Nine

"He cheated on me Avery, he embarrassed me and he insulted me in front of my friends." Gloria broke down into sobs as she cried hysterically. I was dumbfounded and exceptionally furious. I could feel the fury building up in my chest. He deserves a fucking blade to his throat.

Her deep crying not only made me angry, but it also broke my heart for her. She didn't deserve that, nobody does.

I agree that Gloria is a handy person, but she was loyal to him and she respected him and his life. Still? What a shame!

"Aw, come here." I blinked my tears bringing her closer to hug her, I rubbed her back as she cried into her hands. I wish I could slap him across his face for doing this to one of the strongest girls I know. She was certainly looking forward to marrying him at some point.

It was just another few hours when rumours hit the ground that Gloria and Peter broke up for some reason. She wasn't ready to tell anyone because she felt humiliated because of his betrayal. But it's about time someone's endurance breaks through, hers broke when I begged her to share it with me.

A knock broke us apart and I sighed muttering a come-in, as a servant strolled inside with an embarrassed look.

"Mam your father wants to see you." She reminded me awkwardly and I sighed nodding at her. Sometimes It's out of my perspective why some servants are highly intimidated by us all. As long as I can remember, I've been humbled by all of them.

"I'll be there," I said to her softly, she nodded respectively stepping outside.

I pressed my lips turning to Gloria who was wiping her tears-stricken face, hiccuping occasionally.

"It's okay Lori, he didn't deserve you." I squeezed her hand. She forced a smile on her reddened face and drank down the water she was holding.

"Go I won't join you guys for dinner, I'll use a little bit of rest." She whispered laying down in her childhood bed and snuggling up to the duvet covering her face away from me. For a moment I stood there, staring at her back at me, wishing I could do anything to ease her pain. But in her current situation, anything was useless. Exhaling I stepped out of her bedroom gently.

Gloria came to live here once in a while, half of the time she's travelling or she's at her apartment. But whenever she was here, it was trouble for me. I never despised her, only her bullying. Yet, I would never wish for anyone to get hurt the way she had been mistreated.

Occupied by my thoughts I made my way to the dining room, the aroma of the food which usually excited my hunger now only made me peachy.

I sat down lazily at the dining table not really in the mood to eat anything. I glanced around to see the only people seated at the dinner table were my parents and me, which made me not the happiest.

My unfinished painting, the exhaustion, and Aaren being busy and not being able to talk to him were all messing with my mood. Or maybe I caught the flu.

"Everything good Avery?" Dad asked his features dripping with concern.

I gave him a quick nod, smoothing my wrinkled face. Stuffing my plate with some salad, I reminded myself that I shall eat light with my queasy stomach lately. Just to be on the safe side.

For a while we eat in silence, well my mother was murmuring things to my father that I couldn't make out well.

"So what do you think about Aaren?" He asks, sipping his warm water, grabbing my attention.

Upon his name being mentioned, my heart fluttered irresistibly, I gulped masking my flustered state. I need to get a grip on my stumbling feelings. This is super ridiculous.

"He's nice, Dad I like him," I mumbled averting my gaze, just his remembrance twisted my insides.

"Think you could be happy with him?" He quirks a brow, I pressed my lips shrugging. Is it too difficult to see he makes me happy? He chuckled shaking his head at me.

"So, what do you think it's the right time to get you guys engaged isn't it?" He asserts making me freeze at my place. Was it exactly the right time? Not too soon, or deciding in a haste?

Catching me tense in my place, he narrowed his eyes at me, pushing his neat plate aside and standing up to take a seat beside me.

"Do you think it's too soon love? There's no pressure." He quizzed placing his hands on mine, and my mum's dramatic sigh hit my ears.

"I don't know about 'soon' but I do not want to rush that's all," I clarified simply, he nodded clearing his throat at my opinion.

"Well, fair enough. There's no rush." He muttered passing me an encouraging smile and shooting a mere but formal look at my mother.

Honestly, I see no difficulty in getting engaged. It's not too soon,  and he comes off like a genuine man I can trust, and I can just get to know him better while being engaged right?

"What do you say about three weeks from now?" He suggests I popped a piece of zucchini in my mouth humming in agreement.

My mind contemplated all the reasons I could oppose this, but couldn't find any. It wasn't like I would be happy to say no.

Because seeing as the type of guy Aaren is, he doesn't believe in long-term relationships without any future commitment. Though I know he'll be good with anything I ask.

"I'll let you know once I discuss it with Aaren," I affirmed, he sighed glancing at my mother then he nodded and smiled.

It was when his phone rang he excused himself leaving me alone with my displeased mother.

"He's a good man Avery, I hope you won't act stupid." She scoffed and I stare at her dumbfounded. What does she want me to do? Marry him right tomorrow itself.

"Mom, I am just gonna talk with him that's all geez," I clarified getting up from my seat. I can't believe just a few hours ago she was behaving all loving and caring.

"You never think right." She says sternly, and I turned around throwing her a perplexed grimace. I just don't understand what's her deal sometimes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I scowled crossing my arms, I truly need an answer as to why she thought, I am being dumb by being patient for making the biggest decision of my life.

"Exactly what it means." She smiles in an impolite manner, wiping her mouth.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes slipping out of the dinner area lost in my thoughts.

If I look at the bright side, it would be my contentment to use this engagement as an excuse to just move the hell out of this house. Since my father thinks I am a damsel in distress, who is unbelievably innocent that she can't survive on her own.

We can have a while to ourselves while being engaged before we get married. Well, I can't be the only one deciding whether to or not. He holds as much liberty as I do. I'll just drop a text that I need to speak to him.

Once I reached my room, I went straight to my art closet pulling out the painting I left in the middle. I grabbed my art supplies and my canvas apron, suddenly feeling encouraged when I recalled how thousands of people are happy seeing my work.

With a smile on my face, I settled the ring light and the camera in a better position. From where it would be able to capture my painting.

I slid on my apron staring at my work cheerfully, it looked better than my previous ones and honestly the one I paint always seems better than the others, in their own way.

I closed my eyes reminiscing about the illustration I imagined in my head to complete this today itself. My painting was living proof of serenity, a life full of colours and peace for me.

Hours ticked by with me painting the last left spaces heartily, without caring it was late into the night. Once I was done I turned off the camera, staring a little too much at my work proudly with a satisfying smile on my face.

I sighed dumping myself on the bed because my back ached like a rock had been placed there. Just when I had convinced myself to take a shower and go to bed, my phone rang. With weary eyes, I received the call.

"Avery? She spoke.

"Sierra? Is that you why are you calling me at this hour? I frowned glancing at my screen for confirmation that it was truly her and not some creepy stalker.

"Why didn't you pick up my calls?" Without answering my question she attacked me with one.

"Because I don't see a reason you'd need to talk to me, also because I was sick," I responded irritated that she was being weird.

"Avery I promise it's important." She whispers sighing. Her voice didn't express the usual confidence she speaks with. It was rather nervous and uncertain, and it bothered me somehow.

"Alright, then tell me what is it?" I breathed out rubbing my temples.

"I can't tell you on the phone. We'll have to meet. I'll be in New York once I squeeze in some free time out of my work soon." She proclaims and my jaw dropped. A girl who rarely ever paid attention was now willing to fly over to New York for me.

Am I a celebrity now?

"Alright see ya then," I mumbled exhaustively.

"See you." She muttered ending the call.

I dragged myself forcibly to the shower, and all while I couldn't stop thinking about what is she even so tense and serious about.

Goodness!

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