Secret Garden 2: Bound Hearts

AVIE took off her shades upon entering the office. Victoria was not alone; she was with Agnes.

“Oh, look who’s finally back in town,” Agnes said with a grin.

“Did you miss me?” Avie cocked her head.

Victoria sent her to cover a fashion show in New York hosted by the House of Fantasia. It has been two weeks since then. She was supposed to fly back to the Philippines the day after the show, but she extended her stay.

“Of course I’ve missed you. We all missed you.” Agnes glanced at Victoria. “Who would not miss the late-night talks with beer and boys on the side.”

She burst into laughter.

“I missed the late-night talks and the beer.” She winked at Agnes.

Agnes quickly got what she meant.

“Oh, dear…” her friend said in awe. “You are something. Are you a boy magnet, or it’s all about sorcery?”

“It could be both.” She sauntered to the couch and sat beside Agnes. “It looks like someone is mad at me.”

Victoria turned to Avie with her forever poker-faced resting face.

Well… she could not blame her if she’s mad. She has a lot of pending works before she left Fantasia, and yet she prioritized her pleasure. Victoria was considerate not to fire her after what she did. Perhaps, she understands.

“Do you want to hear a yes, or a no?” Victoria asked, her brow was crooked as a hook.

“Oh, that one is heavy. I can feel the weight of your words in my chest.” Avie crossed her hands above her chest.

She made Agnes laugh.

“Stop it, Avie. Victoria might get mad at you for real,” Agnes whispered in her ear.

She shrugged.

“I think I should leave now. You two must talk and sort things out.” Agnes stood up and gave her a light tap on her shoulder. “I will inform Eyre that you’re back. You owe us, dear.”

“Sure! If you’re both free tonight, we can give it a go,” she said.

“Okay!” Agnes clucked her tongue and went out of the office.

Victoria was just staring at her after Agnes left. She may not be speaking, but her eyes tell that she owes her an explanation.

“I am sorry, Victoria. I am one stubborn woman.”

“What did you do?” she asked.

Avie heaved a sigh. “I met a guy in New York. I enjoyed his company, we hooked up, and the rest is history.”

“That’s so like you,” said Victoria. She rose from her seat and went to the bar counter right at the corner of her office.

She handed her a glass of wine when she came back and joined her on the couch.

“Thank you.”

Avie smelled her wine before taking a sip.

“Just so you know, I am not mad at you.”

She turned to Victoria. “O-oh… I am glad to hear that.”

“But I’ve got bad news for you.” Victoria picked her phone on the table and made a call. “Avie’s here. You may come inside the office.”

Her brows furrowed.

“Who is that?” she asked nervously.

But even before Victoria could answer her, the office door opened, and her mother went in. Avie stood up.

“M-Mom, what are you doing here?”

“Have a seat,” Victoria told her mother.

Avie and her mom sat on the couch together.

“Have you heard from your father?” her mother asked.

Avie shook her head. How could she? Since the day her parents got separated, she cut her ties to his father because she hated him so much. She could not forgive him for ruining her life.

“Mom, I cut my ties with him a long time ago. And I will never see him again—”

“You must, Avie,” she cut her off. Her mom looked at her with narrowed eyes. “You must attend his birthday party and meet him.”

“Mom, you know how much I hate him. Why do you still insist that I meet him now? After what he had done to us? He ruined us!” she snapped.

“I know, dear. I know.” Her mother grabbed her hand and cupped it. “But you must get what is rightfully yours.”

“What do you mean?” Her forehead creased.

“I received a call from Georgina—”

“Who’s Georgina?”

“The rat I planted inside the house.”

“Oh… okay.”

“As I was saying, I received a call from Georgina. She heard your father talking to his lawyer about his last will. He’s going to leave everything to Theo! Can you imagine that? That bastard was not even his blood and flesh! He was the son of that bitch!”

“Mom.” Avie’s lips pressed into a thin line.

She rose from her seat and dragged her mother out of Victoria’s office. She may be open with Victoria about family matters. Still, Avie thought that she had to talk about it in private. Just the two of them.

They rode the elevator to the upper floor and brought her mother to the rooftop.

“Come on, Avie! You must do something!” her mom yelled upon reaching the rooftop.

She raised her hands. “Wait, Mom. I can’t comprehend what you are talking about. H-he what?”

“He’s giving Theo everything…” Her mom grabbed her arms. “Everything that is supposed to be yours. His company, his land, his wealth… that’s all yours. You should not let Theo take something from you again.”

“B-but, why is Dad making a last will?” She has an idea, but still, she wanted to confirm it.

“Your father is dying. He has colon cancer.”

“Mom—”

“I will keep pestering you until you do something about it. Your father had wronged us, and his wealth was not even enough to pay off his sin, but that’s the only thing that you can get from him.” Her mother let out an exasperated sigh and freed her.

If Avie would follow her mother’s order, aside from seeing her father, there is a huge chance that she might see Theo again. And she was not prepared for that. Her mom was pushing her to go to a war unarmed.

“When’s the party?” she asked.

Her mother’s face brightened. “In a week. Let me buy you a dress for the party—”

“I work for Fantasia Co., remember? Agnes will take care of it.” She sighed. “And besides, I am still unsure if I’ll attend the party.”

She could bear to see her father again. But Theo?

I don’t think so, she told herself.