In This Love

Chapter 8

Rhys

When someone tells you the hard cold reality. It feels like they just bumped an ice filled bucket on your head. That's what I felt in the moment.

The sarcasam and reality of those intriguing words were just like a  hailstorm of stones. 

It was true that this is not what we wanted. But she could have just said no. I said yes because it benefited me. She wasn't getting anything out of this. Unless - she was after money.

Everything about her existence intrigued me. It irked me so much that made me always on the edge. 

The ceremonial day of our wedding was one of the worst days in my life. 

The way she walked down the aisle in that stainless snow white dress. I hated it. Her red hair that every woman pays thousands to get the replica of that colour were braided beautifully. I hated it. Her big blue eyes had a little green at them. I hated it.

But that useless leg. 

I hated it. It never failed to disappoint me. 

She was prefect. She looked perfect. There were only two imperfections in her perfect being. 

Her cripple lame leg and her wits.

I wanted her to catch us red handed. I only reason why I brought Nora home and got intimate with her was to hurt her. 

But it felt like my own plan had backfired. She only showed disappointment.

The exact same expression I showed every time my eyes fall on her paralysed leg. 

I walked towards my room cursing under my breath and shut the door behind me.

I don't have an opinion. Just like the time I did not have any opinion when they asked me to marry you 

Her words were ringing in my ear like a broken record player. They were taunting at me. Hassled me. Heckled me.

You feel imprisoned even though it has been two days.

She was right about that. I don't know why but it felt exactly like that. It felt like I was trapped inside a cage like an enraged animal. This cage was this bond of this married. I ran towards the balcony door to open it and let the fresh air come in. I let out a breath as sweat trickled down my forehead. 

What was happening to me? 

❤

I woke up at 7 in the morning when I heard people talking and laughing downstairs. I became curious when I heard Avery laugh out loud. But this time it wasn't sarcastic like she usually did. It sounded genuine.

I got out of the the bed and went straight to the shower. The lukewarm water sprayed on my body as I used the soap to wash it. After a few minutes I got out and changed into home clothes. Since it was a weekend, I worked from home on those days.

Even though my father is the CEO but I do all of the work a CEO does. Not only I had gotten the approval from the board of the directors but every body waited for my dad's signal. As he was still the "big boss". It angered me when I was threatened by him. It was stressful when I worked so hard just for that spot for years. Dad gave me disappointment when he told me that I had to marry the girl og his choice.

Avery Stark. Now Holt

I groaned at that harsh reality.

B

ut then a little reminder made its way through my thought that that name will only stay with her just for a year.

I grabbed my laptop from the coffee table in my bedroom and started to walk down the rap. I noticed that the room in front of mine - that now belonged to Avery. The bedroom was clean even though my maids weren't able to come to my house for a couple of days now - they had asked for a leave. 

Avery wasn't introduced to them yet. But it didn't matter.

Memories from last night came in my mind and I started to feel a little responsible. She fell because of the alarming situation in front of her.  She got her hand slashed when the bowl of marbles fell. It was good that I had called my driver to clean that mess up. Her misery was clear in her eyes when she knew she couldn't get up on her own. I felt like an asshole - just a little for not helping her out. But my anger on her, eradicated the deed of helping her at all. 

I looked from my peripheral vision and found my father and my wife sitting and talking like old pals.

It felt like a miracle - seeing my father so loosened up - after such a long time. It was completely rare when he actually enjoyed one's company. And at the moment it had to be hers.

They were so engrossed into a chatter that they didn't even feel my presence around them "Good Morning" I said in a slightly bitter voice. The agonising sorrow and unlucky that was brothed to me felt more than just a mere burden. 

Avery was first to look in my way - her whole body went visibly tense - like someone had turned her into a puppet.

Dad turned his attention towards me - still smiling because of something Avery had said - what amazed me the most that his face didn't turn into a usual scowl when ever he looked at me. All of it kind of seemed to become clear now. I had strings on me and he was the one controlling them. At the moment - there was calmness, happiness, relief on his face. Like his soul mission had been accomplished.

He single handedly ruined my life.

"Good morning Rhys! I just came by to have breakfast with you two love buds. I hoped that I wasn't intruding but Avery made me aware that I clearly wasn't" I deep down felt the taunt in that pretentious voice. I glanced back at the woman sitting in front of him who had surprise written on her face like as if she was hearing a lie.

Avery cleared her throat and rubbed her hands against her pajamas - then her red hair flipped to her left as she grabbed her cane "I'll make us some breakfast" she mumbled. Dad became accusingly curious "Where is the cook, Rhys?" He said in a commanding voice.

"He took the weekend off, he had to take his mother to the hospital" my mind went to what Avery had just said - she'll make the breakfast - so she's just going to make PB&J for us and then later slam it in our faces just like the first time? I was tempted to say it but Dad was here and he would turn my little remark into a full lecture and interrogation. Asking me what I had meant to say.

"You can cook?" Dad intrigued asking the same question I would have asked a few seconds ago.

