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CHAPTER 41: READY OR NOT, HERE SHE COMES
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The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 42: THE TALK
VANESSAMy eyes fluttered open...And the first thing I saw was the picture of the doll with the crazy eyes standing upright against the dresser to my right. If I wasn't feeling so shitty it would probably bring a smile to my face.I remember fainting, but I don't recall much after that. What I do remember is him catching me and carrying me back to his car. If I wasn't feeling so bad I would've been adamant about being in the same vehicle as him...And about being back in this house. I turned on my side, looked up at the ceiling and released a long yawn, even though I'd slept the whole day through. I was feeling as though I hadn't slept at all."How are you feeling?"I heard his voice and shot upright in the bed with a fright. I thought I was alone, but apparently, I was wrong. Jeremy was sitting on the armchair in the corner looking worse for wear."What are you doing?"I asked as I held the sheet against my chest. I was still wearing my dress, but I felt uncomfortable being alone wi
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 43: WE'RE SEPARATED
VANESSAI wiped the tears from my cheeks before walking into the station. Before I pulled open the door I saw my reflection in the glass, my eyes red and puffy from crying. There's nothing I can really do about that now. It took me 30 minutes of standing outside the building before I could handle coming in. I was crying all the way here, the long walk from the Austin Estate and even after that I couldn't hold it together. I walked towards the desk and the officer behind it was looking at me as I approached."What can I do for you, Miss?"Here goes... This is the moment of truth — Jeremy Austin is going to get what's coming to him after what he did to my family."I need to report a crime."I wanted so badly to scream it from the rooftops, to tell everyone what he did and for him to be judged and treated badly for it. I didn't want him hurt physically -- but on the inside. I wanted him to feel pain just like I was. An hour of interrogation later and I was starting to get angry. Reporti
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 44: A VERY BAD DAY
VANESSA"Why didn't you tell me that you were married, Vanessa?"Colin asked, bombarding me with questions as we walked down the sidewalk. He was eager for information on my past, but I was expecting it. I've been avoiding him for over a week. I knew I couldn't do it forever. "It wasn't something that I wanted to talk about. Would you of stayed clear of me if you knew that I had a husband?"I asked. "No."He admitted."Even if I wanted to, I don't think I could've done that. You're separated right — you're not getting back together or anything?""I'm on the way to my divorce hearing — what do you think. I have no interest in getting back with him. The sooner this is done the better.""He looked like he was pissed that I was there. I'm guessing he's the one that hurt you."Colin shook his head."He's an idiot for doing what he did to you — whatever it was."Jeremy had no right to be pissed, especially with the reason why we broke up. He should be afraid to even talk to me after what he did
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 45: THE DRUNKEN HUSBAND
VANESSAIt felt weird — waking up beside someone else after months of waking up alone. For a while it was Jeremy, I told myself that after him I wouldn't allow anyone to get that close to me again. But this was unavoidable really.I had no money for a hotel and I didn't want to ask my friends. Natasha and Ollie are living together all loved up, which is cute but I don't want to witness it 24/7. Alex lives in a studio apartment that's too small to even stretch your legs in. I'd rather pass on that. Colin asked me to stay, which is actually better so I can keep an eye on my apartment. It's two days in and my landlord has yet to get someone in to replace my door. My skin prickled with goosebumps as Colin's finger moved down the centre of my back. That little feeling of excitement had me biting my bottom lip. It was just another day in my shitty little life."Are you awake?"He asked and I turned my head around and looked at him. The sheet was at Colin's waist and he was topless with his
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 46: THE RING
VANESSAI stood in the kitchen watching him from afar, keeping my distance and mulling my thoughts about him being here. Is this a mistake? I didn't really have a choice in the matter. Colin was decent enough to allow Jeremy to sleep on his couch for the night, not that Jeremy was sober enough to even realise it. I wanted to call Sebastian to come pick him up and bring him back home, but Jeremy's phone was totally dead and I didn't have the number.Now he's here... and it's completely awkward. I'm awkward -- me and Colin together are awkward. I'm sure things are going to get a lot worse when Jeremy is conscious. Colin walked out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen area."I brought him a blanket in case he gets cold.""Thank you."I took the blanket from him and folded it neatly."Thank you for doing this, you didn't have to. I just didn't know who else to call.""Well you needed me, I couldn't say no. What about his parents, why didn't you call them for help?"He asked. "I couldn't
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 47: A LITTLE SPACE
VANESSAI poured hot water into mixed matched cups for coffee and tea. My hands were trembling, but I wasn't sure if it was because of what happened with Jeremy thirty minutes ago or because of our unexpected guest. I wasn't expecting this — nor was I ready for it. Today has been a weird one and it has yet to hit 3 pm. Why is my life so screwed up? I feel like the only choice I've ever had in my control was leaving Jeremy. Everything else just spirals. Colin joined me in the kitchen"I'm so sorry about this. I didn't know that she was coming over."He whispered so he wasn't overheard. "It's okay — I don't mind."I mustered a smile. Mustered because I don't know exactly how I felt about this yet. I didn't expect to come back to find a guest."Do you want to help me bring these over?""Yeah sure."He picked up the tray of coffee cups to carry to the living area."By the way, my mother can be a little much sometimes. I'll make it up to you later."Colin winked at me and walked away. That's
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 48: THE BIG MOVE
Today is the day!!I've never been so excited about lifting heavy boxes in my life. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so excited about moving into my new apartment.. the new apartment that Jeremy helped me get... but still. I'm glad to finally be living somewhere with hot water and a door. I removed my cherished items from their bubble wrap and set them on the side table. Taking centre stage on the sideboard in the living area was an ornament of a couple in love, holding hands in mitz of a dance. It belonged to my parents and it was my favourite.I hope I'm happy here. It's been a long time since I've actually been excited about something. Alex walked into the open concept living space and set a box on the floor."I didn't think you had this much stuff, Lovely. How did you fit it all in that tiny apartment?""I'm just very good at organising."I chuckled. "You made good use out of a small space. That's a skill in my opinion." said Natasha."This apartment is gorgeous. It's so
The Austin Arrangement CHAPTER 49: HEARTBREAK
VANESSAI ordered my iced double shot coffee to go at the Starbucks around the corner from my new apartment. I needed the boost today more than ever. Three hours from now I will be standing in front of a judge about to get divorced from Jeremy Austin. My emotions were all over the place. Divorce — finally this day is here. But I wasn't feeling how I imagined I would. Marriage is such a big commitment and perhaps I took it too lightly back then. Maybe I should've said No to Tom's offer. I would've found a way in the end, wouldn't I?That being said, my brothers' education was on the line. I didn't want him to miss out on the opportunity of being something great, or having a bright future, despite the trauma that we have been through in our lives.His happiness is the most important thing to me. He's the only family that I have left. I walked out of the coffee shop sipping from my plastic cup when I looked up and saw him walking across the road. I froze on the spot not knowing what t
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