Husband With Benefits-Chapter 562: Surprise

Autumn was in a bad mood. And that wasn’t all. The worst part was she didn’t know why she felt this way. The three women-Nora, Evana and Isabella had come to visit were extremely friendly to her, Arabelle, and Gabe. Even though they had shown up without warning, they brought lots of food and gifts for Arabelle, much to Arabelle’s delight and ’to not be a bother’ to her. The thing she had feared—that they would be snooty and stuck-up—had not happened. There had been an odd moment when Arabelle had introduced herself but she hadn’t been able to make that out.

Yet, she still felt unhappy with them. As she put away the dinnerware that Gabe and Isabella had washed and dried, she realized she felt envious of the easy camaraderie these women shared with Gabe. It was a sobering realization to understand that while she had started to consider her husband as her friend, she was not his only friend. All his sisters-in-law were his friends too.

And somehow, knowing she wasn’t all that different from others in his life left a bitter taste in her mouth. A sudden knock on the door of the kitchen had her turning around and she smiled at Nora who stood there, while trying to compose herself so as not to show the confusion on her face.

"Did you need something?"

"Nah! I figured I’d come get you since you’ve been here for a while. I was starting to think you were hiding from us. Not that I would blame you. I am sure if Ian had informed Gabe beforehand then he would have made sure to hide you. The se men are all like that.. super protective of their women."

And that is when she realised another thing.. taking a deep breath, she looked directly at the girl, " But that is the thing. I am not his woman. So I do not understand the reason for this visit and... "

"And us coming here to judge you? We know you are not the woman in his heart. But you are the first woman he has chosen to protect after his... wife. And we came here to not judge whether you were his woman or what not.. we came here to make sure that the woman he had chosen to protect this time did not end up hurting him."

"Why would I hurt him? He has protected me and stood by me when I had no one. I would never hurt him.. not even in my dreams! In fact, I hope some day I would be able to return the favour and...

She paused in her words when she noticed Nora staring at her with a slight smile. "What is it?"

"Autumn, thank you."

"What for?" Autumn looked at her in confusion.

"For caring about him."

" I don’t.. I... we’re friends. It’s a fake marriage..."

"Do you know I and Demon had a contract marriage as well?"

"You did? But... Gabe mentioned that you and him are madly in love."

"Yes. We are. That wasn’t how it started though. I married Demon for protection."

Autumn stilled. "For protection?"

"Uh huh. Its a long story. But your and mine... circumstances are not so different. And from what I have seen, you really do consider him a friend..."

Autumn nodded. She didn’t know what could be similar in the circumstances of this pretty girl and her but she could believe it. She saw the pain in her eyes. In terms of age, she might be older than Nora but from the look in her eyes... Nora had lived a lifetime too.

Before she could say anything, Nora hugged her, before quickly stepping back," Autumn. Welcome to the Frost family. We don’t care about your relationship status. As long as you are with Gabe, as a friend or as his nominal wife, you will always find a friend in us."

Autumn nodded in appreciation. It felt as if she had gained a sister. She could see the truth in the words. It was a genuine welcome and not just lip service. Of course the moment was short lived as Nora then squeezed her hands and warned," But remember Autumn, if you ever hurt Gabe... you will find that the Frosts can be the worst enemies..."

Autumn nodded at that. There was truth in that as well. But she didn’t try to explain herself. She’d already said she would never do it. "I don’t think I hold that kind of power in my hands."

Nora gave a mysterious smile at that," We never know the power we hold...Anyway, thats enough of a discussion. Let’s go out. Another minute and Gabe is going to be here looking for you, wondering if I have eaten you up or something."

Autumn laughed at that. " He wouldn’t do that."

"Ha! Lets make it a bet. I’ll count to hundred and Gabe will appear in that doorway before that."

Autumn giggled. Nora Frost really had a way about her. Even now, the way she was looking at her over a silly bet, made her want to agree...

"Okay.. What happens if you win?"

"If I win, then you will accompany Gabe to the city when he next comes."

Autumn nodded. " Fair... And what if I win?"

"You tell me." She shrugged.

Autumn tried to think but couldn’t come up with anything but somehow blurted out," Then next time you bring the Frost brothers too..."

Nora laughed at that," Agreed." while Autumn was flummoxed. How did that happen. How did she end up inviting Nora and the entire gang again and this time with Gabe’s brothers. What was wrong with her? Just a few minutes ago, she had been unhappy.

While she was thinking, Nora had already started counting and reached a happy ’five’ when Gabe walked into the kitchen with a plate in his hand and a worried glance on his face.

Nora sent her a smug look as she winked at her before walking to Gabe and taking the plate out of his hand," Relax, Mr Guard. I was just chatting to your ’friend’ here."