CHAPTER 21

AVERI

THE MOON was magnificent tonight. I raised my left hand as if I was reaching for it. I was like that for a moment, and when I got tired, I put my hand down. I sigh deeply and sip the wine from my right hand. I'm not getting drunk; it's just a way for me to process what happened a while ago.

I was on the balcony of my Rockwell condominium. After the incident in the mall, I came right here and locked myself up. No, I'm not going to jump from this fifty-story building. I'm not that crazy or desperate.

I haven't been back to Miller's in almost five days. George always called and invited me to dinner at their mansion, but I managed to escape and throw alibis he quickly bought.

I'm not betraying George. We still see each other, but I didn't go to his mansion for days because Jazmin was there, and I couldn't go there and see her if my feelings were as strong as they were before. I can't betray George's love. He's wonderful.

But Jazmin? I have no idea. I was staring aimlessly at the streets. Lights are illuminating the city. It was a lovely night, but the view from the hill was even more lovely. I miss that hill, but my parents have to sell it because we had some financial difficulties at FT four years ago. As a result of saving FT, my parents were forced to sell the hill's lot.

I had no idea who bought it. I haven't been there in seven years, and I'm missing it. With that, I grabbed my red hoodie jacket and headed to the hill.

I hurried up the hill. There was no guard, but I noticed a large house being built in the area where Bonnie and I used to sit. I park my Audi in front of the gate. In the house, I was astounded. It gave me a beautiful and somewhat comfortable feeling.

As I walk towards the gate, I recall hearing her say to me, "I WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH YOU, Ez. If we live together forever, I want our home to be decorated in black, brown, and white. Our gates will be Japanese-style, and the exterior will be Spanish-style. There will be a front porch and at least six bedrooms, as well as my kitchen and music room." Bonnie, the younger Bonnie, said dreamily to the gray-eyed girl beside her. They were on the hill, having a picnic and snuggling with each other.

The gray eyes laughed at the brown eyes. "That's so sweet, babe," she said, kissing the brunette's brow. "How would you like to build OUR house on this site?" she asked, wiggling her brows as she noticed the brunette grinning broadly in response to her suggestion.

"That would be perfect!" she exclaimed. "Then we'll build a pool with a view of the lovely city. We shouldn't cut the tree, babe, because the engraved names should be preserved so that we can show them to our children. How many children would you like, baby? I guess I settled for two. I prefer twins! Oh, I adore twins! Do you have twins in your family? We should have twins, babe: a boy and a girl. Oh, I'm so excited!" She exclaimed with ecstasy.

I just stared at her the whole time, picturing what she said in my head. I smiled. My eyes welled up with joy as I realized she wanted to start a family with me. I adore her.

"Baby? Are you okay?" She inquired when she noticed I was silent. Her face softens, and her eyes take on a worried expression. "Oh, I'm sorry if I said that. I didn't mean to decide without your approval. What a fool I am to make assumptions!" She lowered her head. She misinterpreted my silence. I hold her chin up to my overwhelmed face. Her lovely brown eyes were troubled as she looked at me.

"You're not assuming anything, baby. I was overjoyed that you wanted to start a family with me. And guess what, I want it as well. That is something I wish for as well. Promise me that you will marry me someday, my love. I don't want to grow old with anyone other than you." She smiled and leaned in close to my face.

"I promise to marry you someday, Averi Ezra Mendez," she said, sealing the deal with the sweetest kiss ever.

TEARS streamed down my cheeks when I realized the house was the one Bonnie had been longing. My heart is racing. I don't know what I'm feeling right now. I was just standing there looking at the house when the little gate opened, revealing a lovely young lady.

I wiped my tears quickly before returning to my car; she inquired, "Please excuse me? Is there anything I can do for you?"

When a rushing redhead girl comes our way, I open my mouth to answer. The most beautiful one I've ever seen.

"Hello there, Iris. Can you please give this to Pearl?" she said to the other girl and smiled, but a shocked expression appeared in her beautiful brown eyes when she noticed me.

"Hey. I was just passing by and noticed this lovely house, so I decided to look. So, I'm going to have to leave," I dashed back to my car. What a lame excuse! Damn!

"Wait a minute, Averi!" She yelled, jogging down towards me.

Oh my God, why does she look so hot in everything she wears? When I turned around, there was a goddess a meter away.

"Y-yeah?" Something was getting stuck in my throat. I'm sorry, but I despise this sensation.

"Would you like to stay for a while? You know, just for old times' sake?" She smiled shakily.

For the sake of nostalgia, eh?

"Of course."

What the fuck? Did I say that? But when she smiled sweetly and motioned for me to walk to her house with her hand. With her sweet gesture, a smile crept onto my lips.

