Chapter one
Avery's pov
I stand at the full-length mirror in my room, staring at the woman I've become. It's my twenty-fifth birthday today. I couldn't help but wonder at how much I've grown, what I've achieved, and things that were still unsettled.
One of them is the fact that I'm still very much single, although I've had a couple of boyfriends before, none of them lasted more than a year. And it was merely for the fun it. Most of the time it was the sex for me, that was of course after my heart got broken by the first guy I ever loved.
*Flashback*
I pick my blazer from the cloth rack in my office and make my way to the parking lot. I begin to rummage through my bag in search of my car keys.
"Shit" I mutter as I realize I forgot to collect it from soph, who borrowed my car to go change her clothes that were stained from her sudden period after she refused to use the staff bathroom.
I'm jogging back to her office to retrieve my keys when I catch a glimpse of her red hair.
"Soph" I called and she turns.
"There you are, I was going to return your keys" she answers.
"And I'm coming to collect them," I say back at her.
" Where are you off to?" she asks eyes scanning me.
" Max's.., it's his birthday" I answer proudly
" Oh shit..., I forgot. Wish a happy birthday to him for me" she said cheeringly.
" I'm sure you have his number?" I ask her.
"that I do.., but" I cut her off before she completes her sentence.
"Whatever.., I've got to go, see you, tomorrow babes. I say.
" Oh wow.., you will be spending the night over? She asks me.
"Yeah, I will just send my dad a text that I'd be crashing at your place"
"Argh, I see what you are trying to do," she says in a whisper, stroking her chin.
"you know how much I'm obsessed with him," I say smiling.
"Of course I do" she answers smiling.
"Yeah, and I better start going before it gets too late," I say brushing my hair with my fingers.
"Don't forget to wish him a happy birthday for me" she calls to my retreating back.
Looking back cast her a smile and continue to walk to the car park.
I entered my car and drive to Max's apartment. The find his living room empty as I enter his apartment and begin making my way to his bedroom.
I reach his bedroom and the door is slightly open, I poke my head inside to skim the room, however, I feel my breath hitch in my throat at the sight before me.
"Max" I yell, as my eye lands on him in bed with another girl.
"What the fuck" he barks and scurries to my side.
"I am sorry Ave.., I can explain," he says panicking
"I'm sorry too.., it's over," I say and dash out of his house.
I hear him calling after me but I didn't as much as turn my back or reply to him
*End of flashback*
Staring at myself, I realized I've had enough fun it's time to be serious with myself. I'm doing well at my job, work is no problem for me, the only place I have a problem is with guys.
The one-man I'd truly loved cheated on me with his colleague, and ever since I couldn't for the life of me, get into another relationship. I tried to heal my heart and ease the pain through work and it did the magic. But sometimes it all comes back. The pain and trauma.
My mother died of cancer when I was eight and ever since it has me and my Dad until he remarried three years after her death and begot another daughter, Kiara. My stepfamily loathes me for reasons unknown to me, all attempt to make them like me was useless so I let everything be.
I eventually leave the mirror and walk to my bathroom to take my shower. The fresh cold water flows down my body, deliciously taking all my stress down with it. I take my strawberry-scented hair wash from its rack and pour a good amount into my palm and massage it on my scalp, a moan of satisfaction leaves my mouth as I do so. My body immediately relaxes and I begin to hum my favorite song along.
After I'm done with my hair, I return the hair wash back to its position and pick the cinnamon-scented body wash lotion and begin washing my body.
I made sure to mentally wash all my past worries, pains, and losses along. It's a new year for me and I'm not going to continue living my life the same way I did in the past.
I'm done being pushed about playing the nice stepdaughter role and taking reckless abusive comments from my colleagues at work.
I'm done being the only person trying to ensure the boat keeps sailing. It's time to help myself and improve my life.
Thirty solid minutes later I pulled the knob in my shower and turn it off, my body immediately registers the absence of the water.
