Gavin Knight: From Rags to Richest

Agreement

“Are you serious?” Howie raised his voice slightly in annoyance.

Aya chuckled and raised her eyebrows to confirm. “I just needed to get that out of my system. The truth is, we did not have a proper breakup. I want to be completely honest with you. I changed my mind about going out with you again just because I want to go to the party to see him.” Aya said it like she did not care much if Howie would get hurt. Because now. she is sure that lies hurt more than the truth.

He wiped his mouth, and the spilled coffee on the table as he was trying to process what Aya just said. “So what you are trying to tell me is that you really don’t have interest in rekindling our relationship? Rather, what you want is the benefit you can get by being with me so you can see Gavin?” Howie said it case-by-case point by point.

Aya nodded and agreed to what he just said. There is no trace of shame of doubt on Aya’s face.

Howie took a deep sigh, seeing Aya be totally cool about what he just said. “Okay.” He answered, accepting Aya’s truth. “It takes much more courage to tell the truth than to cover it with lies.” He added.

“I can’t lie to you anymore, Howie. When we were together, I honestly tried to love you back. But I just couldn’t. I’m sorry,” Aya’s apology was late, but it is better than leaving it at that like before.

Howie clasps his hands on his mouth as his elbows rested on the table. “I’m not saying I was not hurt. But I just wanted to know why you would not do it with me, but did it with everyone else. Since we are on this journey of mending things between us, I’d like to get some answers.” He bravely asked Aya.

She leaned forward, wanting to explain everything to Howie. Aya figured that if she wants his loyalty, then he should know the truth. “The girl in the video was not me. I just took it as it was because it was the only way for me to get out of our engagement.” Aya swallowed hard, knowing how hard it was for Howie to accept what happened and now revealing it to him that it was not true.

Howie’s eyes widened at hearing Aya’s confession. “How about the other men that followed?” He asked further.

“I just pretended to hook up with different men, basically just made myself look like the b***h people thought of. And if you heard them saying that I did it with them. You probably know the answer to that.” Aya said, hoping Howie would still believe her.

He nodded, knowing how hard it was for him to pry into that wall, but still did not succeed. “So you are saying that you still are…” Howie wanted to try his luck by asking Aya. His naughty grin was too familiar with Aya.

Aya chuckled at Howie’s question, thinking men truly never change; they just age. “Honestly, you don’t need to know that, but the Howie I knew before was too fixated on getting into my pants.” She moved closer to Howie to whisper her answer. “The answer to that question is… No I am not.”

“Gavin?” Howie asked Aya.

Aya nodded as she sipped her coffee. “We were engaged first before he met your sister.” She said in a sad tone.

Howie groaned in frustration. “Ah f*ck that lucky bastard!” He cupped his chin thinking of his situation. “When I first heard of him, I instantly knew he was just after my sister’s money. You know about Veronica’s wealth, right?” He confirmed if he was going in the right direction.

Unfortunately for Aya, she found herself in that same situation when she moved to Hudson. People knew about her wealth and most men wanted her body and money with absolutely no intention of knowing the real Sofia. This is why Gavin was different. This is why Gavin had a fast track way to her heart.

“No, Gavin is not like that. He does not care much about people’s wealth.” She replied the truth even if saying otherwise would put Gavin at a disadvantage.

“Hmm, you are somehow correct because I searched about him and found out he is even wealthier than the two of us combined.” He explained to Aya.

Aya’s jaw dropped from Howie’s information. She could not fathom why Gavin would be wealthier than the two of them combined. “There is something more going on in here.” She thought to herself. “Are you sure about that?” She asked Howie again.

“Pretty much, and they had a pre-nuptial agreement before they got married.” Howie raised his shoulders. “It could only mean they don’t want each other to interfere with their own money.” Howie said what appeared to be insider information for Aya. But come to think of it, there was so much news about Gavin and Veronica that she just did not watch. What for? If knowing the details would only hurt her more, she would rather pass. Aya does not intend to know how happy the two are on their honeymoon.

Howie looked directly into her eyes. “Do you intend on breaking them up?” He was straightforward.

Aya looked down because this was not something she was proud of. “No, not really. I just want Gavin to regret leaving me for another woman.” She explained that she does not have any intention of running after Gavin.

Howie bobbed his head. “I understand. I felt the same when you broke up with me. Thus, the monster was born. Do you know that my dear sister hated me for turning into the monster I am now?” He gave a faint smile, remembering how his relationship with his sister changed drastically.

And him seeing Aya today did not impress her. He felt like he failed miserably in his intention to make her feel regret making him feel and look like a loser. But seeing how Aya is now, she is more desperate than him. Perhaps this is how time got back at her. 

“I don’t know. I’m not seeing a monster now.” Aya comforted Howie.

He smiled, hearing Aya’s answer. He doesn’t know how much it would hurt if Aya would see him as the greedy monster people say he became. “I’m not proud of it, Aya. But it is true. I am greedy for power and money. I did too many things you would not want to know.” He warned Aya about the man he became.

Aya felt the helplessness in Howie’s voice and statement. She reached out to clench his face with her hands. “Hey, you got me here. You don’t have to be a monster. We are friends, right?”

Howie smiled at Aya, feeling the warmth in her palms.

***

It felt too long that Gavin and Veronica were out of Victoria. They drove by the busy district on the way to their home. Gavin suddenly sat up when he saw a woman inside a café. Their car was at a halt for the stoplight. He assessed that woman, she greatly resembled Aya. But she looked slightly different, and she was lovingly holding another man.

“Beep, beep.” Cars behind them started honking at them to move as they were blocking traffic for stopping too long.

Gavin snapped back to reality and drove again. Veronica saw the look on Gavin’s face. She shook her head when she saw who those people were.

“That is my brother, with a lovely woman.” Veronica confirmed it to the confused Gavin as they drove off.