WITH YOU- I Never Had A Choice ✔️

CHAPTER FORTY NINE

DYLAN

I am sitting on the table having my third drink. Well yeah, I plan on getting some more. Especially after what I just saw. They seemed to be enjoying each other's company, Mike and Avery. I should have seen that coming. Avery doesn't like me. All that act of jealousy was just an 'act' then. Well played Avery. And here my dumbass was thinking that she was actually jealous. I can't get the picture out of my head when I saw them walk out into the balcony through the glass doors. After coming back into the hall, I went to the bar and got myself a drink and even spoke to other people but nothing helped. What happens when the deal ends. Will they get together? Wow. No, Mike wouldn't do that to me. He knows how I feel about Avery but then again Avery does not. What's the point of stopping them then? But maybe I could just do myself a favour and not imagine them together for once.

Groaning, I rub my face with one hand. Everyone starts to gather around that stage in their respective places as they announce that the auction is about to begin. My heart starts to beat faster with my hands getting sweaty 'cause I know they are coming back right now. An image of then walking in hand in hand flashes in front of me. Damnit.  Did they kiss? God Dylan stop. "Dylan..." I turn my head towards Avery who sits down on her stool. Keeping her hands on the table, she looks at me with glassy eyes. Not a good sign at all. Maybe they did kiss after all. Oh no. "I—" she starts to say something but gets interfered by the voice of a man, who happens to be the auctioneer, coming from the stage. Everyone's head gets turned in that direction. Honestly, I don't want to hear what she has to say. Seems like I am running away. If that is the case, then so be it. I dont want to deal with this right now.

"Welcome ladies and gentleman to the last Fundraiser of the year. Before we begin, I would like to thank you all for participating in the event. It was a great evening. As everyone might know, this money is going to a charity which will take care of the education of all those little kids. Your active participation in the auction makes it possible for us to send out a generous amount of money that makes those little kids' dream come true." Everyone starts clapping their hands together. I have already made a donation of two million dollars towards the charity like I do every year. "Without further ado, let's start with the first item that we have—" He begins the auction and a beautiful painting of a lady— rather naked — comes on the big screen behind the auctioneer.

He continues with the auction. It was a silent auction so this part involves declaring the results. Soon a picture of a book flashed on the screen. However, through the whole time, I could see Avery picking her nails or fidgeting in her place from the corner of my eyes. "Lot number thirty-three— is a very special first edition copy of one of the greatest books in the history of literature, 'Jane Eyre,' by Charlotte Brontë which was published in 1847. This magnificent book was bought by Dr Olivia Walker at a high bid of 70,000 dollars." My head snaps towards Avery. She said she wanted to donate but spending it on a book? To be fair, it is the first edition. I've seen her reading a lot of times but I didn't know she loved these so much. Hearing her name, her head snaps up. Everyone starts clapping while she sits there with a blank expression. I can feel that she is deep into her cloud of thoughts.

The auction continues and she looks at me through her lashes then goes back to playing with her fingers. As the auction ends and the people start writing cheques, Avery pulls out her chequebook from the little clutch in her hand, still distracted in her mind. I see Mike making his way towards us. Maybe I should leave them alone. As he reaches us, I get down from my stool and mutter "Excuse me, " then walk away towards the washroom.

I am standing in the washroom, washing my hands in the sink, when I hear the door open. I look at the door through the mirror to find Avery stepping in. "It is men's washroom. What are you doing here?" I ask, in a grave tone.