Chương 12: TWELVE

"Good morning Miss."

Avery made the same moves as a few hours earlier. She blinked a few times and immediately opened her eyes wide to observe things that might have changed in the strange room she had occupied since last night. A half-century-old servant smiled sweetly at her bed. The woman has wrinkles around her eyes and lips which shows that she is a friendly woman who likes to smile so that the lines on her face are easier to form due to frequent attraction. Then on her head, the woman gave a small bun with a little gray hair tucked between her blonde hair. Overall the waitress was lovely. She also had a friendly smile that managed to keep Avery from feeling scared at all.

"I hope you sleep well, miss."

"Thank you. I did sleep well. Especially after eating some snacks." Avery blatantly glanced at the sandwich plate that still had one sandwich on top. But unfortunately the sandwich now looked even more unfit when hit by the dazzling light from the large window that the waiter had just opened. Thankfully the light in the room was dim last night, so Avery couldn't see the appearance of the sandwich clearly and only ate it out of hunger.

"You are exhausted and hungry. At least that's what Mr Laiv said after talking to Doctor Ricky."

"Laiv?" muttered Avery questioningly. She really hoped that her brain had information about Laiv, but unfortunately her brain did not have any information about Laiv. "May I know what his full name is?"

"Laiv Birmingham. Do you know Mr. Laiv? He is the owner of a retail chain in LA."

Avery foolishly shook her head and gave a small grimace. Even though all this time she often went to various countries to do photo shoots, that didn't mean she could get to know people in that country well. Like Laiv Birmingham, she could have sworn it was the first time she had heard of it.

"I've never known him."

"I can understand if you do not know Mr Laiv. You and Mr Laiv are far apart in age. You might be a better fit to be his niece."

"Niece..." squeaked Avery softly.

Although she didn't expect anything regarding her savior, but she thought she would meet a young man around thirty years old. Given that she had fallen last night near a cheesy club on the outskirts of town, she had no idea that a man as old as Laiv Birmingham would be there to have fun.

"Sorry." Avery hesitantly stared at the maid as she was lifting the plates and glasses Avery used last night. "Was last night you changed my clothes?" asked Avery sheepishly. As soon as she got the woman's attention, she immediately asked the question that had been bothering her since last night. Even though her small heart continued to convince her of her concerns, she just wanted a clarity now.

"Of course miss. Mr. Laiv told me to change into your late wife's nightgown."

"Is that a photo of his late wife?"

"That's right, miss," replied the waiter cheerfully. Even Avery wondered why the waiter was so enthusiastic this morning. Did he just get the lottre?

"What is her name?"

"Sarah Birmingham. Mrs. Sarah died twenty years ago giving birth to their first child. Yet for months, Mrs. Sarah imagined the face of her baby impatiently. But when the time of birth came, the mistress was bleeding so that her life could not be saved."

The maid's story was sad. Avery who listened to all the stories could not help but feel concerned about the fate of Laiv Birmingham, who had to be abandoned by his wife while struggling to give birth to their baby.

"Then their child?"

The waiter immediately showed a frown on her face which made Avery even more sure that the answer to her question was definitely not a good answer. "She also died after two hours the doctor could not remove the uterine fluid that had entered her lungs."

The servant was devoted to the sadness she had felt twenty years ago because of the death of her young mistress. At that time she had to face Laiv Birmingham's gloomy face at every opportunity she had. Never once had she seen Laiv show such a happy face for twenty years before this morning. Today miraculously she saw Laiv smiling as she passed him at the end of the stairs.

"It must be a difficult time," commented Avery with concern.

"You could say that was the hardest part of life Mr. Laiv has ever gone through. For twenty years after the death of his wife and child, Mr. Laiv passed his days full of gloom."

"Of course. I can't imagine how heartbroken Laiv Birmingham was after losing two people he loved so much at the same time." Even herself, Avery thought languished. She also felt devastated after the death of her mother and Michiel. As if her world had collapsed and she was completely alone in this world.

"Magda, are you done with cleaning the room?"

