Five

Avery's POV

Deep breaths, Avery, deep breaths. There's no valid reason for my stomach to keep flipping upside down in a cycle but I was helpless with the reaction. 

Two days ago once I was home, the first thing I was met with was a new phone and laptop, with all my old data.

Upon thinking a lot, I genuinely gave it a thought. Yes, it's the twenty-first century but that doesn't mean I am being thrown to the altar forcibly without even getting to see or meet the groom. 

I am given a choice to meet, go out on dates and then decide so it's probably not that difficult. Unless I make it difficult. 

So here I am standing all dressed up in my oversized beige bat-wing sweater top, pairing it with my pleated black skirt. Who wants to be cold grilled in the snow out there? 

Choosing my hair to stay in my usual wavy curls, I had only dried it and put on a fair amount of makeup. Well duh, who wants to look ugly? 

My dad informed me I was to meet him at the hotel he is currently staying in, considering the stalker situation. I would've spoken to him myself, I have his number after all but I just couldn't gather the guts to do so. 

"Oh my goodness, don't you look gorgeous." Amelia grinned, striding inside with wide eyes. I laughed at her silently agreeing. I did look nice and honestly, that's quite a satisfaction. I didn't want to wear the tight body con Tahi chose because that makes me uncomfortable with my curves. 

I am not highly insecure, but I am not the kind of person who goes behind a trend or stuff just to convince people. 

"Holy shit." Tahi gasped from the video call. I turned around to see Amelia had ringed her. 

"Shut up Tahi." I rolled my eyes. That girl I swear overreacts a lot. I might not be ugly, but I am not a model face. I have a darker, tan skin complexion from my mother's looks. 

"You shut up. Girl, you look like a bomb." she squealed as I applied the last touch-up to my face. 

"Gee thanks. Guys my legs are shaking, funny." I laughed plopping down on the chair to slide on my heels.

"Phew, stop being a nervous mess he'll think you're stupid." Gloria frowns standing by the door, I huffed at her. 

"Are you here to lay out another argument?" I asked, not in the mood for her hormonal tantrums. 

"Not really. I am just here to wish." She smiled, winked at me and disappeared soon enough. I shook my head, she can be difficult to comprehend sometimes. 

My phone dinged with a notification, and it was Gomez informing me he has been here since he was out with Dad. 

"Tada guys I am leaving." I hollered grabbing my purse, mentally checking if I had stuffed the necessary things in. Grabbing my overcoat I closed my bedroom door behind me. 

"See ya, wild girl." Amelia laughed and Tahi went offline. I rushed out being careful on the stairs.

"This is what you're wearing." My mother's scoff made my step halt at the exit, and I sighed deeply. 

"What could be wrong with this now?" I raised my brow unbelievably. Sometimes I just don't know how to deal with my mother, she has to point out every single thing I do as incorrect or irritable. 

"You aren't some high school girl–," she hisses but was cut off by my father as he strolls into the hallway entrance. He slides an arm around my mother's waist standing casually. 

"You look, gorgeous princess." He smiled and I instantly felt lighter with the weight on my chest. 

"Thanks, dad see ya." I rushed out hearing my mother argue with my father.  Likely about siding with me and all. I had two cars with me and four of my father's best bodyguards. 

The car ride was a chaotic blur since I was busier calming my obvious nerves. My heart twisted, pranced and wobbled like I was on a roller coaster ride and I would throw up any second. Something in my stomach keeps tumbling making me severely queasy. 

God, I need to breathe! I am making a huge fuss about absolutely nothing. He could be an asshole for all I know and this can end up pretty soon for all I care. I am such a psychotic person, geez! 

"Mam, we're here," Gomez whispered, making me jump out of my stumbling mind. 

"Oh." I had never been the one to act clingy but right now I felt like begging Gomez to take me back home. Just so I could be more mentally prepared or something. 

"Ms," Gomez called out and I saw he was out already making a secure circle for me to step out with other bodyguards. 

"Oh yes, thank you, Gomez." I stuttered, wincing at the chilling breeze brushing past my exposed skin. 

I glanced at Gomez who seemed exhausted, he was out with Dad for the last two days. Maybe he didn't get enough sleep or rest. Now he had to work overtime because of me. Not just him, all of them seemed weary. 

"Gomez, why don't you guys leave? I can't tell how long it'll take. I can just call dad or the night guards." I asserted, and he quickly shook his head.

"Sir had given us strict orders to not leave you alone." He says, I sighed. 

"Well, I'll text Dad to do something about it. You can go. You seem tired and that's my order. " I said more firmly this time. He hung his head. 

"Alright." He whispered, giving me a small smile before excusing himself with the other guards behind him. 

