Chapter 138: Chapter 138
(Avery’s Thoughts) (Two Years After The Divorce)
I am standing at the back stage of one of the famous morning talk shows here in NY.
I don’t know why I feel so nervous, well, it is my first TV appearance nationwide.
Then I look at the mirror and fix myself, “Well, I am not yet ready to reveal my personality so I think of a way to hide my identity, and that is to use a penname and a sophisticated mask, like the ones you wear in a masquerade ball.”
A staff finally reaches out to me and say, “Miss Sparks, in a minute they are going to call you on stage. And your cue is the dimming light, okay?”
“Uh-huh,” I hesitantly answer.
But she is there to boos and cheer me up, “Take a deep breath, relax, and remember, you are good, and you definitely got this!”
The sound from the crowd suddenly dies down and the voice of the host is heard. I look up at their gigantic spotlight and wait for the cue.
I take a deep breath and say to myself, “You got this, Avery. You got this!”
“Let us all welcome with a round of applause, one of the rising writing sensations of the era, one of the New York’s best sellers from January until now December, the author of The Virgin’s Carvings, Miss Lolitha Sparks.”
I hear the crowd goes crazy and finally the lights dim. So I walk gracefully on stage wearing my mask, and wave at the audience.
As I step on stage, they begin to chant my penname and my book’s title.
“Wow, the crowd is on fire, just as you are on that lovely fiery and feisty red mermaid cut gown, Miss Sparks,” compliments the host.
She walks to me and hugs me tight, and then she announces, “Well, I think we know why she chose the name ‘Sparks’ right, gentlemen?”
Then the men on the crowd start shouting my name.
“You look gorgeous, so gorgeous, maybe that’s why you’ve been hiding your face, huh? So that we won’t get blinded by your beauty,” then she laughs.
So I answer and respond to her humor, “Well, I can’t pay for all your medical insurance when that happens, can I? Or else, I’ll go broke!” I whisper the end of the sentence.
The audience laugh and so does the host, Sabrina.
“Wow, you are indeed a writer. Very fasy reflex, and very wise answers. Let’s give her a round of applause on emore time, people,” she encourages all, and her vibe makes her feel more comfortable.
“So, are you ready to know more about Miss Sparks and her writings?” she asks the audience, and they loudly and warmly respond with a ‘YES!’.
“So, Lolitha Sparks, why this penname? Why not just use your name? Or other pennames?”
“Well, I can’t use my real name to protect the people that I care about, and as for Lolitha, the meaning itself is good enough, epitome of a lady, classic and sweet. And when it comes to Sparks, like you said, I am always sparking, aren’t I?” then I chuckle.
Sabrina is awed and she laughs, “Good grief!Not just gorgeous, not just brainy, but oozing with confidence! Nice, nice! Now, now, tell me about the book? What inspires you to write this, and everyone’s curious. Is it you, the virgin, who craved for more?”
I scoff a liitle and look at the people who’s been waiting patiently for my answer. So with all honesty, I finally pronounce, “Indeed, I am.”
And the crowd gets heated and the chanting becomes louder.
Sabrina herself stands up and says, “Damn! Damn! Sparks, you really know how to spice things up, ei?”
She breathes, and says while standing in front of me, “Didn’t you know I read the whole book? And I was baffled, and was I don’t know, flabbergasted with all the positions you mentioned with your… Ooops, later–”
I laugh so hard and almost forgot about my poise, but I try to compose myself while holding off my laughter, “Well, at least, I made a lot of people happy and educate how it meant to be a virgin for thirty-five fucking years!”
“Woooh! Wooh! It is getting intense in here, but before we go to the hot–sex–stuff. I have some things I am curious about. You wrote there, you went to the shrink, not just once but twice? Could you tell us your experience? Maybe it will help the people be more aware about them.”
I gulp before answering her question, “Sabrina, it wasn’t in the line of questioning, is it?” I chuckle, “Well, yes. The first one was when I went away because of the scandal. Uhm, I couldn’t move on and couldn’t bring myself to have sex for a long time. So I needed to…”
“And the second one was when–” Sabrina starts.
