Song for the chapter: Stay by The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber
Audrey's POV:
As I lay in bed, sunlight streaming through the window, I couldn’t help but think about today. Jeremiah’s game was today, and I felt a mix of anticipation and nostalgia. Jeremiah and I had known each other our whole lives. Growing up in the same neighborhood, our families were close friends. I’d watched him grow from a playful kid into the confident, talented basketball player he was today.
"Jeremiah has always been a great guy," I thought, my mind drifting back to the countless times we’d spent together. His family was deeply entrenched in politics. They were influential, rich, and often held lavish galas and events, especially around election time. These gatherings were always grand, with an air of sophistication that was hard to ignore.
But I couldn’t help but wonder, "Do they do anything shady behind the scenes?" Politics often had a dark side, and while I didn’t want to believe it, I couldn’t entirely dismiss the possibility. Shaking off the uneasy thoughts, I reminded myself that Jeremiah was more than his family's reputation. He had a good heart, despite his playboy image.
Lately, after getting to know Andres, I’d begun to see a different side of Jeremiah. Perhaps his flirtatious behavior was just a phase. Deep down, he was a genuinely good guy. Even from childhood, he had always been crush-worthy with his handsome looks and confident demeanor. I remembered the times I’d been to his house, how much he loved his cute beagle dog, and the bond he shared with his elder sister. It was heartwarming.
But before I could focus on Jeremiah’s game, I had to help Trevor with his sister’s wedding preparations. Trevor and I had a history that went way back. We met in nursery class, and our friendship blossomed from the very first day. I could still picture the day our teacher had us sit together. Trevor, with his chubby cheeks and bright eyes, had immediately become my best friend. His sister, who was now getting married, had been in the same class as my sister, Stella. It was like our families were destined to be intertwined.
Trevor’s family had always been wealthy, thanks to their legacy in the steel and iron industries. However, Trevor wasn’t always the guy who flaunted his money. In primary school, he was just a regular kid. But starting in middle school, he changed. He became a bit full of himself, always at the top of the class, and he sometimes belittled those who weren’t.
I sighed, thinking about the memory that sometimes haunted me. "I don’t want that memory to ruin my mood today," I told myself, pushing it to the back of my mind.
I hopped out of bed and got ready, choosing a comfortable yet stylish outfit. As I applied a bit of makeup, I couldn’t help but reflect on my relationship with Trevor. We’d had a sort of "relationship" for two years in middle school, but looking back, it felt more like a strong friendship rather than a romantic relationship. We loved each other, but not in the way couples do. It was innocent and sweet, but now, thinking of Trevor romantically felt strange.
"Trevor is my best friend," I reminded myself as I brushed on some blush. "That relationship was a great phase, but it doesn’t mean a lot to me now."
As I was getting ready, my phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I picked it up and saw Trevor’s name flashing on the screen.
"Hey, Audrey. Are you ready?" Trevor's voice came through, sounding eager. "I’m already at your house, so please come out."
I glanced at myself in the mirror one last time, making sure everything was perfect. "Yeah, I’m coming out," I replied, hanging up. I gave myself a quick spritz of my favorite perfume, a light, floral scent that always made me feel fresh and confident.
I was wearing something casual yet cute, perfect for both running errands and attending Jeremiah’s game later. My outfit consisted of a pair of stylish shorts and a beautiful top, paired with my favorite sneakers. I called out to my mom. "Mom, can you help me with my hair? I want to try those two cute French braids today."
My mom smiled and motioned for me to sit down. She skillfully divided my hair and began braiding, her fingers moving quickly and deftly.
"You’re going to look adorable, Audrey," she said as she worked."Thanks, Mom," I replied, watching her in the mirror. The French braids were coming out perfectly, framing my face in a way that made me feel both cute and sporty.
A touch of shiny lip gloss and a hint of blush gave my face a fresh look, and I added a couple of adorable hair accessories to complete the ensemble.
I grabbed my bag and headed out, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Trevor was leaning against his car, scrolling through his phone when I walked out the door. He looked up and smiled as he saw me.
"You look great," he said, opening the car door for me.
"Thanks," I replied, getting into the car. "Let’s get going. We have a lot to do today."
As we drove, I couldn’t help but think about everything that lay ahead. Helping Trevor with his sister’s wedding preparations was going to be fun, but my mind kept drifting back to Jeremiah’s game. It was going to be an eventful day, and I was ready to take it all on.
