Chapter 21

Chapter 21

I changed into a tank top and sweatpants when I heard my phone ringing. When I picked up my

phone, I noticed an unfamiliar number. I replied after hearing Emily on the other end of the line.

"Ava, dear," she said, terrified.

I became concerned; had Andrew left again? Was Dalia all right? "Is everything all right, Emily?" I

inquired.

"No, Ms. Jayson is hospitalized.” Emily stated

"Oh my God, is she all right?" "What happened?" I asked.

"It's fine right now, but Andrew isn't answering his phone, and someone needs to keep an eye on

Dalia.” She responded

"Of course, I'll be right over; where are you?" I inquired.

"Lexon Hill Hospital,” she explained.

"All right, I'll be right over there; everything will be fine." Assuring her, I said.

I hung up the phone and changed into jeans and a sweatshirt. I flagged down a taxi and waited

impatiently for us to arrive at the hospital. I threw some bills at the driver and dashed into the

hospital.

I approached a woman working behind a desk.

"Please excuse me, I'm here to see Ms. Jayson." I said

"Go through that hallway and take the third door on the right.” She said without even looking up at

me.

"Thank you,” I said.

I entered the hallway and proceeded to the room. When I opened the door, I found Veronica

hooked up to four machines, her body tangled in tubes. Her blonde hair was almost white, and the

color had faded from her lips and skin. I would have assumed she was dead if it hadn't been for the

heart monitor's constant beeping

"Darling, Ava.” Emily said softly

Emily was sitting next to Veronica on a chair, with Dalia sleeping on her lap.

"Is she going to be okay?" I asked

"She had a heart attack, and the doctors said she would be fine if she survived the next 48 hours.”

Emily stated. "All I need is for you to take Dalia home."

"I don't own a car." I responded

"I drove here, the keys are here, and Dalia's booster seat is in the back." She said as she took her

keys from her purse. "What about Andrew? Where has he gone?" I inquired.

"He's not picking up the phone." Emily responded. I nodded and carried Dalia from Emily's lap.

"I'll get her safely home, Emily.” I gave her my assurance.

"I appreciate it, darling.” She responded

I helped Dalia into her car and drove her home. When we got home, I carried her to her bed and

tucked her in.

I went downstairs after finding a blanket in Dalia's room. I sat on the couch and wrapped the

blanket around myself. My eyelids became heavy as soon as I adjusted myself, and I fell asleep

immediately.

"BOOM"

I snapped awake.

"What in the world was that?" I said

When I noticed the front door was wide open, I got up from the couch and walked over to where a

tall man was stumbling into the house.

"Andrew?" I asked, hoping it was him.

"K-kitten," he said, his words slurred.

He was stumbling towards me, holding onto the door for support. Even though he was only a few

feet away, I could smell the strong odor of whiskey on him.

"Andrew, are you drunk?" I was irritated because his mother was in the hospital and he was drunk.

"Aren't you glad to see me, kitten?" he stated

He began walking over to me, tripping over his own feet almost every step.

"What the fuck, Andrew?" "Why are you so drunk?" I was irritated, I said.

He approached me and stopped when he was only a few inches away. He smelled like whisky, but

there was a hint of clover in there somewhere, and it was addictive.

His eyes were droopy, but I could still see his sparkling emerald eyes; his hair was unkempt, as if he

had run his hand through it too many times.

"Kitten, I truly apologize.” I looked into his eyes when he said it, and I saw regret and sincerity.

When he touched my hand, I flinched, but I let him take it. "You can touch me all you want if it

means I can kiss you again,” he said as he brought both of my hands to his chest.

I was stunned and knew I couldn't believe him. He was drunk, but when I looked into his eyes, I saw

regret and sincerity.

"Andr-" I began.

"Please don't kitten, I'm sorry, but you make me feel emotions I've never felt before.” I was terrified,

but now I know what I want. it's you I want I, kitten.” He stated.

Andrew had just admitted to me that he felt something other than anger. I was ready to see the

good in him and believe him after he apologized. I wanted to let him into my life because he made

me feel so many emotions.

I wanted to admit I had feelings for him that weren't hateful, but then I remembered how selfish and

vulgar he was. And in the blink of an eye, my heart broke; he was doing this for himself, despite

everything he said.

"No, Andrew, you're saying this out of guilt.” You don't care about me, and you've made it

abundantly clear by how much you scream and insult me." I said, removing my hand from his grasp

"Ava ple-" Andrew began.

"Don't say what you are about to say. You did this because you saw how much you messed up and

didn't want everything you did to me to haunt you, so you came here and apologized for you, not

for me. "I hissed loudly.

"I mean everything," Andrew responded.

"No, don't do it." AGAIN, you were out drinking and only thinking about yourself. While your

mother is hospitalized. I had to go get Dalia because you were drunk and couldn't answer the

phone.” I said.

When he heard what I said, his eyes widened and all the alcohol he had consumed had no effect on

him. His eyes were filled with worry, and he took a step back from me.

"You're not driving anywhere tonight like that, as much as I hate you, Dalia doesn't need both of her

family members in the hospital.” I said as I made my way back to the couch.

"Oh, Dalia and I are going to see your mother in the morning; you are welcome to join if you can

keep your fucking mouth shut and be selfless for once in your life.” I spat.

I sat back down on the couch, and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Andrew standing by the

front door. I tried to sleep, but my mind wouldn't let me, it kept returning to what Andrew had said.

My mind was racing with questions like, "Did he mean it?" Did he truly desire me? Did he feel what I

felt when we kissed? Should I give him a second chance?

I was tempted to give him another chance, but would he just break me again?

The next morning, I awoke to Dalia jumping on top of me

"Ava!" She screamed and jumped up and down.

"Hello, Princess.” I was barely able to open my eyes, I explained.

"I miss my mother; can we go to the hospital right now?" She inquired

"Princess, we need to get dressed and eat breakfast before we leave." I responded

"But Ava, I really miss Hew." She screamed.

I sat up, picked her up, and placed her on the ground. "I know, honey, but you want your mom to

see how pretty you are, right?" I said

"Il guess, but can we go quickly?" she asked as she began walking towards the kitchen.

"I'll do anything for you, Princess." I followed her into the kitchen.

As I entered the kitchen, I noticed Andrew sitting on the stool, his head resting on the kitchen

island. Even while sleeping, he appeared frustrated and angry, and I watched his chest rise and fall. I

despised him, but watching him sleep was soothing.

"Andreweee!" Dalia screamed as she approached him to wake him up.

When she screamed, he sat up, wide awake. He winced and immediately put his hand to his head.

"Hello, little one.” He was clearly in pain, he said.

I exited the kitchen and went to the medicine cabinet, where I obtained two Advils. I returned to the

kitchen, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water.

I went over to where he was sitting and placed the pills in front of him, as well as the glass of water.

I never made eye contact with him, I didn't want to know if he remembered what he'd said to me . I

wanted to look at him and see if he meant what he said to me the day before, but I knew if I didn't

find what I was looking for, I'd be hurt again.

I went to the refrigerator and took out three containers of yogurt and some berries. While Dalia and

Andrew talked, I made some yogurt with sliced berries. I drowned them both out, preoccupied with

what I was going to do about Andrew.