72. Flight to New York


    <<. Avery,>>


    I am almost done packing my stuff for the New York trip. Miles is sitting on a settee in a corner and munching on God knows what.


    "You better control how much you eat..." Iment. "You have been munching like a pregnantdytely."


    Heughs.


    "Someone is behaving like a wife."


    I look away, my cheeks beet red.


    "I mean, not even once I have seen you work out..." I mean, it would be nice for


    once if he joins me in the gym or something.


    "Oh Sex is an excellent exercise, Avery. He smirks and I roll my eyes.


    "We are fucking like rabbits nowadays. Stop it."


    He shrugs. "It is our honeymoon phase, after all."


    I zip up my suitcase and turn to face him. He looks up at me with those gorgeous blue eyes, and I can feel myself melting.


    "I''m going to miss you," I say, walking over to him and sitting on the armrest of the settee.


    "I''ll miss you too," he replies, putting his arm around my waist and pulling me closer.


    We sit there for a few moments, just enjoying each other''spany, before I remember something.


    "Oh, I almost forgot," I say, reaching into my purse and pulling out a small box. "I got you a present."


    Miles eyes me as he holds the gift box. "I hope you are not getting back at me."


    I snort. "You shouldn''t y dirty tricks at me, then get afraid that I might get back at you...."


    A few days back, Miles gave me a tiny box. I opened it in excitement, only to see a cockroach pop out of it. I was so angry at him. Then he defended himself, saying at least the cockroach wasn''t a real one. Jerk. And I''m sure right now he is wondering if I have gifted him a real cockroach..


    He opens it. Inside is a silver bracelet with a small charm in the shape of a guitar.


    "It''s beautiful," he grins, fastening it around his wrist. Then he pulls me closer for a kiss.


    17:25


    Afton 61.


    I smile, feeling happy that I could do something nice for him. Because he has been pampering me too muchtely.


    "Now," I say, standing up and picking up my suitcase. "I better get going or I will miss the flight."


    Miles nods and gets up as well, grabbing his car keys to drop me to the airport.


    As we head out the door, I can''t help but feel enthusiastic for my trip to New York. It''s going to be amazing. Lena will join me on Monday. Jake is super excited that I am finally giving him his girlsister back.


    Miles starts the car, and we make our way to the airport.


    "You are quiet," Miles says.


    I smile and shrug. "It feels bittersweet that I am going to wrap up New York for good."


    He nods. We turn on the radio and I wince when the radio jockey talks about Ethan''s fuck up.


    It''s odd. With miles, it feels like I''m living inside my own bubble. Where most of the news either doesn''t make its way to me or it doesn''t affect me anymore.


    I wonder if my bubble will burst in New York when I will stay there without him for a week.


    News is high in the media that his assets have been frozen for investigation. He was very furious with dad. As dad refused to show him public support.


    He deserves that. De and Ethan deserve each other.


    "What are you thinking?" Miles asks.


    I shake my head, trying to push away the thoughts of Ethan and his mess.


    Just thinking about the trip," I reply, hoping to steer the conversation away from anything rted to Ethan.


    Miles nods and turns up the radio, finding a song that we both like. As we drive, I can''t help but feel grateful for our rtionship. He''s been a constant source of support and happiness for me, and I know I can count on him.


    I lean my head on his shoulder, feeling content and at peace. The future may be uncertain, but for now, I''m enjoying the moment with him by my side.


    As we arrive at the airport, Miles pulls up to the curb and helps me unload my suitcase.


    Thanks for everything," I say, giving him a quick hug. "I''ll call you when Ind."


    "Take care, Avery," he says, giving me a kiss on the cheek before I make my way inside the terminal.


    As I make my way through security, my phone rings. It''s De.


    "Hey, what''s up?" I answer. Why has she called? We never talk outside the negotiation meetings.


    17:25


    After Slooning wil


    "Avery, it''s Ethan," she says, her voice shaking with anger. "He''s missing, and it''s all your fault


    "What do you mean, it''s my fault?" I ask, confused and taken aback by her usation.


    I didn''t send any men to abduct him. Is this what she is saying? What the fuck?


    "You tricked dad and told him not to support him. I knew he was under so much pressure, and you did nothing but worsen his case," she continues, her words harsh and usatory.


    "EXCUSE ME? He''s a grown man, and he has to own his actions. What was he expecting? He would make a mess and Collins family would take care of it?" I snap.


    I am sure that''s what he was


    expecting. Now I know after


    breaking up with me why he didn''t Leave De. He wanted to suck our family like a leech for his whole life. Barely in 3 years hispany''s numbers grew and Collins family''s shares kept going down.


    It was dad''s name and his business ethics that saved both of ourpanies for


    so long.


    "Well, he''s gone now and nobody knows where he is. It''s still your fault!" she snaps before hanging up the phone.


    I stand there, feeling a strange guilt. It''s not my fault that they are fucked up people and their past is showing ugly consequences now.


    "Bitch," I mutter as I make my way to my gate, trying to calm my racing heart.


    Once seated, I pull out my phone and text her.


    Me: This is myst warning, De. I don''t care what the F is happening in your life, but if you call me again to call names or me me, I will caft off all the negotiations. Then we can meet in court. Also, I will take a restraining order against you.''


    Me: Don''t go bitchy on me because your boysister ran away, scared, after creating all the mess for you to handle. If you were ever nice to me, I would have helped. But I don''t owe you a thing. So suck it up and own your actions.''


    I send the message and block her.


    If she uses some unknown number to threaten me or something, I am calling it off.


    My phone vibrates and I see a notification from My Fake husband aka Real Boysister. I smile and tap on the screen..


    My Fake husband aka Real Boysister: I just saw the news.... Turns out Ethan has gone underground.


    Me: Yup, and De is iming he is missing. I am sure he is hiding somewhere. Because he knows, he will be prosecuted once the investigation is over.


    My Fake husband aka Real Boysister: My thoughts too. Anyway, time of your flight


    I guess. Happy journey, my doll.


    The ground stewardess calls us to board, and I make my way onto the ne. A sense of foreboding takes over me and I can''t shake off the feeling that this trip may have some unexpected turns.


    17:25


    After Sleaning...


    Well we will only know once we reach NYC.


    17:25