AVERY"When did you say she was going to wake? It's been three days straight and she still has shown any sign of waking up. Ramon, I'll kill you with my own hands if she doesn't wake." Slowly, I tried to pry my eyes open to see where I am but I can't. I feel weak all over. I'm in pain, especially my backside. I feel like a truck ran me over. My head is pounding like someone is drumming inside my head. I don't see anything nor do I remember anything. Even the voices I was hearing just now can no longer be heard. I feel too weak to carry my seemingly heavy body. I see the light but I can't seem to move toward it. Something is holding me down. Restraining me from moving forward. I tried to fight it to no avail. I just want to sleep. Again, I succumb to darkness.The next time, I was feeling much better. With a groan, I raised my hand to my head to massage it. I feel tired. With a heavy groan, I open my heavy eyelids. I'm thirsty. Parched."Avery?" I heard someone call.That's my name.
AVERYI laughed. At my husband and his friend's banter. When was the last time I laughed? I can't remember. I, in fact, don't have a memory of my laugh.There was nothing to laugh at. Would I laugh at my Mother's biting words or my Father's deathly whips or my Sister's sinister smile? Would I laugh at the days I was starved?My own laugh sounded so unfamiliar to me. I remember pausing as I looked around the room wondering where the sound was coming from.The two fighting men's eyes were on me as my eyes darted around the room. I blinked at them and Maverick stood up straightening his gray sweats. Ramon had stood up as well with a snicker directed at his friend.Ramon checked up on me and finally left. That was when I found out Maverick had seen my back. My ugly scarred back.Since Ramon left, he hasn't said one word to me and me? I don't have the courage to even make a sound. My back was resting on a soft fluffy pillow that was resting on the headboard so I was sitting up. A silky du
AVERY"Why not? You're my wife." "Doesn't mean you can see my bare body! We haven't even consummated our marriage. And this was only a marriage of convenience. We don't like each other. I'm pretty sure we'll divorce-""No Divorce." "What?""That's my condition to help you. No Divorce even after I've helped you to get your revenge.""What?" I asked turning my body to him. Way too fast cause I winced in pain immediately after."And... You can't tell anyone the reason why we married in the first place. Our marriage will be a secret only known to the people within the walls of this home. Deal or no deal? The bureau would be open in a few hours.""Woah. You didn't tell me this before I signed the book. Hell, we don't even like each other! And you want to stay together forever?" I asked in disbelief."Do you want revenge?"Of course, I do.My expression seemed to have given him a reply because the next he said was,"Then, to keep my end of the deal, you have to keep yours. Do we have a de
AVERY"What is wrong with you? Don't bathe me. I can do it myself." I stuttered out trying to cover myself. Why the hell is there no water in this fucking bathtub?! I looked up at my Husband who was looking at me with one brow raised. In his hand was a small pink sponge and on top of the sponge was a bar of bathing soap that was a lighter shade of pink compared to the sponge's Pink color. He shrugged and then started walking again. "Don't come here!" I shrieked bringing my arm up to cover my breasts even if it was just a little bit. My back pricked at me in pain but like always, I ignored it."Fine... I'll close my eyes while the water fills up the bathtub. Then, I'll bathe you." "No... I'll open the tap myself. Just direct me on how to do it. Close your eyes, and squeeze them tight. Don't you dare peek. If I catch you peeking, you're dead.""Dead? Oh pray tell, how do you plan on doing that when you're naked?" He asked with a smirk crossing his arm.I... He's correct. I'm at a l
"What did you just say?" He asked in a cold voice. Immediately, I shivered. It's like the room temperature dropped drastically low. I brought my hand up to warm my bare arms up.Oh God, why am I only dressed in a goddamn towel?! "Avery, what did you just say?""I said I was sorry," I mumbled and he stood from the bed walking towards me. He raised his hand and I immediately closed my eyes with a slight wince embracing myself for the slap that was coming or maybe it was a blow. My arm was up beside my face as a defensive act. Something I was beaten for while I was home. They said I wanted to beat them back. Hell, I would do that anytime! Either way, I'm ready.Two seconds passed, nothing, three... Four... Five... Six... Seven... Eight... Is he going to do anything? Slowly I peered my eyes open to see him looking at me with a neutral expression. My eyes subconsciously averted to his arm to see his hands in his pants pocket."I'm not an animal. I don't and won't beat women." He said in a
"You can open your eyes now." I said placing Avery on her feet. She held on to my back and slowly opened her eyes. She fluttered her eyelashes slowly adjusting to the light. "Thank you." "Hn." I replied walking to the table. I heard her walk after me and I let out a low inaudible sigh. It's going to be very hard to make her strong. Strong enough to face her family. Because whether she likes it or not, she has to face them in days even months to come. Thier meeting is inevitable. They would clash into each other especially the younger daughter. And she is so weak. She is broken. How do I repair someone that is broken? I'm going to be needing help. From her. First thing first. Trust. I need her to trust me then we can proceed with the her self esteem. She needs to place herself above others. She needs to know she's in a high untouchable place. "Are you sure I can eat all of this?" I heard someone whisper to my right. I turned my head to her only to freeze. She was so close to me th
