Chapter 71: She's very odd*
Winter stood from the couch when Jeffrey returned, she has been waiting anxiously for him to return.
" Winter dear, coffee?." Jeffrey offered.
" What will happen to them Jeffrey, will they be okay?."
Winter asked with a worried expression, Jeffrey poured two cup of coffee and handed her one.
" Despite the hell they put you through you still worry for them?."
" Well... they're the only family have left with, mother is dead... Father abounded me, unlucky is what I am."
" You're not unlucky, you just haven't stepped out in the world to know what lies on the other end, today everything changes... you're in control of your own life now."
Jeffrey told her with a smile, Winter smiled back...he always knows what to say to her at the right moment, if he wasn't here with her she wouldn't have survived this place.
" Thank you Jeffrey, for everything."
She thanked him from the bottom of her heart. Once she was done with her coffee, winter proceeded upstairs, she stopped in front of Alec's door... taking a deep breath before giving a slight knock.
" Enter."
His deep voice came from the inside. She hesitated for a bit opening the door and walking inside, she stopped midway seeing him packing his luggage.
" Are you leaving?."
Winter's voice suddenly left her mouth loudly, she clasps her mouth realizing what she just said out loud.
" Tomorrow morning." Alec simply answered her question.
" So soon?." Winter's voice lowered with a hint of sadness to it. Alec paused staring back at her.
" Did you want something, Ms Bloom?." He stood to look at her with a straight face. Winter stared down at her hands not getting any words out. " If you have nothing to say please leave, I have work to-...
" I-i wanted to thank you for your help last night...and... and for supporting me downstairs, I appreciate for standing up for me... Sir."
" I would have done that for any helpless person."
Alec simply said. " Then... please, take me with you...I don't want to stay here with those people, I can go and work for you... i-i'm a good cook, I-i can clean and among other stuff too."
" That's not possible, I already have enough workers." He declined.
" Please, then I - I can be your daughters nanny."
" She already has one."
Winter bit her tongue, she was running out of offers and he was head harded to break to anything she suggested to him. Alec stared at her intensely... wondering what she'll come up with next, he weirdly found it interesting to watch.
" Then.." Winter clenched her fists biting her lip harder." Take me... As a replacement wife, it can be through a contract. I have seen such arrangements on tv among wealthy people. I won't replace your late wife or try take her place in your life, but please...I wouldn't have suggested this if I wasn't so desperate."
Alec kept a straight collected face, she wasn't a bad person, but how can he take such a weak naive girl as a replacement wife? She's clueless, doesn't know how the world works nor how to protect herself. Later alone how can he let a total stranger to be close to his daughter?
" If you're done spouting ridiculous offers, leave." He calmly said. Winter's heart felt heavy and disappoinment sunk in pinning her down, without another word she turned and left shutting the door behind her.
NEW YORK CITY ....
Ava plugged in the hair dryer to dry her damp hair after hitting the shower, she sat silently in front of the dressing mirror drifting into her own thoughts.
Zain entered the room approaching her.
" Avaline."
He called out to her but got no response, creasing his brows he touched her by the shoulder which made her startle.
" What are you thinking about?."
" Nothing, you startled me."
Ava turned off the dryer getting up. " Are you okay?." He asked.
" What do you want Zain? If there's nothing I'm gonna get dressed now."
Ava said heading to the changing room and shutting the door behind her. Zain sighs helplessly, sometimes he questions himself if she's truly happy being married to him...or she's simply enduring it because of their son.
These thoughts were hunting him day and night, they rarely speak to one another unless it concerns their son or family matters. Honestly it's like they're not a married couple.
Zain went and knocked on the changing room door.
" What?."
" Open the door, Avaline...we need to talk."
" We have nothing to talk about." Ava said from the other end.
" I need to talk to you so open up."
" Leave... Zain, i have nothing to talk to you about."
" Avaline, if you won't open this door this instant I'll f*cking break it cupcake, and I'm dead serious."
Zain warned, he waited till the door creaked open. With a satisfied smirk that disappeared instantly...he walked inside.
" Will you be annoyed and angry at me for the days of our marriage, wife?."
" You're saying it as though there isn't any option for a divorce." Ava said with a straight face. Zain raised a brow.
" Would you really divorce me? We've been married for three years."
" And? People get divorced all the time-...
Zain slammed both hands to the wall pinning Ava in-between his arms, he buried his face on her neck taking in her scent.
" I have apologized to you tons of time, I have been seeking for your forgiveness through out our marriage. I don't want to lose you Avaline, I love you."
" You should have thought about that when you decided to f*ck your ex girlfriend when we were still dating, you're a f*cking asshole...I f*cking hate you, and myself for loving you unconditionally."
Ava pushed him back leaving the changing room in tears. Zain clenched his fists hitting the wall, he hated himself after that trip to England.
His phone rang and he picked it up.
" Just landed." Lucas said from the other end before ending the call.
Texas: Family Ranch...
Alec, was having his meal in the garden. Jeffrey poured him a glass of water.
" Jeffrey."
" Yes Master."
" Have a seat." He spoke, Jeffrey pulled out a chair and sat down.
" Is there something on your mind, Sir?." Jeffrey asked.
" Hm, how well do you know Ms Bloom?."
" Have known her since she was a toddler Sir, she's a very kind girl...has a unique nature and rarely speaks her mind."
" I find her very odd." Alec spoke his mind, Jeffrey chuckled.
NEW YORK CITY....
QINN FAMILY CEMETERY.
Trixie laid out fresh flowers on Emma's grave, she stared at the infinity crest crafted on her gave stone, it was beautiful and symbolized the love she shares with her beloved, this was their infinite love and bond she shared with her husband. Trixie liked looking at it cause it makes her wonder if she'll ever find something like that.
Her phone buzzed inside her coat, she picked it out from the pocket and saw a text from someone she wasn't expecting.
Lucas...
' can I see you?'
Email: ...
He sent her the address. Trixie clenched the phone in her hand not knowing whether or not to reply. She returned the cell in her pocket and it buzzed again.
' are you busy, can you meet me?'
She replied to the second text and left. She drove through Manhattan and stopped at the restaurant that was addressed to her. Going inside, Ava waved at her and Trixie happily walked over to her table.
" Trix."
Ava stood giving her a hug. " How are you, it's been so long." Trixie hugged her back. She took off her brown coat taking a seat.
" Sorry for not seeing you much earlier, things haven't been so smoothly." Ava sipped on her wine. " Besides, Lucas just landed in New York with his wife, I didn't want to meet her, I'm already in a bad mood...well was before seeing you." She added.
Trixie laughed softly. " How are things with you Zain now?."
" Every time I look at him I'm reminded of his betrayal, I'm hunted by those images."
" Ava, a piece of advice from a friend. Don't let a crazy ex ruin what you've built, this is exactly what she wants...to see you two fight till one gives up and leave, she's waiting for an opportunity to swoop in and take your place. Zain is your husband, you have a son together and your family is yours to protect."
" So you want me to forgive him?."
" I'm telling you to own up and keep what's yours. Emma would say the same thing."
Trixie told her taking the menu. " Excuse me, we'll order now."