“I know I can’t afford the price I’m gonna pay, but I want you anyway.”
~I want you anyway by Jon McLaughlin

I didn’t need an alarm to wake up early. Noah made sure I woke up in time.

Once it was 7:00 am, my phone rang. I dragged my dull eyes open and saw Noah’s name on my screen. He was already up and wanted me up as well.

“Hey babe, you’re up?”

I hiss and rub my face. “I am now. Why are you calling me babe?”

I don’t need to see him realise he’s smirking maliciously. “Good and babe is just a formality, so you won’t realize that I’ve forgotten your name.” He says in a panting voice.

I chuckle because his answer got to me. He’s able to do that even though I still hate him.

“Nice answer. Why are you panting?”

“Well, wouldn’t you want to know Ms Good?!”

I’d say he’s having sex with someone, but I think it’s too early to be doing that and I doubt Noah could have sex with anyone without them screaming and crying lastly and most important, Noah knows well that him screwing another person is all I need to burn this deal to ashes.

“I think you’re doing your morning exercise and from your heavy panting I’d say maybe you just finished a round of press-ups.”

There is a pause on the line before he scoffs, “Not bad. My girl knows me well.”

I can’t say I’m not. I’ve spent a few nights in his house and I know his early morning routine. I paid little attention, but I noticed it.

“I’m surprised that I do too,” I admit.

“I’ll be there in an hour. Be ready by then.” He says before ending the call.

I move my worn body to the bathroom and I take a bath and get dressed in a black gown along with a winter coat Noah had delivered late last night. The gown is a short lace gown with a long sleeve, that barely reaches my mid-thigh and I’m completely sceptical if the gown is the right thing to wear, but I’m in no way ready to fall out with Noah because I’m too tired of the fight.

A soft knock comes on my door as I pick up my makeup bag. “Come in,” I say and the door opens and Hadid ushers himself in. “Hey.”

He’s wearing a black leather jacket on top of a white long-sleeve T-shirt, and he’s wearing black skinny jeans. His red hair is a little longer and rougher than his normal cut and I haven’t taken notice of it since, but it looks good on him.

“Hey. See, you’re getting ready for the journey.” He says walking towards where I am in the dressing mirror.

My eyes narrow as a study of his restless body language. “Yeah, I am. What’s wrong? You don’t look too good.”

“Irina and I broke up last night.” He runs his hand through his already rough hair.

My heart breaks, and sadness takes over me. “What?! Why? You two looked so good together yesterday. What could have happened?”

“It’s not what, it’s who. I think Wesley must have given her the impression that he and I were together because she said she couldn’t have me if I already belonged to someone else. I’ve been trying to get hold of Wesley and have him tell me what he did, but I haven’t seen him anywhere.”

I heave a sigh, “He’s gone Hadid, he’s never coming back.”

“What happened between you, too?”

“He said his dad wanted to make up for the lost months.” Why I’m still lying to Hadid to protect Wesley after what he’s done to both me and Hadid, I do not know.

“Well, one thing is for sure, he’s got explaining to do if I ever see him again.”

The doorbell goes off and I’m sure that it is Noah, so I get up and pick up my bag and Hadid helps bring my luggage out with me.

Noah, like I expected, is at the door already sent and, may I add, handsome. In his black winter coat, almost like mine, on top of his black suit and red tie. His blonde hair is parted at the side and neatly styled in a way that makes his face a sight to behold. Most times I don’t get to appreciate his looks because of how he treats me, but in truth, he’s a handsome fellow with almost perfect everything.

“You’re staring,” he points out.

“I was just thinking you’re handsome today.” I blurt out in a dismissive tone.

A puzzled look appears on his face and stays. “Haven’t I always been?”

I glance at him weirdly. “You’ve been evil all this time. You still are, just seem hidden now.” It isn’t a joke, and he knows that I’m not kidding either, but he just ignores it and takes my hand before leading me to the car.

After getting to the airport, Noah directs us to a plane. I did not know I had a passport until then, but I said nothing.

I also discovered that I do have a fear of flying because I felt dizzy immediately after the plane took off, but Noah, who was beside me, took my hand into his. I turn to give him a confused look but he just smiles and proceeded to entwine our hands.

There’s a car waiting for us on arrival and our bags are rolled into the car. “How far before we reach your family's house?”

“It’s a 20 minutes’ drive,” He replies, before asking. “Why?”

I chew my bottom lip, “I kinda want to lay my head down.” I reveal.

“Still dizzy?” He asks inquisitively.

“Yeah, never flown before.” I admit, “but I guess I’m just tired.”

In the next moment, I feel his hand on my face and I almost jumped out of my skin in surprise, before easing up a little and settling into his touch. He runs his hand over my cheek and up to my temple, then back down to my jaw. A tingling sensation runs all over my body and my eyes close.

“You don’t have to put up this caring act, Noah. I’m going to play my part. You don’t have to worry.”

“How many times do I have to say this isn’t an act? I like you and I like this.”

