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.

……

of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy

out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in

sweated all night, ridding herself of the chill from the

up the next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in relatively good

took a shower, changed into

the smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately served

he had

Master Elliot hasn’t

glass of milk and a piece

done eating in

of him, Madam?”

want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin

little more time together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will

on campus today, so I

Cooper said. She left, intending to inform the driver of

fine. I’ll just take a cab. He can have the

one for the odd jobs. I’ll get

could not win against

“Thank you. You can head back now. I’ll

tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery! Who was that

best friend Tammy Lynch to be

walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I

of your

“Actually, I

right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to introduce me to

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of what had happened

that she was dating someone

said. She then took a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely

saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re

off depending on myself than

love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young

said, “I just hope

major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors.

cheeks flushed at the

the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned to

Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked by the

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

remembered