2. Unwanted Ally
Bianca
The sun on my face was getting hot so I started walking. I saw other patients on the grounds. I waved to the ones I knew. Watching the way that the nurses helped them walk reminded me of my situation. Well, my old situation. I hoped that they never give up.
Finally, I was at the gate. The guard stepped in front of me. “Permit?” He asked with his hand out.
After I handed it to him he checked it out, looked at me, then gave the other guard the go-ahead to open the gates.
“I don’t want to see you here again, ma’am. Good luck.”
I thanked him and the other guard. My foot stepped onto the sidewalk. I took a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. My hair was gathered in a bun but there was no way I could release it when I had to carry all my stuff.
But I could still let go of my suitcase,shuffle my things and reach my hands up high enough to slap cheeks.
Come on Bianca! You’re moving like a slug! Are you happy to get out or not?
With stinging cheeks, I started flagging down taxis’. One seemed like it was going to stop but it just drove right past me.
“Darn it!” I muttered. I tried to get another one. It didn’t stop either.
In the corner of my eyes, I noticed a dark blue Rolls Royce drive into the parking lot near the facility. I didn’t pay it any mind. Another taxi ignored me. At this point, I might have to find a bus stop.
I was so focused on the road that I didn’t realize the driver of that Rolls Royce had exited the car and headed in my direction. That is, until he was close enough for me to hear him calling my name.
“Bianca! Fancy seeing you here.”
I froze and slowly turned around. I covered my face. “God, why are you punishing me?”
He only chuckled. “You know I heard that, right?”
The man was dressed in a flashy yellow suit with a black tie. The smug smile on his face never dissolved. No matter where he went, he always made sure to stand out. That’s the type of person Avery was. He’s also the type that doesn’t know how to keep his thoughts to himself. That’s why I have a grudge against him.
“Why are you here?” My hands rested on my hips. “Are you here to make fun of me? To report to your best friend that I look like a wreck?”
Avery shrugged. “That’s not exactly what I came for. I happen to like the scenic view.”
I glanced around at the cold gray buildings around us and scoffed. “Right, the view.”
“You’re acting like I’m here to poison you or something.” He laughed. One look on my face was enough to make him shut up.
I sighed and turned my attention back to the road.
“I don’t have time for your bullshit now, Avery. Tell your buddy that he can come see me himself if he isn’t happy with what he got in the divorce.”
“Why do you think I came here for Conroy?” He asked. “I came here for you.”
My eyes bore into him. “Why?”
“I thought that you might need a ride home.” Avery pointed to his car. “It’s better than in the back of some random taxi.”
“I’ll take my chances.” Avery had never shown me an ounce of kindness in his life so why is he acting like we’re close?
“Bianca.” To my surprise, Avery was no longer smiling. His tone became more serious and there was a somber look in his gaze. “I mean. I just wanted to give you a ride. Besides, I’m sure there is a lot of stuff you want to know. So, will you allow me to take you home?”
Taken off guard by how genuine he sounded, I weighed the pros and the cons. Deciding that Avery is someone I can handle, I walked to his car without saying a word.
As I opened the passenger door, I saw Avery looking at me from the driver’s side. “What?”
He smirked. “You’re looking good, Princess.”
I rolled my eyes. Instead of replying, I occupied the seat and closed the door behind me.
The windows of the Rolls Royce were tinted. It effectively blocked the sunlight from entering. A/c cooled down my skin. My chin was propped up by my palm as I stared at the buildings we were driving by. We sat in silence.
“Is this a new car?” I asked.
Avery acted surprised that I spoke to him first but reacted quickly.
“Uh, yeah! I bought this baby a month ago. Still has that new car smell.” He chuckled. His smile slowly disappeared. “Bianca?”
I turned to him.
“I’m sorry, for how I treated you in the past.”
My eyes widened. “What..?”
“I wasn’t very nice to you when you started getting serious with Conroy. Heh, that’s saying it lightly. I was a jerk. I always told myself that I should always trust my instincts. It wasn’t until you two divorced that I realized it wasn’t my instincts. It was my prejudice against Lycans that caused me to see you in a bad light. I’m sorry it took me this long to hold myself accountable. You didn’t deserve all that, especially since I didn’t even give you a chance.”
“Wow.” I didn’t expect that. The memories of me trying to get close to Avery were ones that I had pushed to the back of my mind. The resentful look he shot me when I accidentally touched his shoulder resurfaced. That was the day I stopped trying to get close to him.
I didn’t have an answer for him, so I didn’t give him one. If I were to be honest, I believed his words but I didn’t trust his intentions. After I was admitted, did he feel guilty and that’s why he’s here?
From what I could recall he wasn’t the type to trick people. My mind was still delicate so keeping my guard up seemed the best option. For now, I’ll take his apology for what it is. With Conroy and I divorced, it’s very unlikely that I would see him again anyway.
“Also,” Avery continued. “I don’t believe that you were the one who murdered Conroy’s family, but I think I know who did.”