Chapter 64: Chapter 64

During their whole argument, I pretend to be sleeping so I could hear what they are about to say.

I understand the severity of this situation, especially to my career, but even more so, to Dmitri’s company.

Thanks to his sister, I find a way to make this right. This is at least, one thing I could do for him.

So I pretend once again to be waking up and waiting for him to notice me.

When he sees that I am already awake, he runs to me and immediately checks me out, with a worried face.

“Hey, how do you feel? Can you breathe now? Does your heart still ache?” he asks worriedly.

I smile and lean to him, “I am fine, Dee, sorry to make you worry,” I apologize.

“I-I read your e-mails, I am sorry for intruding. But what they did was inappropriate. You can sue them for this, I’ll give you my best legal advisors if you want, Avery,” he angrily says.

I shake my head. “No, please, let’s stop. I just want to go home, Dee,” I beg him.

“But, you are safer here, don’t you think?” he insists.

“No, that’s what I thought, too. But I don’t have any peace of mind, Dee. And I don’t like that,” I try to make him understand.

“This is all that girl’s fault! I never thought it would lead to this. But why? We only reprimanded her according to how she treated you but we didn’t have an unfair ruling! Why must she do this?” his voice is trembling out of anger. Seeing his concern like this is enough for me.

“Will you take me home, please?” I ask once again.

“I’ll stay with you in your apartment,” he suggests.

“No, Dee, I need to be alone, please? Will you give me at least that?” I hold out to him.

He takes a deep sigh, and then after some thought, he agrees.

“Will you just drop me off the building please?” I inquire.

He agrees to it.

***

After almost an hour drive, we arrive in front of my place. He stops at the drop-off point, and I smile.

I look him in the eye, and trace his face with the tip of my fingers, “Dmitri Sullivan, you are a charmer, do you know that?” I weakly tell him with my lips curling up.

His stare reminds me of how we first met, how he looks at me. And that’s how he first got me.

“Hey, why are you looking at me like that?” he chuckles. “I could stay if you are going to miss me,” I tell him.

“I just admire you a lot. Dmitri, I don’t if I’ll ever have the chance, to say this to you, but,” I stop and gulp, while he waits for me patiently.

“I think, I was in love with you, from the moment we shared a special connection at the bar, up to now, I think I did love you. But it had to stop when you gave me that sex contract of yours,” I mutter.

He doesn’t answer.

“But don’t worry, I honor that contract. And I, I enjoyed what you did for today. I get to see this side of you,” I continue.

“Avery, why are you saying these things? Are you going to?” he asks with puzzlement all over his face.

“You see, Dee, we have a special connection. You satisfy my sexual cravings more than anyone, and I, I think I intrigue you. But, this has to stop. I need someone who can love me for who I am. So here I am, voiding our contract,” I slowly announce.

I can see his grip tightens around the driving wheel, but the only thing he says is, “I understand, Avery. Thank you for at least being honest with me,” he mutters with so much sadness in his voice.

He knows what I am about to do, he knows what I mean when I say these words. So with every bit of courage inside me, I kiss him on his lips, and he answers, “Goodbye, Dmitri Sullivan.”

I get off his car, and never look back. This time, I was the one who left him behind.

My heart breaks as I did it. Yes, I love him, and I still do, but this is something I should do, for him, for his company, and also for myself.

I am just thankful enough they haven’t figured out where I live yet. I enter the building and go straight to the elevator, then to my apartment.

My hand is trembling as I tap my key card, it is nighttime when I enter my house. I don’t turn on the lights, and the only thing that’s giving me illumination is the night lights reflected to my window.

I didn’t have time to scan my house, I just went straight to my room. And I take out my red luggage from under the bed and begin packing my clothes.

I decided to start a new life elsewhere. Maybe it is considered running, but I don’t give a damn anymore.

After I finish packing, I collect my documents and put them in my bag. And I have a last look of the city I love dearly.

When I went here many years ago, I’ve dreamed of this place, I said I wanted to live here, where I could see the life of the city, and where the sun and moon greets me as my day starts and ends.

Who would have thought it will be cut short because of that stupid scandal?

To be honest, when Dmitri asks me to live with him, I almost said yes, well, that was before the contract. I already made a profile so that my unit will be released in the market for selling units at any moment, but I haven’t published it yet.

But now, I have more reason to do it. So I open my account and submit the application.

“Unit successfully posted,” the prompt message says on my phone screen.

After this, I lock my bedroom and go to the kitchen room to drink some water before I leave. But then, one thing catches my eyes. Because of the light from the refrigerator, I get to see this gigantic gift across from me.

I almost drop the water that I’m holding. My eyes get even bigger as I go near it. My eyes size it up, I couldn’t believe what I’m seeing right now.

I turn on the light in the living room, just to be sure. And as I did, the more it become clearer.

Indeed, it was the portrait that Jodie made for me. The one which Dmitri actually bought from that auction.

My knees wobble as I see it sitting in my apartment’s living room. I cover my mouth in disbelief and tears start flowing in my eyes.

It won’t stop, and the heavy feeling inside my heart grows bigger and bigger. Again, the feeling of a constricted heart strikes.

But I must not waver. I’ve already decided to leave. This portrait will not- must not change a thing.

I notice a note, on the upper right corner of the portrait, so I take it out,

“As much as I want to keep this precious gem, I know it is yours to keep, - D.

P.S. Come, live with me, so we may both see it every single day. - D.”

This note makes me drop to my knees. Why? Why did I have to see you right now? I cry on the floor like a child.

My phone vibrates, and it signals me that it is indeed time to go. So I collect myself and the luggage and have one last look at the place I once called home.

***

I stay in a hotel while waiting for my booked flight going to Europe. And there, I proceed as planned.

I set up my phone, open my social media account, and go for a live stream to clear out the scandal once and for all, and I start by this,

“My name’s Avery Anderson of Manhattan Heights, and here’s my side of the story.”