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CHAPTER 43: WE'RE SEPARATED
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2023-02-08 05:26:21Related chapters
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 44: A VERY BAD DAY
VANESSA"Why didn't you tell me that you were married, Vanessa?"Colin asked, bombarding me with questions as we walked down the sidewalk. He was eager for information on my past, but I was expecting it. I've been avoiding him for over a week. I knew I couldn't do it forever. "It wasn't something that I wanted to talk about. Would you of stayed clear of me if you knew that I had a husband?"I asked. "No."He admitted."Even if I wanted to, I don't think I could've done that. You're separated right — you're not getting back together or anything?""I'm on the way to my divorce hearing — what do you think. I have no interest in getting back with him. The sooner this is done the better.""He looked like he was pissed that I was there. I'm guessing he's the one that hurt you."Colin shook his head."He's an idiot for doing what he did to you — whatever it was."Jeremy had no right to be pissed, especially with the reason why we broke up. He should be afraid to even talk to me after what he did
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 45: THE DRUNKEN HUSBAND
VANESSAIt felt weird — waking up beside someone else after months of waking up alone. For a while it was Jeremy, I told myself that after him I wouldn't allow anyone to get that close to me again. But this was unavoidable really.I had no money for a hotel and I didn't want to ask my friends. Natasha and Ollie are living together all loved up, which is cute but I don't want to witness it 24/7. Alex lives in a studio apartment that's too small to even stretch your legs in. I'd rather pass on that. Colin asked me to stay, which is actually better so I can keep an eye on my apartment. It's two days in and my landlord has yet to get someone in to replace my door. My skin prickled with goosebumps as Colin's finger moved down the centre of my back. That little feeling of excitement had me biting my bottom lip. It was just another day in my shitty little life."Are you awake?"He asked and I turned my head around and looked at him. The sheet was at Colin's waist and he was topless with his
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 46: THE RING
VANESSAI stood in the kitchen watching him from afar, keeping my distance and mulling my thoughts about him being here. Is this a mistake? I didn't really have a choice in the matter. Colin was decent enough to allow Jeremy to sleep on his couch for the night, not that Jeremy was sober enough to even realise it. I wanted to call Sebastian to come pick him up and bring him back home, but Jeremy's phone was totally dead and I didn't have the number.Now he's here... and it's completely awkward. I'm awkward -- me and Colin together are awkward. I'm sure things are going to get a lot worse when Jeremy is conscious. Colin walked out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen area."I brought him a blanket in case he gets cold.""Thank you."I took the blanket from him and folded it neatly."Thank you for doing this, you didn't have to. I just didn't know who else to call.""Well you needed me, I couldn't say no. What about his parents, why didn't you call them for help?"He asked. "I couldn't
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 47: A LITTLE SPACE
VANESSAI poured hot water into mixed matched cups for coffee and tea. My hands were trembling, but I wasn't sure if it was because of what happened with Jeremy thirty minutes ago or because of our unexpected guest. I wasn't expecting this — nor was I ready for it. Today has been a weird one and it has yet to hit 3 pm. Why is my life so screwed up? I feel like the only choice I've ever had in my control was leaving Jeremy. Everything else just spirals. Colin joined me in the kitchen"I'm so sorry about this. I didn't know that she was coming over."He whispered so he wasn't overheard. "It's okay — I don't mind."I mustered a smile. Mustered because I don't know exactly how I felt about this yet. I didn't expect to come back to find a guest."Do you want to help me bring these over?""Yeah sure."He picked up the tray of coffee cups to carry to the living area."By the way, my mother can be a little much sometimes. I'll make it up to you later."Colin winked at me and walked away. That's
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 48: THE BIG MOVE
Today is the day!!I've never been so excited about lifting heavy boxes in my life. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so excited about moving into my new apartment.. the new apartment that Jeremy helped me get... but still. I'm glad to finally be living somewhere with hot water and a door. I removed my cherished items from their bubble wrap and set them on the side table. Taking centre stage on the sideboard in the living area was an ornament of a couple in love, holding hands in mitz of a dance. It belonged to my parents and it was my favourite.I hope I'm happy here. It's been a long time since I've actually been excited about something. Alex walked into the open concept living space and set a box on the floor."I didn't think you had this much stuff, Lovely. How did you fit it all in that tiny apartment?""I'm just very good at organising."I chuckled. "You made good use out of a small space. That's a skill in my opinion." said Natasha."This apartment is gorgeous. It's so
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 49: HEARTBREAK
VANESSAI ordered my iced double shot coffee to go at the Starbucks around the corner from my new apartment. I needed the boost today more than ever. Three hours from now I will be standing in front of a judge about to get divorced from Jeremy Austin. My emotions were all over the place. Divorce — finally this day is here. But I wasn't feeling how I imagined I would. Marriage is such a big commitment and perhaps I took it too lightly back then. Maybe I should've said No to Tom's offer. I would've found a way in the end, wouldn't I?That being said, my brothers' education was on the line. I didn't want him to miss out on the opportunity of being something great, or having a bright future, despite the trauma that we have been through in our lives.His happiness is the most important thing to me. He's the only family that I have left. I walked out of the coffee shop sipping from my plastic cup when I looked up and saw him walking across the road. I froze on the spot not knowing what t
