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.

……

it was because of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time

wrapped herself in it, and

herself of

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

shower, changed into

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

he had

Elliot hasn’t

up her glass of milk and a piece of

done eating

of

afraid… I just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin

together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will

do on campus today, so I won’t be having dinner at

get the driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left,

I’ll just take a cab. He

two drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get

could not win

they had arrived on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back now. I’ll find my own

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

best friend Tammy Lynch to be at

cutie. It’s ‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can

it because of your family? I

said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go to

right?” Tammy said. “When are you going

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what had happened with

she was dating someone but had

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

her arm around Avery’s waist when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as

better off depending on myself than a

were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young lady you’ve turned

shook her head and said, “I just hope I can take care

know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone like you!” Tammy

cheeks flushed

Tammy left the campus together. They had planned to

campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at

the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning?

remembered the