Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (23 page)

“What a dick” Tristan voiced and Kerrie and I nodded in
agreement. “Does Mason know?” I asked cautiously. She looked at me with raised
eyebrows “What do you think Ava?” she snorted and I frowned “Do you want him to
know?” I smirked as I caught her checking out Tristan’s backside as he walked
away “No I don’t. The police will come knocking on my door not Masons” she rubbed
her eyes in exhaustion

“When was the last time you saw Mason?” I narrowed my
eyes at her, knowing Mason would be horrified to see her like this but she just
shrugged “That’s not like him” I said perplexed “He’s busy” she looked down at
her plate as Tristan placed them down but I could sense her hurt “When Kerrie?”
I asked more sternly “Middle of December sometime” she divulged and my eyes
widened “That’s not like him. Did he sort out the nurse he promised?” she shook
her head and popped a piece of apple in her mouth “Ava, he’s busy…probably with
his bitch” she curled her lip and I pursed my lips

“Do you know what’s going on his life at the moment?” I
asked around a mouth-watering piece of gammon and she shrugged again “Kerrie,
who’s been caring for you after your chemo sessions?” I asked slowly already
knowing the answer. She looked down at her plate, avoiding my eyes “Ava, I’m
fine honestly” she sighed and I bit my lip in anger “No Kerrie, you’re not
fine! Why the hell didn’t you ring me? I would be more than happy to help” I
scolded and she smiled gently “Ava, you have your own life to take care of and
it can’t be easy for you, losing Mason to that…that bitch!” she hissed. I
didn’t tell her about mine and Mason’s relationship or that he was being
blackmailed, she had enough on her plate at the moment but I was sad that she
hadn’t asked me for help

“Right missus, when’s your next session?” I asked “A week
on Monday” she mumbled “Okay and how long are you usually ill for?” she sighed
“Ava really, you don’t…”
 

“How long?”
I interrupted she
sighed at me but gave me a small smile “A couple of days” she admitted finally
“Okay, I will pick you up Monday morning and I’ll stay at yours until you feel
better…no arguing” I pointed my finger at her as she opened her mouth to speak.
She sighed but smiled at the same time “Thank you, I must admit I’m feeling relieved
already. It’s been a bit of a nightmare, not being able to get out of bed but
having to look after myself as well” her eyes filled with tears and right at
that moment I could have slapped Mason for doing this to her. I grabbed her
hand “Kerrie I told you I was just a phone call away, besides I feel
responsible. If it wasn’t for me Kade would still be here to look after you” I
confessed but she shook her head “He would have gone anyway Ava, don’t blame
yourself, Kade knew what he was doing as well” she smiled at someone over my
shoulder and I turned to see Tristan smiling at her while he was serving
another table.

 
I pursed my lips
at her and raised an eyebrow “Get in girl” I grinned wickedly and she giggled
for the first time and I was happy to see the familiar twinkle in her eye and
as we left I wrote her number down on a napkin and handed it to Tristan,
smiling as he grinned at me, his tongue poking out between his teeth when he
realised what I had just slipped him.

Popping the Garlic and Thyme chicken, baby potatoes and
pancetta wrapped asparagus in the oven, I raced upstairs for a quick shower and
prepare myself. I was hugely excited at the prospect of seeing Mason. I hadn’t
seen him for days and I was practically hyperventilating at the thought of his
lips wrapped over mine, his fingers in my hair and his arms around me, holding
me close; the smell of him, the sight of his beautiful face and the feel of his
hard muscled body over mine. I closed my eyes and sighed in appreciation at the
thought of spending the night with him.

Slipping on my new red lace thong and bra set, I fastened
the matching suspender belt and rolled on my black fishnet stockings and
smiling at myself in the mirror I pulled on my new black wrap-around dress…easy
access and all! I fixed my hair loosely above my head, leaving stray locks
framing my face and took extra effort with my make-up and slipped into my red
stilettos and at 6:50 I was already for him.

I paced impatiently, tidying things that didn’t need
tidying, checking the food every two minutes, lighting the candles I had
adorned the table with and tapping my fingers rhythmically on the table.

 
At 7:20 I checked
my phone and turned the oven to warm and poured myself a glass of wine.

 
At 7:45 I checked
my phone and turned the oven off and poured another glass of wine, apologising
to my babies for their weak willed mother.

At 8:00 I checked my phone and scooped a few fingers full
of peanut butter and removed my shoes from my aching feet.

At 10:00 I checked my phone and swilled down a full glass
of wine, scraped the meal into the bin, blew out the candles and curled up
under a blanket in front of the TV, trying to concentrate on something other
than the feeling of utter loneliness, hurt and the deep ache in my chest.

At 2:36 I checked my phone and climbed the stairs to bed.

I woke to an empty bed and an aching heart but
straightened my shoulders, climbed out of bed and ran a bath; the deep need for
the comfort of warm bubbling water to ease the hurt inside me.

I checked my phone to find no messages or missed calls
and I frowned, now getting a little worried. I took the risk and rang him but
he didn’t answer so I sent a simple text to his now new number

ME

Where are you?

Xxx

I left it at that but by late afternoon I still hadn’t
heard from him so I decided to ring Sam. “Hi Ava” he greeted and I smiled at
his jovial voice “Hi Sam, Erm have you heard from Mason recently?” I asked and
I sensed his pause “He hasn’t rung you Ava?” he asked hesitantly “Erm no, he
was supposed to come round last night but he didn’t turn up and I’m getting
worried” I divulged and I heard Sam hiss and then sigh “He’s gone out to
America Ava” he said quietly and slowly, barely more than a whisper “Oh” I
frowned.