The heavy, slightly hoarse voice snapped Avery from her momentary reverie. Suddenly Avery felt frozen and fluttering because she was about to meet her savior whom she had been questioning how she had looked since last night. But a little disrespectful, Avery glanced at the nightgown that was slightly hidden under the thick, super-soft white blanket she was wearing. Is it appropriate to meet the man in this state, Avery thought embarrassed. But before Avery could do anything to prepare herself, the man was already standing next to the big bed.

Using a neat office suit, the man looked very charming. Avery felt like cursing herself who a few minutes ago imagined Laiv Birmingham as an old man with a thick mustache and an unkempt belly due to sadness after being abandoned by his wife and child. But to my surprise, Laiv Birmingham is a fit man who is simply stunning. With his brilliant green eyes luring behind his gold-rimmed glasses and a well-built body as sturdy as an electric pole, Laiv Birmingham looked up at her and smiled.

"Good morning Avery, am I bothering you?"

As if deaf and turned into a fool, Avery was silent while staring at Laiv's figure very disrespectfully. Avery's mouth had dropped open for a moment, and he quickly normalized her surprise with a small caught which she felt could save her a little from the bad image in Laiv's eyes. But really for whatever reason, that man was too charming at the age of who had stepped on five heads.

"Mmo... morning Laiv. You're not a bother. I'm the one who should apologize for getting up too late." Avery glanced at the clock in her room, and immediately undermined her own stupidity. Seven o'clock! How stupid you are, Avery thought angrily. Even though she had intended to wake up at six. Because she thought the householder would start their activities at seven o'clock, so she planned to get up at six and get ready before leaving the room to meet her savior at seven, just as breakfast time began.

"Looks like you slept well last night."

"I think so," replied Avery slightly.

She still felt ashamed and couldn't bear to face Laiv who was so charming. And suddenly she felt ashamed of her own thoughts. Laiv is the most handsome old man she has ever met. Meanwhile, she is a young widow who is so attractive. Aren't they compatible?

"I'm happy if you rest well in my mansion. On behalf of my driver, I apologize because last night his car crash on you."

"What? Crash?" Avery asked in surprise. Quickly she shook her head and corrected Laiv's words. "Not at all. Last night I was too tired and drunk from drinking a little alcohol. So I think I collapsed halfway through the road when your driver passed near the club road."

"Is it true? If that's the case, I'm really grateful," said Laiv full of charisma. The man folded his arms across his chest in a powerful style, his sharp green eyes staring at Avery like an eagle stalking its prey, making Avery feel so embarrassed that she wanted to quickly hide her face under the blanket she was gripping.

"I thank you for your kindness, Mr Birmingham. I feel lucky not to have been found by someone who…errr…" Avery seemed hesitant to continue her sentence. Suddenly her brain was stuck in choosing the right words in front of Laiv.

Laiv nodded his head briefly and immediately stepped out of his guest room which was suddenly so warm this morning. After years of cold and unoccupied guest room, now Avery made the guest room even more amazing. More alive, and more worthy of being called a room.

-00-

Avery finally breathed a sigh of relief. After more than fifteen minutes she let out a shallow breath at Laiv's presence nearby. The old man is truly extraordinary, Avery thought with a groan. His brilliant green eyes managed to captivate Avery in just seconds. But not without reason Avery felt captivated by Laiv Birmingham, the man's green eyes reminded her of Michiel Thompson. The man also had bright green eyes that Avery would never forget.

Avery was upset, she kicked the rubbish that had fallen from her locker as she opened it wide. Someone who was more than just a fad, more despicable to be precise, must have planned all this for her. What a fool for her because she forgot to put a padlock in the drawer. And this is what will happen to her if she forgets to lock her locker as usual. The contents of the trash can next to her class had suddenly moved into her locker. Not to mention that her shoes have now gone missing somewhere after she finished with her swimming schedule with mr. Rutledge and her classmates.

