Husband With Benefits-Chapter 531: Tears

Gabe felt a hint of concern when the girl sent him a lost look, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He watched as she tried to maintain her composure but seemed to be failing miserably, as her tears started to fall. Gabe felt his heart thud at her look and he instinctively moved to wipe her tears, before realizing what he was about to do. This girl was a stranger...

Finally, she seemed to realise the same thing too and looked away hurriedly and spoke in a trembling voice," Please excuse me."

Without waiting for a response, she hurried past him and into the back room. Once safely out of sight, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, letting the tears fall freely, failing to realize that she was still visible to him in the mirror on the side.

Gabe watched in concern, not the least bit worried that he was probably intruding her privacy. He watched as the real estate agent he had been speaking to quickly walked to her and engulfed her in a hug and Autumn started to cry in earnest.

Feeling like an intruder, he placed his visiting card on the table and walked out of the office without another word. There was no need to observe someone else’s pain specially when it seemed to be making him so uncomfortable that he had to physically suppress the urge to console the girl with the pretty eyes.

***

It was quite a while later that Autumn’s tears finally subsided. Gently, Bianca helped Autumn into a chair and helped her sit. Finally, when she had calmed down, Biance questioned her," Now tell me... what is wrong? Did you have a fight with Pierce? Or did that old Mrs Pearl say something to you?"

"Pierce wants to marry me. He wants to elope."

Autumn watched as her friends’s mouth fell open and she stared. "He wants to elope? But why? Did that wicked witch not give her approval?Why did she invite you over then?"

Autumn sighed and looked at Biance. This time not correcting her about calling Aunty Peral a wicked witch. Carefully she explained,"Oh, She gave her approval alright. But she had conditions." Even as she said this, Autumn could feel anger rising withing her again, making her regret that she had silently walked away from that kitchen instead of giving her a piece of her mind.

"If I want to marry her dear son, and ’force’ him to adopt my sister, then I need to put my house deed in his name before the marriage. And secondly, I should sign a pre nuptial agreement, with conditions stating clearly that I will not have any claim to any of his propery that he has acquired before marriage or after. So, if we ever decide to part ways, then I will not just be penniless but also homeless."

Bianca listened intently, her expression a mix of shock and indignation as she processed the information. "That’s... that’s outrageous," she exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief. "How could anyone ask such things of you? Especially Pierce, knowing your situation with your sister. I hope you told the woman where she could shove that condition!"

Autumn shook her head. " I was too shocked to say anything.. And scared that Pierce was in this. But..."

"You mean Pierce had no idea that his mom was trying to steal from you?"

Autumn nodded," He knows his parents are not happy about his decision. But because his mom had invited me over, he thought that they had come around. After speaking to his mother, I went to him. He didn’t know... But he said that we should elope. It is the weekend now so Monday morning, we are supposed to meet at th local courthouse and get married. He said he will move into my home and we can continue without interference from his parents."

Biance stared as Autumn almost choked on her own voice. "That is a good thing, isn’t it, Autumn? If you show the judge that the two of you are married then it is better than just being engaged, doesn’t it? He has never publicly acknowledged you as his fiance or even his girlfriend due to his parent’s pressure. Now, at a time like this, a marriage certificate would definitely be helpful. When your stepfather tries to discredit you, this will be in your favour."

Autumn nodded but then shook her head," I know it would be good. But I never wanted to do something like this. I don’t want Pierce to... be against his parents."

Biance sighed. "Is this about the rumors that..that wicked step father of yours spread few years ago? That is all in the past, Autumn. Those who know you...they would never believe it."

Autumn gave a bitter smile." Won’t they? There are so many of my mother’s friends who had watched me grown up? But did they forget about those rumors? Did they come to give me their condolences? No. They went to that man, even though they were divorced. Those rumors have been the bane of my existence, Bianca. They’re going to be with me for as long as I live here. Make me a pariah. But I don’t want to add to it by... making Pierce elope with me."

"But you are not making Pierce do anything, Autumn. You are only trying to do what is right. And as your boyfriend, he is doing the right thing too. You deserve all the happiness in th world, Autumn. And if your fiance is willing to give you that? That is all that matters. So stop crying and thinking of all the bad stuff. If you are going to elope on Monday then the least we can do is get you a pretty dress. That way, the two of you can have some nice engagement photos and rub them in that old witch’s nose."

"Now, smile, my pretty Autumn. You even scared away my customer. At least I should get a smile in return for that!"