"Mave... Your wife is hungry." Ramon said with a voice that was thinned out. I turned my head to him sharply. He looked at me and gave me a wink. His action did something to my stomach, something I didn't know what it was, but it tickled me. Not to the extent of laughter though."Go home," Maverick said with a glare and my eyes went to my plate instead. 'Stop moping around.'I'm not even moping. I'm simply looking at the food. It looks delicious, it's kinda a pity I can't eat it.'I didn't ask you to have some allergy. Please, don't rant.'I wasn't even ranting. Shoo!"Avery?" I heard and I looked up almost immediately with a, "huh?""Did you hear what I said?""He asked if you would like pasta," Ramon whispered and I blinked turning to him. My whole body felt warm once I caught his gaze."Are you always this happy?" I asked instead with a smile."Only around beautiful girls." He answered with a wink."That's it!" Maverick yelled suddenly dropping his cutlery with a clatter. I jumped
"Here's your Omelette and tea, ma'am." We heard and I pushed Maverick away in a hurry like we were doing anything bad."Oh right. Drop it on the table, please." I said and made to walk toward her only to be pulled back. With a nervous chuckle, I pushed my leg forward only to be pulled back.I turned around with flaming cheeks to see Maverick looking down at something. My eyes followed his line of sight until it stopped at the end of the tie that was in his hand. But the tie was dangling down, rather it was straight like something was holding the other end of it. My eyes trailed the tie until it landed on my hand. I opened my hand slightly to see the tie wrapped around my hand. I was pulling myself back. I looked up at Maverick in embarrassment to see him already staring at me.I grinned and loosened the tie. Once it was off my hand, I turned around swiftly and made for the stairs. "Ave-""Ma'am." "I'll eat later," I said without pausing for once neither did I look back or over my s
"It's better," I said. Maverick looked up at me. "It's better since I'm not his daughter. That way, if we later tell people we're married, they won't say you married your rival's Daughter." I continued without looking up from the sock I was knitting."Are you sure?" He asked and I looked up at him."Am I sure I'm ready to leave behind the people I've known as my family my whole life? Am I ready to agree to the fact that he wasn't my father all along? I mean, yes, I am. It actually explains a lot of things. The treatment especially." I replied.A sigh came from him and I chuckled. He stood from his seat and came over to me. He held my jaw and turned my face to him. His thumb wiped the tears that stained my face."You'll be fine. I'm here for you."5 months later.My eyes were glued to the white and black picture on the screen. The cold gel on my stomach was tingling me but Maverick's hand that was holding my hand was radiating warmth throughout my body."Congratulations, Mr. Black. C
AVERY"What is that supposed to mean?""It means, Avery, sitting right there, is not a daughter of the Roosevelt!""What?" I asked in a small voice."It's high time you knew. Yes, my husband found you. You're not our biological daughter. When we found you, you were just a child. An infant. Your mother had abandoned you. Thrown you away. You were useless.""No. No, I'm– No! No." I muttered shaking my head. My eyes started to feel dizzy. I tried to hold on to something when a warm hand grabbed my face and set my ass down on the chair."Avery. Avery, look at me." Maverick said and I tried to look at him."Breathe. Baby, breathe."I took a deep breath and looked up at his face with tears in my eyes."Call the cops. They can take them away." Maverick commanded and immediately the men dragged two screaming women and a silent man out of the room."Hubby–" I called and he shushed me."I know. I know." He pulled me into a hug and I reluctantly hugged him back. He patted my head while I sobbed
AVERY"Current Location?" Maverick asked over his shoulders asking Carter who was only a few steps away from us."An old warehouse not far from the airport," Carter replied looking up from the iPad in his hand."Did you bring the file?""Yes Sir.""Hm.""What file?" I couldn't help but ask."You'll see." He replied mysteriously before patting my head. I smiled and nodded my head obediently."We're here," Carter announced and I stopped in my tracks almost immediately. My eyes looked at the two wooden doors in front of us. Two men dressed in black that looked twice my size were standing at the door, guarding it."Boss." They greeted with a bow."This is my wife.", Maverick said showing them our entwined hands."Ma'am." They acknowledged me with a bow as well."Hi." I greeted them with a light wave. They pushed the wooden doors apart and I immediately stared inside the room. Three figures were seated on the floor, all bound with a rope on their hand and leg."Are you sure you want to do
