Husband With Benefits-Chapter 530: Conditions

A FEW HOURS AGO

As Autumn stepped into the quaint yard of the house, she felt her heart race. Nervously, she smoothed her dress, making sure it wasn’t creased before taking another step forward. The yard reminded her of the many childhood memories with Dave but this time it was something different.

She walked inside with a nervous fluttering and raised a trembling hand to knock. Thankfully, Aunty Pearl did not make her wait and quickly opened the door," Welcome Autumn. Everyone’s around the pool outside."

Autumn paused. "Everyone?"

"Pierce didn’t tell you? He is so absent minded. All his aunts and cousins are here for the weekend."

Autumn nodded her head,"He didn’t tell me. Is it... is it special ocassion?"

The older woman gave her a mysterious smile and said," Yes, it is. And you’ll know it soon enough. Come on. Lets go and see everyone first."

As they reached the deck, Autumn felt even more out of place. Everyone was dressed for a pool party and here she was dressed in a conservative sundress. And she could feel every curious eye turn to her as she entered behind. Thankfully, she didn’t have much time to be embarrassed as Pierce spotted her quickly and raced to her," There she is! The most beautiful girl in the world."

Autumn smiled as Pierce quickly pulled her into his arms and introduced everyone," Autumn, these are my coursins! You won’t remember them even if I introduce them since they are too many... Just count them with numbers."

"Boo! Pierce! At least introduce us properly!" As his cousins shouted at him, Pierce winked at her and leaned in close,"Ignore them for now. And come to my room later. I have a surprise for you."

Autumn nodded and quickly stepped away when she saw his parents approaching her.

A few minutes later, Autumn found herself in the kitchen, with only Mrs Pearl in the kitchen. As she helped the woman slice the vegetables, Autumn could feel a weird tension in the air. She didn’t know why but she had a feeling that things were not going to be the same...

"Autumn?"

It took her a moment to realize that Aunty Pearl had been calling her name.. And from the irritated tone of it, she’d done it a few times," Yes, Aunty? I’m sorry, I zoned out earlier."

"Its okay, Autumn. You’ve always been like this. I... I hope you won’t mind what I am going to say. Just... your mother was a good friend of mine, Autumn and I’ve always approved of your relationship and Pierce’s. I think the two of you are a great match."

Autumn smiled at that, feeling relieved. The way this conversation had started out, she’d almost prepared herself for a rejection.

"Thank you, aunty." Autumn replied with a grateful look, happy about the reassurance. That was one heartache less for her.

"Don’t thank me yet, Autumn," Aunty Pearl said with a solemn expression, her words laden with meaning as she gave Autumn a look.

"I told you not to take offense so I’ll be straightforward with you. Things have changed from what they were when yuor mother was alive. Your mother passed away six months ago and I wanted to give you time to settle before broaching the topic of going back to college for your future studies. But it seems you’ve dropped the idea and are planning to mother your younger half sister?"

Autumn tried to speak up, but the woman raised her hand," I haven’t finished. When I approved you of being his bride, you were on track to becoming a successful woman. You ’d received the design scholarship for studying architecture and design. This would have made me overlook your poor circumstances. My husband and I had already discussed that."

Autumn’s heart sank as Aunty Pearl’s words sank in. But the woman paid no mind to her pale expression and continued," "I understand your desire to care for your sister, Autumn. But you have your own dreams and aspirations too. And I would have supported you had the girl’s father not been alive orb been unwilling to take care of her."

Autumn stiffened at the mention of her stepfather. Once again, the woman paid no mind to Autumn and continued," But that is not the case. You are even dragging this matter to court to fight him for full custody. You are young and don’t comprehend the burden that you are taking on. However, I need you to understand something. My Pierce is my pride and joy. I want nothing but the best for him, and I cannot stand by and watch him shoulder burdens that are not his to bear."

Autumn swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in her throat. She knew what Aunty Pearl was getting at, but the thought of what it meant for her and Pierce was almost too much to bear. "Aunty, Pierce has agreed. We love each other and..."

"I know you love each other! That is why Pierce has agreed. But do you think he will be able to love you when your sister is always around you to not give you some privacy? And then what about when you want your own kids?"

Autumn looked away at that. She... She’d expected that when her mother had passed away and her sister had been put into her care. But Pierce had reassured her that he would talk to his parents. Today, when he’d called her over, she’d thought that he’d convinced them.. But instead...

"I know this is a lot to take in," Aunty Pearl continued, her tone gentler now. " And I know the two of you have always loved each other. So, I won’t stand in the way of your love." Autumn looked up in surprise at that. What did Aunty Pearl mean?

The woman nodded and continued," Yes. You heard me right. I am going to let the two of you marry. But if you want to marry my son, there are conditions that must be met."