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 50: THE MAN WITH NO HEART
VANESSAI was in shock the entire cab ride to the hospital, unable to get my head around what I just heard. Ava called me to tell me the news although it sounded like she was still in shock herself. Poor Tom. I've been worried about him lately, since the last time I met him for dinner actually. I knew he was off that night but he shrugged it off and told me it was because of exhaustion. Maybe it was because of that too. "Are you ready?"Alex asked from his seat next to me in the cab."Yes."I stepped out of the cab and turned around and looked at him before he followed."I'm going to go alone If that's okay with you?""Are you sure? I really don't mind.""I'm sure. I think it will just cause a problem with Jeremy if you're there too."I said and he nodded his head in agreement. I don't think Alex is keen on another fist to the face."Thank you though, I appreciate it.""Anytime, Lovely. Call me later."He smacked his lips together in an air kiss and I smiled before closing the door of the
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 51: KNOCK KNOCK
VANESSA I opened the door to Tom's hospital room and he perked up when he saw me. I've given it a couple of days before coming to see him so he could get the rest that he needed. I also wanted to avoid the Jeremy talk, I'm guessing there will be a lot of that. "How is the patient?"I asked with a smile as I walked toward his bed. Surprisingly he looks a lot better than he did the last time I saw him at the restaurant. "The patient is becoming bored sitting in this bed for days."He chuckled and pressed a kiss to my cheek as I hugged him."I'm doing well. How are you, Darling?""Good, I've just been worried about you.""You don't need to worry."He reassured."I'm not dead yet."He chuckled in amusement and looked down at the gift bag in my hands."I hope you have chocolates and some scotch in there for me."I chuckled."I'm afraid not. I know Ava has you on a strict diet from now on. I'm on her side here."I set the bag on the bed beside him."There's lots of fruit and I brought you a book t
Last Updated : 2023-02-08
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The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 86: END
VANESSA"I'll be back soon."I told him and kissed him before leaving his hospital room. As I walked the corridor my phone buzzed with incoming texts into the group chat between Alex, Natasha and I. "How is the patient?"Alex asked. He's checking up on me for the third time since he left me earlier. "The patient is sick of being a patient. I'd rather be at home."I replied as I walked. Home... Where is that? It's not the apartment that I live alone in. Is it the Austin Mansion? I don't know anymore."Vanessa..."I heard Ava call me and I stopped walking and turned around. She walked towards me with a smile so I tucked my phone away to be respectful."I'll walk you back to your room, Darling.""Oh okay."I replied and we walked down the corridor towards the elevator. We talked the entire way about Jeremy and what happened to him at the opera house. By the sounds of it, she got a fright seeing her son that way. "How are you feeling... I mean really feeling?"She asked."You don't have to hi
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 85: GUILT
VANESSAI SAT IN MY HOSPITAL ROOM ALONE...Thinking about what happened tonight was traumatising my mind. I was replaying it over and over again, trying to imagine what I could've done differently. What could I have done to change this outcome?I don't know!Michael is dead. Good riddance I guess. I don't know what is the correct way to feel right now, happy that he's gone maybe? I can move on with life and I don't have to worry about seeing him again. His death... The way it happened. It shouldn't have happened like that. He was on his knees, I shot him and he was down in the dirt bleeding. The police were coming... it was already over. Why did he pull that trigger? The door to my hospital room burst open and Alex rushed towards me pulling me into a tight embrace."Oh my God! Thank god you're safe. We were all so worried about you."Alex interrupted my thoughts taking me by surprise. Now I have to find the words to speak when all I wanted to do was forget."I'm okay, so survived."I
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 84: THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
JEREMYTHE CABIN CAME INTO VIEW... It was secluded, just like I thought it would be. There were woods surrounding the cabin and they went on for miles, which meant there were no neighbouring houses to witness what was going on. No one would be close by to hear her scream for help. A car was parked out front... it could be his. MrsWatson mentioned that Bill doesn't come up here much anymore, it can't be a coincidence. The car has to be Michael's. I loaded my gun before getting out of my car which was parked a distance away from the house. I don't want him to know that I'm here before I'm ready. It's dark out so I call that an advantage. He won't see me coming. He probably thinks that I'm out of the way. I walked towards the house and noticed the front door was open wide. A million things were running through my mind but I tried not to get carried away. I walked into the house with my gun out ready to use it. In the living area, there was a fire burning low and a kitchen chair had
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 83: THE WOOD
