AIDEN'S POV
I woke up with a hangover. I had fallen asleep in the home bar. Memories of last night came flooding in. "Avery..." I could recall how wrenching her sob was; I couldn't go after her or soothe her because everything she heard was true. I got up with the strength I could muster and headed straight to my room to freshen up.
"Good morning Aiden." It was Avery. She looked lovely but way too excited to see me when she should be mad at me. It felt off.
"Good morning," I responded with a raised brow. "Is there anything I can do for you?
"Yes, actually. I'm meeting up with my friend Kiesha, and I'd like to do a bit of shopping for some stuff I need. And—"
I handed her a card I got ready for her. "Here, I forgot to give you this yesterday. There's twenty million in the card; let me know when it's exhausted. Steve would get a team ready to accompany you."
"Thank you, I—"
"No need to thank me. You're an Armstrong."
"Fine then, but I can go out on my own."
"You don't go out without proper security, understood?"
"Yes, sir." She turned to leave before I could say anything. Sir? After what we did last night? My eyes registered what she was wearing: a milky white silk gown that clung to her curves.
"Avery!" I don't know why I called, but I couldn't stop myself.
"Yes?"
"Ummm... nothing, I just... nothing." I mumbled like an idiot as I stared at the exposed skin of her cleavage. What was wrong with me?
"Okay, see you later." Nothing like a cold bath to calm a hangover and strong coffee. I didn't feel like dealing with work in the office today, so I stayed home, doing the little I could in my study.
"Hey darling!"
"What are you doing here, Lana? Leave." I told her to stay away. Her dad was a friend of my father, some sort of business partner. We had fun with each other every once in a while. She was dressed in a red short dress, exposing most of the package I've enjoyed countless times.
"Aren't you happy to see me? What, your new plaything got you hooked?"
"Get the hell out of here; I didn't ask for your presence."
"Calm down, baby. I know you love me, but you just don't know what that is. I saw your new plaything last night; she seems to be nosey, trying to get into the dark room."
"What were you doing here? Who let you in? Let me get something straight: she's my wife; stay away from her."
"Fine, I'm here to celebrate your marriage." She pulled out a glass from my shelf. "Unless marriage has ruined your taste for alcohol." I took the drink she poured me and drank its contents.
"Thanks, now leave; I have work to do." My head started spinning. I shouldn't have taken wine after yesterday's drinking. Lana seemed to have taken this as an opportunity to try and do something funny. The more I ordered her out, the more she came closer to me.
"You still refuse me?" She may have your name, but I have your heart." She came closer to me and lifted her skirt higher. She sat on my desk with her left leg between both of mine, revealing her pussy; she wore nothing underneath. "I am the only woman you've ever really wanted. You and I know that. I wasn't a virgin, but you were so crazy about me.
"That's in the past; now leave." I couldn't deny the attraction, but it was different. It felt like the heat of the fire had reduced drastically. I tried to move away as much as I was aroused, but she caressed my dick through my pants with her feet. I couldn't stop myself from reacting. I needed some release, but I wanted it to be with Avery. "Not right now, Lana." I said when I finally got some control. My control started to fade once more, and I just couldn't seem to keep my eyes open. She must have drugged me.
In my haze, I watch her do away with the tiny little clothing she had on and proceeded to undress me. Everything went blank.
AVERY'S POV
Faking a smile and pretending like nothing happened isn't easy, but it's what is best. I can't let him see how much this all hurt me. I've got plans and goals to achieve. I stared at the card Aiden had given me. Twenty million? I could get used to this life. I got to Delicio's, where I and Kiki had agreed to meet, and I called her as I stepped out of the car.
"Hi girl! I just arrived at Delicio's. Where exactly are you?"
"I headed to the second floor, the taco unit. I know you love tacos so I figured it'd be good to have some while we chat." How I love this girl! I was already craving tacos. I met her at the taco unit in a minute. Immediately she caught sight of me, and she rushed to give me a hug.