Narrator's POV:
They pulled up to the mall in Trevor's sleek Mercedes, accompanied by his bodyguard and personal attendant. The car gleamed under the sunlight, drawing the attention of passersby. Audrey felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. Shopping with Trevor always meant stepping into a world of luxury she was used to but still found thrilling.
As they entered the YSL store, a well-dressed attendant immediately approached them. "Good morning, Mr. Trevor, Miss Audrey. How can I assist you today?" They even knew their names considering how regularly they visited the store.
"We're looking for a suit for my sister's wedding," Trevor replied confidently. "Something unique and stylish."
"Of course," the attendant smiled. "Right this way, please."
They were led to a private fitting area where various suits were displayed. The attendant began showcasing different options, each more elegant than the last. Audrey watched as Trevor scrutinized each piece, occasionally glancing at her for approval.
"How about this one?" Audrey suggested, pointing to a sleek black suit with intricate detailing.
Trevor shook his head slightly. "It's nice, but I want something that stands out a bit more."
The attendant nodded and brought out another selection. This time, it was a dark navy suit with subtle pinstripes. Trevor's eyes lit up. "This might be it. I'll try it on."
While Trevor disappeared into the fitting room, Audrey's phone buzzed. She glanced at it and saw a text from Andres.
Andres: "Good morning! Where are you right now? When will you join us? I already miss you, Audz. I know everyone is here, but I still want you to come soon. Please don't be late."
A smile spread across her face as she typed back.
Audrey: "Good morning, Andres! I'm at the mall with Trevor, helping him find a suit for his sister's wedding. I'll join you guys as soon as I can. Miss you too!"
Trevor stepped out of the fitting room, looking sharp in the navy suit. "What do you think?" he asked, doing a little twirl.
"You look fantastic," Audrey said, genuinely impressed. "That suit is perfect for the wedding. It fits you like a glove."
Trevor grinned, clearly pleased with her approval. "Thanks, Audrey. I think this is the one."
As they waited for the tailor to make some minor adjustments, Audrey felt her phone buzz again. It was Andres.
Andres: "Did you find the suit for him? Come quickly baby!"
Audrey quickly replied, "Yeah we did, I'll join you guys in no time! Looking forward!"
As they walked through the mall, Trevor couldn't help but notice Audrey's constant attention to her phone. "Is it Andres again?" he asked, his tone tinged with annoyance.
Audrey glanced up, a sheepish smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, he's just checking in."
"Why is he always bothering you?" Trevor pressed, his passive jealousy bubbling to the surface. "It's not like you're running away with me or something. Can't he let you hang out with me for a bit without bombarding you with messages?"
Audrey's smile faltered slightly, unsure of how to respond. "Well, maybe he's just a bit jealous that I'm spending time with you instead of him. Isn't it cute though?" she attempted to lighten the mood.
Trevor shook his head, a trace of bitterness in his voice. "Audrey, it's not cute anymore. He's just... I don't know, it's like he can't stand the thought of you having fun without him. It's kind of pathetic, don't you think?"
Audrey's brows furrowed, feeling a twinge of discomfort at Trevor's harsh words. "I... I don't know, Trevor. He's just checking in to see how my day is going. It's not a big deal."
But Trevor couldn't shake the feeling of resentment towards Andres, his passive-aggressive comments revealing his true feelings. "Well, if you say so. But I just don't get why you're wasting your time on someone like him when you could have someone who actually appreciates you."
Audrey sighed, feeling torn between her loyalty to Andres and Trevor's subtle manipulation. She forced a smile, trying to diffuse the tension. "Let's just focus on finding the perfect suit for your sister's wedding, okay?"
Trevor nodded, but the jealousy still simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over with every text Audrey received from Andres.
Audrey and Trevor stepped out of the YSL store, Trevor's new suit neatly packed in a luxurious bag. Audrey's phone buzzed again, but this time she quickly silenced it, ignoring the message from Andres. Trevor noticed her action and couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
"Why do you keep ignoring his messages?" Trevor asked, his tone laced with bitterness. "Is he really that important to you?"
Audrey felt a surge of frustration at Trevor's passive-aggressive comments. "Andres just wants me to be present at Jeremiah's game. He doesn't want me to miss out on hanging out with our friends," she replied, trying to diffuse the tension.
Trevor scoffed, his jealousy evident. "Well, he seems pretty clingy to me. Don't you think we were perfect for each other, Audrey? My family loves you, and you're just the perfect fit for my reputation."
