Promise

chapter 79

Avery

Every movement made I couldn't help flinch. Elijah had tried to hug me earlier but I couldn't,my mind kept flashing back to last night, the unknown nan in the garden and his hands touching me. His...no, I couldn't go there. Every single second I was feeling constant fear. I was suppose to be safe here, but this was just another place I wasn't. Could I even trust Elijah?

His dad greeted us and went to pull me into a hug but I took a step back.

All men were the same.

I saw the look of hurt quickly pass as he covered it with a smile "Jess this is my dad, dad this is my girlfriend Jess" Elijah introduced. Matthew looked her over "you know Elijah we don't care if you don't have a girlfriend, you didn't have to pay a hooker to pretend" he said making me smile. Now that I think about it, she really did look like one. "Dad" Elijah exclaimed. "Sorry, does she prefer prostitute" that got me laughing slightly which Mathew glanced at me with a smile. However my laugh suddenly died when I saw Jess glare at me. "Right let's just go in" Elijah was clearly already done with tonight. I followed  them in and Matthew led us to the living room.

Maisey was sat next to Em and Max watching TV. "Look who has arrived" Matthew says.
Max was quick to approach me and on instinct when he reached out to hug me I flinched and backed away, only I bumped into Elijah. Crap.
"I..I'm s..sorry" I couldn't control my stutter as tears gathered in my eyes. He reached out and I couldn't help move my hand to shield my face. "Please don't" I whisper.

"What the fuck have you been doing to her. Why the fuck is she scared of you" Matthew shouted...silence. "anwser me Elijah or so god help me" Matthew grew angrier and the tears streamed down my face.

Suddenly two arms go around me, I didn't even notice anyone approach me and to my shock when I look down I see Maisey "don't cry" she says.
Realization that I had been selfish dawns on me. How could I cause a scene, how could I even think about myself when Maisey was here, she had to witness all that because I was scared. "Maisey, Avery go help Lydia in the kitchen" Matthew suddenly spoke in a calmer voice to us.

We both quickly left and went to the kitchen were we was met with a hug from Lydia "my babies" she said as her hold on us both was tight but not painful. "what's going on in there" she asked as she released us. "Grandad is angry at Elijah" Maisey explained and Lydia nodded.
"Ok can you watch the food doesn't burn for me, and season it if its ready. I'm going to go calm them down" Lydia said but didn't wait for a response as she hurried out.

"Sorry I was really mean to you. I was scared I was going through some stuff but since last time we saw each other I think I've improved" Maisey said and I smiled "it's ok" she squealed and hugged me "I have a cousin" .

After around 5 minutes I realize the food is done almost "Maisey can you get some seasoning from the pantry" I ask and she nods and goes inside. I begin to stir the pot only I hear footsteps, thinking it's Lydia I pay no attention until I hear her voice.
"You stupid little bitch, do you take joy in being a stupid disgusting whore. You are worth nothing and yet you expect everything" Jess snapped and seconds later I feel her hand connect with my cheek. "Soon you won't even be here. Once Elijah finds out what you did, well let's just say you will either be in prison or boarding school" she snarled and with a swift kick to the legs she walked out. Bitch.

"Oh my god. Avery." Maisey came running out of the pantry hugging me. I guess she saw.
"Is that why you flinch now, is it Jess but you're scared if Elijah too. God please don't tell me it's both of them. It is isn't it"she too was in tears now.
"It's just Jess" I admit not wanting her to think Elijah was abusing me too, because he wasn't.
"Why hasn't Elijah done something" she asks.
"He doesn't know, I don't want to ruin his happiness" I whisper.
"Can't you see Avery, you are his happiness. I've been close to Elijah since I was born and he put you first. You come first Avery above everyone. We need to tell him" I think her reassurance was what I needed. It was time.
"What if he doesn't believe me, he caught me fighting back the other day and wasn't too happy. He always seems to take her side" I say and she thinks.
"We can have some fun and prove it to him" she suggests. I nod "ok thank you Maisey"

"Have some fun with what"