32. Regrets

**Avery**

If she gripped the golf club any tighter, it would have snapped.

“Conroy,” she said. “You heard him. Now put this away.”

I watched as she wiggled the phone out of his and put it in her purse. She looked up with a smile. “If you wanted to call you, she would. How about you take your mind off her, just for tonight? Stress isn’t good for you. You might be able to change forms but you’ll still get wrinkles.”

Conroy forced a smile. “I guess so. Besides, there is always tomorrow.”

“That’s the spirit!” Bill exclaimed, slapping Conroy’s back.

I chuckled as I used my golf club to hold myself up, but kept my true feelings to myself. It might have been a trick of the mind, but I was certain Jasmine held some hostility towards Cinderella. That’s when I made my choice.

________

**Bianca**

I held my gathered hair in one spot with a pearl toned scrunchie. Then I turned my newly formed ponytail into a single braid that hung over my shoulder. I checked my glossed lips and made sure that there was nothing in my eyes.

Avery would be picking me up in only a few minutes. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like dressing up for someone.

I knew that we weren’t going out on a date, but I wanted to see the same thing in myself that he saw in me. It’s not that I was insecure about my physical attributes. It was more about who I was as a person. I wanted that to show on the outside as well.

Satisfied with my look, I stood up.

My white, sleeveless button blouse was tucked into waist high, tight blue jeans. It felt great on my skin. My handbag was packed with what I figured I would need for the day. After some thought, I also threw in some condoms.

Just in case. Better come prepared than to have a surprise bun in the oven.

With my handbag hanging off my arm and my phone in hand, I headed down the stairs. Avery had already sent me a text when I left my room that said he had arrived and all he needed was for the gate to be open so he could drive in.

I smiled, knowing that I would soon see him again, even if it’s to discuss something serious.

As I thought out the details of a secret date I had planning for him, I looked down and my mood dropped significantly.

Michelle and Job must have heard me coming downstairs. They were waiting for me in the lobby.

But I was done waiting on them so I walked past them when I arrived at the bottom floor.

“Is it true what your lawyer said to us? You’re looking to receive an early inheritance?” My father asked.

I ignored him. That didn’t seem to go over well with him. Job grabbed my arm before I could get far.

“You could have told us this in person. Do you know how embarrassing it was for us when she handed us these papers this morning? You told her that we would be dining with the Blakes for brunch, didn’t you?”

“How else would she have known where we were?” Michelle added.

She waved the paper as if I had never seen white paper before. I wiggled my arm out of his grip and strutted to the security pad in the wall. My manicured finger pressed a blue button that’s larger than the rest. On the screen, I watched as the gates to the property swung open.

“We’re talking to you!” Michelle placed a hand on her hip. “I think it’s fair for us to ask for an apology, a good apology. Couldn’t you have done this in a more discreet manner.”

She didn’t get a reply from me. I paused at the front door, checking the contents of my bag. Everything seemed to be in order. My keys were there as well.

Job decided to speak again. “You cannot continue ignoring us. If you walk out that door, you’ll be consumed with guilt. Have as many outbursts as you want. Hire as many lawyers as you want. At the end of the day, it will eat away at you.”

No it won’t. I’m more sure of what I want than I have ever been before.

That’s what I would have said if I answered him, but my stubbornness stopped me from saying a word. I opened the door, standing still as it closed behind me.

I walked down the steps. The first thing I did was text my lawyer to let her know that she should contact them and let them know that they would only be speaking to her regarding this. She replied right away, telling me that she will relay my message and request for them not to harass her client.

After this is done, I will disown them.

I see no point in being connected to people who I just realized never had my back throughout my life. They only looked after theirs. Nickoya and I were simply meant to prompt them up in society. That’s why they were mad at me for who I had chosen to be engaged to.

Avery ran up to me as I reached the last step. His eyes shined with concern. “Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

As he came to me, I gazed at him and experienced a sense of pride. The feeling was wonderful and undescribable. So much so that I didn’t want it to fade away.

I shrugged, smiling. In truth, I could feel the tears brimming but I didn’t care. “I regret a lot of things in life. But I don’t regret the steps I’m taking now. I feel better than I’ve ever been. That’s it. I’m happier.”

His gaze softened. “Oh, Princess…” Then he opened his arms and I dove right in.

As Avery walked me back to his car, I didn’t know that Nickoya was watching from the window of his room. She couldn’t see much from that height, only our backs. However, she did recognize the car. And that head of hair also seemed familiar.