Chapter Nine: A Second To Hell 

Avery’s POV

“You’re a monster!”

I cry out for the umpteenth time. He may not be here, but over a million times, I wish that I could cuss him in his presence and slap him hard in the face.

Confided in my room, there is barely much I can do other than just eat, sleep, and repeat the endless circle of tears and agony.

The irony of life.

Once, I was literally on top of the world and not giving two fucks about the world, as it revolves around me, and now, I am at the bottom of the barrel, begging for the crumbs that anyone has to spare.

Engaged and almost married, I should be pregnant with Orion, my true lover who missed being my husband by a second. Just one teeny weeny second. Just maybe it's what the universe wants. I can't imagine being fully married to Orion and held in bondage in another man’s house because I opted for surrogacy.

Oh, Orion!

I break down to sob again, remembering the cruel and unthinkable thing I did to him. Even though he triggered it, I should have acted better.

“Ouch!”

I hold my stomach, having a funny pain around my belly button.

It's unusual… It's hurtful… And it's real.

“No… No, please.”

I slightly clutch my stomach, avoiding anything that would add undue pressure to it. What could possibly be wrong? Gently, I bend to the level that I can accommodate and look in between my thighs.

It's dry as can be, and it's a good thing because the possibility of having an abortion is ruled out. This is my first pregnancy, and I guess I'm overly worried, especially since the father is a mean monster.

Slowly, the pain subsides a bit, replaced by the loud rumbling of my stomach. It continues, and it sure doesn't seem like it's ending anytime soon.

Wait… Was I that hungry?

I giggle lightly, drowning my sorrows and reality a bit longer, to my surprise. A minute ago, it felt like I would pass out from an inevitable abortion, and now it's just hunger.

Just wow!

Looking around to find something to eat, the room is empty. With just the mattress, of course, and the top-notch interior design, but aside from that, there's nothing edible. Not even a can of juice or a pack of snacks.

So much for treating me better.

Walking towards his door, his golden rule rings loud in my head.

‘You mustn't show up in my living room, uninvited, or anywhere outside the terrain of your room…’

Scared that I just arrived and I'm about to step on his toes, I retreat, curling back to find a perfect distraction.

At this point, the rumbling gets louder. I'm terribly hungry. And if I need to get Rufus, I'll still need to go out, so, why not just get the items myself?

For another second or two, I just press my eyes shut and my lips in a straight firm line, battling the urge to break down the door in a feat of rage.

Unable to hold back and defiling his golden rule on my first day, I throw caution to the wind and head out. Thankfully, the door isn't locked. He's not so much of a monster after all.

Carefully, to avoid any collision, I find my way downstairs and to the kitchen. Luckily, it's empty as well. I only have one mission, grab enough food and run off.

Starting with the refrigerator, I pull out three bottles of water, a can of soda, two mixed fruit juices, and a small gallon of milk. Ransacking through the shelves, joining the lot is a packet of dry soda crackers, cereals…

Wow!

And there's a new packet of white and brown. chocolate.

Finished, I stuff them in a bowl and scurry out of the kitchen. The click of the doorknob, followed by the next minute.

Like a statue, I freeze in the middle of the living room, confused to my core about my next step of action.

If I keep going upstairs, I'll get caught. If I decide to run back to the kitchen, I may walk into him.

The last and very certain card is to just remain still and guard the snacks and drinks from crashing hard on the floor, drawing unwanted attention.

I close my eyes for a moment, half praying in my head and hoping that whosoever it is, doesn't drag me by my hair.

*** ***

“What are you doing here?”

The stranger’s voice boomed in the living room. I'm encased at the back of one of his king-sized armchairs, cradling my food to myself gently so the raspy noise of the packet wouldn't attract them.

Taking cover behind one of his huge properties, was the best option I was left with. And I was in last-minute luck when the door stopped for a minute, but I only had the opportunity to quickly hide and not run back into my room, or the kitchen.

“Do you mean I'm no longer welcome here?” She argues, her voice seems like she is almost brought to the.

“Just call me, okay?” He sighs loudly.

“Thane, you don't always have to be too harsh on me…”

Hmm, Thane, that's his name. I made a mental note.

“I get it that you hate sleepovers, but grant me the freedom to come in whenever I want, dear.” She continues to plead.

Does be always have rules? Why? He has to be the first human that act so differently. I don't feel bad for a minute, calling him a monster.

“Please, babe.” Her voice softens more, by every passing minute.

“It's fine,” he says after careful deliberation.

“Aww…” she is now so excited.

And I can tell that she threw herself at him when she made a funny sound. She must really love him. Curious, I try to peep and see how she looks.

Damn!

I quickly duck my head, missing being caught by just an inch.

“You don't always have to be a hard boy, Thane.” She continues. “I could give you some treat to calm down your nerves.”

Oh, my god!

No!

I'm not about to witness them have sex while I listen to their probably-odd soundtracks. Can they be decent enough to take it upstairs? Well, I'm just an intruder and I guess I have no say whatsoever.

“Lily, hold on a minute.” He stops her, his voice still has that icy tone. “I need to answer this.”

He excuses himself and picks up his phone, heading towards my direction.

Dear Lord!

Save me this one time!

My heart races in quick succession like it will explode in the next minute. While he mumbles on the phone, his voice gets closer and closer.

“... Yeah, have a nice day…” He finally ends the call with it.

“Who's that?” Her voice comes up again, laced with curiosity.

“Countless times, I've told you to stay out of my private affairs.”

Jeez! He sounds like a piss!

Why would any lady in her right senses put up with such a weird character?

“Never mind.” Her voice also gets louder.

Hoping that they would head upstairs or return to their initial position, I get the shocker of my life as Thane sits on the chair just next to mine, and the lady slumps in the one I'm behind.

Avery, breathe… Slow down, and breathe…

The worst thing that can possibly happen to me, is having high blood pressure and collapsing right before them. At this point, if he has to pluck his seed out of me and have his peace of mind, he would.

I take slow and deep breaths and I exhale slowly as well, and a bit too loud.

“Did you hear something?” The lady asks, causing my heart to skip meaningful beats.

I cover my lips and nose with my hand, on the verge of just running out and giving myself up. It's better than the torment I have to go through.

“Babe, did you…”

“You said you have something to tell me, Lily, I don't have all day.” He dismisses her worry. I doubt it's intentional because he is still ignorant of my presence, otherwise, he would have moved their meeting elsewhere for my sake.

“My father has a juicy deal and I want him to work with your company.” She says excitedly.

“Hmm, thanks.”

Apparently, she seems more excited than him. He has to be broken beyond repair because his cold attitude is alarming.

“It's a multi-million dollar deal, I've sent a few of your credentials and portfolio via email… Well, he doesn't need all that, considering you're a business mogul yourself.”

From the sides of my eye, I see a slight figure come onto him.

“Merely mentioning your name, gets him interested. But earning more billions isn't a bad idea.”

“Thanks, Lily,” he says bluntly. “When is he…”

“Shhh,” she shuts him up. “That can wait, babe, right now, I want you to do what you do best to me.” She demands with a charming voice.

“Are you sure you…” His voice ceases.

I open my eyes a bit to see what the problem is, and my tongue is trapped in my mouth.

Looking at me with so much hate is Mr. Thane. He doesn't have his mask on, or sunglasses, he's just as bare. His angry gaze shows that I've struck a nerve, perhaps the last one.

Hiding my face and adjusting backward, I get the most embarrassing moment of my life, as my stomach rumbles, a loud, silly cry.

I'm doomed!