The Billionaire's Sleeping Beauty

Chapter 28 - Avery

It's Saturday and even though all my body and gut say NOOOOO when my family gets out from the house for the beach party, but I can't say no to that. I don't want Laila has another chance to twist up or to make bigger gap between me and Clair. 

After coming back home from the cafe, I felt better with my relationship with my daughter I could focus with everything clearly. I saw it... the jealousy in Laila's eyes when Clair hugged me and said she would love to have another date with me.

Laila hasn't changed. She still the same devil Laila. And I need to protect my family from her. Bradley might not see it after half a year Laila tried to worm her way to Bradley. I need to hand it to Laila, she did everything well this time.

Avery: Mich, are you going to the beach party today?

Instead of replying my message, Michelle calls me. "Hey, Mich!"

"Oh my God! Avery! How are you??"

"I'm fine!" I chuckle.

"Are you sure?"

I bite my lower lip. What did she hear about me? After yesterday Clair told me about what Laila said, I'm not sure anymore what gossip she spread at school.

"Yes, Mich. What do you mean?" I'm fishing for an information.

"That Laila, the one who often picked Clair said that you might not come back. I thought you ran away from the house."

"What?" I laugh to make her keeps talking.

"Yeah, well... Mikaela told me that Clair said that you've been avoiding everyone because you weren't feeling well and you hated everyone. I thought Mikaela heard wrong. But later Laila said you've got a bad case of baby blues after giving birth to Damian and it's hard for her to explain to Clair."

"Is that why you stopped texting me, asking me about when I will come back?"

"Um... I'm sorry. I'm not sure what to do. I'm not that close with your husband. And he always came to the school events alone, well, lately with Laila.. and... I'm sorry I don't know what to think."

I feel that I can't breathe. Imagining Bradley and Laila play the couple parents for my daughter. I swallow hard. "No, Mich. Bradley and I are still together if that's what you want to ask."

"Oh good then," she says in relieved. "Laila is closed with Danica. They did talk about they wanted to have double date. I don't know what does she mean. Um... I'm sorry, Ave. As your friend, I don't want to hide it from you. I told you what I heard. You figure it yourself what really happened at your house. Okay?"

I bite my lower lip. Michelle always said everything without filter too. That's why I feel I can trust her. "Yeah, thanks for letting me know."

"I want to say it looks like Bradley doesn't have feeling towards Laila. But, you know him better, well you should know better."

"Yeah, I'll figure this out as soon as I can. Thanks, Mich. And please let me know if... um... anything."

"I will. I promise."

We end the phone and I try to control my breathing. Danica never likes me, she wants to be the head of committee but everyone chose me instead. And now she is grouping with Laila. This isn't as easy as I thought.

***

Bradley: babe, we will be late. If you are sleepy, go sleep first, okay?

No no no. It's not what you think, Avery! Bradley is with Clair and Damian. They can't do anything with the kids around them.

I video call Bradley. "Look at your daughter!" Bradley grins and shows Clair munching on pizza.

I chuckle.

"Mom! We should come back here! I love it here!"

I smile. "Sure, sweetie. Is the pizza that good? Those sauce all over your face."

She grins. "Yes, super!"

I laugh at her cheekiness.

"Clair, come here sweetie!" Laila calls her. "Let mama help you."

WHAT?

I blink. Bradley looks at Clair and Laila, and look back at me with sympathy smile.

"Why she has to call herself mama?" My voice rising, I can't help it.

Bradley walks farther from the other. "I'll talk to Laila later. I already said to her earlier. She said it slipped, got carried away because of the situation."

"What situation?"

Brad shrugs helplessly. "I know, babe. It was Danica said to Clair that she can call Laila 'mom'. So Clair will feel like she goes with one family," Brad says. And he adds fast "I already said no to Danica. Don't get me wrong. But I can't blatantly stop them in front of the kids."

I bite my lower lip. "Okay," I say and end the phone. I can't let this to continue. I cannot let Laila to steal my family. I have confidence to get my kids back. But Bradley... does he want to have a family with Laila?

***

"Avery," Bradley wakes me up. I was planning to wait for them to come home, but I fell asleep.

I sit down. "What time is it now?"

"8 in the morning. You feel okay?"

I nod.

"Hey, I want to talk about yesterday with you."

I shake my head. "You explained to me yesterday."

"Yeah, but I know you still upset with it. Clair didn't call Laila mama. She called her Laila, not even when Danica asked her to do it."

I feel a burst of happiness in my heart. I hug Bradley. "Can we ask Laila to leave? I'm not comfortable having her in this house."

Bradley nods. "After she got a place to stay, she will move."

I pull back. "You talked to her already?"

"She was the one who said it to me last night. She said she saw you unhappy with her presents."

I bite my lower lip. "What do you think?" I ask carefully, leave it to Laila to make me as the antagonist in the story.

Bradley shrugs. "As long as you're happy. I admitted, she grows as a good friend to me. But if you aren't comfortable with her then of course there is no buts." Bradley caresses my head.

I swallow hard. "Did you ever cross the line, Brad?"

"What?" He pulls back.

"Just tell me."

"No. Never." He looks deep in my eyes.

"Ever think to do it? Substitute me with Laila..."

"Avery, what are you talking about?"

"I just need to—" my phone rings. It's Rio.

"Who is Rio Arden?" Bradley looks at the screen.

"Rio, my friend," I say. I'm not planning to pick his phone when I'm in the middle of talking with Bradley.

"And your ex," Bradley adds for me. His voice sounds gravely.

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you accusing me now?"

"No, I'm asking."

"Yes, my friend that also my ex."

"Why he called you?"

I shrug. "I don't know. He was in L. A. few days ago. Maybe he just wanted to say bye on phone."

"You met him?" Bradley says sharply. Dang! I really forgot about it and I didn't even mention it to Bradley.

"Yes, coincidence. When I picked up Clair."

Bradley raises an eyebrow.

"I forgot to tell you. I was busy fixing my relationship with Clair."

Bradley nods and leaves the room.

What just happened?