Avery rudely closed her locker after she had previously managed to get the slightly foul smelling trash out of it. Luckily she didn't have much in there. She only keeps simple sandals with almost faded colors which she can use in this precarious situation. Maybe the chemistry subject teacher would understand it for wearing sandals in class. All the teachers here actually already know what these powerful students often do to her, but they also can't do much because their lives also depend on the injection of funds given to those rich people. Even a classmate Mr. Anthony who is the principal here, he also can't do anything to the students who often make Avery's life miserable.

"Can you get out of my way?" Avery shouted angrily at Michiel. Almost every day the man also troubles her with the same bad attitude as the others. If he didn't take part in stealing her shoes, he would have been involved in filling the trash in her locker.

"Why use sandals?"

Avery laughed scornfully at Michiel who was staring at her with a flat gaze."Are you that stupid to ask why I'm wearing sandals this afternoon?" Avery brusquely pushed the man's chest out of her way to get him out of her way. But Michiel is not a man who gives up easily. He immediately grabbed her arm and pulled hard until their bodies collided.

"Who would dare do that to you?"

"Of course everyone who hates me is here." Avery replied fiercely.

Inevitably Avery had to look up at Michiel, whose face was several centimeters above her. She admits that if Michiel is the image of the perfect man, with bright green eyes and an eagle-like gaze, he is practically a popular guy in her school. Many students are eyeing Michiel to become their lover.

A few months ago Michiel had just dated the leader of cheerleader whose beauty was beyond doubt. The news about their relationship became the talk of all the students at the school. They all talk about how compatible Michiel is with Alice who is the prettiest student in their school. But the horrendous news came yesterday afternoon. Michiel blatantly dumps Alice in the middle of the basketball court. And in return, Michiel immediately appointed Avery as his girlfriend when the woman accidentally crossed the basketball court to go to the physics lab.

"No one can hurt my lover."

"Tch, are you taking that for real? Hello dear mister Thompson, I have absolutely no interest in being your lover. I assume the thing you did yesterday was just one of the mischief you used to prank me." Avery replied indifferently as she tried to get away from Michiel's strong grip.

But unexpectedly, the man dragged her towards the classroom without heeding Avery's annoyed screams telling him to remove his grip. And because of that, now all eyes were immediately on her as they passed through the passageways filled with students who were preparing to enter the next class.

While crossing the third hallway, Avery's eyes met Alice's, which was blatantly showing a flash of hatred for her. It was clear that the woman had hatred for her, even revenge. So far, her reputation as a beautiful, smart and popular girl has led her to a truly beautiful life at her school. Alice has many friends and followers who are willing to be her servant while at school. Besides that, Alice has never been humiliated by anyone. Only Michiel was the only person who dared to embarrass her. And as the girl who adored Michiel so much, Alice could not blame Michiel. Of course the target of all her anger was Avery. The girl who has suffered from the beginning is suffering more and more because of Michiel's arbitrary actions.

"You all listen carefully!" shouted Michiel loudly in front of the class. Still holding Avery by the wrist, the man roared in front of the class, threatening anyone who dared to intrude on Avery's life. And he fiercely had someone confess to hiding Avery's shoes while swimming class was in progress. Because of Michiel's terrible angry face, finally a man named Borris admitted to hiding Avery's shoes which he had now kept under the teacher's desk in front of the class. With a terrified face, the man admitted that he wanted to make Avery even more embarrassed because her ugly shoes were found under the desk of the chemistry teacher who was about to enter their classroom.

"Quickly put your shoes on." Michiel put the old shoes in front of Avery's feet, who were still stiff in front of the class. Actually things like this are not the first time, but she was very surprised by how Michiel treated her differently.

"Thank you." said Avery quietly as she grabbed her shoes to put them in her chair. As she walked over to her table at the back end, Avery could still feel Michiel's sharp gaze directed right at her. But she didn't want to think about it any further. Now the strange looks from her friends were also enough to bother her apart from the sharp gaze of Michiel who continued to watch her until she sat safely in her chair. And after the man saw herself sitting comfortably in her chair, he immediately left her class to enter his own class which was two classes away from Avery's class.

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