Audrey bristled at Trevor's words, feeling defensive of Andres. "Andres is a great guy, Trevor. He's caring and supportive, and he has every right to text me," she retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Trevor's expression darkened, but he didn't press the issue further. Instead, he gestured towards the floral decorator's shop. "Let's go finalize the floral arrangements for the wedding."
Audrey nodded, eager to change the subject. "Yes, let's do that."
They made their way to the floral decorator's shop, Trevor's bodyguard and manager trailing behind them with the bags of purchases. Inside, they were greeted by an array of beautiful flowers and arrangements. Audrey's eyes lit up at the sight, momentarily forgetting about the tension between her and Trevor.
After browsing through the options and discussing the details, they finally settled on the perfect floral arrangements for the wedding. Trevor's bodyguard and manager took care of the payments and arrangements, leaving Audrey and Trevor free to continue their day.
As they walked through the mall, Audrey's gaze was drawn to a nearby Miniso store, where cute plushies adorned the shelves. Trevor noticed her interest and suggested, "Why don't we go in? I'll buy you some cute plushies."
Audrey hesitated, her mind flashing back to the times she went shopping for plushies with Andres. She couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort she felt around Trevor compared to the comfort and happiness she felt with Andres.
"No, thanks, Trevor," Audrey replied, forcing a smile. "I don't want to waste our time."
Trevor shrugged, but Audrey could sense his disappointment. As they continued walking, Audrey couldn't help but wonder about the underlying feelings she had for Andres and Trevor. Despite their shared history, Trevor no longer felt like the perfect fit she once thought he was.
Trevor sighed, his frustration evident. "Audrey, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me. It's not that I want to put Andres in a bad light in front of you, it's just how I feel."
Audrey listened, trying to understand Trevor's perspective. "I get it, Trevor. Andres is my boyfriend, so I want to know how you feel about him. But you shouldn't be saying negative things about him. You don't even know him personally, so it's not fair to judge him without knowing him."
Trevor nodded, conceding to Audrey's point. "You're right, Audrey. I shouldn't judge him without knowing him."
"Exactly," Audrey said, relieved that Trevor understood. "Let's just focus on enjoying our time together."
Trevor glanced at his watch, feeling a pang of hunger. "I'm feeling really hungry after all the shopping. Why don't we go have brunch, and then I can drop you off at the stadium for Jeremiah's game?"
Before Audrey could respond, her phone buzzed again. It was Andres, insisting that they leave immediately. Trevor noticed her hesitation and pleaded, "Please, Audrey, I'm starving. Let's go have brunch."
Audrey sighed, but agreed."Okay, let's go."
They made their way to a picturesque and upscale restaurant, where Trevor ordered a lavish spread. Despite the beautiful surroundings and Trevor's efforts to make her happy, Audrey couldn't shake the feeling of longing for the carefree moments she shared with Andres.
As they ate, Audrey's mind wandered back to the memories she shared with Andres, the laughter, and the light-hearted conversations. She couldn't help but compare it to the stifling atmosphere she felt with Trevor, despite his best intentions.
As they finished their meal, Trevor couldn't help but notice Audrey's unease. She fidgeted with her utensils, barely touching her food, her eyes darting towards the exit. Sensing her discomfort, Trevor refrained from probing further, opting instead to pay the bill and quietly follow Audrey out of the restaurant.
Outside, Trevor's driver pulled up in his sleek Mercedes, opening the door for them. They both got in, but the atmosphere inside the car was tense, the silence heavy with unspoken words.
After a few moments, Trevor cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Audrey, I just wanted to say thank you for today. Your help with my sister's wedding preparations meant a lot to me."
Audrey offered a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "You're most welcome, Trevor," she replied softly, her tone distant.
Sensing her reluctance to engage further, Trevor let the conversation drop, allowing the quiet to settle between them once more. As they arrived at the stadium for Jeremiah's game, Trevor spoke up again. "Audrey, here we are. I hope you enjoy the game."
"Yeah, Trevor," Audrey replied, her voice tight with emotion. She quickly exited the car, hurrying towards the stadium without so much as a backward glance.
Trevor watched her go, a pang of jealousy gnawing at his insides. He wanted to call out to her, to ask her to stay, but he knew it was futile. Audrey had already made up her mind, and there was nothing he could say to change it. With a heavy heart, he watched her disappear into the crowd, wondering if things could ever go back to the way they were.
A/n: Picture credits to the rightful owner.