Chapter 2 Meeting His Parens

Avery concealed her face in the buffer and burst into tears. Her body was already weary from the torture and before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

Jay returned with a towel strapped around his waist. He went to the side where she was sleeping and gently, yanked a strand of hair from her face. He knew Avery as one of the most beautiful staff in his company but never had he imagined that she'd look like a fairy while sleeping. Those crystal gloomy puppy gazes that always stare at him innocently, that well-defined nose, the small heart-defined lips, that well-shaped scar brow, and a smooth silk milky skin, will certainly be the death of him. He thought to himself while fighting the yearning not to kiss her.

He walked out and carefully shut the door behind him.

Downstairs, were Mr and Mrs Henryson having dinner. Mrs. Henryson saw her son descending the stairs and noticed he had a grim look on his face.

When he sat next to his father, the old man too acknowledged something was wearing down his son.

" Hannah told me you brought in a woman today," he asked his son.

"Yes, Dad, you both weren't downstairs when we came in. I had no intention of disturbing you. The reason I couldn't introduce her to you earlier. He replied without lifting his head. His parents exchanged glances and everyone continued eating in the tense atmosphere.

Avery woke up and found herself all alone in the room. She stood up from bed and headed straight to the bathroom to take a cold shower. As she stepped into the shower, she noticed a figure in the bathtub.

There was water overflowing from the tub and the figure seemed to be submerged in water.

"Hello," she said as she approached the tub.

She screamed when her eyes landed on the object submerged in the tub. Her scream pierced and echoed through the whole mansion.

Jay flinched out of the tub and looked at Avery with a terrified face. "What was the scream for?" he demanded. "Excuse me? I thought you drowned. "She answered. Jay burst into uncontrollable laughter. Avery was lost. Why on earth would he even be laughing in a situation like this?

"You never cease to amaze me. I was just having my therapy bath." he burst into another round of laughter.

"What in the dumb ass bath therapy is that? To look half-dead and scare the living daylight outta people around you?"She asked angrily

"I didn't mean to scare you, sweetheart," he replied as he stepped out of the tub.

"To hell with you dumb ass!" Avery retorted as she stormed out of the bathroom in rage.

She sat on the bed and reached out for her phone. "Hello, mama!"

"Hello sweetie, how are you doing?"

The mother-and-daughter duo conversation started when Jay walked in. "Can I speak to my mother-in-law?" he asked calmly

Avery looked at him with a scrutiny look. "Drop the act, Jay. You don't have to pretend in front of me. We both know very well we are not what the world regards as husband and wife."

"I know right but we all agreed to this so you are my wife and that woman right there on the phone, is my mother-in-law. He calmly replied. Avery knew starting an argument with him was pointless and the last thing on her mind. She handed the phone to him and stepped out of bed.

"Are we both sharing the same bed tonight?" Avery asked when she got back from the bathroom and noticed Jay, still on the bed but this time in a more comfortable position.

Her mind staggered back to earlier occurrences. What if Jay tries to touch her again? What if he attempts something funny again? Well, this is a contract marriage and she's ready to risk nothing.

"Do you have any place in mind where you wanna sleep?" he asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Never mind, I'll use the couch," she said gnawing on her teeth.

"And don't forget we are meeting my parents tomorrow. Try to look presentable" he added before dimming the bed lamp. Avery turned and toasted on the couch. The settee was too small for her to fit in. A sense of regret flashed over her as she pulled the blanket over her head and murmured "Heartless dude!".

"Avery! Avery!Avery!" She flung her eyelids open and saw a masculine frame leaning over her.

"You're probably gonna give me a panic attack. Why would you be yelling my name when I'm right here with you?" She asked Jay angrily

"Who in their right feelings stays in bed till this time of the day?" Jay questioned. Her heart skipped. Did she oversleep? She looked at the time and it was half past eleven! But she acts unbothered.

"As if he cares?" she replied rhetorically "What else am I supposed to do when you had the whole bed to yourself last night?"

"Is this some kind of retaliation?" he asked surprisingly

"Whatever. Just leave me alone!"

"Avery if we keep fighting every second, my parents might get cynical and if that happens you'll be placing me in a very tough situation"

"And what has that got to do with me anyway?" she asked

"How about you begin to care when I terminate the funds for your mother's treatment sweetheart??" he asked with a mischievous grin on his face.

Avery puffed and mumbled Lucifer under her breath.

"Shall we?" Jay asked as he reached for Avery's hands. They walked down the stairs and right in the living room were the old folks.

"Mom, Dad, meet my wife Avery Tate Henryson"

"Wife???!"The old folks echoed in unison

"Yes, Mom, Avery, meet my parents Mr. and Mrs Henryson," he said calmly.

Avery bowed shyly as courtesy demands.

"Did Jay ever mention to you he has someone else who he's getting married to?" Mrs. Henryson asked Avery bluntly.

The old woman's words pierced through her heart like a sharp double-edged sword, rendering her speechless.

"Since you are too dumb to speak, can you get your miserable ass off my son and out of my house??" Mrs. Henryson continued her outburst.

Avery couldn't believe what was happening around her. Did she just hear about marriage?

Avery tilted her head slowly to Jay, with eyes devoid of any emotion. Jay quickly grabbed her hand and said,

"Mom, Dad what is all this embarrassment about? Why tell my wife I have someone else that I want to marry? The last time we had a conversation about marriage, I asked you to wait for me, I'm gonna get my bride myself. I have no idea what you two are planning to do. But let me make this clear once and for all. Avery is my wife, and I won't stand here and have any of you embarrass her". With these, he stormed out with Avery.