Chapter Fourteen: Hard Emotions 

Avery's POV

“What the fuck are you trying to do?!”

I freeze on my spot.

I'm on the terrace, about to throw my second leg to the other side.

Seeing him so shocked and terrified, I began to question my sanity. What was I thinking? About to jump down and escape? What demons whispered to me that I'd make it out of the situation?

“Get the fuck down!”

He groans, terror, written all over his face.

“I want to leave… I can't be here anymore.”

“What you want to do, is die, Avery.” He says, approaching me calmly. “Get down, Avery.”

“Maybe I'm tired of being told what to do…”

“I only didn't want your coffee? What's as simple as minding your business?” He scolds me. “Just don't make me anything, it's fact.”

“You act like you're a monster. You’re mean and callous and…”

“Trust me, Avery, it's for your own good.” His tone darkens. “You don't want to know me.”

“Thane…”

“It's Sir, to you.” He halts me abruptly. I can feel his emotions flare up, and he doesn't sound good. “Now, get down, Avery, I won't say it twice.”

“Or what?”

He sighs softly. “You'll fall down, smash your fragile bones on the hard floor, and have your brains ruin my hard work.”

What the heck?!

“Well, your baby will be dead.” I threaten him, throwing my leg to the other side and stepping on the extension.

“You'd be long dead. Easy way to get rid of you anyway, it makes us even.”

Is he joking?!

He slips his hand into the pocket of his pajama trousers and turns to leave.

Like is he expecting me to jump? Isn't he going to stop me?

I've always known that he's callous! And evil!

“Ma'am Avery?”

Rufus’s voice slices through my mind, making me startle the next minute, losing my grip as a result.

“Argh!”

I cry, my life flashing before my eyes.

“Fuck!”

I don't know how and when, but I find myself lying on the floor, right on top of Thane. He had hurriedly gripped me and pulled me to himself.

Ouch. I wince in my head, not finding the courage to cry out, because I called this upon myself. Again, the pain of the impact hits me like a rush of waves.

My waist and whole body hurt.

Unexpectedly, he pushes me away from himself and sits up. The pain worsens, and I just bite my lips and lay on the floor for long seconds before sitting up beside him.

“What was that shit about?” He faces me, demanding a response. “Because I rejected a cup of coffee?”

“You…”

“No, Avery.” He stops me from completing my sentence. “Actually, I could have let you fall, now that it's dawning on me…”

“Sir?”

“Why not?” He rolls his eyes. “You want your freedom after all, don't you anymore.”

“I only slipped, it wasn't intentional.” I blink my eyes, feeling so stupid. “I shouldn't have done that.”

Ignoring me, he gets up and smacks dust off his buttocks, ready to dump me in my pain.

“Ma'am Avery?”

We both turn to see Rufus approach me. He looks so scared and worried.

What have I done? I look downward, feeling terrible for dragging Rufus into my mess. I bet he'd never see me the same way anymore.

“Are you okay?” He asks, squatting to my level.

“I'm fine,” I mumble. “I'm so sorry for disturbing your peace.”

“Oh, it is not a bother.” He brushes me off. “Let me help up.” He says, offering me a hand and lifting me up with less effort.

“Ouch.” I groan, unable to keep the pain trapped.

“Did I hurt you?” Rufus asks, sounding a bit scared.

“No, I just hurt a little.” I sniffle, cleaning myself up.

“Where does it hurt, can I do anything to help?”

“My back and all over.” I bite my lower lip, slightly turning for him to do whatever he can to lighten the pain.

“Rufus, leave.” Thane orders, sounding a bit pissed off.

“But…”

“Leave, now.” He stops me from protesting.

Without putting up a fight, he leaves me to my fate. And I won't totally blame him, Thane is his boss.

He doesn't give me a heads-up when he sweeps me off my feet and carries me comfortably in his arms.

Blinking nonstop, I look at the man holding me up like a baby, a cute baby. This may be an awkward situation, but I don't stop to enjoy the moment. I wrap my hands around his neck for support, while he carries me to my room.

Finally arriving, he drops me on the bed and starts to walk away, done with me.

“My waist hurts,” I call, acting like I'd cry.

“Okay?”

Just okay? I adjust on the bed, so he can see me fully, maybe he wants me to face him directly.

“Rufus was about to do that…”

“He isn't paid for that,” he scolds me. “And for the pain you feel, it's your punishment for being silly.”

His words are cold and dry, and the most annoying part is that he doesn't even bat a lid or seem to care for a minute.

It feels like he wouldn't feel a bit of hurt or regret if he eventually loses me or his baby, so long as I'm out of the picture, he's totally fine. Then, why the heck is he holding me hostage in the guise of carrying for me?

“Tomorrow, you're going to the clinic.” He holds the doorknob, about to disappear. “One more warning, I know it sounds like music to your ears, but I will say it anyway, mess up and face the consequences.”

Having no sympathy, he shuts the door after him.

Bitters I stare at the calendar hanging on the wall. The untouched dates are so much, almost consuming the whole of the area.

My hourglass feels like it's not moving and I'm stuck in a hell of a hole!