Chapter92
WhenAvelinewokeup,shefeltsomethingheavyonherbody.Startled,shequicklyturnedtoseewhatitwas.SeeingthatitwasjustSelena’slegdrapedoverher,shebreathedasighofrelief.
Foramoment,shethoughtitwasLucas…
Shakingherhead,shewonderedwhyshewasthinkingaboutthatscumbag.MovingSelena’slegaside,shegotupto wash.
Aftermakingasimplebreakfast,shecalledSelenatogetup.
Selenagroggilysatup,staredatherforamoment,andthensuddenlyasked,“Doyourememberwhathappenestnight?”
Avelinewaspuzzled.“Whathappenestnight?”
Yawning,Selenagotoutofbedandstartedtellingherabouttheeventsofthepreviousnight.
“BrianCooper?”
Avelinepausedafterhearingthename.Shedidn’tknowthisperson.
Selenasaid,“MaybehereallywasjustagoodSamaritanwhosawusintroubleandsteppedintohelp.Ifweseehimagain,weshouldthankhim.”
“Yeah,you’reright.”Avelinenodded.
Theyatebreakfastandleftthehousetogether.Totheirsurprise,theyencounteredthegoodSamaritanattheentranceofthplex.
Mr.Cooper?”Selena,withhersharpeyes,spottedhimandcalledCòntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
out.
Brianlookedover,hisgazefixedintentlyonAveline’sface.
Selenaimmediatelygaveameaningfulsmile.“Ave,itlookslike
you’vegotyourselfalittlepuppy!”
Avelinenudgedherandthenwalkedup<b>to</b>Brian.“Iheardaboutwhathappenestnight.Thankyou.”
<b>Brian</b>responded, “Noneedtothankme.Itwastherightthingtodo.”
Aveline<b>smiled</b>.“Whether itwasright<b>or</b><b>not</b>,youdidn’thavetohelpus.So,Istill wanttothankyou.”
Brianinsisted,“Itwastherightthingtodo.”
Aveline’s<b>smile</b>becameabitstiff.<b>“Uh</b>…okay,thankyou.HowabourItreatyoutolunch?Areyoufreethisafternoon?
“Noneed,”Brianrefusedherdirectly,lookingintentlyather.“Imadeamistakebefore.<b>I’m</b>sorry.Pleaseforgiveme!”
He thenbowedtoAveline.
Startled,Avelinejumpedback,hidingbehindSelena.
Selenawasconfused.“<b>Uh</b>…doyouknowourAve?!!
“Yes,<b>”</b><b>Brian</b>nodded.
AvelineandSelenaexchangednces.
Avelinesaid,“ButIdon’tknowyou‘
“I’mBrianCooper<b>,</b>”hesaid.
Avelinewastakenaback.“What?”
Shethoughthewascrazy,soshewantedtoleavequickly.
<b>“</b><b>Uh</b>…Ineedtogettowork.Goodbye!”
Avelinehadpreviouslybeenstalkedandharmedbyamysteriousman,makingherverywaryofstrangers.
SeeingthatBrianseemedabitoff,shenaturallydidn’twanttotalk
+15BONUS
tohimmuch.ShegrabbedSelenaandleftquickly.
Brianwatchedherback,frowninginconfusion.Washisapologynot.sincereenough?
ALDKGroup.
AssoonasAvelinewalkedin,thephoneonherdeskrang.Shepickeditup.“Hello.”
“MissYoung,pleasetothepresident’soffice.”ItwasDesmond’svoice.
Avelinereplied,“Notime.”Thenshehungupthephone.
Desmondwasspeechless.Hestoodbyhisdesk,cautiouslyncing
atLucas.
Thephone hadbeenonspeaker,andLucasheardAveline’scurtresponseclearly.Aveinthrobbedonhistemple.Suddenly,hestoodupandwalkedout.
Desmondfollowedhim,unabletohelpbutthinkthatAvelinewastrulybrave.Evenwithherountfrozen,shestillstooduptoLucas,likethis<b>.</b>