After he told Avery to marry Anderson last night, an idea popped into his mind and he wanted to execute it immediately but Anderson was still a step ahead. 

“Fuck you, Ander,” Trent cursed multiple times under his breath before he responded to her text message.

‘Can you find a way for us to meet? You promised me something the last time we were together.’

Avery's cheeks turned red instantly. The last time they saw each other physically, Trent wanted to sleep with her but she didn’t feel ready and he didn’t force her. Moved by how he respected her feelings, she promised that she would do it when they met again. Right now, it seemed like the best time. If she got married to Anderson, it wouldn’t be possible till after they divorced.

Avery kept her promise. She swallowed nervously and responded, ‘I will find a way for us to meet tomorrow.’

When Trent received the text message, he was over the moon. He had to take her first time because he didn’t trust Anderson. What if he forced her? He would also make sure that he got Avery pregnant. That way, it would be easier to claim her or force Anderson to divorce her. He responded, ‘I love you Avery and trust me, you won’t regret this.’

Avery read the message and held her phone tightly. What was there to regret? They loved each other and she meant it when she made the promise to him. ‘I love you too Trent. I know that I won’t regret it.’

Soon the limo pulled over and Avery was welcomed by Susan and Andrew. The way the couple received her, awoke some guilt in her but she had to continuously remind herself that she was getting married to their son and not to them. Their son was the problem, not them.

“Welcome home Avery, you must be famished. Let’s get you something to eat,” Susan said while leading her to the dining room. Andrew followed close behind and while Susan served Avery’s food, Andrew welcomed her.

“You should know that this is your home too. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. You have the right to reject anything or anyone you don’t want at your wedding,” he said sincerely.

Avery instantly recalled Joyce and Trent. If she was able to get the couple to allow Joyce to be with her, she could create the excuse of going and bringing Joyce and arrange to meet with Trent as well.

She cleared her throat politely and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Crown if you don’t mind, can I invite my best friend over? She’s also my maid of honor.”

“Of course, you can invite her over,” Andrew said. Avery was relieved and looked him in the eyes for the first time. It was as if she was seeing an older version of Anderson but this man carried warmth. She lowered her eyes and said,

“Thank you. I’ll go and bring her tomorrow.”

“Don’t be silly, just give her address to the chauffeur, and he’ll pick and bring her over,” Andrew smiled and said. Anderson had already explained everything to him so he wasn’t going to let Avery out of his sight.

Avery was numb. It seemed that her plan failed before it started. “What are you waiting for? The chauffeur is here, write down the address,” Andrew said. She had been in a trance for how many minutes? She hadn’t realized when the Chauffeur was called and when he got there.

Avery raised her head and saw the notepad lying on the dining table with a pen. She scribbled Joyce’s address quickly. “I’ll call to inform her,” she said, standing up and walking to the balcony. After a few minutes, she returned to the dining table and said,

“She’s ready.”

“Great, eat up quickly,” Susan said while adding more food to Avery’s plate. Avery was amazed that her favorite dishes were being served. Saturated by the aroma, her taste buds watered with hunger. She placed her phone on the edge of the dining table while she ate. Susan wanted to pass her a plate of salad and pushed the phone to the floor. Her action seemed like an accident, as she apologized,

“I’m so sorry,” she bent a little and picked up the phone on the marble floor, squinting with remorse.

“Andy, I broke her phone,” she looked at Avery apologetically. Avery felt like her world was crumbling but she forced a smile and said in a small voice, “it’s nothing.”

“It’s something,” Andrew disagreed. “We have a couple of new phones, I’ll get you another one,” he said, took the phone from Susan, and rushed upstairs. It was too late for Avery to stop him.

Seeing the change in Avery, Susan wanted to soothe her and said, “your mum called earlier and said to let her know when you arrive. I think you should talk to her.”

Susan never liked Avery’s mother, Lily, because she was Andrew’s ex. However, Avery was different and she naturally liked her. She dialed her former rival’s number and gave the phone to Avery. Her mood brightened as she spoke to both her mum and dad.

Andrew returned with a new phone. “Here, all your contacts are intact.”

Avery took the phone with shaky hands. It looked so expensive. She also realized that everything of hers, including all her chats with Trent, was there. ‘What if Andrew’s father read them?’ She was gripped with fear but realizing that the man’s attitude towards her hadn’t changed, she felt she was just overthinking it. 

“Thank you,” she said genuinely. Susan led her upstairs to her room. It had everything she needed and she instantly felt at home. She looked at Susan gratefully and said, “Thank you, Mrs. Crown.”

Susan smiled, “If you need anything, I will be next door.”

Suddenly, they heard a knock on the door. “It must be Andy, can he come in?” Susan asked her. This was Avery’s room now so no one could come in without her permission. Avery was a little embarrassed that the middle-aged woman respected her so much. It was as if this wasn’t a business deal for her parents. 

She smiled a little and said, “It’s still your house, Mrs. Crown.”

Susan was a little uncomfortable with the way Avery kept addressing her and said, “Just call me Susan or mom. You will soon be Mrs. Crown too.”

“Okay mom,” Avery said in a low tone. Susan was good to her so she had no problem calling her that.

Andrew walked in and wrapped his arms around Susan’s waist. Then he said to Avery, “Your friend is here and so are Anderson and Martin. They thought it better for us all to be together.”

Avery paled instantly. It seemed to her that she was stuck with Anderson and there was no way around it. How was she supposed to keep her promise to Trent?