The CEO Gets What He Wants
Chapter 154
Standing outside the entertainment center, Cayden gave Avery a call. “I'm at the entrance. You'll see me when you come out.”
“All right, I'm going over right away.”
After ending the call, Avery changed her attire before hurrying out.
A black Land Rover was parked outside the entertainment center in the most conspicuous spot.
“Get in.”
With one hand slipping naturally around her waist, Cayden opened the car door with the other. In fact, when he was ushering her into the car, he even placed his hand over her head discreetly for fear that she would hit her head.
Upon settling into the front passenger seat, Avery buckled herself in.
Coincidentally, Cayden had finished his cigarette right after closing the door. Narrowing his eyes, he went to the garbage bin at the entrance to stub out his cigarette before returning to the car.
Avery felt the initial urge to tell him to stop smoking but was worried about angering him.
Sensing his lack of anxiety, she couldn't help but speculate that Rory's eyes were probably fine.
Or else, he, as the father, wouldn't be taking his own sweet time.
The journey from the city center to Grover and Lindsay's mansion in the outskirts would take at least an hour and a half if there weren't any traffic.
As Cayden concentrated on driving, he remained quiet throughout.
Avery added to the silence in the car by not daring to say anything.
While waiting at a traffic light, the silence was broken by the constant ringing of a phone.
When Avery scrambled to check it, she saw that it was from Brodie.
Their relationship was the only common topic between both of them. Other than their inevitable breakup, there was nothing else to talk about.
When she was in the subway, she had already answered Brodie's mother's call.
Thus, she had no intention to answer and ended the call accordingly.
After half a minute of silence, Brodie called again.
However, Avery rejected it just like before.
Nevertheless, Brodie kept calling relentlessly, as if he had something urgent to tell her.
Avery didn't dare turn off her phone because she was worried that Blake or Leonardo would call.
When the traffic light turned green, Cayden continued to drive.
At the same time, he gave her the side-eye and inquired in a deep voice, “Why don't you dare answer it in front of me?”
“It has nothing to do with you. I just don't feel like picking up.” Just as she spoke, Avery pressed the answer button.
As the bright street lamps illuminated the night, merry-makers filled the streets. Their arms were wrapped around each other's shoulders, while vibrant smiles were plastered across their faces.
Unfortunately, Avery wasn't the kind that enjoyed having fun.
In fact, she couldn't even remember when in the last twenty-four years of her life she had laughed joyously.
“Hello,” Avery answered.
“Why didn't you pick up the calls?” Brodie's voice was soft. “Has my mom called you?”
“Yes, in the morning,” Avery replied.
“I'm sorry.” After keeping mum for more than ten seconds, he added, “I don't know if my mom has said anything to humiliate you. If she did, I would like to apologize on her behalf.”
Leaning against the window, Avery hung her head. “It's all right. There's no need for apologies.” As she wasn't a saint, she was naturally infuriated and stumped by Brodie's mother's words.
Nonetheless, her priority now was to draw a line in their relationship and end the call as soon as possible.
“Avery, I'm willing to believe that you're a good girl. Also, I trust that you have no intention of swindling me too. I-It's just that things between us...” Brodie struggled to find the words. A long pause later, he confessed, “My money doesn't come easy. Also, there are just too many girls out there who are scammers. Thus, I... I can't help but be on my guard.”
Avery smirked when Brodie mentioned the word “swindling” and the fact that “his money didn't come easy.”
In that case, Brodie, just like his mom, thinks that I'm just looking for a meal ticket. He assumes that I plan to leech on my boyfriend or future husband together with my sick dad and elderly grandpa. The only difference is that he has tactfully put across his point without insulting me.
“I understand. Goodbye.” Avery was cognizant that there was nothing she could say that would be of any use.
Instead, she might end up looking defensive and making the situation worse.
Therefore, it was just better not to explain.
After ending the call, Avery leaned her head against the window. With her eyes closed, she tried hard to imagine Rory's and Zachary's cute faces, wanting to find the light within the darkness.
Even though life had been cruel and taken a lot from her, she was gifted a pair of twins that fateful day.
Why should I continue complaining? This is something I should feel joyous about. I shouldn't care about how others see me. All that matters is that I work hard and take care of Dad, Grandpa, and the two children.
After drilling the idea into herself, she noticed that her mood had lightened up.
At the same time, she found a renewed zest for life.