The next few weeks at the Hughson’s mansion was quiet and filled with tension.Fredrick had been avoiding Avery since their last fight, he had been spending his time with Claire and her baby.Claire on the other hand was trying hard to get even with Avery, she had felt belittled and embarrassed during their last conversation.“You have refused to tell me how you fell into a contract marriage.” Claire probed, trying to find a loophole, which she planned to use against Avery but Fredrick would not open up to her.“You have refused to tell me who the father of your child is. What happened to you?” Fredrick asked.“It’s a long story I can’t quite get out of my stomach. It is heavy.” Claire said, looking grave and sad.Fredrick’s heart immediately went to her and so did his body, he slowly leaned over to her, his head dizzy with emotions. Claire was his first love, his first love whom he hadn’t quite gotten over despite everything she did to him, and how much she wrecked him.When he saw
“Fredrick!” Adrian exclaimed.Particularly happy to see his in-law.At his appearance, the house went hushed with silence, Nei-nei gave him a stern look and he immediately cowered at her glare. His gaze went from Nei-nei to his wife, who stood smiling brightly like nothing was wrong. He was relieved to see her with Nei-nei, looking radiantly beautiful.“Where have you been Fredrick?!” Nei-nei asked, clearly displeased by his behavior.Fredrick was certain that he was about to get an earful from his grandma and he was ready for it.He partially came here hoping to be chastised in some way, he would willingly take all of Nei-nei’s earfuls.“I said do better” She began,“I’m sorry, Nei-nei” he said, approaching her cautiously. He wanted to hug her and apologize for behaving poorly, but he was stopped by Adrian who asked him to open the bottles of wine on the dinning table.“What are you celebrating?” He replied.“Oh no, Freddie!” Nei-nei exclaimed.“Your wife! We’re celebrating her succ
Fredrick and Avery waved goodbye to Nei-nei and Adrian as they departed for their home in White Avenue.Having fortified himself with Grandma Jojo’s advices, he felt prepared for the ride back home. Nei-nei had provided him with the help he needed to make his marriage work.“Show concern, be interested in her life.” Nei-nei had advised.She was more than happy to provide guidance for Fredrick, “You need to learn communication” Nei-nei continued.“I communicate…” Fredrick argued.“No you don’t!Her voice resounded loudly as they drove through the streets, the ride so far had been quite quiet and he could hear his grandma’s mocking voice telling him “I told you so”. Fredrick tightened his grip on the steering wheel, as he began to garner confidence to begin a conversation,“Please stop here…” Avery said as they rounded a corner leading to Mainland.“Why? Are you going somewhere?” Fredrick asked, alarmed and concerned.He was hoping to spend the weekend at home, practicing Nei-nei’s a
Avery looked around and noticed all eyes on her, but she was particularly conscious about the way Fredrick looked at her. Her stomach did a summer-flip, and she suddenly felt self-conscious.“Do I look terrible? Is the make up ugly?” Her mind wandered at so many reasons why Fredrick and every other person stared at her so intently. She peered around, hoping to see her reflection on a mirror.There had to be something about her that made him look without blinking, unfortunately, there was no mirror within her range. She had to do something.Just as she gathered the courage to take a step forward, she observed Fredrick coming towards her with a pleasing look, affectionately smiling at her.“Mrs Hughson, you look gorgeous.” Fredrick exclaimed, extending a hand to her.At this romantic gesture, everyone one present swooned and erupted into a cheerful applause for the both of them.It felt like their wedding all over again.Avery took his hand as he gently led her out of the Boutique. R
Fredrick’s heart dropped at the sight of his wife, hauling up to her room.He felt his heart sting from pain, he hated that he had put her through distress again. Claire’s behaviors jeopardized the relationship he was trying build with Avery.The farther Avery went from him, the more his anger intensified.Determined to put an end to her thoughtlessness, he mustered all his composure and approached Claire in the dining room.“Claire, why did you come back here?”“I was clear about us yesterday when we spoke. Why are you still here?” He asked sternly.Claire’s demeanor shifted slightly and her expressions softened.“I’m sorry…” she said in a low tone.Fredrick was relieve that she seemed to be apologetic about her actions.In a less stern tone, he began “I need your attention this time, listen attentively.” “I loved you…for a long time I did.”“Loved?” Claire repeated, agitatedly.“Yes, loved. All that is in the past…I’m married now”“It’s a fake marriage!” Claire exclaimed.“It is
Fredrick struggled to swallow the cold pancakes she served. He was still in awe of her audacity, one thing struck him the most, he was curious about her knowledge of Claire’s secrets.When she had suddenly resurfaced in his life, Fredrick suspected that she was either running from something or hiding something but he was too blinded by pity for her and closure for himself.“Avery…” Fredrick began, regaining his mind over the morning they just had.“Tell me, how did you know about…” he commanded, he was tired of probing her.“I overheard her conversation with someone on the phone.”“I promise it was unintentional. I woke up sometime around 2am, feeling thirsty. I went downstairs to the kitchen to get something to drink. That was when I overheard her crying to her husband, begging him to take her back.” Fredrick was astonished by Avery’s revelation,“If she was begging him to take her back, why was she trying to get with me.” Fredrick asked, confused about Claire’s plans.“I don’t th
It was so nice to meet you, Avery. Let’s be good friends” Jordan smiled, enchanted by Avery’s cheerful chatter.“Definitely, we will be seeing in school a lot more often.” Avery replied, as they finally said their goodbyes.She peered around the almost empty hall, looking for Fredrick.“Are you looking for me?”Avery jumped, startled at the sudden appearance of a figure by her side.She was quite relieved to realize that it was only Fredrick.“Yes” she grinned.“Are you ready to go?” He asked, trying hard to mask his jealousy.“Yes”“Did you have a good time?” “Yes…”Fredrick’s heart sank at the thought that she had a good time but it wasn’t with him.“Come, Alex has been asking to see you.” Fredrick said.Avery followed him outside to the garage where Alex was waiting by their car.“Hello Mr Alex.”“Hello Avery…”“You look beautiful.” Alex commented.“Thank you…” Avery replied.She had received a lot of compliments from people today, yet every time another person complimented her, s
The weekend ended in a slight note of disappointment for Fredrick, he had allowed his feelings get the better of him without thinking of the consequences.The week had been progressing slowly and he barely saw Avery.He had a feeling he was avoiding her and he couldn’t help but let her have some time to process her feelings.They were slowly moving from a contract couple to becoming friends and he had ruined it with a moment of weakness, things like this were the reason he hated being vulnerable.“What was I thinking?!” Fredrick yelled, tormented by the constant flashes of that night.“Is everything alright, Sir?” Fredrick’s Secretary hurried in, hearing his disturbing exclamation.Fredrick glanced at him, he couldn’t help the hysterical chuckle that escaped his lips.“How could everything be alright? He thought, “I’m losing my mind”He had a hard time concentrating at work, making him helpless and angry at the hours he spent being unproductive.“What is my schedule like today?” He as