CHAPTER THREE
767 Words
The door shut.
But Brian didn’t move.
Her face lingered in his mind—
clear.
Undeniable.
Eva.
She was really back.
His jaw tightened as another image forced its way in—
the child.
James’s voice echoed in his head.
What if he’s yours?
Brian exhaled sharply.
“Damn it…”
He finally turned around from the door after seconds of staring into space, his eyes still fixed on it-as if he could see what was happening inside.
As he turned away, one thought lingered-- what is she doing here?
-
Brian arrived downstairs. As Peter had said, Avery was waiting for him. She stood in the hallway dressed in a casual woolen dress.
She kept adjusting her hair behind her ear-- something Brian had begun to notice.
She clutched the handle of her cream colored bag, as she dragged her ankle boots lazily on the tiled floor.
He straightened himself and walked up to her wearing a smile on his face trying to forget about Eva.
"Hey, Avery," he told her as he stood close to her.
She looked up to him, a wide grin plastered on her face. A blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Brian, you are here."
"Yeah, I'm here. Let's go. Wouldn't want to keep you standing for long," he told her as he smiled.
"Okay."
"Do you have a*****e in mind?" He asked as they headed out the building, opening the door for her like a gentleman.
"Yeah, I do. I shop mainly at Ev," she replied and he almost froze but they kept walking.
Then he suddenly paused.
"Should we ride in your car or mine?"
"Yours. I already sent mine back home." She replied and he nodded in approval unlocking his car.
He opened the door for her like a gentleman again and the ride to the store began.
-
Brian and Avery arrived at EV fashion store. The building stood in quiet elegance.
He could only imagine how much each dress cost.
They stepped into the store and the staff welcomed them, Avery with more familiarity.
"Miss Avery, welcome, what would you like to get today?" An employee asked as she walked up to her. Her badge reading -- Evelyn Parker.
Avery smiled crossing her arms across her chest and turned to Brian.
"Well, we will just check out what you have, I have a party to attend tomorrow, Brian here will help me pick which one looks pretty on me best," Avery replied grinning from ear to ear at the last statement she made.
"All right, Miss Avery, let's go," the employee replied and they both followed her.
Brian stared at the dresses displayed behind the glass. Rows of carefully crafted designs.
"Wow, the person behind these work of arts must be really creative," Brian mumbled but Avery heard him.
"Yeah, and she wouldn't show herself to me," Avery told him and he chuckled slightly.
The employee led them to the VIP section.
"Wait here, Miss Avery, the new dresses will be brought out now."
The staff walked away.
"Seems like you really shop here a lot," Brian told her starting a conversation.
"Yeah, the owner of EV is like one of the best fashion designers I know."
"And I must say, she is really good."
"You also know good pieces when you see it." Avery said and he smirked. "I just hope the owner would meet me one day and make me a customized dress only for me, no one else."
"You really wish to meet her."
"Yes, I really wish to."
The staff pushed some mannequins into the room carefully as if touching the dresses would ruin the fabric.
Avery stared at the dresses in awe and Brian looked amused.
"These are gorgeous, Brian, help me pick one," Avery said turning to face him.
"And don't worry, Miss Avery, these are all in your sizes...so pick your favorite," Evelyn, the employee told her.
Brian was about to speak—
when something pulled his attention.
A child.
“Evan, come back here,” one of the staff called, hurrying after him.
The boy walked into the room, small, curious… unaware.
“I thought Mommy was back,” he said softly.
Brian went still.
Evelyn picked him up, smiling. “Very soon, Evan.”
But Brian wasn’t listening anymore.
His gaze had locked onto the boy.
Those eyes—
Gray.
Sharp.
Familiar.
Too familiar to be a coincidence.
His breath caught.
The room faded.
Everything faded.
Because in that moment—
Brian wasn’t looking at a stranger.
He was looking at a reflection.
And it terrified him.
- Writer
