Chad's face turned hot. 'Didn't Elliot say he was not going to come today? Why had Elliot suddenly appeared? Did his words not mean anything?' huffed Chad silently to himself. Both Ben and Chad dashed toward Elliot as they tried to ask him their questions.Elliot answered, "I just happen to be around the corner, so I thought I'd drop by and check the party out.""I thought you'd be too chickened to come!" Mike walked toward Elliot and pulled him toward the bar. "Today, we are gathered here to celebrate Avery's birthday. Rule number one, no yelling is allowed, and secondly, no fighting. Let's all drink!"Mike handed Elliot an empty glass before proceeding to fill it with liquor. Avery was stunned. Did they really intend to start drinking before they had dinner? She saw a group of men staring at Elliot. They were led by Mike, who in turn, was flanked by the managers.She realized what was happening! As she made to approach them, Tammy stopped her. "Let them be!" She pulled Avery
Avery had flipped open the album to find that it was filled with photos taken during their college years. It was a precious gift. "We are best friends, that's how! Other than my own photos, the rest of them are mostly yours," Tammy said as she looked at Avery lovingly. "A toast to a friendship that lasts forever!"Avery raised her glass and cheered, "Friendship forever!" She took a sip and placed the glass down.Someone patted her shoulder. It was Ben looking red in the face. "Come sit with us, Miss Tate!" Ben pointed at the table next to hers and said, "Tell your staff to behave themselves, any minute now and we will be hammered." Ben looked rather pitiful. "You're kidding Ben, you are a master at drinking!" teased Tammy.Ben sighed and said, "That was all in the past. I'm getting older now…"Avery got up and followed Ben to the table that was not far away. Ben signaled her to sit where Mike had once sat. The seat was next to Elliot's. She glanced over at Elliot and saw him st
Elliot suddenly held Avery's hand. She released her grip on her phone, and he instantly released her hand. Ben was right, he was directing the speech toward her. The managers’ jaws dropped.Oh shit! Was something about to happen? Avery's face burned, and she took a gulp of the juice that she had filled her glass with.Fortunately, today was only her birthday celebration and not her actual birthday. 'Getting a lecture on my birthday celebration, what a treat!' thought Avery sarcastically. Elliot went on and on about his secrets of success while raising his glass from time to time and drinking with everyone.He did not seem to have forgotten that today was her birthday celebration.Avery had two plates of pasta and a plate of fresh fruits. An hour later, and he was still droning on. She propped her head up with her hand as she gazed at him. Elliot cleared his throat and turned to her, "Avery, did you understand what I just said?""Let's drink!" Avery looked down as she helped hers
"Have some water, Elliot!" Zoe said as she propped him up on the pillow and placed the bottle of water against his lips. "You must be feeling lousy. Here, drink and you will feel better."Back in the hall, Avery felt a lot soberer. However, she now felt a lot worse than she had when she was drunk. She knew she could no longer allow herself to be entangled with Elliot. Nothing good would come out of it. "Zoe was such a snob!" Tammy walked over to Avery and comforted her, "Don't pay attention to what she said. She should take a good look at herself in the mirror." Avery took her purse and prepared to leave as she said, "I'm only mad at myself.""You didn't do anything wrong," Tammy said."I'm being ridiculous," Avery muttered to herself. "I keep imagining that we still have a chance together… Tammy, please give it to me if I see him in the future!" Tammy nodded, as she wanted the best for her friend. "I'll get you home!" Tammy held her up and said, "Don't worry about the rest of
Avery felt a sharp pain in her nose as Elliot crushed her to his chest. She looked around the room with her watery eyes. Her nose was still smarting. 'Where was Zoe? Why was Elliot alone in the room? Wasn't she supposed to be taking care of her drunk boyfriend?' wondered Avery. She pushed him, but Elliot embraced her tighter than before."Don't leave me, Avery…" He carried her, "I miss you so much… I've missed you every day…" Elliot murmured those words to her as he carried her over to the bed. Avery's heart ached as she watched him. He was completely drunk! They said drunk words were sober thoughts.Did it mean he had a place for her in his heart?He pressed her into the bed as he stared lovingly into her eyes. "Let go of me, Elliot Foster!" whispered Avery as she cupped his face with her hands. "Shea is crying because she needs you. Mrs. Cooper called me, and she wants you—" He silenced her with a kiss. Did he just ignore the part where she mentioned Shea? Did he not car
Zoe did not want to hear them anymore.The sounds of Avery and Elliot in the throes of passion mocked her. They seemed to say, 'So what if you're Elliot's girlfriend? He'll always love Avery no matter what!'She sat on the sofa. She felt a part of her had died today. Her body ran cold and she turned stiff.At 2 a.m. in the morning, the door to the bedroom finally swung open. Avery dragged herself out of the room. She froze when she saw Zoe. "Miss Tate, how did my boyfriend fare?" Zoe's voice trembled as she glared at Avery. "Miss Tate, I can't believe that you were able to make your move on him in the twenty minutes that I was gone. You knew that he was drunk, and yet, you seduced him! Oh, you're cheap!"Avery tried to explain herself, but nothing made sense.She could not believe that the situation would turn out like that. It was ironic."I'm so sorry," Avery said. "What's the use of saying sorry?" Zoe felt a stream of tears run down the corner of her eyes. "At least, I only
"I'm sorry, Dr. Sanford," Elliot said as he subdued his nerves. He had returned to his usual cold demeanor and added, "Last night was my mistake. I need some space." He left the room as he said that. Zoe was frozen. She had thought that her tears might make him sympathize with her and that Elliot would take her into his arms and comfort her. Why on earth was he still acting so cold? Why did he take off? He had not behaved that way with Avery. Zoe wiped her tears off her face. Though she was heartbroken, at least there was a silver lining. She looked at her phone and called Cole. "I've succeeded," said Zoe. "Congratulations, Dr. Sanford! Let me know if I can be of any help in the future. I'll be here for you," said Cole with a laugh.An intense sourness tinged her heart when she heard Cole say that. If only Elliot was as obedient as Cole. "Tell me, do I look like a man? Your uncle has never once batted an eye in my presence," said Zoe. "He had no reaction even when he saw
Mike coughed and said, "There's no need to get the cops involved! Avery, where are you right now? You sound exhausted."Avery stood up with the support of the pillar next to her and lied, "I'm at home.""Oh, were you still sleeping? Get back to bed! I'm fine, I just feel wronged. Chad is being unreasonable. He blames me for everything!" Mike felt better after his rant. Avery got a cab and headed home.She popped a fever pill and fell asleep in her bed. Laura did not manage to ask what happened to her.Back at the mansion, Elliot had been in the shower for longer than an hour. Usually, he would be done in about half that time. The reason why he had not yet come out of the bathroom was because he was still thinking about last night, and he could not accept that it was Zoe he had slept with. He could deal with Zoe anytime, but how could he ever face Avery? He was more certain than before that he was still very much in love with Avery.He could no longer lie to himself. It was cle