I inhaled and exhaled deeply, rubbing my hands as I entered the tall building. 

"Ms Stanford, we're pleased. This way." An older man welcomed me making me smile. 

"I'll lead you to the private elevator. Mr Hilton is in the Penthouse Suite. Can I get you something besides dinner?" He asked, I half listened to his words admiring the essence of luxury around me. 

"No thank you." I smiled nervously. 

He soon left me alone in the empty hallway, near an elevator door and I stepped inside trying to be daring. The mirrored elevator tinged and a splurge of fragrance erupted with the door closing. I took my time checking myself in the mirror. Once I was sure I looked at least presentable, I pressed the switch to Penthouse.

I stroked my neck, tapped my feet and just wheezed the uneasiness out of me. 

"Alright, Avery." I cheered myself and groaned at the thought. Ughh, I hate being in a certain character, it's so out of my personality. 

The elevator tinkled again, but this time I had finally reached my destination for tonight. 

My heart started drumming up my chest violently, and I just burped the pasta I ate in the afternoon. No!! Oh my goodness, my breath does not stink. 

Wait, what? 

Before I could have another mental argument with myself I was met with a mesmerising view of the culprit behind my tension itself. 

I wanted to be bold, to say something straightforward, but I was too stunned to react. He was far from being just stunning, he was undoubtedly striking. His ivory skin spoke of British touches. However, his nationality was not up on the Internet.

Dressed in a sapphire button-up, that clung a little too well to his bulging muscles. And the midnight black briefs just spoke how well he had carved himself. I had to stop myself from swooning all over him.

Goodness, gracious. I had never been this intimately fascinated by a man before. Sure I had come across a bunch of handsome men at my father's parties or charity balls. But he had to score a hundred out of a hundred, by looks.

"Uhm, hi." I stepped inside the spacious entrance that welcomed me.

"Avery." He spoke up. His intimidating voice sent shivers down my surface. If I fall, the blames all be on my heels.

I couldn't decipher his looks, it was simple and implicit. He paces in my direction, slowly rumbling my heart with his steps. I wanted to look away but chose otherwise.

It was when he was closer that I could observe his eyes well, they were two different colours. One was a pale shade of baby blue, one was a gloomy brown. I gulped at how unusually wonderful they appeared. His hair was just another perfect thing about him. Wild locks tame backwards.

"Coat." He motioned and I nodded briskly, snapping out of my head. I slid it past my shoulders, and out of my arms folding it on my wrist. 

He offered his elbow forward, surprising me. Slowly, I hung it in his hand. I was dumbstruck, why on earth would a man of such indulgence bother for such a small thing? 

"Here." He signed turning to the right, and I followed him admiring his muscular back that flexed nicely with his steps.

The Penthouse suite was more of an apartment, everything was satisfactorily arranged with the pale beige and brown interiors.

He hung my overcoat by the chair, and I started at the sight before me in awe. The dinner was arranged in a corner that was garnished with flower petals.

The candles bloomed beautifully illuminating their beauty.

The dark dining table was full of a feast that could feed a tribe. My eyes went wide, I could never eat that much. Unless I have been starved to death. 

"That's a lot of food." I screeched, instantly cupping my mouth for being so weirdly loud. At that, he chuckled briefly before looking down at me. 

"There are no limits," he said lowly, and I laughed uncertainly. Then he crouched forward pulling something out and my eyes twinkled at the bouquet of Transvaal Daisies.

I smiled accepting it from him, he gave me a small smile, the sides of his lips twitching. God, if it wasn't charming.

"I didn't know about your preferences, so I just told them to cook a little bit of everything." He explained, earning a smile. The aroma was messing with my appetite, and so was he.

The way he was so gentle and considerate was already getting to me. Looks can be deceiving, looks can be deceiving Avery! 

"Have a seat." He gestures and I skidded to the chair he had pulled for me. The moment I passed him, his strong cologne crashed through my nostrils. I'd say he has a nice touch of scent. 

Suddenly, my mind reminded me how all my discomfort was gone, vanished somewhere behind his appearance. It surprised me, I thought I was going to make a mess of myself throughout the entire night. Again I recalled I didn't even express any gratitude or appreciation.  

"This is all, just lovely. Thank you." I mumbled, trying to distract my mind which wasn't so modest at the moment.

Out of blue, I was shrouded by a giant shadow as he tilted over my sitting form. I tried not to tremble with such a nearness.  

"If we had done this somewhere out, I would have done a whole better job than this Avery." He murmured in my ear, his warm breath caressing my skin. At the moment, I was sure of one thing. 

Oh boy, this is going to be a long night!