𝟎𝟑 | 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 hope

"Nothing makes a room feel emptier than wanting someone in it" —Calla Quinn

AVELINA PASSED BY the receptionist who gleamed at the familiar woman. Avelina had been residing in Miss Paola's hotel for many months.

As she went on her path to the elevator, she began to wonder just how long Adrik had been pretending to love her. From the way he held her to the way he spoke to her, it was all fake. He had been pretending so he could take advantage of every bit of kindness she had. Like a sponge, he soaked up all of her firsts, smirking, knowing that he didn't deserve them.

She was mostly angry with herself for always being so blinded by a sweet smile, and never wondering the true intentions lying behind it. She once credited herself for intelligence, but as of now, she was foolish.

As the elevator had ridden up, she noted Jones, the elevator operator, wasn't there. A frown overtook her features. He always made sure to lighten up her dull mood and give her all the best advice he had on taking care of a baby seeing as he raised his two daughters practically on his own.

She clicked the highest floor and leaned back on the railing as the elevator climbed up the levels.

Avelina swiveled to gaze out at the view. Adrik never seemed to leave her mind. Even after he told her he didn't want to be with her anymore, she fell into a deep depression, never leaving bed unless she had to. Disbelief and denial became her buddies as they lied beside her and held her close.

After all of that sadness, Avelina still thought of him every second of the day. Suddenly, everything reminded her of the silver-eyed man she fell in love with. It didn't help that his baby was growing in her belly, kicking for its father.

The elevator doors pulled a part. Avelina walked out, removing the bag from her stomach. She walked over to Miss Paola's door where she softly knocked.

In seconds the door was pulled open and was left abandoned by Miss Paola. Avelina walked into the room, noticing the older woman who stood with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Well, tell me, how did it go? Is my grandbaby okay?" Miss Paola urged, tapping her foot impatiently against the floor.

Avelina sat her bag down on the ground, nodding her head just as the random waterworks came. It had been a long, exhausting day. Adrik was more present than he ever been in her thoughts. She couldn't handle it anymore.

A loud sob ripped out of her as she placed her hands over her face. Miss Paola rushed over to the girl, holding her in a light grip.

"That Russian really did a number on you, didn't he?" Miss Paola questioned, rubbing Avelina's back gently. She was careful not to apply any pressure to Avelina's baby bump.

"I miss him, Miss Paola, I miss him so much!" she sobbed. "How am I going to do this by myself especially when Dr. Fitzgerald just told me that the baby has an eighty-percent chance of being autistic. Adrik knows everything; I just know he would've been the most perfect dad."

Avelina wanted to blame her pregnancy hormones for her behavior, but deep down, she knew it was how she truly felt. After talking to Lucia, she was suddenly swimming through the memories of Adrik and couldn't handle them. It was too much.

"I know, honey. This may be the last thing you want to hear, but have you tried telling him again?" she asked once Avelina stopped crying.

Avelina gently pulled away from the hug before heading over to the sofa where she sat down and held her baby bump. Her feet were beginning to kill her and she couldn't handle walking for a second longer than she desired.

"I've thought about that, but every time I get close to doing it, I always think back to the last time I saw him. He was so cold to me. He looked at me in the same way he looked at everyone else, and it still hurts. It hurts even more now that I know he used me to get to my brother. Adrik doesn't want this baby, he doesn't even want me," she sighed.

Miss Paola's shoulders fell. She walked over to Avelina and sat beside her on the couch.

"Well, maybe if you just walked into his office, straddled that dick like a horse, and rode until the sun came up, he'd change his mind. I think he misses you. He'd be an idiot not to, and based on what you told me, it seems like he really liked you and wasn't using you at all." Miss Paola shrugged. "I always tell myself... any rich guy that doesn't wrap his dick, or buy you a plan b after finishing off inside of you obviously wants to marry you, or pay hundreds of thousands in child support—one or the other."

Avelina yearned to laugh, but she wasn't up to it. She leaned back in the couch, her body sinking deeper into the cushions by the second.

"None of this makes sense. It happened so fast, you know? He was in love with me and the next second, he hated me. Was all of it fake? The lies he told and the smiles he gave—was it all just pretend?" Avelina questioned. She looked down at her nails that were chipping away as her eyes began to blur with tears again. "Why would he do this to me? I just don't understand," she cried.

"I think before the baby is born, you need to have a conversation with Adrik. You have been crying every single day, Avelina, when you used to be the happiest girl I knew. What you need is closure, and not just for you, but for the baby, too," Miss Paola advised.

Avelina couldn't fathom seeing Adrik again. She didn't want to see the disgust in his eyes and the hatred in his bones. She didn't believe that she was mentally and emotionally stable enough to be rejected by him again.

"Also, I know this probably isn't the best time, but HomeCare called. They got a new owner, and he wants to speak with you. I don't..." Miss Paola sighed. "I don't think it's good."

"Why don't think it's good?" Avelina asked, hoping her license wouldn't be terminated. If word got out about Adrik, her former patient, knocking her up, her life would be over forever. No one would dare hire her anywhere.

"He said he wanted to speak to you about Adrik, and, well, your pregnancy." Miss Paola grimaced.

Her heart dropped to her stomach. The new owner was aware of Adrik, and the baby on the way.

"Did he say anything else?" Avelina questioned.

Miss Paola shook her head. "I threatened him with my lawyers if he tried to mess with you. No one messes with my Avelina."

Avelina smiled. She was appreciative to have someone. Avelina was sure that she wouldn't had been able to do all of it on her own. She didn't know how many times Miss Paola had to get her out of bed and force her to eat. It was Miss Paola that made sure she took her medication to keep the baby healthy. It had always been Miss Paola who was there for her when she needed it most.

"Thank you. I don't know what I would do without you," she said.

"Shush. You annoy me and once that baby pops out, you better start shaking your ass on a pole for some cash so you can pay me for all the shit I've done for you!" Miss Paola grumbled as she began walking into the kitchen. "Now, call that owner back so we can figure out what we're going to do!"

Avelina shook her head, her smile never leaving her face.

"Yes, ma'am."

—

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It's another short chapter, but I promised you guys quick updates so here I am delivering on that promise. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter of mend! I know a lot of you want to see Adrik, but I promise it'll come... be patient lmao. I was going to update earlier but I ended up going to the dentist, so here I am now... updating.

Also, I announced that I am revamping the published version of "care." It's going to have even more extra scenes, but the plot won't change at all. So if any of you want to read the new and improved version, I'll announce when you can purchase!

Question: who's your favorite character out of care/mend?

See you all next update! Love ya!

Thank you for reading!

—A. Marie

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