Chapter 6 - Where do you think you are going?

“Is anything the matter? Don't you want to see your friend?” Andrew asked worriedly since Avery didn’t show any excitement.

Avery lowered her head and asked in a low tone, “Is Anderson downstairs too?”

“Yes. There are only four rooms in this house. One for the housekeeper, one for us, one for you, and the other for Anderson. Those rooms are all upstairs so you can’t avoid seeing him anyway,” Andrew explained. He just hoped to understand what Anderson was up to since he had promised to only reveal it after the wedding.

Avery saw nothing wrong in telling Andrew. He was like a father to her and was also soft-spoken. “He said that we shouldn’t cross paths until we meet again at the altar.”

Andrew was upset. Anderson was crossing the line and he didn’t like it at all. It felt like emotional abuse. “Ander said that?” He squinted and asked.

“Yes,” Avery confirmed, not knowing if it was the right thing to do.

“Then I’ll get rid of him for you or better still, let me send your friend over,” Andrew said. Since she wasn’t allowed to see Anderson before the wedding, it was just perfect for Joyce to meet her upstairs.

“Thanks, dad,” Avery smiled and said. 

Susan was having a headache, massaging her temple to ease the pain. What was Anderson up to? “Your friend has to eat first so it would take some time for her to meet you upstairs,” she said to Avery.

“No problem. I will just have my shower then. Thanks for everything mom,” Avery smiled and said. She was getting used to the wonderful couple and gradually making little eye contact with them. Susan's heart warmed at how flawlessly the word mum left Avery's lips. It made her miss Sophia.

“Thank you for doing this for my son. You are the only woman he wants and you can only understand our situation when you become a mother yourself one day,” Susan said with remorse. She hated that Avery was forced to marry Anderson. It made her feel selfish and she only hoped that Anderson’s reason would be worth it.

“I understand,” Avery said and lowered her head, ashamed of how she was planning to make Anderson’s life miserable after their marriage. Andrew and Susan made her feel guilty at the very thought of it all.

After Susan left, Avery threw herself on the bed. It was so comfortable that she felt lazy to lift herself from it. She decided to call Trent and tell him about the change of plans. Since it was a week before their wedding, she was sure that Anderson had taken the remaining days off. His father was still in the country and was going to run the company on his behalf.

Trent would find a way for them to meet. She couldn’t let Anderson win, never. She dialed Trent’s number but it dropped almost instantly. She tried again and again to no avail. Frustrated, she went to take a bath.

A few minutes after she finished bathing and was drying her hair, her door pushed open and Joyce rushed in, hugging her from the back.

“I miss you so much,” Joyce said dreamily. It was amazing to be united again.

“I miss you too much and please forgive me for not asking earlier but how is your mum?” Avery asked with remorse.

“She’s fine and the reason why I got to join you. I can’t believe that you are just telling me about your marriage. Did you break up with Trent? I called him right after you called and he said he was coming in tonight,” Joyce said with a blend of excitement and remorse. Avery was rather jealous. She hadn’t been able to reach Trent but Joyce did. 

“Trent is coming to New York?” She asked, not hiding her shock.

“Yes but he seems bitter,” Joyce revealed with a worried look. Avery dropped the dryer and let out a frustrated sigh.

“I tried to reach him but I couldn’t get through to him.”

“Then you should try again in a few minutes. I met Anderson downstairs. His friend is sweet and we chatted a little but Anderson was so chilly. How do you get along with him?” Joyce asked curiously. Judging from Avery’s personality, she knew that it wasn’t going to be easy.

“We don’t get along,” Avery said, confirming her suspicions. Joyce was worried.

“So why are you getting married?” She asked the pressing question. Marriage wasn’t something to toy with but this couple made it seem so.

“His parents are investing in my parent's business.”

Joyce was deflated at the revelation. She was four years older than Avery but she went to college late because of her mother. She was the only one who could handle her so her father stopped paying caregivers and hung the responsibility of taking care of the sick woman on her shoulders. Sometimes, she seemed okay and normal but other times, she was nothing to write home about, frustrating Joyce’s life. “So you are a business wife?”

