Locked out

Avery sat there, crying her heart out and struggling to breathe from the continuous sobs. Many eyes were on her, but she didn't care. She had never felt this betrayed in her entire life, not even the day her mom fired her from the company and put her younger brother, Robert, in her place.

A waiter tapped her and handed her a tissue. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but the other customers are complaining," the waiter said politely.

Avery understood the message.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed before grabbing her phone and leaving the coffee shop.

She continued walking down the street, tears streaming down her face, when a car horned at her from the side.

"I'm not in your way!" she yelled, drawing attention from the onlookers.

The car parked, and a man emerged from the driver's seat.

He wore a crisp, tailored navy blue suit with a white dress shirt underneath. His tie and pocket square perfectly matched in a deep burgundy shade. The man had neatly groomed dark brown hair and a chiseled jawline.

Despite the commotion and Avery's disheveled state, he maintained an air of calm as he approached her.

It was Simon.

"Come. Get in," he held her left hand and led her to the front passenger seat. She didn't resist his grip but allowed him to lead her to his car.

"Avie..." Simon started after the drive was silent for minutes, but it only made Avery resume her tears.

She had been trying to hold it back since she got in his car, but the moment he uttered her nickname, she couldn't help but cry.

His right hand reached for her thigh and he patted them lightly.

"It's okay to cry..." He said to her.

"Everything will be fine..." he added.

"Those are empty words. Everything will not be fine! This life sucks! Nothing goes the way I plan every single time. Every fucking time. And just when I thought I had found love, what happened? You should hear the hurtful words she said to me..." The tears choked her as she resumed crying again.

"Avery... Take a deep breath. She isn't worth the tears." Simon tried to comfort her.

"I feel so alone in this world. It's like I have no one who truly understands me. My dad tries his best, but my mom makes it so difficult. Everyone always has something negative to say about me. They judge me because I'm bisexual," her voice was filled with hurt and frustration.

"What? No! Avie, everyone is different, and I firmly believe that it's your right to love who you love. Your sexuality doesn't define you, it's just a part of who you are."

Avery looked at him skeptically, her voice trembling.

"Really? Because I remember how hurtful your words were when I broke up with you three months ago. I fell for Tiffany, who was just a friend back then, and you insulted me for leaving you for a girl."

Simon's gaze dropped to his lap, guilt washing over him.

"Avie, that was a difficult time for me. I had genuinely deep feelings for you, and seeing you move on so quickly with someone else, it shattered my heart.

I know I said things that were completely out of line, and I've sincerely apologized for it. I'm truly sorry. Please don't bring up the past in this moment."

Tears slipped down Avery's cheek, her voice choked with emotion.

"It's not that easy, Simon. Your words cut deep. You told me that I wasn't as beautiful as I thought, that there were countless girls out there who were better looking than me. Do you have any idea what that did to my self-esteem and my already existing insecurities?"

Simon's face turned into a mask of regret. He hadn't realized the lasting impact of his hurtful words.

"Avie... I-" Avery interrupted him.

"Don't apologize, Simon!" she yelled, startling Simon.

"Is my mom the one who sent you to spy on me? To report back on how miserable I am? Well, let her know that Tiffany and I are over. I'm sure she'd be thrilled to hear that her daughter is once again on the verge of depression."

Avery folded her arms tightly across her chest, burying herself in her thoughts.

Simon sat in silence, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. His mind raced with thoughts on how to handle the situation, but he knew that saying anything, even if it was to console her, would only provoke her further.

A few minutes passed, and they arrived at her house. Avery didn't look at Simon as she muttered a quick "Thank you for the ride" and stepped out of the car.

Simon watched her closely, noticing her struggle with the door. Without a second thought, he exited the vehicle and met her at the entrance.

"Do you need help?" Simon offered.

"Somebody changed my pin," Avery replied, frustration lacing her words.

"I've been trying to enter it on this pin pad, but it keeps saying incorrect pin."

"Are you sure you know the correct pin? Maybe you accidentally mixed things up?"

Avery sighed, reaching for her phone. With a few taps, she accessed the application for her house's security system, only to discover that she no longer had access to it.

"How is that possible? I've had my phone with me all day," she exclaimed, showing Simon her screen.

"What about your fingerprint? It's supposed to unlock with your fingerprint too, right?"

"It's been deleted from the system," Avery said.

Simon's expression hardened.

"I think we both know who's responsible for this," he said.

Avery nodded. It was definitely her mother. The condo, which belonged to Avery's mother, granted her mother access just as it did Avery.

Locking Avery out was a clear reminder - or a warning - of their deal.

"You should call her," Simon suggested.

Avery scoffed, her defiance evident.

"And beg that witch? Hell no!"

She turned on her heel and headed back towards Simon's car.

"Please drive me to the nearest hotel."