Granting one last wish

ABBY

Three years later…

I have to flex my neck a couple of times after hours of review for my finals tomorrow, and I feel drained. I study hard to get good grades and to make my parents proud.

I don’t have to go to college to get a job to pay my bills. I don’t have to work at all. My parents are loaded, and I can have everything I ask for. I can buy whatever I want, travel around the world, dine in the most expensive restaurant, spend summer in a yacht, drink the most expensive wine, and have the most luxurious penthouse in Manhattan or have the fastest car in the world, and date the world sexiest man.

My parents own the biggest hotel chains in the world, King Hotel chains, and Restaurants, and I’m the only heiress. My dad is Michael Aaron King, the best dad every girl can dream of, and Catherine Elizabeth King is the most beautiful woman and the world’s number one mom.

I don’t need an annoying private tutor because I excel academically. Yeah, I’m on my third year in college at Boston State University, two hundred and sixty-six miles away from home, away from my parents, and away from friends.

My life sucks! Just kidding.

I am with my roommate/best friend in an apartment that’s not world-class, but not that bad either. I don’t have a friend. I know it sounds pathetic, but whatever.

I met Andrew three years ago during my therapy. He’s also seeing a doctor who was just another floor down my shrink’s office. We met at the reception, and we clicked right away. I guess we have something in common.

“Hi, um, you’re seeing a doctor here?” he asks me shyly.

“Yeah. For a couple of weeks, you?” I answer and ask back with a little smile. Not all people are good at sharing that they are seeing a therapist, but why should I be ashamed of I if I need one.

“Dr. Peters.” He smiles.

“You?”

“Dr. Wallerman,” I tell in a low voice.

“Hmm. Rich people.” He scrutinizes me from head to toe. Dr. Wallerman is famous for her practice, and I don’t look like I can afford to pay a doctor like her.

“Excuse me?” I ask him when he raises an eyebrow.

“She’s like a celebrity doctor. I’m Andrew, by the way.” He offers his hand for a handshake. I hesitate, but he keeps his hand and waits for me to shake it.

“I’m Ma— I’m Abbygail. Please, call me Abby.” I shake his hand, and then we walk me out of the building.

“Sure, Abby. It suits you. Beautiful name.” He winks at me, which makes me blush. I don’t talk to strangers, and I don’t mingle too when someone gets close to me. The bodyguard Dad’s assigned will automatically shoo them away.

“Thanks.”

“I’ll walk you to your car,” Andrew offers.

I pause and face him. “Actually, I’m walking to a coffee shop.” 

His eyes widen as if he has an idea. “Would you mind if I tag along?

“I don’t mind at all.” 

“Good. Just only been here for a couple of weeks. I’m an ex-military, and you know this PTSD kind of shit. Oh sorry, I swear a lot. Used to in the military. How about you?” he says easily without a single flinch. 

“If I swear a lot? Not much,” I answer.

laughs at me.

I’m still not comfortable sharing that horrific night even to my Doctor. It takes a while, but I feel better that there’s someone who somehow listens to what I experienced.

okay. You don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready. I completely understand. It took a while for me, too.”

shrug. “Soon,

where I always dropped by after my session. Andrew mentions that he crashes the couch of one of his friends, and he’s still looking for a decent apartment with

was so pissed at me after

talking to strangers, and you’re not just breaking my rules, you let a stranger live with you, and a man for God’s sake. I’ll talk to Howard later. How he

lip. Howard is going to lose his job.

dad. You can meet him if you want to and do a background check. He’s a good person, trust me.” I roll my eyes because he’s overreacting again. He thinks all the people around me are dangerous.

you want me to calm down? You’re living with a stranger who

and just give him

and if I don’t like him, he’ll be out

smile widens. “Great. I’ll let him know. Thanks, Dad.

and don’t thank me yet, young woman, and don’t tell him

I stop. My brows furrow. “And why not?”

you to find out.” 

in my seat when someone pats my

minutes already. You didn’t even notice me coming in. What’s

“Oh, I was just thinking about my exams tomorrow.” I

I’m sure you’ll ace your exams.” He gives me an

“What do we have for dinner? Or would you cook for us tonight?” I follow him, passing by our small living

not tonight.” Yeah, my best friend can cook. He could make something from scratch, and good thing, I have

elbows on our granite countertop. I open our dark brown cabinet

you got me pizza. How about you? What you’re gonna eat?”

bother the plates, Abby? You’re so rich that

him a soda and water for me from the fridge. “You still didn’t answer me. Why aren’t you going to have dinner with me? Going out with friends?” I sit beside him and open the box of Greek Pizza.

“Actually, ivadet.”

I stop. My brows

I have a date tonight.” He didn’t look at me

as the words came from his mouth, my eyes grow big

best friend is dating. I mean, you start dating. That’s good news. I’m happy for you.” I put down my pizza, pull him into a hug. 

your drawer? I’m sure they’re expired two years ago. Do I need to leave before you come home? Or do I just need to pretend I’m

nightstand? I’m not getting laid tonight, Abby, and it’s our first date. Jeez, you’re far too excited than me.” He crunches his

Why torture yourself until the third date when you’re both attracted, duh!” I roll my

have sex. Of course, when you’re serious about dating her, you can wait until you both are ready, so start

on my second slice of pizza, and it’s nice to eat directly from the box.

make their life so difficult. 

sex like every seven seconds?” I inquire and

a fling or maybe a one-night stand or a one

dated girls but not too serious. I didn’t even get a chance to meet anyone he dated, and that was over a year ago, then he

I happened to be the one who installed the security system in her apartment. She’s beautiful. I even follow her

I didn’t meet

blue skin, yellow eyes, with tail, and says I see you,” I mimic

his soda. See, he even laughs at my lame joke. We always choose the