After Sloaning


    73. Back to NYC


    <<. Avery. >>


    I unlock the door and step inside, taking in the familiar sight of my living room. It feels so odd. When I packed my bags almost 2 months ago, I thought I would be back in 3-4 days.


    Can so much change in a matter of 8 weeks?


    It certainly can. I am a live example.


    I breathe a sigh of relief, grateful to be back in my cozy little space after two long months away in California. Too bad. It''s myst few days in this apartment.


    I pick up my phone to call dad. I need to survey this Ethan situation. Joy and De must have been throwing tantrums at home.


    Dad picks up the call at the third ring and says, "Hello my girl!"


    "Hey Dad! How are you doing?"


    "Hold on a sec," he tells me and talks to someone else. "No. I wille back by evening."


    "Yea, Avery... tell me."


    I frown. "You seem busy. Should I call youter?”


    "No, that''s alright. I am going out..." Then he whispers. "It''s been such a shit stormtely. I cannot tell you."


    I swallow hard. "Because of De and everything?"


    "God, Avery.. Yes." He sighs. "Hold on," he says as he turns off the radio behind him. I am guessing he got inside his


    car.


    "Yes... it''s on speaker now. Well, for starters, Joy and I have agreed to separate for three months and after that, we will decide how we both feel about divorce. Who knows, things could get better by then."


    He says in an extra cheerful voice, and I know he is trying to force it. I don''t point out. Whatever makes it easy for him to cope up.


    "That''s great, dad. So is she still at home or-"


    "Yes, but she has packed herself some bags and she will go to another house we have at the outskirts of the city."


    I internally roll my eyes. Sounds over dramatic. I am sure dad must have offered her a ce to stay nearby. Because I know how nice he is.


    17:25


    "Anyway... what else?"


    "De called me. What the hell has happened?"


    Dad sighs. "I am going to figure it out. De has been hysterical. I am sure it''s just


    a publicity stunt by him. But you know what Avery... I am about to pull support from both of them. I have made up my mind. I cannot be there to watch my own daughter ruin her life."


    I blink, trying to process if I heard him right.


    So far, every single day, somehow... he juggled all the balls. Not even in my wildest dreams did I expect this from


    him.


    "ummm dad... I don''t know what to say..." considering how me and De are kind of mortal enemies now.. of course I am happy that he has decided to pull support from her.


    "You don''t have to. I told you because it will bring you under heat again."


    I snort.


    "So far I am just used to this."


    "Anyway. I am happy you are shifting to California for good." He changes the topic.


    I smile. "yea... I guess I will get to go more outdoors in Los Angeles. In NYC it''s like we get too busy trying to keep up with the fast-paced life."


    Dadughs. "Oh I have always loved Los Angeles''id-back, rxed lifestyle, once we meet Liam''s family-" I wince at dad''s use of his fake name. I don''t know how we are going to exin that part. Miles was right. In names of games, we fucked up real bad.


    "-we can go hiking or may be some beaches activities."


    After talking to dad for some more time, I cut the call. But my head doesn''t stop reeling.


    I look around and see that the dust has umted in the corners of the room, and there are a few cobwebs here and there. I had ns to hire a housecleaner service for a day, but after a conversation with dad I need some distraction. So I grab the vacuum and start cleaning, determined to make my apartment feel like home again. I have to stay for a week. I want to enjoy my time in a clean house. I spend almost an hour cleaning my head and it doesn''t stop thinking about everything that has been happeningtely. The Dom''s club, the training, kept me busy. I will always be grateful to Miles for being around. He always has a way of making me feel better, and I''m grateful to have him in my life.


    My phone chimes after a while and I smile to see a text from Jake.


    Jake: ''Are you dead or something?"


    Me: I just got back home, and I was wondering if you wanted to grab dinner tonight?''


    17:25


    Clopay ve


    Jake Boure thing it looks like you wouldn''t have asked if I hadn''t contacted you" Mep 1 was about to


    Jake Liar. Anyway, I was just about to head out. How about we meet at an Italian ce on the 8th?


