Chapter 125: Chapter 125

(Jeff’s Thoughts)

I am a few more hours away from the States, a few more hours away from my fiancee, Avery.

“I know she’s cheating on me. I’ve known all along, but I guess my love for her is just bigger than anyl of it,” I say to myself while currently reading a blind article about a billionaire who spent his vacation with his girlfriend in Macau.

A picture of them is taken from behind, not exposing their faces but their backs. But the thing is, I memorize Avery’s back. I know her back very well, because for more than two years, her back is al I see.

She barely lets me before her, and rarely allows me beside her. As a result, I am used to just looking at her back. For a good reason, I can easily prevent her downfall, and easily pick her up.

But every kindness has its limit. Every person has their threshold. Unfortunately, this is as far as I could get.

“Is that my role in your life, Avery? Just a picker? A technician to fix you everytime he breaks you? I am tired, Avery. I am fucking tired. It’s time for you to choose, whether you fully surrender your heart to me, or none at all.”

An attendant asks if I want to refill my wine glass so I nod and politely thank her.

During the whole flight, I do my best to keep my quenching thirst refilled, so that I will have the courage to do what I am about to do.

Before taking a cab, I try calling some people to plan for the big event tonight.

I first tried Seid, but for some reason his number is unattended, “Sorry the number you are trying to –,”

So I try Kendra next. Her line is ringing but no one is answering, “Is she busy?” I thought.

I keep trying and finally on my third attempt the call goes through and I could hear her panting voice, “Hello?” she says with her casual loud tone.

“Finally, Kendra,” I laugh, “It’s Jeff. You still know me right?” I even tease her.

I hear another person on the background and it is probably her boyfriend, Nikolai, “Hey, did I disturb something? If yes, I could call some other–”

“–Oh no, no, Jeff. We are fine,” then she awkwardly chuckles. ‘What’s up? How are you calling me on my local number, this would be dang expensive, you know?“ she even says.

“I’m here in the States. I just arrived at the airport,” I announce my arrival.

“Get out!” she says it loud, expressing her state of being surprise, “Are you serious? Wait, are you still at the airport?” now she starts asking.

“Hmm, yes and yes, Kendra, so I can see you right?” I ask her.

“Of course, wait let me grab some hoodies and Nik and I will pick you up, okay?” she even offers but I decline it right away.

“Instead of picking me up, could I ask you a favor and go straight to the address I’ll send you right now?”

“Oh,” I can hear another baffled experience, but as expected she agrees, “Sure, of course, Jeff. Since it is you who is asking,” she ends her statement by giving that kind of cool expression.

“Thank you, Kendra, really! See you!” I end the call and immediately send her the address. Then she instantly replies with an O.K. plus a smiley emoji.

After that, I take a cab and go straight to Diamond Paradise Wedding Hall, not really far from Seattle.

I reach there in no time and when I arrive I already see Kendra and Nikolai sitting and resting side by side on their car’s hood.

They are smoking, while talking and smiling. Kendra hits the stick first. And then she sweetly give it to Nikolai, and though he has some hesitation, he still gives in to he request, and they look so happy.

The way they look at each other is mesmerizing from other people’s point of view like me. In fact, if I hadn’t known their little secret, I wouldn’t have thought that they have a complicated loe story like that. Why? Because they look damn happy with each other.

And that kind of look doesn’t exist between me and Avery. I have to admit, Avery doesn’t love me the way I love her. Buth if that’s the thing, it wouldn’t be a case for me, after all, in love, you shouldn’t measure each other.

But the major issue between us is different. Avery couldn’t look at me that way, because he has already given it to someone else, someone I could never ever surpass.

Still, I won’t give up, and I will do everything to make her love me differently, but not as a rebound, nor a second choice. It’s time for her to choose only me.

I start walking towards them, and as soon as K sees me, she jumps and waves her hand at me happily.

“Hey, Jeff,” she greets. And the man beside him also gives me a nod as a form of greeting.

And unexpectedly, she hugs me, so I hesitantly hug her back without making Nikolai jealous or awkward. Then a kiss on my cheek lands,

“How are you, Jeff? You should have told me ahead of time, we could have fetch you at the airport.”

“Uh, this is actually unplanned,” I explain, “I mean, not this,” pointing to the extravagant plaza, “But the timing,” then I scratch my head.

“Does Avery know?” she asks curiously. And I shake my ahead. Then an affirmation form her eyes are sent.

“Shall we? Let’s eat first, they have good food inside,” I say.

“Yeah, I’ve heard about this before,” she says, as we climb the stairs towards the big entrance door.

As soon as we arrive inside, a receptionist welcomes us, “Sir? Any reservation?”

“Oh yes, it’s under Seid Cohen, Kendra Higgins and Jeff Tales, however Cohen couldn’t join us today so I would like to change it to Nikolai–” then I look at him,

“–Murrow,” he shortly answers. “Yes, Nikolai Murrow, please?” I ask the receptionist.

And she quickly agrees. “Mister Tales, Mister Murrow, Miss Higgins, welcome to Diamond Paradise Table, I hope you enjoy your stay.”

***

We just finished our meals and the Sangria drink we ordered is on the way, so while we are waiting, I begin to announce why we are here.

“Uhm, Kendra, I am not asking you to betray your bestfriend, but if you feel the need to be honest with me, I would appreciate it very much,” my remark start on a heavy footnote, and I see them taken aback, looking at each other.

I open my table and show them the blind article I’ve been reading on the plane, “Could you please confirm if this is Avery and Dmitri?” I bluntly ask. I need to know what my standing here is.

But without any delays and hesitation, she answers right away, “I didn’t see it with my own owys, nor confirm it from her, but it is definitely them. I know her back very well, and sadly, I know his back, too. So, yes.”

“I see. Thank you for telling me the truth,” I pause for a while, and sadly smile, “At least I have someone who’s siding with me,” and I force a chuckle out of me.

“I told you I like you better Jeff. You are a great person, Avery just doesn’t see it yet,” she says.

“Has she been–” I couldn’t finish the question, but she already knows what I am about to say,

“–You mean cheating on you? Yes, Jeff. She’s been cheating on you,” she firmly says and her eyes are directed on me. I see Nikolai stopping her, “Love, it is not yours to tell, I think they should be the one talking about it,” he strongly believes, and I actually get his point.

But Kendra has a strong point and she knows that, “No, Love. Avery needs this, to be freed from that–that man who brought her nothing but misery,” I can feel the rage from the vibration in her voice.

“For how long?” I continue asking her.

“I am not sure about this but she mentioned meeting him in Germany and in France, too. That’s why she’s shaken to the core. Damn it!” she even express her frustration by cursing.

I drink the Sangria that’s been served a while ago, trying to keep myself calm.

“I knew something changed after I proposed to her,” I scoff, “Now I know, he’s always been the reason why,” I exclaim.

“Do you still love her despite everything?” Kendra asks the inevitable, and I quickly answer, “Yes, more than anyone, more than anything.”