Chapter 57-I hope we dont meet again
Audrey's POV...
I was getting ready the next morning. I had promised myself that I would show up for my shoot looking better than I usually did before our break up.
Mom was in the kitchen making breakfast. She was taking really good care of me.
I was in front of the mirror doing my makeup. It was just a light makeup. My makeup crew were going to get me looking perfect. Lena had flown them in from London.
My phone buzzed on the bed and I went to get it. It was Lena.
"Is everyone ready?" I asked her.
"We are, but I'm on my way to your place now. There's something you need to attend to first,"
"Ok," I breathed. "I'll be waiting,"
I ended the call and left my room. I stood in the hallway, by the stairs and looked around.
My penthouse was so huge and big, that it didn't make any sense that one person, not to talk of a female, would live alone in it.
But I love big spaces and also quietness.
My gaze travelled to the fireplace.
Wait... I suddenly remembered. I left the painting he got me back there.
I had hung it by the fireplace, but I forgot to take it when I was leaving. All the gifts he got me were all abandoned by me... but I held onto the important ones... the memories we created together.
It still felt like yesterday when we planned our hiking date.
I owed him big time. He took me on several dates. Luxurious, classy and even simple dates, yet, I didn't get the chance to plan one for him. It wasn't fair.
"Audrey," my mom called. That drew me out of my daze.
"Breakfast is ready," she said, standing at the foot of the stairs.
A honk outside drew my attention. Through the glass walls, I saw Lena's car driving inside.
She came in shortly.
"Good morning ma'am," she greeted my mom with a big smile.
"If it isn't the one and only Lena Crooke. Manager of Audrey's world," mom said, laughing.
I came down the stairs and met her.
"What was so urgent?" I asked.
"Why not have breakfast before you start talking about work?" Mom suggested. "You can join us Lena,"
"Thank you," she said, then looked at me. "She looks really happy," she said as soon as mom left.
"I love seeing her this way. Besides, I think she doesn't feel guilty anymore about my dad's relationship with me. You know, I finally met him and heard his story,"
"Yeah, about that. Are things going to be normal between you two?" She asked.
I shook my head. "No. I've forgiven him. But I grew up without him, so it's going to be difficult for me to just let him become a part of my life,"
She didn't say anything. She was just smiling widely.
"I'm so happy for you," she said. "You finally have your family back together and everything is just in place.
You're finally living the dream everyone is struggling to live.
Your mom is here, your dad, even though you're still figuring things out with him.
You're at the peak of your career," she hugged me briefly. "I can't be more proud of you,"
"You forgot someone important," I paused.
"You," I said. "I have you in my life Lena.
You're one of the best things that has ever happened to me.
Thank you so much" I said. "You've been a huge support and great friend to me.
I can't imagine how life would have been without you next to me. I'm honoured to be your best friend,"
"Aww. You're going to blush," she said and started laughing.
"Are you hungry?" I asked and she nodded. "Let's eat," I said.
Breakfast was one of a kind. The atmosphere was very lively and we talked and chatted about a lot of things, laughing as well.
It was the first time I didn't think about Jonathan. I was too occupied with the laughter and fun at the table to think about him.
We were in the living room. Mom was upstairs in her room.
"There's someone requesting to see you," she said.
"Who's that?" I asked, looking up from my iPad.
"She'll be here anytime soon,"
"She?" I furrowed my brows. "Who is that and you gave her my home address?"
"Don't worry," she assured. "She's not a serial killer. She's actually been requesting to see you for a very long time now, but I couldn't grant it because you were not feeling okay. I think it's about time now," he said.
I just shrugged and went back to what I was doing.
Shortly after, she stood up and moved towards the door.
"She's here," she announced.
I dropped my iPad on the couch and stood up as well.
A white Ferrari drove in and parked at the center of the compound.
I looked keenly to see who it was. Then, she stepped down.
What? My eyes widened.
I looked at Lena. "His mom?"
"Just hear her out,"
"Why didn't you tell me she was the one?" I questioned.
"If I did, you wouldn't have agreed to see her," she pointed out.
I groaned and rolled my eyes, looking at the woman approaching the door.
She's come to gloat and tell me to my face that I had lost.
It was too late now to turn back.
Lena helped her with the door and she came in, looking around.
"It's nice to have you here," I said with a forced smile.
"Thank you," she smiled back. "I must say you live rather comfortable,"
I just hummed to that.
I led her to the couch and she sat down.
"I've not come here for long talks," she started. "And I'm not here to apologise either,"
"Right," I muttered. "So, what are you here for then?"
She sat up and crossed her legs. The gold accessories on her wrists and neck shone brightly.
"I heard about what happened between you and my son. So, I want to start by offering a heartfelt consolation. Whether I wanted you for him or not, I understand what it feels like to go through a heartbreak,"
"Hmm. You do?" I asked.
She smiled softly. "I don't hate you Audrey Willows. I just dislike your career because I've had a rather negative experience with it,"
I raised a brow. "Experience?"
"My first lover wasn't Jonathan's father. He was an artist and I really loved him. But he left me because of a model. In his words, she was alluring, beautiful, charming and definitely everything I wasn't," she said.
"Oh," I murmured. That was sore to say to someone.
"I was just trying to protect my son. I didn't trust you and thought you might do the same. That's the reason it seemed like I hated you,"
"Well, thank you so much for telling me this," I said. "But when we were together, I genuinely loved Jonathan and I'm a one man woman. I don't go about stealing other women's men because I look a certain way,"
"Loved?" She asked.
I chuckled softly and lowered my head slightly. What was she playing at right now?
I raised my head. "Yes," I nodded. "Loved. I think we all have to move on at some point,"
She smiled widely. "I'm glad you understand that logic. At least now, he can move on as well, seeing as you don't love him anymore and moved on quickly"
"I didn't say that,"
"Loved?" She said again and looked at me knowingly. "That's past tense,"
What. Was she trying to twist what I said?
"Have a great day ahead Ms Willows," she said, standing up. "I hope we don't meet each other again,"
I was too dumbfounded to speak. She was unbelievable.
"I'll see myself off," she said cheerfully and left.
"Did you mean what you just said?" Lena asked. "That you don't love him anymore?"
I looked at her. "I wouldn't think about him this much if I didn't,"
"But why..."
"Lena please," I cut her off. "I'm trying to forget about him and move on. So can we stop talking about him? It'll only make things harder for me,"
She nodded immediately.
"Is there anything else?" I asked.
"Luminary Ball is next month and invitations have been rolled out," she paused. "We're on the list,"
"The charity fundraiser?" I asked.
"And you have a meeting with the founder of E-cosmetics. It'll be held in France,"
"Okay. What's the plan then?"
"We'll be traveling in the next three days for the meeting and then, we wait over in France for the event, after which, we come back,"
"We better get packing then," I said. "It's going to be a long trip,"
Finally, I sighed. Something to get my mind off him.
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