JEREMY"He wasn't familiar, the police think it might've been the landlord. Maybe he was looking for rent money and Michael didn't have it... I don't know."I said as my father listened on the other end of the phone that was on speaker as I drove. "Michael is clearly a very dangerous human being. The only comfort we have here is that he cares for Vanessa, I don't think he will harm her."My father replied. He was trying to be positive because he knows that I'm fucking losing my mind right now. He knows the man I am, especially when it comes to her. I didn't see a positive in this situation... Not when she's not with me. I was supposed to keep her safe and I failed. "I've been getting calls of condolences all day because of the fake news all over the internet. People think that you're dead, Son. But maybe it will work out in your favour, Michael won't be expecting you to be looking for her.""Maybe... I don't know."I pulled my car up outside the house and turned the engine off. "Eve
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 82: MICHAEL
MICHAELI COULD SENSE HER FEAR...Vanessa doesn't understand where I'm coming from, she doesn't understand how important she is to me. That my life would be nothing without her in it.She's scared of me now, but I had to do what I did. Everything I've done... I've done for her, so we can be together. I was willing to go the extra mile to make sure that she's in my arms and not his.She needs to know everything about me... the things that I keep buried deep down inside. I need her to realise that I'll do everything I can to keep her safe. Everything..! "When my mother died I knew that it was coming, I expected to feel a certain way, Lost or perhaps an overwhelming feeling of sadness like I never felt before. But that's not what I felt. I felt relieved."She gave me a look, judging me for my words just like I knew she would. But wait for it... Because what I tell her next will bring me sympathy, and perhaps if I'm lucky I will gain a little trust."I felt relieved to have her out of m
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 81: GIVING UP
VANESSATHE BEDROOM DOOR OPENED...The light came in from the hallway and it hurt my eyes to look in that direction. It felt as though I have been in darkness for days, but I knew that it had only been a matter of hours. Michael walked into the room and stood in front of me. His tall figure towered over me as he extended his hand out with what looked like fresh clothes. I was still sitting on the bedroom floor with my cut knees against my chest, still dressed in red from the night before. "I brought some fresh clothes for you."He said softly but I continued to look away."Why don't you clean up in the bathroom... when you're done we can talk in the living room. It's warmer in there."I took the clothes from him and stood from the floor. I was more nervous around Michael now, than I've ever been. Now I know what he's capable of and he's worse than I'd ever imagined. Michael unlocked the door to the on-suite bathroom in my bedroom and I walked inside."I can wait right here until you
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 80: THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
VANESSAMY EYES FLUTTERED OPEN...Darkness surrounded me and it escalated my fear. I was laying on my back with not enough room to outstretch my arm. I already knew that I was in the booth of a car. We were moving, but there was quietness like it was a dirt road with no traffic. Where am I?What the fuck happened?I was at the ballet and Jeremy and I fought afterwards. After that, I went to the reception area and mingled with everyone I knew. I didn't have a drink... If Jeremy decided he wanted to talk I didn't want to be intoxicated for the conversation. He wouldn't appreciate that and I didn't want to anger him more.But he had already left... he was too angry with me to stick around. He thought that I was going to up and leave him, it looked like it maybe, but I just needed time to figure it out. What else, Vanessa?Natasha and Ollie... I remember them. I didn't want to be caught in conversation with him nor her so I escaped to the bathroom. The hallway... it was quiet... MICHAE
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 79: THE BLOODY BALLET
VANESSABackstage at the War Memorial Opera House, I was feeling a little anxious, just like I always am before a performance. I have no reason to be, our performance was perfected without a single mistake and ballet dancing is second nature to me. Despite that, I had a pit in my stomach... a fear of tonight not going like I hoped it would. Perhaps it's because Jeremy is coming and our relationship is a little frayed at the moment. I don't know where we stand since the other night.I guess tonight we'll figure that out.I looked at Wesley and noticed the panic on his face."Are you feeling okay?"I asked."I'm just nervous, but I knew I would be. This one is different... it's a big deal. Talent agents from New York will be here tonight, the pressure is on. You're nervous too, Right?""Um, a little. When I'm on stage It's just me and my dance partner, I don't pay attention to the audience."I smiled a reassuring smile to comfort him."You'll do great, you don't have anything to worry abo
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 78: THE EXPLANATION
VANESSAI was sitting on the couch in the living area of my apartment, my body wrapped in my grey waffle throw. Fresh out of the shower I felt sick to my stomach. Alex suggested putting a movie on TV to cheer me up and to take my mind off my worries for awhile. I got through 10 minutes before turning it off. My mind was on Jeremy and what I witnessed at the hotel. The proof was right in front of me, but a part of me still found it hard to believe. I thought after everything we've been through together, he wouldn't jeopardise what we have. "Natasha is coming over tomorrow to bring me out for lunch. Do you want to come with us?"Alex asked."I'll be fun, I think we're going shopping afterwards.""I don't think that's a good idea... Natasha and I are not exactly on speaking terms at the moment."I haven't spoken to Natasha since the coffee shop a couple of days ago. Thankfully she's not pushing me and she's giving me the space that I need."What happened between you two?"Alex looked at m