Once I get out of the shower, I grab a towel and dry my body with it, before covering my nude with my white robe.
I walk inside my walk-in closet unsure of what to wear, as I continue to roam, my eyes rest on an emerald green thigh-length dress, that I haven't worn since I bought it, that has a deep v line cut in both the front and the back. I collect the gown and lined it on the cream-colored couch at the center of the closet.
I then begin my search for shoes, jewelry, and clutch to go with. I decide to go for the total classic look. I pick a pair of silver six inches heels, a gold-colored bracelet, and wristwatch, and a matching set of quartz emerald green earrings with the necklace.
"This should do," I say after assembling all of the accessories on the couch. still dressed in my robe, I take a sit in front of the half-length mirror in the closet and start doing my makeup.
I apply a thin layer of beauty lord face primer on my face before going for foundation and concealer. When I'm satisfied with my face I start with my eyes and did a soft smokey cut crease eyeshadow look on them and apply mascara on my lashes.
For my lips, I apply a deep shade of red blue- fairy lipstick, forming an exaggerated Cupid's bow outline on my natural perfectly proportioned full lips.
"Oh. my. goodness," I say as I stare wide eyes at myself. I take off the robe and wear my gown and jewelry and go back to my bedroom.
I hear a knock on my door and I go to open it.
"Blessed mother of God," my Dad says making the sign of the cross the moment he sees my face.
"You look stunning angel"
"Thank you Dad"
"I'm sure Your mother will be so happy and proud of the person you've become. He says entering my bedroom.
"She's proud of us Dad," I say emphasizing the word "us"
"Happy birthday princess", he cooed and place my birthday present on the bed, and opens his arms wide for me to hug him. as I begin to pull from the hug, fearing what I know he'd do next he pulled me back in and rain kisses on my face, a birthday ritual for both of us.
"Ewwwwww, come on Dad, I'm a big girl now. I don't want you treating me like a kid anymore" I said laughing, unable to hide my joy.
"You, my darling will always be my little princess no matter how old you get."
"You are still my princess Even after you get married and have children running around your home," he says smiling.
' I know Dad, but look, you ruined my make-up." I say faking pained.
"My dear I'm sorry for ruining your makeup. But just a friendly reminder, you don't need any make-up to look beautiful. If anything, it makes you look less pretty."
"Aww, thanks so much for the confidence booster, Dad."
" Always and forever darling" he replies.
" I think she's too old for the pampering, love, and cares you're showing her. isn't she like twenty-five? Doesn't it get old and boring?
My step mum Miranda spoke from outside my bedroom.
"No it doesn't get boring," I say rolling my eyes at her. I'm so done with the way she treated me in the past.
"Whatever, you just make it seem like you are still a kid, and being extra dependent on your Dad makes you less mature," she says rolling her eyes too.
" What are you even doing here by the way," I ask her to change the topic. I don't want to exchange words with her in the presence of my Dad, despite everything she is still his wife.
"I'm here to inform you breakfast is ready ." She says flashing me what must be the fakest smile I've ever seen.
"And since did you start caring if I have breakfast or not"
" Since it's your birthday...., Lest I forget happy birthday A-V-E-R-Y, she calls from outside and without waiting for my reply I hear her retracting footsteps.
"Let's go eat breakfast," my dad says pulling my hand.
"I'll have to pass Dad"
"There's no way you're going to work without having breakfast on your birthday. Now come along " he says.
" Dad there's no way I'll let anything with scrub and oil pass through this lips..., What if it ruins my makeup and I say and pout my lips.
"Then so be it"
"What? No Dad it took me ten whole minutes to finish this look" I say looking unbelievably at him.
" Aaaaaaaarh" he groans.
" No worries Dad.., I promise to have an early lunch," I say hoping to lighten his mood.
" Sounds good.., but at least have some coffee before you go...., will you"
" I can never say no to your coffee Dad" I day smiling.