AVERY"We need to talk."Maverick paused his actions and looked at me on the bed. He resumed looking back at the mirror and he replied,"Hm?""The matter on ground?" I asked and he paused again. He undid the tie and tossed it to the chair. He walked towards me and say himself down on the bed right beside me.My heart was hammering against my chest for what was about to leave my mouth but I couldn't feel more confident. More satisfied."It's okay if you don't want us to do anything. If it'll cost me you and our marriage, then I'd rather let go of my revenge plan than lose you." He declared staring straight into my eyes with his thumb kneading my knuckles. I blinked at him and gulped the ball in my throat."I... I... I want us to punish him. By the Law, of course. He should be punished for his bad deeds." I said taking his hand into mine instead. "You won't lose me or our marriage. I've given it enough thought. He has been cruel for a long time. Ever since back then, he has been doing
AVERY"Shh. Go to sleep.""Lay beside me. Wait till I fall asleep.""Only until you fall asleep." I reminded and he nodded pulling me to the bed. My head was on his arm which acted like a pillow while my whole body frame was hugged by his huge body frame.My eyes looked around our room. It was dark but I could feel the sadness and emptiness looming over the room. The curtains had been drawn obstructing any form of light from coming in. The lights had been flipped off giving the room a weird vibe."I really missed you. I tried everything. I tried to do everything to keep my sanity intact. I tried doing everything to keep my mind off you. To keep me from driving over to you." I heard and I turned my head in his direction.His eyes were open so I reached out to touch his face. I smiled patting his cheeks and he smiled in return moving closer to my hand."I know. I missed you too." I replied snuggling closer to him. He pulled me closer until our bodies merged and then he let out a sigh.T
MAVERICK"Master! The Madam is Gone!" This sentence made me stand up like I had been electrocuted."Gone? Gone where?" I asked walking towards her. I walked past her and headed straight for our room."We have no idea.""When was the last time she was seen?" I asked pushing the door to our room open."Last night. After you left the room." She replied. My eyes looked around the room. She truly wasn't here."Call Carter," I instructed closing our room's door before she could give a reply. I dragged my feet to the bed that was neat like no one had laid on it. She didn't sleep in this bed. I fell to the bed and my hand subconsciously caressed her part of the bed. My hand moved to the pillow where she laid her head and I brought it to my nose to sniff it. Her pillow was doused in her heavenly scent so I took a long whiff.I hugged the pillow pretending it was her and closed my eyes imagining she was in my hands. Safe and close. I should have held her in my arms last night. I never should h
MAVERICK"And the fact that you think I would side with my Father shows how much you trust me. The fact that you kept this from me shows how much you truly love me." She said."Avery–""Get out, Maverick.""What?""Please." She pleaded. I hated the way she was pleading with me. I hated the fact that we were in this mess. I hated the fact that she found out this way. The fact that she's doubting my love for her because of this makes my heart break.It's breaking more than the times I knew she was just a few steps away yet I couldn't bring myself to her. "I'll be in my study if you need me," I said walking away from her. I closed the door behind me and Butler Flora stood in front of me."What in the world is going on?""I'll tell you once it's all solved," I replied."Make sure she eats tonight.""You keep telling me that every day yet you don't eat either. She hasn't eaten for the past week ever since you turned your study to your house and even denied seeing her. She's heartbroken."
AVERY I stared blankly at the golden-colored wall. I refused to blink. I refused to let the cry that had welled up in my eyes fall. Because if I do, more will fall and then the dam will break. My eyes darted to the clock on the side table. It read 10:26 pm. My hand that was holding the duvet clenched further and I blinked. That was my mistake. I grabbed the pillow beside me tossing it to the floor. "Why?!" I yelled tears rolling down my face. I made no move to wipe it off neither did I make an effort to stop crying. "What did I do wrong?! Why?!" I yelled trashing the bed. My throat hurt from crying so much. My cold dinner lay on the dressing table covered. Just like the way Butler Flora had placed it there earlier this evening. "Mistress!" Someone yelled and I turned my head glaring at whoever it was. "Get out! Get out of my room!" I yelled tossing whatever I could grab. If anyone saw me they would think I've gone crazy. I am. I am crazy. I'm going crazy. "Young Miss, please
AVERY"This is good!" He screeched and I shrunk back at the momentum of his voice."You don't have to yell that much," I said taking a sip of the hot cocoa that I made for the two of us."Of course, I have to. This is better than the ones I've made for myself.""Don't flatter me," I said rolling my eyes."Why would I want to do that?" He asked."True that," I replied after a short seconds of silence."I like your necklace by the way.""Yeah?" I asked trailing the sapphire stone with my hand."Maverick got it for you?" He asked and I looked up at him in surprise. "How do you know that?" I asked."He's my best friend. I know his taste in necklaces." He replied and I nodded my head picking up my mug again."Avery?" He called and I turned my head to him. He stared at me for a while before he shook his head and said,"Never mind.""Why? Is something on my face?" I asked rubbing my face."No. There's nothing on it.""Then why do you keep staring at me?" I asked in confusion."Do you want t