Chapter 32-The fallout
Audrey's POV...
"What will be your response to the offer?" Lena asked as we rode home.
She was driving while I was seated on the next seat beside her.
"It's enticing. You know how much I want to be De Claire's face. It's an offer I'm not willing to let go" I said.
"So... you're going to accept"
"Is that a question or a statement?" I asked.
"Whichever one. You're accepting it? It's a question?" She said immediately.
I nodded. "I just want to confirm something first" I crossed my legs and crossed my arms over my chest.
"Are you really going to let Jonathan go?" She asked. "You just admitted that you have feelings for him," she paused. "Okay, how are you going to end things? Have you cleared your names yet?"
"I'll make my decision when I am sure of his stand" I said in finality.
"Your mom came to see me today," I said to Jonathan. We were in the living room seated on the same couch.
When did we start sitting together?
"What did she say? I hope she didn't say anything bad to you" he said. I could sense the worry in his voice.
Did he really like me let alone love me or his mother said that to gaslight me?
"She didn't say anything bad. As a matter of fact, she made me an undeniable offer" I replied.
"What offer?" He furrowed his brows.
"She..." I paused and looked at him. Why was he looking at me that way? He was looking at me like what I was about to say will hurt him.
"Your mom said she can help me get something I've always wanted in exchange to forfeit something"
He chuckled. "What is that you need so bad that you can't get? Is there such a thing?" He asked, amused.
I smiled. "Yeah. There's such a thing" I felt happy that he didn't underestimate me because I was a woman. He knew my abilities and that there was nothing I couldn't get.
"But she gave me a condition" I said.
He nodded, indicating I should keep talking.
"She wants me to end things with you"
He frowned. "She what?"
"Yeah," I sighed. "She wants me to end things with you and when I do that, she'll put in a word for me to Mary Carson"
"Mary Carson? De Claire's Creative Director?" He looked away for a minute as he thought, then looked at me. "You're after their face?"
I nodded.
"What was your response?" He asked.
"I haven't given her one yet. I have until 9pm. I just wanted to tell you first"
He looked away. My gaze traveled down to his hands. They were fisted and I noticed how the veins in his neck popped out.
"You'll still have to give her an answer before then," he said.
I nodded. "What do you see in all this?"
He smiled with the corner of his lips and looked down. That wasn't a pleasant smile. It was a smile that meant he was hurt.
"I don't know. You're the one she made the offer. It's your call"
The muscles of his jaw were evident and spread across his face. He was clenching his teeth.
"If I accept it, what are we going to tell the public about what happened between us?" I asked.
He bit his lips and looked away. Was he angry at me or his mom or about the entire situation? Why did it even bother me if he was angry?
'Because you like him' my subconscious mind said.
"We come up with something by then. The same way we came up with this fake engagement that made us both put up with each other"
I frowned. He was angry and it was at me. But why?
"Can't wait for it to end anyways," he said and stood up. "Just go with the option that makes you happy the most and that you won't regret at all. You're after fame and wealth though, so there's no point trying to guess your answer"
He started walking up the stairs. I was angry. Did he just say that to me?
"How dare you Jonathan?" I stood up and pointed at him. "How dare you say that to me? What do you know about me that made you think I would choose fame?"
He chuckled. "I know enough and I won't be surprised either. You're..." he cut himself off.
Without saying anything else, he went up, his feet stomping on the stairs.
I sighed in anger. I wasn't expecting this reaction from him.
I stared at the electronic clock on the wall.
8:35pm.
My mind was already made up, I was going to choose what made me happy.
Jonathan's POV...
I was so mad last night. I was mad at my mom for making such an offer and also mad at myself. If only I hadn't fallen for Audrey, I wouldn't care whatever she did.
I pushed myself up the bed and sat up. I went into the closet and took my gym clothes. I wasn't going to work today. I felt like doing some punching. I do that whenever I'm angry.
I picked my gym shoes and went outside. As I was coming down the stairs, I saw someone sitting on the couch.
"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly. She turned immediately and stared at me with a funny gaze.
"It seems you've forgotten that I paid half the amount for this house" she snapped.
"So you had to wait just to collect the money" I heaved. She really made that decision. Somewhere in my heart, I was hoping she would choose the other.
"I'll ask Richard to give you a refund" I said and started walking. I walked past her and just as I passed, she had a sad look on her face and that made my heart ache.
"Why are you acting like a jerk? Is this some sort of facade you're trying to put on to deny the truth?"
I paused in my tracks and turned to face her.
"You judged me outrightly yesterday, claiming I'd prioritise myself and what I'd gain over this fake engagement. Just to let you know..." she paused.
"I declined the offer," she announced. I looked at her surprised.
"Your mother is not to be trusted. I'm not completely guaranteed that she'll do as she said. She's as cunning as a fox. I'm only considering my public image and perception. I did this for me"
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I asked.
She scoffed. "I'm glad I didn't. It just proved to me the kind of man you are" she shook her head in disappointment.
"You're just like my father," she said and went upstairs.
The words landed like a slap. For a moment, I stood there, my gym shoes in hand as I watched her back. She likened me to her father. The man she hates so much.
Does she hate me now?
I'm so proud of Audrey. Tell me, would have preferred it if she chose the other option?
Please vote and comment. I love you.