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CHAPTER 48: THE BIG MOVE
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2023-02-08 05:31:41Related chapters
The 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 : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 52: THE LIFE THAT COULD'VE BEEN
JEREMYWhy is she here?I told her that I didn't want to see her again. For obvious reasons being, it's hard to move on with my life when she's still a part of it. When she's still there judging me for what I've done to her family. How much I've screwed up her life. I can't bring them back — as much as I wish I could. But I can drink to numb that pain. If she's out of my life I don't have to see it on her. The hatred she has for me.I walked into the kitchen after freshening up into something more appropriate when having guests. My mother was being her usual bossy self, working her way around my kitchen as she prepared dinner. As she was doing this, Vanessa was trying to talk her way out of staying. My mother was having none of it of course. "I can walk, I don't mind. You two should spend some time alone anyway.""Just let her go. It's only an hour's walk. She'll be fine."I reached up into the kitchen cabinet and grabbed a bottle of scotch. Both of them were looking at me. Judgemen
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 53: JUST SMILE AND BE NICE
VANESSAI was looking in the mirror in front of me as the hairdresser stood behind styling my hair for the big night. I wasn't paying any attention to what she was doing, I was so lost in my worries about tonight. The men and women together for the joined bachelor and bachelorette, which I wasn't in agreement with by the way. These things should be done separately in my opinion, to avoid dramatics before the big day. If Natasha is witness to Ollie acting a certain way tonight she won't be happy. The events are happening at Jeremy's mansion which is a little uncomfortable. I don't want to be there — when he is — surrounded by those memories of the past. Most of the memories we have are good ones that are covered up by the lies and hatred we have for each other. "Ness — Earth to Vanessa.."Natasha called from her chair beside mine and snapped me from my thoughts."Sorry."I looked in the mirror and mustered a smile."I was thinking about something. What did you say?""What do you think
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 54: THE EDIBLE
VANESSA I was among thirty or forty other guests at the party, not all of which are staying at the mansion for the weekend. Just a small few are staying, the inner circle of the bridal party mainly.There was music playing and an array of different drinks were set out for whoever wanted a refill. The smell of cigar smoke filled the air in the living room. The men were smoking the cigars and some of the women were too, it's not really my thing. Some activities were going on like card games, there was a room set up with all different types of casino games like blackjack for example. I've never actually been to a casino before but the mini one that was set up in the dining area was very inviting. Waiters were circling with food on silver trays for whoever was hungry, which nobody was. Once there's drink involved, no one really bothers with the food. I smiled as I took two cocktails from a passing waiter's tray."Thank you."I handed one to Alex. "Thank you, Lovely."He drank from his w
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 55: THE TEMPTATION
JEREMYI watched her dance in front of me while holding a cocktail glass in her hand. Vanessa was swaying her hips from side to side like only she knew how. Only she knew how to tease me like this and I couldn't tare my eyes away. Being high didn't exactly help."You shouldn't be drinking.."I said as I saw her take another sip from her straw. I don't know how many she's had... I don't even know what time it is. "I'm having fun, Jeremy. Let me have fun."She smirked mischievously and continued dancing. "Whatever! It's not like we're married anymore, Right."During our months of marriage, I made it clear to her that I didn't like her intoxicated. There's nothing I can do about that now. She has her own life and she does what she wants. "You can't boss me around anymore."She swayed towards me and sat down on the two-seater rattan sofa beside me."I feel so fun right now. It's been a long time since I've let loose like this."I chuckled."Yeah, I think that's the edible."I felt exactly lik
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 56: THE SCAVENGER HUNT
VANESSA "I knew something was going on when I saw you leaving his room this morning. You were wearing your dress from last night, like duh!"Natasha squealed."Was the sex hot? It's Jeremy... I bet it was fucking epic."I chuckled."I can't even remember it, I was too high on those edible jellies I stole from Alex's pocket. That sure thought me not to steal again.""That's a shame, you've been apart for so long. It could've been really intense long-awaited make-up sex. He certainly has a smile on his face today, just look at him."She brought my attention in Jeremy's direction. He looked at me and winked and Natasha giggled like a school girl. This was funny to her but to me not so much. I was feeling confused. I was also feeling angry with myself for being that kind of woman who lies and cheats.I don't want to hurt someone — especially not someone that doesn't deserve it. Colin has been there for me so much, he's been so patient with me. I like him — but after last night my mind is co
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
