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CHAPTER 69: NIGHTMARE
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2023-02-16 04:54:33Related chapters
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 70: IN A MOMENT OF PANIC
JEREMYFunerals I've never been fond of. Sitting in a church for an hour or two listening to a priest talk about things that I have no interest in hearing... That's a nightmare to me. But I'll suffer through it for her. I've never been religious. My mother is, she would always try to force it upon me growing up, as mothers tend to do with everything. The funerals I attended were of Grandparents and friends of my parents, and some of my Aunts and Uncles too. None of which were like today. I've seen funerals be both sad and joyous at times, talking fond and happy memories of the deceased. One last party to see the person off. Colin's funeral was grim from start to finish because everyone here knew that he didn't have a peaceful death, he suffered, and he wasn't ready to die. He was murdered.Like I said — today was different.Vanessa intertwined her fingers with mine as we walked away from the grave. She asked me this morning not to hold her hand or kiss her in front of his family. Gi
Last Updated : 2023-02-16The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 71: ALL ABOUT MICHAEL
MICHAELI was sitting on the couch in my living area in thought of what to do. My heart was beating rapidly still, despite some time had passed since the incident. What the fuck was I thinking?Well, I wasn't thinking, that's the problem here. But he was getting in my way so In that moment I didn't have any other choice but to stop him. If Colin told Vanessa that I invited him into my apartment for a drink and I told him everything I knew about Austin and her... well she would lose the little trust she has in me.I can't have that happen. I've worked too hard for this. We belong together — she just needs some convincing that I've changed and I'm the right man for her. I can be better this time she just has to give me a chance. "Can you just untie me?"Colin asked. "I can't."I looked at him tied to a kitchen chair by his legs and arms. I know how to tie a good knot, I used to go fishing with my neighbour bill when I was in my teens. It feels like a lifetime ago now. "Yes you can, un
Last Updated : 2023-02-16The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 72: JEREMY
MICHAEL I was sitting on the couch in my living area in thought of what to do. My heart was beating rapidly still, despite some time had passed since the incident. What the fuck was I thinking? Well, I wasn't thinking, that's the problem here. But he was getting in my way so In that moment I didn't have any other choice but to stop him. If Colin told Vanessa that I invited him into my apartment for a drink and I told him everything I knew about Austin and her... well she would lose the little trust she has in me. I can't have that happen. I've worked too hard for this. We belong together — she just needs some convincing that I've changed and I'm the right man for her. I can be better this time she just has to give me a chance. "Can you just untie me?"Colin asked. "I can't."I looked at him tied to a kitchen chair by his legs and arms. I know how to tie a good knot, I used to go fishing with my neighbour bill when I was in my teens. It feels like a lifetime ago now. "Yes you c
Last Updated : 2023-02-16The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 73: THE WHOLE TRUTH
VANESSAThe make-up artist applied blusher to Natashaʼs cheeks as she stood in front of her. She was sat on a high stool with the morning light coming in through the hotel suite window, completely in her element being pampered like a bride should on her wedding day. Yet she didn't look happy -- at least not like I expected she would on her wedding day. Maybe the nerves are setting in with only a couple of hours left until she walks down the Isle. Natasha has been acting weird all morning though. "Are you getting nervous?"I asked."Because you look pretty nervous."Natasha chuckled and tried not to move her face. "A little. I've been dreaming of this day since I was like five, so it's safe to say my expectations for today are pretty high.""You're allowed to have high expectations... it's your wedding day. Today is going to be perfect I just know it. From what I remember of mine, it was nothing like I imagined it would."In my eyes she's incredibly lucky. Natasha is having the wedding
Last Updated : 2023-02-16The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 74: THE NEW TRUTH
VANESSA "Vanessa... Vanessa..."That's what I faintly heard Jeremy say as he tried to pull me out of my trans-like state, but I could barely hear him... I couldn't focus on what was going on around me. All I could think about was their words. Everything was playing over and over again in my mind and I was trying to understand it... The new truth! That night years ago is going to turn my life upside down until the day I die, I just know it. "Vanessa... talk to me."Jeremy said in a quite calming tone and I looked at him. I was unsure of what to do or what to even say. What does one do in a situation like this? What is the right thing to do? "I'm so sorry, Vanessa."Ollie started."Please... We should talk about this. You need to listen to what I have to say. This was an accident..."Why... Why do I need to listen to what he has to say? Years after the car accident I find out the truth... for so long I believed something else and for over a year of my life, I believed that Jeremy was
Last Updated : 2023-02-16The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 75: A WEIRD PLACE
VANESSA"Okay, Guys. Let's leave it at that for today."Mags shouted to get our attention and we stopped."I think I've worked you hard enough for one day."I braced my hands on my hips and took a moment to catch my breath. We've been going at it for hours now, not that I minded. Dancing has always been my therapy when I have a lot on my mind."So how were we?"I asked while wiping the sweat from my brow.Mags looked up from her IPad and grinned at me and Wesley."Honestly... You guys were perfect." She said and I felt instant relief."Do it exactly like that on Saturday night and the Talent agent will lose his mind.""Talent agent..."Wesley repeated in surprise."You didn't mention that to us.""I wasn't sure if it would happen, these hot shots don't give people the time of day unless you give a little push. I pushed and they're coming."She chuckled."Anyway, I sent them a video of you rehearsing and they're very interested."Mags turned her iPad to face us with the email pulled up."They seem
Last Updated : 2023-02-16The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 76: THE LIARS IN MY LIFE
VANESSAI watched the door of the police station intently, feeling an anxious ache in my chest. Jeremy has been inside for over an hour now, while I waited in the passenger seat of his car.After my phone call with Miss Garrett, I knew Jeremy would be questioned, he needs to be eliminated from their investigation so they can move on. He didn't do anything wrong so that's exactly what will happen. I wonder what they're asking him?Ten minutes went by before I saw his face and I felt relief that only lasted a moment. Jeremy opened the door and slipped into the driver's seat beside me. I was expecting him to say something but he didn't. I guess I'm going to have to ask. I looked across at him as he pulled out of the car park."So how did it go?""Fine."He replied and that was that. I was expecting him to elaborate but he didn't. "Fine... What did they ask you?"He was in there for over an hour being questioned by the police for a murder of a man I used to date. How does he not expect me
Last Updated : 2023-02-16The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 77: HIS DIRTY LITTLE SECRET
VANESSAThere was silence between us...Jeremy and I decided to take a pass on the coffee shop and walk the park instead. There was a lot that needed to be said, but the coffee shop was closing up so it wasn't giving us the time that we needed. Now Jeremy and I walked quietly alongside each other, not a word shared since we entered the park. I'm sure he was unsure of how to start this conversation... just like I was. We didn't exactly leave things on a good note yesterday. I noticed him look in the direction of a woman passing us on the wide path pushing a stroller. I noticed this because I looked too, the newborn baby's cries were what got my attention. The mother quietly sang a lullaby to soothe him or her. I wondered how old that baby was — and if it was a boy or a girl? I thought of mine, but how could I not? Yes, it's in the past, but it's not something that I will forget. Every baby cry and every cute little face I see makes me think of what could've had. "Would you ever wan
Last Updated : 2023-02-16
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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
