Unveiling Shadows: Echoes of Vengeance, Ties of Betrayal

CHARLIE

The stars in the night sky had already begun to appear. The penthouse seemed so near up in the sky that it gave the impression that you could reach out and touch them if you jumped off of anything.

As midnight drew closer, the volume of the music that was playing inside increased. Because the penthouse is outfitted with enormous transparent mirror walls, it is possible to see the occupants from the outside.

I stood back and observed the other guests as they danced with one another. Some of them were gathered in the bar, while the others were perched on the edge of the rooftop looking down at the city lights.

There were some other people who seemed to be having a good time with others who I had believed they had just met at the party, and then I noticed Mason taking a drink from each of his closest pals one after the other.

There were guests waiting at the doorway who seemed like they were about to leave the party, but some of them had remained and were becoming rowdier. Just like me and Avery.

We didn't actually get off the sofa, and in fact, Julius didn't really walk away as well. He had simply been standing there next to me drinking.

But a few seconds later, he only said his goodbyes to Avery after exchanging a few brief pleasantries with her before leaving.

"Avery, what was that, huh? Why do you have to make things even more awkward?" I gave Avery a little squeeze on the arm before rising from my seat to take in the sights of the city after dark.

"Oh come on, don't act like you're so bothered by it! I was only kidding around with you!" We had a guffaw together.

Avery handed me another glass of liquor. And while I watched the city lights shine like chunks of the Milky Way, I took a drink from my cup.

"By the way, you two make a really cute couple! It was, undeniable!" She persisted in making fun of me. I just shook my head and then returned to my seat next to her.

And before I could even drink more on my glass, I realized that Julius was on his way back to our seat. And with that, I took another gulp from my beverage. He was coming back with more beverages for us.

"Would it be okay if I came over to hang out with you tonight? There isn't anybody else in this place that I know quite as well as the two of you.” He explained.

After placing a large number of beverages on the table, he proceeded to come over and sit down next to me. Avery chuckled and then just nodded in response to him.

Julius surprised me by moving closer to where I was seated and I felt my heat racing faster than usual.

I was conscious of the fact that Avery was aware of how uncomfortable this situation was for me. I had a feeling that she would come up with something, but I wasn't sure whether it would be humiliating or not.

Even so, I was certain that she would think of something. While I waited, sipped, and savored the flavorful tequila, I gazed at the opulently beautiful pool that was in front of us.

"So, tell us, how have you been all these years, Mr. Ferguson?" Avery's question finally broke the tense stillness that had been there.

"Well, I've been good. The business is doing great. Things have been...” Julius was still talking but Avery cut him off.

"Oh, I see. But what I mean is…” Avery stated and then stared at me. After a few seconds of pause, the next words she uttered were unexpected.

"I just need to know… Have you already tied the knot with someone else or are you dating or something?" Avery’s smirk after her litany was something else.

I gave her a lethal look before pinching her arm to get her attention and then I gave her a lethal look.

The word "What?" escaped her lips, embarrassing me greatly. I couldn't entirely blame her; she was clearly intoxicated. I was also curious about Julius's response, but apprehensive about what he might say.

“Ah, no. Not really. Right now, I am single.” Julius answered with a smile.

The words 'I'm single' lodged a knot in my throat as I heard him utter them for the first time. I sat upright, glancing briefly in his direction.

"Single… can you elaborate, please?" The lips of Avery never really understood when to be quiet.

"Single. And no rings yet. So, I can basically say, I am ready to mingle,” Julius lightly chuckled after he responded.

"How about you guys? Are you married? Or still single?" Julius’ smile didn’t escape from his face as he asked us this question.

“Yes! We are, of course! Charlie is single, she’s also free to mingle!" A straightforward response from Avery, which was somewhat embarrassing. My pupils drew more widely.

"Yeah, right! What she said was true," I reasoned that it would be less humiliating to go along with it, letting out an uncomfortable giggle, rather than confronting the question head-on.

Avery persisted with her inquiries to Julius, undeterred by my feeble attempt to silence her with a gentle cheek squeeze.

During that time, I mostly kept to myself, while Avery and Julius engaged in conversation. They reminisced about our high school experiences, both the good and the bad.

My participation amounted to the occasional comment or nod, merely to show agreement or respond to unrelated questions.

As time passed, I noticed the guests inside gradually dispersing. I ventured indoors to find Mason to bid our goodbye.

Inside, the lights were still flashing rapidly, but the volume of the music was lower than it had been previously.

Inside was a massive dark blue sofa, the kind that appears on the cover of well-known furniture magazines, and that's where I discovered him chatting with Fiona.

I felt it was important to let him know that we would be leaving since Avery is unable to drink any more. I only wanted to also say thank you and wish him again a happy birthday, but I chose not to annoy them while they were engaged in their passionate make-out session.

Both of them seemed to be having a good time but were visibly under the influence of alcohol, exactly like Avery, who was passed out on the sofa in the backyard.

"Gosh, forget it then!" I pondered the situation and then stumbled out of the room.

Even though I was aware that I was intoxicated myself, Avery was the only thing on my mind right now. Similarly, I was not capable of allowing her to drive a vehicle in such condition, nor would I ever do so.

"Hey, Miss Guavez! Let’s go!" I called out to Avery, finding her slumbering on the sofa.

"She had already had too much alcohol. I can drive you home,” Julius stated who I noticed was standing by the side of the pool.

He dropped a cigarette on the ground and carried our pouches on his arm at the same time.

Because I was feeling dizzy, it was difficult for me to focus on him and determine whether or not he was intoxicated.