Chapter 864 What Do You Mean?
Catherine and Audrey arrived back at the apartment to find Triston waiting at the door, evidently exhausted.
Audrey instinctively wanted to bolt, but then she realized Catherine was by her side, and suddenly Audrey found her backbone. Instead of running away, she followed Catherine into the building.
As they approached, Triston lit up. â Audrey, youâre back,â he said hopefully.
Audrey glanced at him, then quickly turned to follow Catherine inside. Triston hurried after them, but Audrey shot him a warning look. âDonât even think about it. Kathy is right here, and sheâll knock you out if you try anything.
Triston looked at Audrey with pleading eyes.
Catherine couldnât help but chuckle at Audreyrâs bravado. She turned to Audrey and said coolly, â Escape is not an option. Better to talk things out.â With that, Catherine walked inside, deliberately leaving the door ajar for Audrey to make a choice.
Silenced by Catherineâs words, Audrey stood there, conflicted. Triston made a move to reach for her hand, but she reflexively snapped it away, throwing him into confusion and hurt.
âI messed up. Punish me if you want, but please donât avoid me. Iâll take any punishment if itâll make you feel better, âTriston pleaded, his voice filled with remorse.
Audrey sighed deeply.
Once inside, Catherine received a call from Branden. Audreyâs arrival had been so sudden that Catherine forgot to tell him she didnât need a ride. âIâm at Audreyâs,â she informed him.
Brandenâs voice came through the phone, tinged with resignation. âAgain?
âIs that a problem?â Catherine teased.
âNot at all.â Branden quickly surrendered. He couldnât very well object to Catherine visiting Audrey, though, he felt a bit lonely without her.
âTriston is here too, chatting with Audrey at the door.â Catherine shared.
Hearing that, Branden snorted. âThe lovesick fool is at it again?â
âWho knows?â Catherineâs voice was icy with sarcasm.
âWell, I might as well come along for the ride. If Triston is willing to leave, Iâll see him out,â said Branden.
âWhatever,â Catherine replied nonchalantly before ending the call.
Catherine didnât need to guess Brandenâs little scheme. She knew he was just looking for an excuse to drop by Audreyâs and see her. âWhat a cheek, â she said inwardly.
Audrey came inside before Branden could arrive. As she entered, her eyes reddened. Without being asked, Audrey quickly explained, âGot something in my eye.â
Catherine leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, silently observing Audrey. She understood Audreyâs pain as they were two very different people. To Catherine, if one likes someone, stay together; if not, split up. If she were in Audreyâs shoes, thereâd be no chance with Triston. Unfortunately, she wasnât Audrey and couldnât make decisions in her love life.
After a long struggle, Audrey finally turned to Catherine. âKathy, do you think I should forgive Triston?â
âThatâs up to you,â Catherine responded, her words not offering guidance, but Audrey was accustomed to her straightforward nature and wasnât expecting any surprises.
âIâm going to rest!â Audrey said, dragging her weary body back to the room.
The moment the bedroom door closed, Catherineâs phone buzzed with a message from Branden-he had arrived.
At this point, Triston was still at the door, so Catherine updated him on Audreyâs situation.
Then Catherine received a message from Branden, reading, [Babe, can I take Triston out for a drink?]
Catherine couldnât help but laugh at Brandenâs antics. She quickly typed a response, which read, [Granted.]
Back in her room, Audrey received a call from an unfamiliar number. Since only Catherine and Kim knew her new number, she answered without hesitation, expecting Kim.
âKim?â Audreyhe inquired.
âItâs me!â The voice of Brian came through the receiver, instantly causing Audrey to bristle with fury.
âBrian, when are you gonna give it up? Wasnât I clear enough before? Donât you think itâs crossing the line to get my number like this?â Audrey snapped.
âAud, donât be mad. I just want to show you something. Not in a weird way.â Brian tried to soothe.
âNot interested!â Audrey angrily hung up.
Right after the call ended, a text notification chimed. Audrey had no intention of accepting his advances, but she couldnât help but wonder what Brian had sent her. After some hesitation, she opened the message. Her eyes widened in shock at the image before her. It was an unbelievable photo of Catherine.
Audrey immediately called back, but Brian didnât answer. It was as if Brian was deliberately ignoring her. Out of options, she dialed again.
This time the call connected, and Audrey couldnât contain her fury any longer. âBrian, are you insane? Why didnât you answer my calls?â
Brianâs voice was unnervingly calm. â Sorry, I thought youâd never call again. I was wallowing in sorrow and didnât hear the ring.â
Even if Audrey wasnât the sharpest tool in the shed, she saw through Brianâs malice. But she had more pressing matters to address.
âWhere did you get these photos? What are you after?â Audrey demanded.
âAudrey, why would you talk to me like that? I have no ulterior motives. I just admire you,â Brian claimed with hypocritical generosity, which made Audrey feel sick.
Audrey didnât buy his words for a second. If Brian had managed to get these photos to her, he must have had a reason.
Brianâs silence on the other end fueled her anger. âEnough, Brian. Suck away the tender part and spill your real intentions,â Audrey pressed.
âDonât test my patience,â Audrey warned fiercely. âSpit it out!â