    Mr. Sounds perfect. I''ll meet you there in half an hour?


    I quickly finish up the deaning. By the time I''m done, I''m exhausted, but I''m also looking forward to a night out with Jake. I am sure he willin about Lena so much.


    As I get dressed and put on some makeup, I make a quick to Miles, too. He is busy, so I call Lena after that. It''s been a while since I''ve talked to her properly. She teases me about getting a boysister and how I have forgotten her.


    "We met four days ago. Shut the fuck up. I tell her while applying the mascara. Sheughs.


    When I arrive at the restaurant, Jake is already there, sitting at a table in the corner. He stands up when he sees me and greets me with a hug,


    "Sot it turns out your husband is not a GrandPar


    1 giggle, remembering the conversation we had after my wedding night.


    Everything seems so funny now.


    He apparently is not." I snort.


    "So, what''s the n now that you''re back?"


    I''m not sure yet,” I say, taking a sip of my water. I''m thinking about investing most


    of the money. It''s been sitting in my ount for too long...


    He nods. "Well, I am d you didn''t waste it in a heartbeat like some lottery


    winners do."


    I snort. Yup. Plus, Mr M miller is a pretty sessful businessman... so I am taking his advice too..."


    I spent some time with Isha working on proposals. I think I can safely say that


    Isha likes me. I showed some ns to Miles, and he was impressed. Although he added I should diversify so I don''t lose everything if one investment goes


    bad.


    We spend the rest of dinner talking about investing and what Jake and Lena n to do with their money. am mostly leaving them in charge of the musicpany. They have helped me from the start. I am confident they can handle it pretty well.


    By the time we finish eating, it''s already prettyte, and I''m feeling tired. I say


    goodbye to Jake and head back to my apartment.


    Fuck, I need to start packing tomorrow. And donate the stuff I don''t want to keep


    or can take to California.


    As I reach for the doorknob, my phone rings, and I''m momentarily distracted.


    17:25


    After Sleeping with My Childhood thi


    "Jane?"


    "Oh yes! The Pet." Sheughs.


    "Hey How are you doing?"


    "I am good. I just got an email that your master has dyed the auction again.


    What the fuck, Girl?"


    I bite my lips.


    "I-fuck, I dont know," Iugh nervously. "Are people pissed about it?"


    "Oh well, I know they are gonna inte the price so much."


    I facepalm myself.


    "What can I say... when I opted for auction I hadn''t realized that M will... I mean,


    he will be my boysister."


    She hums. "I can sense he will cor you soon."


    I lean on the kitchen counter in the darkroom and smile.


    At first I felt the cor sounded too odd. too degrading. But now I have understood


    it''s just a term people prefer to


    show their submission.


    "Well, I''m excited for that too..."


    We talk about random stuff, and I eventually cut the call.


    That''s when I realize the apartment is too quiet. There''s a feeling of unease in the


    air. I nce around.


    Maybe I am too tired. I think to myself and walk towards my bedroom.


    A shiver passes down my spine when I see the curtains are drawn, even though I


    always leave them open. And there''s a strange smell in the air, like something burning.


    That''s when I notice the broken ss on the floor.


    My heart races. I turn around and try to run back out the door, but it''s already too


    A pair of hands grabs me and throws me on the floor. My head hits the bed and everything goes fuzzy.


    "Fucking whore," I hear his low and menacing voice.


    I freeze, my mind going nk with fear and pain. I don''t know what to do, how to


    get out of this situation.


    "What the fuck is this all about, Ethan?" I ask in a shivering voice as I press my


    head with my palm.


    He doesn''t answer.


    My heart pounds as I see him wear a mask on his face. Then he takes out a spray


    bottle and I try to crawl away from


    17:25


    After Sleeping with My Childhood Prince, I Kicked Him Out from My World


    89.5%


    him.


    And that''s when everything goes ck.


    17.28


    After Sleeping with My Childhood Prince, I Kicked Him Out from My World


    89.7%