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CHAPTER 52: THE LIFE THAT COULD'VE BEEN
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2023-02-08 05:36:55Related chapters
The 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 : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 57: A CHOICE TO MAKE
VANESSAI pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as he sneakily placed his hand on my thigh under the dinner table. The sudden contact gave me a tingle and I was feeling a little ticklish at the sudden sensation of his fingers touching my skin.As his hand curved around my thigh, I crossed one of my legs over the other to deny him entry. Whatever he was planning to do at a dinner table full of our close friends, he can forget about it.I looked at him and shook my head unable to keep the smile from my face. He smirked finding it amusing. He was playing with me knowing that I would find it uncomfortable. Especially since what we've done is still somewhat a secret and I'm supposed to be in a relationship. My father used to tell me to not worry about what other people think.. to be myself and be proud of the choices I make because they define who we are. Sometimes it's easy to follow his advice and sometimes it's not. Right now it's not! I worry about being judged for being a cheater..
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 58: I’M A LIAR AND A CHEAT
VANESSAMy heart was beating at a fast pace as I ran beside him. The afternoon sun was shining down and there was a slight breeze against us both, which was better when one was working up a sweat. When he suggested coming this morning I was a little apprehensive, but I figured I could use this opportunity to talk to him about important things. Conor isn't a runner! Like not at all! I was even going a little slower so he wouldn't be embarrassed. He's not the type of guy that likes to work out in his spare time, instead, he likes to play video games, read a book or write. That's not a bad thing at all. We just like different things and that's okay. Suddenly he stopped and I stopped too. Colin was head down between his legs gasping for breath just like I figured he would be."I can't — it's too much. You're like a machine."I chuckled."It's just because I'm used to it. Are you okay?""I will be... I need a minute."He stood up straight bracing his hands on his hips. Beads of sweat were
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 59: THE DEBT
VANESSAI slipped my T-shirt on to cover up my sports bra before answering the door to my brother. It's been a couple of months since I've seen Finley and it wasn't like him to drop by unannounced so I was already suspicious about why he's here."Finally! I was beginning to think you weren't going to answer the door."My brother smirked. "How is my sister?""Fin..."I embraced him in a hug while noticing the backpack on his back."I'm good, How are you?""Good I guess, I have no complaints."He pulled back from the hug and looked at me."You look sweaty... Are you just back from the studio?""No, I'm just back from a run in the park. What are you doing here?"I asked as I closed my front door behind him and we walked down my hallway into my open concept living space. "It's been a while so I wanted to check-in and see how you were doing. It's okay if I stay the night, Right?""Sure, Of course. I can set up the spare room for you."I know my brother... he's hiding something. He drops by unann
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 60: AFTER THE CRASH
VANESSAThe call I received reminded me greatly of the one I received the night of my parent's accident. It was as though I was reliving it again... only not with them, but with someone else in my life that I cared for. I had that anxious feeling inside — a feeling that won't leave me until I see him with my own eyes. I know he's okay, well he's alive. I was told by the nurse when she called me to let me know that he was there. Car accident... that's all I know. Jeremy was on his way to me the last time I talked to him and so I waited up for him for over an hour, but of course, he never arrived for obvious reasons.I was escorted by a nurse to his private hospital room after waiting in the crowded waiting area for what felt like forever. I hated hospitals, even though I spent a lot of time here visiting my father. I walked into his room and saw him. I felt relieved, finally seeing him for myself."Jeremy.."I walked towards his bed and he sat up straighter to greet me."Are you okay?
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
