Three: Desperate Avery

“Are you out of your mind?” My eardrums were shattered by that scream of Ma’am Cassandra, our Editor-in-Chief. The more I got to know it, the more I almost accompanied that shout in my mind. I knew very well what else could she say.

When I dropped the call earlier from the C.C Cars, I immediately asked her for a consultation. 

I also asked about a good car to buy because it looks like I was tempted to buy something in no time then she became mad about it instantly, screaming her lungs out.

“Ma’am, you know it’s not a waste. Kuya’s been so addicted to cars. It will be a few months since his birthday. I could send that to him as a gift, right?” I’ve never been so unsure about this. 

“I just really have no choice, Ma’am. This is the only option I have. If I have a chance to get this, I will definitely be ahead of others,” I explained. Even if I wanted to ask the woman, I decided to give up. If there’s anyone who can help me with cars, Kuya Jac should really be the one I called.

I quickly picked up my keys and left BSE. I should be going by now. The sooner, the longer I can talk and convince Mr. Carter.

While driving, I decided to call Kuya Jac. I am just hoping he’ll help me. After a few rings, he answered it immediately. “It’s too early to make a fuss, Av.”

He sounded good, so my ears almost clapped. Just this once, please. I hope my older brother’s brain is in the proper order.

“I need your help. Are you busy?”

“What is it? I’m still watching Jacques, but he’s sleeping. Tell me. Is that a man? “

“Men are tr ** h,” I said bluntly. I still do not take my eyes off the road.

“Women, too.” Here we are again. When my brother says that, I just really accept it wholeheartedly. No matter how much I want to defend women, I can’t.

My brother was cheated on by his fiancee a few days before their long-awaited wedding. We found out that the woman is pregnant by some other guy— the man she was with when my brother could not go home every day because of work. Jacques, their child, was just one back then. In the end, the nanny proved that his fiancee was bringing another man to their own house.

It seems like Kuya Jac also disappeared from our lives then. Yes, we always fight, but the two of us will always be here for each other.

It took him almost a year to accept everything. It was a long-term relationship. They have been with each other since high school, and they have been planning a wedding for a few years now, but just a day apart, everything became in turmoil.

But then, I am glad that we had a chance to found that out soon enough. What if the marriage proceeded before we found out the truth? It will be more disastrous for Kuya.

The incident happened two years ago. Jacques’ now three, and somehow Kuya Jac became okay. He may be a little jerk, but I love him as well as his son whom he supports alone.

“Come on. What is that?”

I quickly reached the place and looked for a place to park. Their main branch is hella huge! I can’t just imagine many cars you can find here and how tight the security is.

“I’m at the C.C Cars right now. Which car do you like best here?”

Kuya Jac chuckled slightly before answering, “You buying for me?”

I let out a few more sighs before getting out of the car. I also adjusted the dress several times, which was slightly tangled due to haste. “Just answer the goddamn question, Kuya.”

“So you are really buying that for me? Yes, birthday present!”

This annoying. “Shut up, will you? I’m buying it for Jacques!”

I just let the brother laugh out loud. He’ll stop soon. I know him.

As soon as I arrived at the entrance door, I was quickly greeted by the guard there. It is true that the security here is really tight. The place is very intimidating as it is. 

“Fine. Go, get me that 1991 Black Eagle.” I quickly turned off the call after hearing it.

He should get a life. All I want is the name of the car I should buy so that I don’t look stupid by staying here longer. 

This is indeed horrible! It was as if I had entered a haunted house, with a class. 

I almost burst into laughter. I cannot imagine my life should be for the next twenty-four hours, giving the best thing I could to convince the man. I won't give up just yet, or simply— I won’t.

I don’t always get what I want for nothing.

“Excuse me. I’m here for Mr. Cormac Carter,” I said as soon as I reached the lobby. I gently smiled at the woman there then showed the identification card I was carrying. It moved slightly to tell the woman about me as I immediately introduced myself.

“Avery Taylor from BSE News.”

“Me! Sorry, Ma’am. We can’t let you in–”

“Let her in, Jessica.”

Mr. Carter’s office is very pleasing in the eyes. It was as if I had entered a hotel with superb facilities, stairs and so on. It screams authentic elegance.

“You can enter the room, Ma’am. I’ll be downstairs,” said the woman named Jessica. 

I did give thanks before turning the doorknob and opening the door. A very fresh smell penetrated my nose. It was as if ‘thunder’ has its own scent—very manly and cold. 

Moments later a man approached me. There is really something about him.

He seems so. . . mysterious. . . heartless.

His aura screams danger.

His lips curled up for a furry grin which almost take my breathe away. “So, Miss Taylor. Which car are you going to take?”