Chapter 42
After Cayden left, Avery stood rooted by the door in a daze.
His words and the doctor's conclusion of the physical examination were not wrong. On the contrary, she wondered if there was something wrong with her instead because her own body betrayed her due to all those sensations.
What woman wouldn't react to such a perfect man's touch, though? When facing someone like Cayden, we would even question if we're worthy of his touch instead. Only a woman like Zelda is on par with him.
Avery was aware of where she stood, and she had always been able to control herself. However, faced with the man's domineering attitude today, her body seemed as though it was not hers.
"Actions speak louder than words," they say. Though this sentence is arguable, I have to, sadly, agree with it this time. Ugh, I hate this side of me. I hate how my body surrendered to his touch.
Before going to bed, she changed the dirty bedsheet. As she had a lot on her mind, coupled with the fact her period came earlier, which made her uncomfortable, Avery did not have a good night's sleep.
Meanwhile, in the Moore residence, Zachary was in the first-floor living room, seriously staring at his sister, who stood on the first step of the staircase to the second floor, drinking milk. "Drink slowly."
At this time, Jeffrey came in from the courtyard. Sweeping his gaze all around, he asked, "Your daddy hasn't come home yet?"
Looking at her great-grandfather, Rory shook her head, her mouth covered with milk.
"He's not at the company either," chimed in Kendrick, who sat on the black leather couch with both legs propped on the coffee table. Putting his phone down, he said to Jeffrey, "Perhaps he adopted a 'puppy' outside."
"Puppy?" Jeffrey leaned on his cane. He could not figure out why that clean freak grandson of his would adopt a puppy and keep it outside instead of bringing it home. They had a large courtyard, after all.
Hearing that, Zachary turned his head, his eyes glinting. Then he hurriedly wiped his sister's mouth and ran toward Kendrick. "Uncle Kendrick, did my daddy really adopt a puppy?"
I love puppies!
"Ugh, my meaning has completely gone over all of your heads. What I mean is maybe he has some personal activities to do." At first, he wanted to blurt out "sexual activities" directly, but seeing as there were kids there, he changed his words.
Moreover, had he uttered those words, Jeffrey would definitely beat him to death with his cane.
Even so, the older man caught on to what Kendrick was trying to say this time.
Sitting on the couch, Jeffrey leaned on his cane, diving into his thoughts. Hmm. Cayden is indeed not young anymore. He has his own needs, and he hasn't been with any women. Things like this are inevitable
Then, his mind wandered to the phone call with the Saunderses.
Jack is determined to marry his daughter into our family, but Cayden is now hooking up with another woman. What should I do?
The next morning, Avery woke up early. The rain had finally stopped pouring.
It was rare to be able to rest for a week, so she took the note Kylee gave her last night and went out.
Since the supermarket was near the subway station, Avery was on foot.
As it was a weekday, not many people were at the supermarket.
Pushing the cart, Avery went to the brown sugar section and put a packet in the cart before strolling toward the ginger section.
After that, she arrived at the sanitary pads section.
Just as she took a pack, someone called, "A-Avery?"
Hearing that, Avery turned toward the source of the voice.
The person had also just gotten to the sanitary pads section, but before she could take a pack, she spotted Avery. However, she did not want to assume it was indeed Avery, so she was a bit uncertain.
When Avery turned toward her, the woman shrieked, "Is it you, Avery?"
Avery just stared at her in a daze.
"Ah! It really is you!"
The other party immediately ran forward and engulfed Avery in a hug so tight the latter almost lost her breath.
Finally releasing Avery, the woman stared at her with teary eyes. "Do you still remember me? We were classmates in high school, and I sat in the back row because of my height. My mom was the Ustranasion teacher. She even tutored you!"
Nodding, Avery stared at the woman. "You're Nephele Choume."
"You remember my name?" Nephele was so touched that she nearly shed tears.
In high school, the two were classmates for three years, and they often went to the canteen together.
Such friendships were not uncommon, but Avery was a different story-she was always bullied in school. Nephele was the only person who dared to befriend her.
Since Nephele's mother was a teacher, the other students were scared of her. Hence, whenever Avery was with Nephele, she could avoid being picked on.
After they paid for their items, they left the supermarket.
Avery invited Nephele to her home, which the latter accepted.
As they were entering the residential area, Nephele spoke. "Two years ago, something happened to my mom's legs, so in order to get treatment, we moved to this city."
Nephele's father was a teacher as well, but he had an affair with a young and beautiful teacher, which resulted in Nephele's parents' divorce.
Avery was aware that Nephele took her mother's surname ever since elementary school.
"How's Ms. Choume now?" queried Avery worriedly.
Hollie Choume, Nephele's mother, was also kind toward Avery at that time.
Moreover, rumor had it that Hollie had personally tutored a student surnamed Moore from their neighboring school.
Back then, Avery did not mind not knowing that student's full name. All she could remember of him was a vague recollection of his features because she knew he was too far out of her league.
Now that she had met Cayden, she could not help but compare him to the student from back then. Their facial features were similar. The only difference was that one was more mature and successful now. Their temperaments were too big a difference, though.
"She had to get an amputation," replied Nephele after remaining silent for a long time, sounding dejected.
Avery wanted to console her, but Nephele reassured her that she was fine.
When they arrived at Avery's house's doorstep, Nephele seemed to have thought of something. "Next weekend is my mom's birthday. You have to come and meet our old classmates."
Old classmates...
It was supposed to be an exciting event, but not for Avery.
The memories of being bullied still haunted her to this day.
Entering the house, Nephele seemed not to notice Avery's odd silence as she continued, "My mom and I went through the list of students last night, and you were the only one not on it as you don't attend the party every year. All the students my mom tutored and are currently working in this city will show up, regardless of their occupation."
Instantly, that Moore student appeared in Avery's mind.
If he also goes to the party this year, I'll find out if he and Cayden are the same person.