Strings

Chapter 37

I mustn't stress so much. It'll be fine.

It'll be fine, I think affirmatively to myself as I nod at Ben who instantly throws a reassuring smile at me, as I finally leave the car.

I walk into the sands, both nervous and excited. Stop Overthinking, my god.

I spot Hayden almost immediately. I feel my throat become dry as Ben drives past from behind me, almost like him being here was some sort of comfort, and a definite ticket to get back home whenever I so saw fit; and now with him driving away I just had to face whatever this was going to turn out to be.

For one, I can't understand why is it, that I am feeling so off and subtly ominous of facing Hayden, I thought we were way past that between us; hell, I thought I was way past it. But now, the way he's been different around me for the past few days, and the way he informed me of meeting him here just gave me something to worry about, what that 'something' is, I don't know, but something is most definitely off.

I walk up to him, standing quietly next to him. For a while neither of us say anything, we just stand there watching the waves. The water was clear, remarkably so, and stubbornly enough, the skies weren't. Dark clouds swayed over us, and I could tell it was probably gonna rain pretty hard by later tonight. Like the serenity of the scenery I was looking at was just moments away from a possible rain storm and I couldn't help but feel, that this too, standing next to Hayden, staring at the seas and the skies alike, was going to be the peace before the storm from the man who had had me entrapped and enthralled both at the same time. How that was possible, I do not know.

The resemblance however was uncanny to the man standing beside me. Stormy sky, dangerously close to the brink of a storm and clear waters, in the same horizon, reminded me all too well of the force I was currently standing next to. A force, I was yet to face. Yet to confront, encounter and talk to. With him not making a single move or effort to begin conversation or to initiate the reason why he had actually called me out here like this I decide to take things in my own hands.

"Hayden?" I finally speak. Quietly, hesitantly. He doesn't respond, not immediately.

He stares out passively at the waves and it takes me another moment of observation to realize he isn't actually looking at the water crashing against the sands rhythmically yet almost unsteadily, signaling the tides that have already begun responding to the weather, refusing to let it storm out all alone.
I soon realize, that he's avoiding looking at me. He's refusing to. My heart sinks at the realization. Did I do something wrong? Was it something I said? I race my mind to play back any and all recent interactions trying to settle down at a moment where I mistook a step, or ended up doing or saying something I shouldn't have, at board meetings or otherwise but I come up with nothing.

Why won't he look at me?

He opens his long black Armani coat and takes out a thin stack of papers. I look curiously over at them.  What are those, and why is he carrying them so? He holds them down a moment longer, his hands clutching them sternly as if contemplating what to do with them, as if fighting with himself regarding the fate of those papers he held so tight that his fingernails have gone white with the force with which he's gripping them, clearly against himself regarding whatever it is, that those papers contain.

Not being able to help myself any longer I end up asking him about  them anyways,

"Hayden? What are those?"

Again, no response. He inhales a sharp breath, and then exhales. He shoves the papers at my side, and turns away immediately. Nothing about this is making sense to me. Why does he refuse to look at me so, what is it that I've done?

I stare at his huge bulky arm, his veins prominent because of the strength with which he's holding the poor papers, borderline damaging them. He holds it out between us, looking away so that I cannot see his face and although I was beyond curious to know what those papers were about, I take a leap of faith, take a deep breath and place my shaking hand gently, and ever so softly over his. Just a little contact, some human touch to let him know that I was here. Next to him. Right here. His grip on the papers loosen ever so slightly and I see his shoulders relax a little.

What I quickly assumed to be a moment of relief, was only but a quick fleeting second, after which he stiffens back up immediately and shrugs my hand off of his. Not expecting the rejection, I feel my heart drop to my stomach, pangs of pain hitting me there as I find myself even more confused of his demeanor.

In attempt to shake the hurt off, I shift my attention to his outstretched hand and take the papers from him. Guess, I'll finally just find out what this whole thing is about.

I flip the papers over and my heart sinks in my chest as I read out the words written on that piece of document.

'Divorce Agreement for the consensual dissolution of the Marriage between Mr. Hayden Xavier Knight and Miss. Avery Hailey Marshall to be signed and submitted by both the Plaintiff and the Defendant to the court of law.'

Divorce Agreement for the consensual dissolution of the Marriage.

Divorce Agreement.

Divorce.

Holy mother of god, I am feeling nauseous. My whole head swirls around me and I am unable to make heads or tails of anything. Divorce?

Hayden wants a divorce from me. He doesn't like me. Olivia was right all along, Hayden could never want to be with someone like me, let alone love me. Father was right that one time, I am unlovable. I shall always be unlovable.

Divorce.

***

HI GUYS!!!

FIRST OFF, apologies for taking a little break for a while there. I was going through things and although they're not COMPLETELY sorted out yet I forced myself to manage some time out and write this chapter for you.

SPEAKING OF WHICH, MAJORRRR TWIST in the happening of events like W H A T ???

Who actually saw that coming? NOT ME AHAHAHA But Avery and Hayden fans DO NOT get disheartened or disappointed always remember this: It gets worse before it gets better; and that is ALL I am going to speak on this. :P ;)

See you next week (hopefully on time hehe) for a chapter that is personally my most awaited one to publish yet!

I love you all, thank you for reading and for being here.

Keep voting, commenting and spreading the word; and do let me know what you thought of the sudden abrupt change in events and in Hayden's demeanor and feel free to comment what you think happens next. (P.S. I love reading your little fan theories, it gives me a feeling I will never be able to describe.)

You already know it makes my day.
Love always and forever
xxxx