“It seems so,” Avery agreed sadly. Joyce didn’t want to spoil her mood but still couldn’t help asking,

“How is Trent taking it?”

“I’m only doing this because he said he would come for me when his father hands over the company to him,” Avery said confidently. She trusted Trent and was certain that he would do as he said but Joyce had mixed feelings and asked,

“Ain’t you being mean? I’m just worried about Mr. And Mrs. Crown. They are so nice.”

Avery felt guilty but how could she spend the rest of her life with a man she didn’t love? It seemed far-fetched. “But I can’t live the rest of my life in a loveless marriage.” 

Joyce’s phone beeped, interrupting their conversation. She glanced at the screen of the phone and said,

“It’s Trent.” Her finger slid over the screen and she lifted the phone to her ear. Before she said a word, Avery pulled it from her and spoke,

“Trent, why are you calling her and not me?” She seemed upset. Joyce was her best friend but Trent was her man and certain lines had to be drawn. Trent apologized. 

“I’m so sorry but I kept trying your line and it wasn’t going through. Did anything happen to your phone?” He asked curiously. Now that Avery was in Anderson’s parents’ house, his level of concern for her increased.

“Yes, it broke but Anderson’s dad gave me a new one.”

“Wow,” Joyce exclaimed from the background when she saw the phone.

Trent instantly guessed that his contact on Avery’s phone had been tampered with. Anderson was capable of anything. Unfortunately, he couldn’t explain his beef with Anderson to Avery but that didn’t stop him from getting back at Anderson. “Avery, I need you to do something.”

“Anything,” Avery readily agreed.

Trent’s heart warmed, knowing that the girl loved him so much. “You have to sneak out of the house when everyone is asleep. Bring your new phone along.”

Avery was instantly gripped with fear and asked in a low tone. “Isn’t it risky?” If she was caught sneaking out to meet her boyfriend, it wouldn’t speak well of her as the decent woman she was, especially when Susan and Andrew treated her so well. She would also disgrace her parents.

Trent swallowed his dismay and said, “Avery, I’m here because of you. I’m already at the gate. As soon as you make it there, I’ll get you and don’t worry, I’ll bring you back in an hour or two, so no one would notice.”

Seeing the length he had gone through to see her, How could she refuse him? Besides, she missed him too. Trent wasn’t supposed to travel or leave his father’s company until his project was completed but he risked it all. A stink of adrenaline surged through her and she asked, “What about the security at the gate?”

“I will distract them so don’t worry,” Trent assured her.

“Okay.”

Trent was relieved and instructed, “When coming out, send me a text with Joyce’s phone.” If Avery sent the text message with her phone, he wouldn't receive it so this was the best way.

“Alright.”

When she hung up, Joyce was still exploring the phone Andrew gave Avery but dropped it. They began to talk about so many things until Joyce fell asleep. Avery changed into a pair of Jean trousers and a turtle neck since it was late and the weather was cold. 

She put on a pair of trainers and wore a jacket over her blouse. With her hair combed and cascading down her back, she put on a little makeup. She had to look good for Trent. 

Everywhere was quiet and the lights on the corridor were all out so she knew that everyone was asleep.

She picked Joyce’s phone and sent a message to Trent. ‘I’m coming out.’

‘Okay.’

As soon as she got the response, she dropped the phone, turned off the light and opened the door, closing it gently behind her. 

She tiptoed to the stairs and began to descend it one at a time. She used her phone as light, not daring to use the torchlight since that would be too bright. The brightness of her phone screen was enough for her.

Her heart was thumping so hard but Trent being at the gate gave her renewed hope. She made it to the one and half steel door and just as her hand was about to turn the knob, the entire living room brightened, as she heard the click sound of the light switch.

She froze and felt her heart run from inside her chest to her stomach, afraid of who had turned on the light, praying that it wasn’t Anderson. She shivered when a cold emotionless voice barked from behind her. “Where do you think you are going?”