Chapter 33-I love you Audrey
Audrey's POV...
"He said those things to you?" Lena asked wide-eyed.
I nodded."I must have been such a fool to have fallen for him. His words were hurtful"
"I'm sorry" she rubbed my back. We were in the office and I was sitting on my chair while Lena leaned by the table and was facing me.
There was a knock at the door and Lena went to get it.
"Ma'am, someone came by and dropped this box. It's for Ms Willows," my assistant said.
"What box?" I asked from my seat.
Lena looked at me and shrugged.
"Who sent it?" Lena asked.
"I don't know. But the person who dropped it said Ms Willows will know by the time she opens the box"
"Okay. Thank you," Lena said as she received the box and shut the door.
She came forward and placed it on the table. The box dominated the table, wrapped in a rich shade of red that looked expensive even at a glance. From one corner, a pink rose slipped free, its soft petals brushing against the sleek wrapping.
"What could be inside?" I asked.
"There's only one way to find out," Lena said and reached for the wrapping of the box and tore it.
The rose was about to fall so I picked it immediately and brought it near my nose. It smelt lovely. I smiled instinctively.
I blinked in reality. What if the flower was poisoned? I quickly removed it.
It can't be poisoned. I thought again and smelt the lovely scent.
"Oh my God" Lena gushed. "Would you look at this?"
She had already opened the box and inside it was a white dress. I dropped the rose on the table and took out the dress.
It was a sleeveless flowing dress with floral patterns. I could already imagine myself in it.
"These heels are amazing," Lena was holding a pair of silver heels.
I collected them from her and tried it on. It fitted perfectly like it was bought just for me.
"Who do you think sent these?" I asked Lena as I admired the heels.
"Maybe a secret admirer,"
"Is there anything else inside the box?" I asked as I peered into the box. There was a white cellophane bag.
I opened it and there was a small white bag in it. It matched the design of the dress and it had the same pendant the shoe had.
Inside it too was a note.
'I'm sorry about earlier. I'll pick you up by 6pm. It's a date'
"Ooohhh" Lena gushed again. "It's obvious who it's from now"
I dropped everything back into the box.
"What does he mean by a date?" I put my hands on my waist. "He thinks he can win me over with just these things" I scoffed. "He should think again"
"Don't be like this. Not every man apologizes for misbehaving. Only good and intentional men do that"
I laughed in my mind. Intentional about what exactly?
"Just get ready before 6pm and see how everything goes," Lena added.
I sighed heavily. Why did I so badly want to go for this? I need to keep my emotions in check.
"Thank you so much for giving a bit of your time to go out with me" Jonathan said to me.
We were in his Lamborghini and were going somewhere that was still a secret.
"Lena persuaded me. That's the only reason I'm here" I sighed nonchalantly and looked away.
There was silence and it was greatly uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry about yesterday and this morning," he said . "I acted like a jerk and also made assumptions about you"
I didn't say anything.
"I wasn't mad at you," he continued. "I was mad at my mother and at myself for fal..."
He stopped abruptly and I raised my head and looked at him.
"For what?" I asked.
He shook his head. "It's nothing"
I didn't believe him. I knew he wanted to say something. I rolled my eyes and looked away.
"Audrey," he called.
My heart skipped a bit. My name sounded sweet in his lips.
"You look amazing,"
I scoffed. "Is that the only way you know how to compliment a woman?"
My eyes widened. It had already slipped out before I could stop myself. My cheeks burned in embarrassment.
"No," he said. "I just thought it right to do it this way. But you know you're gorgeous and breathtaking"
My heart fluttered and I had butterflies in my stomach. I smiled when he said that. Yes I knew I was all that, but hearing it from him felt so good.
We soon arrived at our destination, with me blushing all the way. He got down from the car and went around to open the door for me.
I stepped down slowly and he brought out a hand for me. I smiled within myself and slipped my arms into his.
We headed inside. It was a hotel. The gold colour of the interior complemented the lights.
He had already reserved a table for us. He pulled out the seat for me before going to sit down.
The food and wine were brought and everything was set.
I had a taste of the food and it melted in my mouth. It was so good.
"Do you like it?" He asked. I noticed how he really hoped I would like it.
I nodded. "It's good"
He sighed in relief. "I'm glad you like it. I was worried you might not like it"
Why was he worried if I didn't like it? Was it because he loved... had feelings for me?
I shouldn't be thinking this?
The evening was splendid. We ate and drank from the wine and we also talked about different things.
"I'm so happy we could work this evening out," he said.
"Me too," I muttered.
Audrey, what was wrong with you?
"Isn't that Audrey Willows?"
I turned slowly. Two women sat at the table beside ours, their eyes fixed on me.
I forced a smile, assuming they were harmless.
How wrong could I be?
"I heard she doesn't have a father," one of them said.
"What?" My eyes widened.
"I heard the same too and that's why she doesn't talk about her family. She doesn't want the media to dig into her broken family," the other one said.
I was already losing it. These two women were messing with me. What gave them the right to say that?
"I can't blame her though. I heard her mother used her father to become successful and that's what she..."
I stood up immediately and faced them. My eyes were blazing in fury. No one says that about my mother. No one ever.
"Audrey," Jonathan stood up as well. "It's okay. Let's just go"
"She's using you Jonathan. Don't fall for her tricks," they added and laughed menacingly.