The sides of her lips went close to her cheeks as she smiled prettily. Her eyes that looked a little green in the sunlight that  made an orange glow on her face - making it even more vibrant than it actually was. Her strawberry blond locks looked like the deep orange of the sunset as she tucked them behind her ear "Yeah! In highschool, Mom and Dad used to go out to other countries alot since mom wanted to complete her "bucket list". Me, Ashley and Ridge were home all the time. Well, Ridge was struggling to join the army so he usually wasn't at home. And Ashley on the other hand" there was a pause had her face lost a little optimism as she thought about her fellow sister "She wasn't  interested in making food and when ever she was hungry she asked me to make her food or the maids. Our maid - Mary - may God rest her soul in peace - taught me how to cook" she smiled sadly as she remembered the woman.

None of us said anything to her when suddenly she just left the living room in a hurry to the kitchen. Her action made me wonder if she didn't want Dad to ask her more questions. Maybe she realised that she had given too much information about herself.

"So, how do you deal with cooking now? I don't mean to be rude -" Dad and I were in the living room and I just sat on the couch grabbing a book from the shelf and opened it from where I had left it. But I was all ears at his question. I wanted to know. Even though I had no concern towards her well-being.

"It's just a leg. Sure - I can't do most of the things I used to do now but cooking is done with heart not your legs. Besides - the modern braces on my leg and the cane sure do help alot. I'm grateful for that" I heard her voice but I didn't see her. I felt Dad's gaze on me for a whole and then it turned towards the kitchen. 'I am grateful for that' it didn't feel like she was telling Dad that she was grateful - it was like - she was trying to convince herself about it. 

I ignored both of them as I continued to read. 

After a few minutes - the three of us were seated in the mini dining table in the kitchen. The table was - surprisingly filled with all kinds of stuff. From fresh fruits to bacon. My gaze lingered on her own breakfast. And it was yet again - PB&J and coffee. Just how obsessed was this girl it the minor food supply.

Dad heaved a sigh which made me full of alert. Because I knew what that sigh intended. He was up to sonething. To finish my t*****e he said "I didn't come here just to have breakfast with you guys" Avery hummed as she looked at him with confusion.

"I came here for three reasons. I'll tell you about it one by one and we can discuss it respectively" he set his fork down and clasped his hands in front of me like a little boy "This one concerns you, Rhys" I turned my attention to him.

I set my fork down, folded my arms together and leaned back onto the chair and stared at him. Deep down I felt a little fear because o had never seen my father this serious in a long time. Even Avery felt the tension that built up in the room as she pushed her food away.

"I'll be announcing you as the next CEO for the company next week. I have arranged a party where all the elites of New York will be joining us - celerating your success! Isn't that exciting?" He said with full happiness. Inside I was bursting with joy too but I simply smiled cheek to cheek followed by a little chuckle.

"Thanks Dad. I'm very happy to hear the news. It's was everybody's hardwork and a huge cost for all of this" I motioned towards me and Avery. She just went frozen at my remark. I looked at her from the side of my eye and saw shock and pure white fury on her face but she replaced all of it with a smile.

"Congratulations! And what's the other news Mr Holt" she was holding back from slamming that sandwich again in my face just like the morning before. I almost regretted saying it because her mood became rotten just within a second - not that I give a f**k.

"The second and third news is that I'll be sending you to Bora Bora for a honeymoon trip also I'm opening an account for you Avery where I'll be putting money in it as an allowance for you. Since you are still in the university and now you are my daughter-in-law. I think I will give you a monthly allowance" it seemed like Dad was stepping up his game. Taking all of this seriously - like she was his actual daughter and is my permanent wife or as everyone would say "the love of my life" but she wasn't. She would never be the love of my life. I was revolted by her disability and herself.

The question that lingered in my mind was that will she take this offer from my Dad happily - just like the money greedy woman she has to be or will she decline.

Also, go to Bora Bora with her? I'd rather eat a jar of nails than do that. My time was incredibly important to me and I will not let any of them destroy it. Not when I'm the CEO.

"I-I I'm sorry Mr Holt but I can't help but decline your offer" she stuttered and her answer surprised me and angered me at the same time.  It was like - she liked to be pretentious. Doesn't she know that her facade of being nice and generous will vanish? She's a woman of this century for the love of God! Women love money! That's the truth. If any other woman would be in her place right now they would be jumping with joy on hitting a jackpot aka my father's never ending money.

"Why not, honey?" Dad said in a calm voice trying to hide the surprise - I knew he was thinking that same thing.

"It's just that I - th-the university not only gives me full scholarship but it also pays me every month for studying there. I already have a lot of money in that account. And I personally believe that us women shouldn't have that much money because money corrupts our minds. Not only women's but men's as well. The expensive brands they have made and that money can never fill their hunger for new things. I might be a hypocrite by saying this but I do shop from those shops but only the necessary things. And the Bora Bora trip? I'm sure that there must be stuff to do for people like me but I have been there before. And the life I had there - will be completely different and agonising from this time. You see - my brother and I were the adventurous ones but ever since the accident. I stopped. So please - can we not to Bora Bora and just stay in New York or maybe for the next week we'll go for the super bowl tis' the season" she tapped her fingers together and I just stared at her. Her personality irked me even more now. Even though her answer gad just saved us both from the agony of spending time with each other. But her reasons were very convincing.

Just like her facade.