When His Eyes Opened

Chapter 17

The car sped past Avery, leaving a trail of dust.

She lifted her head and saw the blurry tail lights of the Rolls-Roice in the darkness.

Was that Elliot’s car?

She wiped the tears off her face, calmed herself down, and walked toward the house.

She saw the car parked in the courtyard when she arrived.

She waited outside in hopes of going in after Elliot had gone to his room.

Her eyes stung. She looked up at the stars shining brightly in the night sky.

It was a beautiful spring night.

Before she knew it, she had been standing outside for an hour.

The driver had already moved the car into the garage.

The lights in the living room were still on, but there was nobody in sight.

Avery felt normal, so she walked slowly into the house.

On the veranda on the second floor, Elliot, dressed in a grey robe, was sitting in his wheelchair. The last dregs of wine sat at the bottom of his wine glass.

He had watched Avery the entire hour that she had stood outside in the cold.

He could not figure out the thoughts that would lead her to spend an entire hour out in the cold. She was so still that she could have easily blended in with the trees that stood next to her.

Elliot had met countless intelligent minds in his lifetime because they were the only people worthy enough to stand by his side.

However, Avery was an exception.

He did not consider her bright because she had provoked him despite knowing what kind of man he was.

She was an extremely foolish woman.

Seeing her miserable, however, affected his mood in a peculiar way.

It was a feeling that he had never felt before.

……

because of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time she got

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it,

night, ridding herself of the chill from

woke up the next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was

took a shower, changed into clean

smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs.

had breakfast?” Avery

Master Elliot hasn’t

a piece of toast, then began to

done eating in under five

of

just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then

little more time together,” said

campus today, so I

I’ll go get the driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left, intending to

fine. I’ll just take a

have two drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs.

not

they had arrived on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head

woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery! Who was that

not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the

Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I

“Is it because of your

said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go

of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to introduce

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of what had happened

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no idea who

to have someone

red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson learned. You’ll definitely meet someone even

better off depending on myself

some heartbreak to grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at

hope I

of the class in both

flushed

and Tammy left the campus together. They had

gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked by the

that the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he here

still remembered