I saw her talking with the pretty girl, and with a nod from Jazmin, the pretty girl walked out and smiled at me. I returned the smile.

"Is that your girlfriend?" I inquire; my face is solemn.

"Oh no. That's my housekeeper," she said as she opened the door for me. I smiled inwardly.

"Ahh. Okay," I said calmly, but deep down, I'm nervous because it's just the two of us in Jazmin's house right now. "Very nice house," I said.

"Thanks. Be at ease," Jazmin said, pointing to the couch. It's awkward, but I feel at ease in her home. It's more beautiful on the inside. I sat down with a smile.

"Is this your house, eh?" It sounds more like a statement than a question. Stupid question. Where did my common sense go?

"Uh-huh," she said, her voice tense. "So, uh, have you eaten because I haven't had my supper yet?"

"Oh. Sure, sure. I'm starving. I've heard you're a fantastic cook," I said with a friendly smile. I'm not sure, but I felt at ease in her presence.

"No, not really. Let's go to the dining room, then." Jazmin stated as she walked to the dining room, allowing me to gawk at her. Oh no! What am I doing?

I slap my brow to clear my mind, and she smirks back.

"Why are you slapping yourself?" she asks, laughing. She's so lovely when she does that. I blushed and smiled shyly.

"Is that a mosquito on my brow? Yes, there was. Yes, a mosquito." Please buy it. Please.

"Oh. I should instruct Iris to clean the house thoroughly. Mosquitoes should not be present," she said while removing a chair from the table. "Come sit, Uhm, Averi."

Oh my God, she's still a lady.

Averi! Put a stop to it!

My thoughts are at odds once more. Ugh!

"Thank you. You don't have to do that." I gave her a gentle smile. She deserves it.

"No, you're a visitor." Then she sat down, facing me. "Please eat." When she pointed to the food on the table, I felt my mouth water.

"Hmm, this is sooo good," I said after finishing a piece of Chicken Adobo. She just smiled as I continued eating and complimenting all the food she had prepared.

"Wow! Everything was delicious and extremely tasty!" I blurted out. She gave a big grin. "You'll make an excellent wife someday." Oops! What did I say?

The smile quickly turned to a sad face, and she smiled again. She thought I hadn't seen it, but I had. My sweet tooth and I!

"Thank you," Jazmin said, clearing her throat. "How's your head, Averi?" Phew! I was so close.

"It's fine. It's rare, not like before the, uh, accident," I said, turning away from the redhead.

"So it's true. Dad told me what had happened. And, uh, that you had amnesia," Jazmin said this with sympathy in her voice.

The day of the accident flashed back to me at that precise moment.

"YOU'RE GOING TO LONDON NEXT DAY," Dad said solemnly.

"But, Dad," I sobbed, "I don't want to go there." After my mother discovered Bonnie and me in my apartment, they locked me in my room for a week without my cell phone or laptop. I lost weight and haven't eaten much since then. Bonnie is the love of my life. I can't live without her.

"You'll be there until you end this nonsense relationship of yours. Ez, you let me down! You disgust me! You're going to hell for this stupid relationship with the same sex. It is an abomination to God! "He scoffs.

My father had never treated me this way before until he discovered my relationship with Bonnie. My mother just looked at me, disgusted.

"Dad, please. Bonnie is my favorite person. Can't you see? Her father is fantastic!" I yelled. I froze when I felt pain in my cheeks. He slapped me! It's the first time he's done this to me!

"Oscar!" My mother was astounded by my father's outburst.

"If you do it again, you will receive another slap from me. And just so you know, you'll never see that girl again because she traded your so-called love for a small sum of money. Isn't that a wonderful love?" he stated.

"No! I don't believe you! What did you do to them? Please don't hurt them, Dad," I cried and begged him. "Mom? Please, Mom." My mother, on the other hand, was my father's slave. She is powerless in the face of my father's gaze.

"Ez, it's too late. That social climber is now on her way to hell," with a sly grin, he said. "Guard, take her to her room right now!" he ordered the guards. They drag me along while I try to flee.

"No! No! Please, Dad!" But the guards are too mighty for me. They pushed me into my room, and I tried to break the door, but it was too hard and firm. "Please let me out of here! Please! Please, Dad and Mother!" I pleaded and cried.

I cried all night. While embracing myself and thinking about Bonnie, an idea occurred to me. I need to flee. I need to see Bonnie.

I was on the veranda because they let me out before leaving for London. Two guards are riding on my back and following me wherever I go. It was a perfect day for my perfect plan.

I went to the kitchen, standard room, maid's room, pool, and garden, and they still followed me. They think they're good at it, don't they?