“–It was after my divorce,” I sadly utter. The crowd becomes silent. I swallow my saliva and take a deep breath.
“It was hard for me to understand why my husband left me despite me trying hard to love him. And also, my bestfriend lied to me about a very important detail, so I got so depressed, and decided to seek help and go on therapy sessions, and there, Dr. Wales, hi by the way.”
“Wow!” Sabrina exclaims so deep, “Damn! You’ve been through a lot! That’s why this book has so much emotion in it. I could feel every word you wrote. And well, congratulations in overcoming all.”
She taps me and gives me a hug, “Thank you. Thank you, Sabrina for inviting me here, and of course, to all of you, the audience, and the people who supported my book. I owe it all to you.”
The crowd cheers up again for me and all of them stand up for me. My heart is filled with joy, Dr. Wales was right. In writing, in finding the things that I love the most, there I would find peace of mind.
I am about to stand up because the screening time is almost over. But Sabrina halts me, “Hold on, Miss Sparks, one last question! What would be your message to the three men in your life?”
My eyes widen and I am utterly shock, but of course, I know what to say to them. So I sit down and face the camera with full coourage.
“To the Good Man, I met you when I was young and you were with me when my parents died, thank you for protecting me. Thank you for not being selfish with me and you didn’t let me suffer with you, instead, you chose to supress your desires and you understood when I left, and even loved me after everything I did to you. I wish you well.”
“To the Greatest Best Man in my life, it was a short marriage yet I was happy with you. My happiness was true, at least don’t doubt it. And I know how much you have loved me. I know how much you sacrificed for my own happiness. I know that you gave me the freedom that I needed even if it meant breaking your heart. I thank you, and I wish you the best.”
“To The Right Man, the only one I greatly love. We’ve been through ups and downs and we’ve circled around for so long. So brace yourself, because I am coming to get you now, and this time we never have to deny the love we are destined to have. I love you, and I’ll see you soon.”
The crowd goes wilder and Sabrina’s tears are all over the place, “Give it up for, The Virgin’s Cravings by Lolitha Sparks.”
***
(Dmitri’s Voice)
One afternoon in my office, I am taking a break from work when I suddenly thought about her. Once in a while, she visits my mind uninvitedly. I take out the bracelet from my drawer, and look at it, I gave this to her in Germany.
She’s now a rising author and she’s finally getting what she deserves. I look at the book she wrote on top of my table beside my laptop. I open the book and look at her photo in it.
I am currently reminiscing my memories with her when a call from my secretary comes through,
"Yes Ms. Valentines?" I answer in a cold stern voice. I frown as I answer her call for she disturbs my special moment with Avery’s memory.
But the conversation I have with her takes me by surprise. I hear a familiar name that I never expect to show up in my office ever.
My heart begins to pound as the sweat in my forehead accumulates. I stand and sit back and forth on my office chair, wondering is just playing another joke on me.
A few minutes after the phone call, a long-legged figure walks in gracefully in my office. I gulp with every detail registering in my eyes right now, her perfect curves, her feisty hazel eyes, her swivel but volumed hair, her red mermaid cut gown, and her glamorous coat.
Everything about her reminds me of our first encounter at the time of the funeral.
I close my eyes thinking that this is just a dream. I loosen up my tie, rest my back on this humongous seat, and rub my temple repeatedly.
But when I finally open my eyes, the figure is still there. And right now, she’s taking baby steps towards me.
A smile appears on my face when this goddess gorgeous woman calls me by her usual sensual tone, "Hi, Dmitri Sullivan. I’ve finally caught you. Are you ready to satisfy my cravings?"
“The Virgin’s Cravings it is,” say the two of them inwardly.
- THE END -
AUTHOR’S NOTE: NEXT BOOK IN CRAVINGS SERIES IS COOKING.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AVERY AND DMITRI’S LIFE.
AND LEARN MORE ABOUT KENDRA AND NIKOLAI’S LOVE STORY.
THE MISTRESS’S CRAVINGS (HIS BETROTHED)