“Well, I don’t feel too comfortable with it,” I reply with suppressed annoyance

“Your body says the opposite of that.” He says, pulling away the winter coat and then my gown way up and running his left hand over my exposed upper thigh.

My eyes open and I shove his hand away from me. “Respect my wish for fucking once.”

His face hardens, and he looks up from my thigh to my face. “There can be no cussing in public where we are going. Ma hates it.”

“Then do nothing that will trigger me.”

He seethes, “I’m not playing around now and it is not a request, it’s an order.”

His outrage should surprise me, but I’m way past that. There’s nothing he can do that can be worse than the last few months. “I am not your slave. I’m your girlfriend.”

“Contract girlfriend.” He corrects not wasting a second.

I pull my gown down over my thigh and cover my legs up with the winter coat, “Exactly, so stop trying to romanticize it ‘cause that’s not what we are.”

“We are here!” The driver announces, interrupting our heated argument, and this is exactly what I need: space.

I pick up my purse and move to open the door when Noah grabs my hand. His grip is so hard that I wince almost immediately.

“Don’t get smart with me, Avril, you do not want to do that?”

“Or what? You’d hit me?!” It hurt to struggle with him, but that’s what I do to get away from him.

“There are worse things than physical pain. Be on your best behaviour and we will not have a problem.”

“Then keep those fucking hands of yours away from me in public.” I spit out with a hard glare before pulling my hand, and this time he let go. But the damage is already done, the marks will soon be there.

I step out of the car and lo-and-behold, in front of me is the most breathtaking structure I’ve ever seen. It’s a white mansion and so far I’ve only seen such in movies. The falling snow covers the roof of the house, making it even more magnificent. For a minute, I think I forgot how to breathe as I stand gawking at the structure in complete admiration. There is a large pool on the right side of the house and a relaxation corner on the left.

“It gets better once we are inside,” Noah says from beside me. I nod and we both walk into the house.

Once inside, Noah pulls me closer and his lips graze over mine, forgetting my earlier warning to keep his romantic gestures to himself.

“Look who we got here!” A feminine voice says and we pull apart to see a woman on the stairs, in a blue gown and black heels.

She looks to be in her late fifties and has a striking resemblance to both Luke and Noah, with her facial features and her long blonde, grey hair. Her eyes are soulful brown, just like Luke’s, and I don’t need an angel to tell me she’s Mrs Castillo, Luke and Noah’s mother.

She climbs down the stairs majestically before walking over to us. “For a moment, I thought you would not make it.”

“Don’t tell me you were worried,” Noah says.

The woman laughs, “I was, but more than that, I was angry, I knew there could be no excuse for you not coming and that you were probably doing something stupid, but looking past it, I’m glad she was the excuse.” She brushes past Noah and walks to me with a charming smile, making her dimple appear, “What’s your name, dear?”

I smile widely, maybe a little wider than I intended, “Avril Good, ma’am.”

Her eyes dim as she looks at me before blurting out, “A.G.”

I know it is not random coincidence that she said that because A.G was what Luke called me and with the look on her face, it only says she knows something. Luke may have told her about me and I wonder what she’s thinking right now.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re trying to steal my girl, ma!” Noah says, breaking the silence that has taken over at the last minute.

She takes my hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Avril, and pay no mind to Noah. He is annoying all the time. I’m Margaret Sky Castillo, but you can call me Margaret.”

I smile and nod. “Sure and yeah, he can be.”

“Mom, I’m starving! Emma and I will not make it much longer if we don’t get food.” Someone says, coming out from the kitchen.

He looks a lot like Noah, only he is much younger, probably in his mid-twenties. Tall, has a good look, his hair is blonde and his eyes are brown.

“I am not your cook Japhia, come over here and say welcome to your bother and his girlfriend,” Margaret says, and though groaning, he makes his way over to us.

“Hey Noah,” he casually says, then turns to me, “I’m Japhia.” He extends his hand for a shake.

I take it into mine. “Nice to meet you Japhia, I’m Avril.”

His eyes dim, “Avril Good?”

“Yeah, how did you....” Noah asks, maybe a little more curious than I am.

Damn you, Luke! Telling everyone in your family about us. I wonder if there’s anyone you haven’t told yet.

“I saw her on TV about six months ago. She was the face of the march.” Japhia quickly covers up.

It’s not the best reply, but it is something. I feel dizzy.

Margaret speaks, helping clear more tension. “Well, everyone’s here. Luke, Julian and his wife, Joel and his rebound and even Koz got a leave from work too, so if he could make it, I knew there was no excuse for you.” She locks her arm in mine. “You’re going to tell me how you two love birds met and became a thing, but that would be after you’ve rested.” He turns from me, “Japhia sees her in her room, Noah your father is in the backyard playing golf, go say hi to him.”

Japhia and I climb up the stair and, although there is still awkwardness, Japhia quickly walks through it.

“You’re much more beautiful in person.” He blurts out.

I knew he didn’t see me on any TV. If he did, he’d know what I looked like.

This is going to be a hell of a reunion.