"Oh my God!" I squealed, and fake tears streamed from my eyes.

"Senorita, what's the matter?" The guards rushed over to me.

"My grandmother's earring is missing. I'm pretty sure I wore it a while ago. Oh my God. That is hierarchical jewelry," I yelled, exasperated. "Please find it. Please…" I sobbed like a baby.

"Yes, Señorita." Then they went to look for it in the garden. When I realized they couldn't guard and catch me, I ran as fast as I could and drove my car. Dad had no idea I had a spare key for my car.

The guards attempted to block my path, but I drove straight at them, and because they were afraid of being shoved off, they backed away. I smirk. Cats are scared!

But the guards were not cooperating. They were following my tracks, so I used my best driving skills to get away from them. I went street by street. Bonnie is all I can think about. I was desperate to see Bonnie.

They chased me for nearly thirty minutes, and voila! I managed to get away from them! I exclaimed triumphantly. They thought they could catch me. Woot! All is conquered by love! Yeehaa!

I rushed to Bonnie's house and was disappointed to find no one there. Dad might be correct. Bonnie sold our love for money? But she isn't like that! I knew she genuinely cared about me. Our love was sincere.

I was crying at the front door when a car came to a halt. When I looked up, I saw the proud Mendez approaching me with an angry expression on his face.

"I told you she's a gold digger. She only requires money from you. Are you that illiterate?" Oscar stated.

"No! She cares about me. You're lying!" I said, trying not to cry.

"Love? With same-sex? Do you hear yourself, Ez? It's a sin in God's eyes!" he yelled.

I have a nervous breakdown. As I said these words, I punched Dad's chest several times. "You know nothing about love. And don't you use God's name in this because God loves everyone? I adore females! Whether you like it or not!" I then dashed to my car. I heard both of them calling my name.

I drove from nowhere in particular. I hadn't realized I was speeding up while crying. It was too late when I saw a truck approaching, blocking all my thoughts. And before I went completely dark, I managed to say the woman's name. "Bonnie—"

"Hey. Why are you crying? Is your head still aching?" I snap back at my thoughts. How long have I been like this? Then, before responding to the redhead, I felt pain cracking my skull.

"Oh, it hurts. Oh my God." With my two hands, I support my head.

"What? What should I do?" I was startled by her voice as she held my head. If it weren't for my headache, I'd enjoy her touch. "Wait a minute. I'll call Dad." She dialed, but I cut her off.

"There is no need. Please put my meds in the car. It's in my purse. Ah!" I was able to say.

"Oh my god. Shit. Okay, hold on here. Shit." She bolted, and she was back in a flash.

"Here, drink," she said, handing me the pill and water. My head is still aching, but not as severely. "You should stay for the night," she suggested.

I raised one brow. "You know, Dad will kill me if I don't take care of you," she said, clearing her throat. Is that all there is to it?

I nodded because I couldn't drive home in my current state. I just want to sleep.

She took me upstairs to a room. It was probably her room.

It was massive. A king-sized bed with a flat-screen TV, a large closet, a mini-fridge, and a minibar? What a shithole. Is there a minibar in her room? It appears to be a condominium—an all-in-one room.

"Why are you here?" I ask; my voice is hoarse. I'm sick.

"I'm sorry. I'm not sure if Iris cleaned the other rooms, so I brought you here. I'll go get some clothes for you so you can change." I nodded.

"Here. Do you wear some of these?" She handed me a pair of pink pajamas. I had no idea she had it.

Pink? Really?

I went to the bathroom, which was also enormous and lovely. Jazmin handed me a toothbrush and a towel, and after I finished, I lay on her bed, my head still aching. I realize I'm acting like a zombie right now.

"Are you okay now?" she asks, still concerned.

"Yeah. Thank you very much," I said, trying to put on a brave face, but I knew my eyes would betray me.

"Okay. Make yourself at home. Good night," she said before leaving.

"Wait. Where are you going?" I enquire.

"I'll sleep in the guest room," she replied.

"No. You stated that you are unsure if Iris cleaned it, so please share your bed. After all, it's big. And don't worry, I'm not a biter." I tried to make a joke, and she smiled, but the pain returned. "Oww. What a pain in the neck."

"Are you okay?" she asks, holding my head.

"Y-yeah," I stuttered, realizing how close she was to me. The pain subsides, but my heart races due to her kind gesture. "Please don't argue any longer," I said as I laid her on the bed with my back to her. Where art thou, self-control? I urgently require your assistance!

"Okay. Sorry. I'll just go back. I need to finish the dishes first," Jazmin spoke up.

"Okay," I said, not looking back at her. Then I heard the door open and close. I dozed off thinking about her.