Chapter Eleven: Warm Reception 

Avery’s POV

“Hmm,”

I yawn tirelessly, as I stretch my lazy limbs on the bed, pushing against the sheets and freeing my feet.

Having ten seconds of sleep without seeing Orion in my dream, was something impossible, and to think that I slept a whole three hours without him bugging my mind is crazy.

No, Avery. I shake my head off the thoughts about to take over. I can't let the guilt of betraying, killing, and abandoning Orion start my day. No matter how broken and stinky I feel, it would only worsen things.

Perhaps, all I need to do is focus on my happy days, because I may not have much left before Karma comes knocking on my door.

“A lovely day it is!” I make my daily affirmation, almost dropping down from the bed as I groan, stretching a bit more.

“Where do I start from?”

I question rhetorically, looking at the whole messy room. For the first time since I got thrown in here, I appreciate the beauty I'm living in.

It's very spacious, and even the king-sized bed feels like it didn't take any good chunk of the room. It has pink wallpapers, as opposed to the white walls of the other part of the house.

Wait… Did he hastily have that thrown up specifically for me?

Get off your high horse, Avery. Thane is nothing but a monster, a mean beast, and you shouldn't let him get under your skin. He will break you as soon as he sees you're vulnerable to his charms.

“Eww.”

I close my eyes and fight off the creepy feeling my mind is painting of Thane

“Fine, let's move on.” I'm not about to cower at my own imagination.

Aside from the pretty wallpaper, and the soft and comfy bed, there's equally a white leather couch that suits the bed and is placed at the foot of the bed’s frame. I'm tempted to want to sit on it and bounce, but I'm too tired.

At the far end, by my right, there is a double-door refrigerator. Nothing pretty about it when it's just as empty.

The white dresser with a wide mirror gives me a better view of myself, the wardrobe that I doubt has anything, and portraits and naughty little things that just make the room girlie and cozy. The pink fluorescent light adds a touch of perfection to the serenity.

I love it.

Next, I have to arrange my room and personalize it a bit. Even though I won't be here for long, it will give me the strength I need to stand Thane.

Climbing down from the bed, I take a glance at my things that are scattered about. The empty soda can, a packet of cookies, and other junk I consumed last night.

Lazily, I start from there, disposing of them in a little basket of trash by the left side of the door. Then, I continue by pulling out my belongings from the bag.

Starting with my clothes and shoes and clothing accessories, I stuff the empty wardrobe. My items somehow look out of place when compared to the quality of the wardrobe and the luxurious interiors. But I care less, so I stuff it in without giving it a second thought.

My cheap perfumes and make-up accessories and other lady items come next. They go right on top of the dresser, and I flash a smile before walking out of the mirror.

There's no need for the bedding, besides, what I have in my bag is nothing close to the king-sized bed I'm staring at, so I dump it back in my bag and hide it at the extreme in the wardrobe.

The last bag has a few of my pictures. The first goes to the bedside table, just in front of the fine crystal Baccarat lamp. The second…

I freeze, about to tumble into my pit of agony.

It's of me and Orion.

He is smiling so beautifully, and we are encased in each other’s warmth.

We took the photo on our first anniversary. Three years later, the love of his life killed him. I brought it with me because I thought he was in the hospital and I needed the strength to keep pushing when I look at him.

After the unfortunate incident, there was no time to rearrange my items, or no one in his right senses would, so here I am, with his haunting memory.

Stop, Avery.

I wipe the tears off my cheeks and let Piper’s words lift up my spirit.

Frankly, she isn't entirely wrong. He got me in this mess and even though there's no ground to kill him, I have to let go and allow the universe to take its due course.

Trying my best to stay positive, I return the picture and keep it far away from reach.

“Ma'am Avery?”

A voice I'm guessing to be Rufus’, calls, following a soft knock.

“Are you up already?”

“Yeah,” I quickly dry my face with my palms and go to get the door. “A minute please.”

He's standing beside the door, next to a big fancy bag.

“What is this?” I demand, trying to make sense of it.

“My boss asked me to deliver them yesterday, but an emergency came up.”

Oh, okay.

“Fast food, snacks, drinks…”

“Are they what I will eat for the rest of my life… In here?” I add, a little bit concerned.

“There at bowls of soup and food, he instructed me to restock every weekend.” He answers briefly. “I will come and check up on you, as well as dispose of the trash every end of the week.”

“Okay.” I step aside. “Are you taking them in?”

“Of course.” He says and lifts up the bag, gently moving inside. He drops it at an end and begins offloading it.

Cereals, milk, beverages, portable plate rack, ceramic wares, and utensils. The packaged bowls of food as Rufus mentioned. He keeps them in the refrigerator and finishes off the other arrangement.

“All done, I'll be on my way now.” He informs me.

“Uh…” I get his attention. “I need a calendar, can I get one?”

He's not sure what I need it for, but he nods and leaves afterward.

Alone with my thoughts and truckload of food, I'm a bit cheerful. I feel like sharing this with Piper, maybe a video call will be better.

Retrieving my phone, I dial her number a couple of times, but she isn't responding. After the fourth attempt, I dump my phone on the bed and casually walk into the bathroom to freshen up.

Damn!

This looks heavenly as well.

I guess Thane has every right to call my home a rat hole or even a dungeon. If his guest room is this exquisite, he has to be stinkingly rich.

Stripping off my dress, I step in for a warm bath. The vanilla and papaya-scented soap, with the sweet smell of coconut lingering in the mix, makes me inflate my lungs deeply.

My day just got started on a good note.

I stay in the shower for too long, maybe enjoying its comfort, and drowning in its blissful promise. Staying too long already, I step out. Besides, Rufus will be here any moment from now, I need to be properly dressed.

Scouting through my dresser, I settle for a simple brown dress, and I let my damp hair fall on my shoulder, drawing a rough sketch on the brown fabric.

Since I'll be trapped in here, there's no point in dressing to impress anyone, not like the caliber of people around here will be impressed by my downside thrift wear. In the spirit of staying positive, I hurriedly rush a comb through my hair and smear lip gloss on my lips.

Staying pretty in my chaos is the goal.

Done with all of my chores in a minute and having nothing left to do, I pick up my phone to dial Piper for the umpteenth time.

Still, she isn't taking her calls.

This is so unusual of her. She's so obsessed with her phone that I doubt that she can go a minute without it, so why isn't she responding?

An eerie feeling comes to the back of my mind, causing the hairs on my skin to stand erect. What if…

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts, almost causing me to yelp in fright.

“It's Rufus, ma'am Avery.”

Oh, right.

“Come in,” I tell him.

He was in with the fine portable calendar in hand, as I requested. I take it from him and let him leave before setting it on my bed.

Pulling out my pen, I mark the present day, counting down to my freedom. Momentarily, I forget about Piper, too engrossed in the moment. I bet she'll be happy as hell to see how much better I've become in such a short time.

In exactly one hundred and seventy-nine days, I'll leave the monster’s cave.