"Avery... I've missed you. I was so scared; I feared something bad had happened to you."
"Kiki, you saw me yesterday. I'm fine, I promise."
"I know, but still... Considering the situation yesterday, I have every right to miss you. I can see you're fine. Girl, you smell and look like money. What's going on?" I filled her in on all that happened yesterday.
"Let me get this right, he's a pervert that's obsessed with petite, blonde virgins?"
"I guess so. Everyone in his journal was blonde, blue-eyed, petite-looking and a virgin, so yeah, he has a fetish for blonde virgins.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't do anything to help. I can only imagine how you felt. He's such a jerk for making you feel safe just to hurt you."
Speaking about it brought the pain back, so I thought of talking about something else. "Doesn't matter anymore. On the bright side, I have money." I showed her the card, and she gasped, "some level of freedom and a comfortable bedroom. I know no one's going to lock me out of the house."
"You're right. I guess it's way better than life at your parents. Girl, that card... Tell me something!" A smile at her curiosity.
"It's twenty million dollars. He'll give more when it's exhausted—his words, not mine. Kiesha..." I signalled her to come closer as I scanned the room to ensure none of my security team was close by. "I have a plan... revenge, actually."
"Tell me." I filled her in on everything.
"Girl, I love this version of you. They wouldn't know what hit them." She smiled and took a sip of her drink. We spoke for some time, ate tacos and went for a little shopping, and then we called it a day.
"Take care of yourself, Avery. Call me when you get home." I watched her get into her car and drive off. I headed straight to my car... no, that sounds strange. Someone bumped into me. It was Serena, brat of the Kingston's.
"Hello swine! You look good, I must confess. I hope your husband isn't treating you badly?" She asked sarcastically. It was obvious she wished I looked a mess and badly beaten. I ignored her and continued walking over to the car, but that brat couldn't stand being ignored. She pulled me back forcefully.
"Witch, I'm talking to you. How dare you walk out on me?"
"I think you're forgetting who you're speaking to." I signalled my security to take control of the situation. I had no plans of ruining my look.
"Oh, now you think you can do as you please because you're married to the richest man in the city? You're just a toy to him." That stung. Serena was going to say more but was dragged into a nearby mobile toilet and locked in there. I must admit, my security team are creative; I wouldn't have thought of such a good punishment.
"Thank you, let's go." I couldn't wait to get home and talk to Adrian about my plans of employing Mr Brutus. He deserves better pay and a better environment. We got to the mansion, and I was helped with my bags while I asked Steve if Adrian was still home.
"Yes, ma'am, he wasn't feeling too well, so he decided to work a bit from home today. He's currently in his study." I nodded at his response. I didn't want it to look like I desperately want to be with Adrian. Slowly I walked away and hurried my pace when I was certain no one could see me.
I got to the study and forgot to knock in my hurry to talk. "Adrian, I—" Oh my god! My husband was fucking another woman right in his study and didn't even have the decency to lock the door.
"Oops. Sorry, I didn't know you'd be home early." It was the girl from yesterday.
"How? Why? But..." I couldn't get the right words out.
I heard her whisper, "You're shocked that I'm not blonde, right? I'm also not a virgin. He isn't my first but I'm his only love." She smiled mischievously.
"Soon you'll find out why he keeps chasing after girls like you for fun. When you find his truth, who and what he is, you'll pack your things and leave." Then she strolled out, barely taking time to clothe herself.
I turned to the man who was my husband for an explanation, but I got nothing. He just lay there, eyes closed, like he couldn't care less. I felt hurt even though it shouldn't hurt.
I couldn't stand the sight of him. "Avery...?" His voice sounded so weak.
Great, he exhausted all his energy while cheating and had the guts to say my name. I headed straight to my room. Pacing back and forth, I recalled what the girl had said. What could be the reason for his obsession with virgins? was he really in love with that girl? What else was he hiding?