Chapter 22

Chapter 22

When I was finished, I carried the bowls over to Andrew and Dalia's seats. Dalia was supported by

Andrew's leg.

I handed Dalia and Andrews bowls, and when Andrew reached for his bowl, his hand lightly touched

mine. The shock of Andrew's touch nearly caused me to drop the bowl. I could feel his gaze on me,

but I didn't dare to look at him. I set the bowl down and sat down to eat my breakfast.

I had suddenly lost my appetite and refrigerated my bowl for later.

I sat down and watched Dalia devour her breakfast. I took her bowl and washed it after she was

finished.

"All right, Princess, let's get ready so we can see your Mom." I said

I took her hand in mine and led her to her room. I removed her nightgown and changed her into

shorts and a green t-shirt. I put on some tennis shoes and pulled her hair up into two pigtails.

"Come on, let's go downstairs, I'm sure your brother is waiting for us." I said

She looked at me and nodded, clearly excited to see her mother. I took her hand in mine and led

her down the stairs. When I looked down, I noticed Andrew waiting for us at the bottom of the

stairs.

He appeared tired, with bags under his eyes and unkempt hair. Even though he appeared

exhausted, he was stunning.

When he turned to face us, I quickly averted my gaze. I had never been afraid to look him in the

eyes before, but I was terrified this time. I was afraid to look into his eyes, afraid of what I would

discover.

Dalia let go of my hand and dashed over to Andrew. He picked her up and walked out of the door. I

followed him, and we began walking towards his car. He opened the passenger door and placed

Dalia in her car seat.

I stood there, unsure of what to do.

He looked at me after he finished with Dalia. "Kitten, come on in." He stated. He sounded defeated

and helpless. For a split second, I hoped it wasn't because of me, I wanted to believe what he said

yesterday , but I needed to keep my wall up.

I was afraid of getting hurt if I let guards down for Andrew. I wasn't prepared for that kind of agony.

I sat in the backseat next to Dalia because I didn't want to sit next to Andrew. He got into the car

and started it. "Are you all buckled up, Dalia?" He inquired. "Of course, let's go." She exclaimed with

glee.

I watched as he drove through the streets of New York towards the hospital, all the tall buildings

passing us by. We arrived at the hospital, Andrew parked in the lot, and we all got out of the car.

Dalia dashed into the hospital, Andrew and I followed behind.

"Can I see my mommy, please?" Dalia rushed up to the receptionist. She inquired. "No, hun," the

receptionist said, clearly irritated. "I am Andrew Jayson, and I have come to see my mother,” Andrew

said as we approached Dalia. When she saw him, she changed her entire attitude. "Of course, Mr.

Jayson, I will personally guide you." She stated.

"No, just give me the room number." Knowing the effect he had on her, he said.

Her face fell and she tried to seduce him again or something; I don't know how she looked so

stupid trying to catch his attention when he clearly wasn't interested.

"U-uh, Mr. Jayson, I can show you personally.” She stated.

"For God's sake, lady, just tell me the room number; I'm not in the mood." Andrew stated.

"Of course, it's room number 14." She expressed her disappointment.

"Fine." Andrew responded angrily.

I was already aware of the location of the room, but I remained behind Dalia and Andrew. When we

arrived at Veronica's room, Dalia dashed inside. Dalia jumped up and down, excited to see her

mother, and Andrew walked in calmly, relieved to see his mother was still alive.

I stood outside the room, aware that it was a family occasion and that the only reason I was there

was in case Dalia needed to leave.

I quickly peered inside the room for Emily, but she was nowhere to be found; I assumed she had

taken a bus to the house and was already cleaning.

I stood in the corridor, trying to distract myself. I despised hospitals because, aside from yesterday,

the only time I had been in one was with Sylvester.

Sylvester only took me to the hospital once, despite the fact that I needed to go every time he

touched me.

When I was there 5 years ago, I made an unsuccessful attempt to flee.

I was desperate to leave, so I devised a strategy. Sylvester always had a gun on him, usually around

his waist. I was determined to get it and then shoot him to get away.

All of the club's guests and dancers left one day, leaving only me and Sylvester; I was the only girl

he kept in the basement. It was the ideal day to flee, so I tried to entice Sylvester into sleeping with

me so that I could grab the gun and shoot him.

I succeeded in seducing him and obtaining the gun, but when he realized what I had done, he

grabbed the gun from my grasp before I could pull the trigger. He pushed me to the ground and

kicked me so hard that I almost passed out.

When he finally came to a halt, he noticed that I was barely breathing and took me to the hospital.

He pretended to be my husband and that I had been in a car accident. The doctors all asked if he

was the one who did this to me, and I told them he wasn't because he would have shot me if I did.

I had three broken ribs and a punctured lung, according to the doctors. They operated on me and

told me I needed to rest for two months.

Sylvester drove me home and gave me two days before I had to return to work.

I tried to forget what he had done to me by observing the people in the hospital; nurses were

rushing in and out of patients’ rooms, and doctors were working hard to save lives. It appeared

chaotic and disorganized to others, but it was calming to me. I felt safe because I knew no one

would notice me because everyone was in their own little bubble.

"May I speak with you?" a voice said behind me.

I could sense his presence, smell him, and hear his breath.

"What could you possibly want to discuss?" I said

"Don't worry, kitten; I'll do the taking; all you have to do is listen." He stated firmly.

When I turned to face him, his eyes were already locked on mine, and I was unsure what to expect

next. I sensed conflict in him.

"I know Andrew, the one who demands anything and expects everyone to comply.” I responded.

"Why must you make everything so damn difficult?" He said while raising his voice.

"Me? For Christ's sake, Andrew, I make everything difficult. You are the one who judges and insults

people whenever you feel like it, and then when they prove you wrong, you get drunk and pretend

to admit your feelings because you feel guilty.” I screamed.

"For God's sake, Ava, I just need you to fucking listen to me. You're going to listen to me one way or

another, the difficult or easy way.” He grumbled.

"Really? You're so fucking annoying now that you're making threats.” I rolled my eyes as I walked

away from him.

He swung my wrist around and pinned me to the wall. "It's a difficult way to go." He stated.

My heartbeat quickened because he was so close to me, his body on mine and his face only a few

inches away.

"Now, as I previously stated, I meant everything I said yesterday. I am furious with you because you

make me feel emotions I have never felt before. I know I messed up and judged you too quickly, but

I truly apologize. I am afraid of what you do to me; when we kissed, I felt what I had never felt

before with any other girl. I tried and tried to avoid you, but I can't, so I've decided not to resist any

longer." He said looking me in the eyes.

I looked into his eyes, looking for anything that indicated he was lying, but all I saw was the truth.

"I don't know what you want me to say, Andrew.” I responded

"Tell me you're going to give me another chance.” He stated

"What changed Andrew, why do you no longer despise me?" I inquired.

"When you told me I was wrong about you, it was the first time I'd ever been wrong about anyone.”

I thought I knew you inside and out, but you continue to prove me wrong." Andrew responded.

"Andr-"