When Love and Hate Collide

Avery looked around the unfamiliar faces surrounding her.  It was a perfect Saturday morning at New Belvedere, a small, quiet town in Virginia. It was such a pretty day that it was rather unusual for a memorial for a murdered man to be held that day.  It almost made her regret coming back to her boring life and giving up her girl boss dream in New York.  Almost. But not quite.  Because as soon as she saw her best friends’ familiar faces inside the large and splendid walls of St. Margaret’s Church, where the memorial was being held, she had forgotten all about the glamorous life NY offered her.  She had missed them so much, especially her best friend, Freya Logan.  “Oh my god! You’re home!” Freya gushed, totally ignoring the disapproving looks of her parents.  She gave Avery a tight hug and linked her arm to hers. “Missed me?” Avery smiled. “So much. I thought you changed your mind and finally succumbed to New York’s temptations.”  Avery laughed. “I almost did. But the thought of the group dealing with your brattiness made me decide otherwise. Speaking of, where are they?” She was referring to the rest of their friends.  Freya shrugged. “Beats me. Knowing the Gallaghers, they wouldn’t miss the chance to do a grand entrance. Even to a memorial. “ Avery smirked. Her gaze rested upon the big portrait of Elliot Vance. Elliot was one of the nicest people in town. Even one of those who never had anything bad to say about anyone. He was her friend, Jason Vance’s father. And Jason loved him dearly.  It was a shame the town needed to lose a man like him. When it could have lost people who deserved it more.  Like Alfred Gallagher, the town mayor, for an instance.  What people needed to know about New Belvedere, was that as quiet and as perfect the little town seemed, it had its demons. It certainly had people ruling it.  And not just a certain group, but four entire families.  Her own family for instance, the Drakes. Her dad, Malcolm Drake, owned the town’s most prestigious Polo Club and hotel, Hotel Violane.  And there goes Freya’s dad, Jasper Logan, the town sheriff, who had been sitting on that same spot, untouched, for ten years. Why was he never replaced? Simple. He was Alfred Gallagher’s most trusted person.  Alfred Gallagher, who had come from a legacy of politicians. He was the biggest embarrassment of his dynasty since serving for him meant sitting at his overly budgeted town hall which had been donated by none other than his other best friend, Malcolm Drake.  Who would have thought that the closely knit relationship of these three men would be destroyed and tainted by the murder of Elliot Vance and the sudden rise of a new rival, the Vances?  It all started after Elliot’s widow, Ada Vance, spent all Elliot’s money to build her casino empire and god knows what else she was also trading in that huge building of hers.  She craned her neck to look for Jason. He was nowhere to be found.  If Freya’s stories had been right, Jason hated everything his mother had done.  “Where’s Jason?” She asked. Freya shrugged. “Beats me. Probably stuck inside his room overdosing with meth. I wouldn’t be surprised if his face gets plastered all over the town paper tomorrow: Elliot Vance’s Son Found Dead Beside a Bunch of Drugs.” “That is so mean, Frey.” Avery glared.  “He was always asking about you, you know.” Freya remarked.  Everyone knew how crazy Jason was about her. Sadly, those feelings have yet to be reciprocated by Avery.  It wasn’t that she didn’t like him back. It was just, everything about Jason seemed to spell trouble.  His family, his shady background, his temper. Generally, HIM.  And Avery could not bring herself to deal with that. Not when she was too busy chasing her dreams in New York. But now that she was back in town, all that mattered to her was how Jason was doing. Especially when she was not there when the tragedy happened.  They settled into their seats and waited for the program to start.  “Where’s your mom, by the way?” Freya asked.  “She got called to Madrid Fashion Week.”  She was actually disappointed that her mother chose to go on the stupid trip rather than welcome her back home.  “Oh well, I guess that saves her from the awkwardness of what;s coming next.” Frey whispered.  Avery looked to what she was talking about and saw her father, Malcolm Drake, walking hand in hand with a young, voluptuous lady.  Her long black hair was so perfect that Avery wanted to cut it off just for fun.  Malcolm’s face lit up when he saw his daughter.  “Avery.honey, welcome home.”  Avery reluctantly planted a kiss on her dad’s cheek and glanced at the lady sideways.  “Well, this isn’t how I wanted to introduce you guys but since the moment presents itself, I’d rather get it over with.”  He gestured to his girlfriend.  “Avery, this is my fiancee, Leila.”  Fiancee huh? Was she the first? Second? Third one? Avery smirked to herself.  How many fiances had Malcolm already introduced since he divorced her mother? And what makes Miss Perfect here the last one? Her father’s recklessness drove her crazy. It was probably the reason why her mother gave him up.  Freya glanced at her best friend.  Avery just stood there, giving Leila a stony look. The usual look she gives to every girl his father introduces.  “Hi, I’m Freya Logan, Avery’s best friend.” She shook Leila’s hand when Avery refused to budge.