"Let's just go" he came closer to me and held my hand. "They're trying to provoke a reaction from you and use it against you"
I didn't move or say a word to him. I stood there, staring at the two of them. These were the times in my life when I wished I wasn't famous and had pursued a career in taekwondo or boxing. I would beat them so badly, they'll be hospitalized for months and I'll surely get away with it.
They laughed mockingly and made faces at me.
"Audrey," Jonathan called again. "They were hired to do this. We can't give them that satisfaction"
He put his hand around my waist and led me out. That evening was entirely ruined.
The car ride back home was quiet. The AC hummed softly and its chilled breeze didn't stop the anger in me.
As soon as we got home, I headed directly for the stairs.
"Are you feeling better now?" Jonathan asked.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him. "Yeah, I'm fine" I tried pretending. I didn't want to break down in his presence. I was on the verge of crying and I planned on doing that in my room and not in front of a man.
"I'm sorry about what happened earlier. They're just some lowlifes trying to make others feel bad about themselves. They can never measure up to you"
"I know" I was struggling to hold it in.
"Are you crying?" He asked.
I looked up at him. All the while we were talking, my head was lowered. How did he now know I was crying?
"No I'm not..." I touched my cheeks and felt a liquid substance.
"You're really crying" he said alarmed and rushed over to me.
"Don't," I put both hands in front of me. "Don't try to act like a gentleman,"
The tears were already flowing freely. "Why is everyone so cruel? Why do you all judge people so easily without knowing anything? Why can't you all understand?"
"I understand," he said.
"No you don't" I screamed at him. "You judged me. Not once, not twice. You judged me just a few hours ago. Why is my father the victim here whereas he's the villain?"
"He used my mom and deceived her. He left her when she needed him the most. He left her and went after a better life. He left me even before I was born" I put my hand on my chest. I was already sobbing loudly. "He didn't care"
"Please calm down"
"Don't tell me what to do," I pointed at him. "You're no different. You think you're better than everyone else. Do you know how much you hurt me each time you judged me in such manner?"
"I'm so sorry," he drew closer and held my hands.
"I vowed to protect my mom, but today, just in front of me, people talked bad about her. They think I'm using you and I know you think the same"
"No Audrey, you're not. I know that and I'm sorry for all the times I've acted rashly and said harsh things to you"
I had no control of the tears anymore.
"I can't do this anymore. I've had it up to my last nerve. I'm done. Whatever consequences come from it, I don't care" I said as I tried releasing my hands from his hold.
"Please no. Don't leave me" he released my hands and held my cheeks with both hands.
"Audrey, you've given my life meaning and impact. I've never been happier before. Please"
"You're thinking about yourself again" I shook my head. "Let me go," I screamed.
Before I could say another word, he pressed his lips to mine. It was a soft and passionate kiss but it didn't last because I pushed him away.
Slap.
I gasped. I just hit him. I was surprised at my action.
I looked at him. He wasn't angry that I had hit him. He looked pathetic. I'm not supposed to feel guilty. He deserved it.
I raised my hand to hit him again but he held it and carefully placed it on his chest. "You can hit me as much as you want, but please don't go"
"This is all so wrong,"
"Please Audrey," his voice was pleading.
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because I love you"
Silence. My mouth hung open. The tears had dried on my face as I stared at him.
"I love you Audrey. It wasn't part of the contract, but it happened. How can I not love you? You're smart, beautiful, ambitious and independent"
"No," I shook my head. "Please don't make things worse" I pushed him away slowly and turned around to run upstairs, but his hands held me around my waist. He pulled my body closer to his.
"Please" the pain in his voice broke my heart. Why did things have to go this way?
"Don't leave me"
I tried removing his hands but he held me firmly.
"We can work things out together" his breath fanned the back of my neck. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes"
"I don't love you" I denied.
He loosened his grip and turned my body around slowly. "That's not true. I'll make you realise your feelings for me"
"I don't want to love anyone," I admitted.
"Just give me a chance and I'll prove to you just how much you deserve to be loved. Everyone deserves a chance at love. I know your father made you see it as something that's not worth it"
He was looking directly into my eyes as he spoke.
"I didn't grow up in a home built on love, rather it was power and authority. I swore never to fall in love too. But after I met you, you gave me a reason to learn how to love and the desire to love"
He peered into my face and caressed my cheek with his thumb.
"You're the best thing that has ever happened to me and I'm not willing to let you go. You're a gem"
His words made the heaviness I felt earlier lighten a bit. How did he know just how to say the right words?
"Just give me a chance and..."
I leaned forward and kissed him. I was done fighting my feelings for him. Meeting him made me realise I could love.
I broke away from the kiss slowly. My eyes parted open and I looked at him. He put his arms around my waist and pulled me closer and kissed me again.
This time, the kiss was longer. It wasn't rushed, rather it was slow and I finally let my emotions win. I didn't let any past ugly experiences ruin the moment.
I didn't know if all this was right, but the moment felt right and Jonathan with me was just perfect.
Awwww ????. Finally, the scene we've all been waiting for. How was it you guys?
I'm so happy for them.
Please, I know you enjoyed the chapter, so leave a comment and vote for the chapter.
I love youuu ??