We were both silent for a while “Why has he gone out
there?” I asked, utterly puzzled that he hadn’t told me. There was a long pause
before he answered “Erm…he should have told you this Ava, not left it to me” he
said angrily and my suspicions rose at his tone “Tell me what Sam?” I urged and
I heard him inhale deeply “Erm…he’s gone for a couple of weeks…with Rebecca” he
gulped loudly.

I swallowed the lump in my throat “Oh” I choked “Oh” I
repeated “Ava! I don’t think he had much choice sweetheart” Sam tried to explain
but I ended the call and went back to bed, refusing to cry.

The following week I was a complete mess. I botched up
nearly every document and meeting at work, my fingertip was chewed to soreness,
I hadn’t been sleeping and looked like utter crap, my appetite had disappeared
and to top it off I still hadn’t heard anything from Mason. I was equally heart
broken and fuming but I still couldn’t understand why Mason had refrained from
telling me about his trip. I could understand to a certain extent why he had
had to go, if Rebecca or Daddy had put their foot down demanding a holiday but
why couldn’t he have let me know, that is what hurt me the most and by Friday I
was looking like the walking dead.

“Ava! My office” I heard Nate bark at me and I sighed,
grimaced and entered, forcing a smile on my face “Yep” I said as I approached
him “What the hell is this Ava?” Nate narrowed his eyes on me and passed me a
sheet of paper.

I scanned it and passed it back to him “It’s the agreement
for the Allendale contract” I informed him and he pursed his lips and nodded
and then passed it back to me “Read it again Ava” he growled and I fidgeted
nervously, nibbling on my finger furiously.

I timidly took it and read each word slowly, checking for
any mistakes and everything looked okay until I reached the last paragraph and
my eyes widened, very very widely and I gulped “
Shit
” I grimaced.

Nate nodded slowly and raised his eyebrows “You care to
explain why it says and I quote ‘
Either party may terminate
this contract at any time by providing written
notice of intent to terminate the contract on a specified date to the other
party,
you are a complete bastard
, at
least two weeks prior to the intended date of termination’”

He looked really angry, which he had every right to be “Have
you sent them a copy?” I asked tentatively, my stomach rolling as a tear
finally decided to make an appearance after nearly a week of managing to keep
them at bay.

Nate sighed heavily “No but you’re fucking lucky Ava, I don’t
usually check the
standard finishing paragraphs but for some reason
after your catastrophic week I thought I had better, AND IT’S A FUCKING GOOD
JOB I DID!” he bellowed and I flinched “I’m so sorry Nate” I choked out around
my little finger, the tears now free-falling “I…I…I’m…so..Sorry
N..
Nate” I sobbed and he rubbed his face in his hands. “Sit
down Ava” he said gently and I stumbled into the chair “What’s going on with
you this week? If it wasn’t for the fact that you’re a good friend and usually
really good at your job I would have been well within my rights to fire you
Ava!” he reprimanded and I nodded “I know, I’m sorry. I think I must have been
thinking it as I typed it” I squirmed and he pursed his lips “Well I gathered
that much Ava” he snorted.

 
I sighed “He
fucked off to America last Saturday with Rebecca” I told him and his eyes
widened “What? Why?” he spluttered “Fuck knows. He was supposed to be coming to
mine last Saturday. I cooked, dressed up and everything and he never turned up
and I haven’t heard from him since. I had to prise it out of Sam where he had
gone” I sobbed and he stood up and came round to me, crouching on the floor in
front of me “He didn’t even text or ring?” he asked, a deep frown on his face
and I shook my head “Nope, absolutely sod all!” I said angrily

“Oh Ava.
What am I gonna do with
the pair of you?” he grumbled and I shrugged “I
am
sorry Nate. I’ll work late and double check everything I’ve
worked on this week” I resolved and he nodded “There’s nothing urgent, just
spent a couple of hours tonight and we’ll both look through the rest Monday” he
rubbed my arm and stood up “We still on for tomorrow?” he asked as he cringed
slightly and I chuckled “What are you so scared of?” I laughed and he rolled
his eyes “It’s Liv, she’s a bit eager” he sucked in his lips and I widened my
eyes “Oh you’re in for a fun night. Wait till she catches the stage show” I
teased and I wasn’t sure if he grinned or cringed.

I gave him a wicked grin “You will have to text me if you
decide to disappear into one of the rooms while I’m with William. You won’t be
able to walk until Monday” I giggled as I left his room and heard him groan.

By 7 O’clock Saturday night I was ready, restless and nervous
and the way I was feeling towards Mason at present, unsure why I was still
doing this. I redid my make-up, redid my hair, changed my dress twice and
finished a full jar of peanut butter by the time Nate beeped outside.

I climbed into his Ferrari on wobbly legs “Ava” Liv
hugged me as she got out of the car to let me into the rear “I am so excited”
she grinned and giggled and I laughed “Do you know what goes off there Liv?” I
asked cautiously, worried about what she expected and what she would actually get
“I’m not a wallflower Ava” she snapped “Okay, I’m sorry” I laughed again and
held my hands out in surrender. She smiled apologetically “Sorry, it’s just
that Nates been on at me all day with the same questions” I smirked “He has
been a little worried how you would perceive this visit” I caught Nates eyes in
the rear view and he shook his head in exasperation “Well I bet I won’t be the
only there with two good looking ladies on my arm” he winked and Liv squeezed
his thigh “Awww I love your husband Liv” I smiled softly at her “He’s not bad
is he?” she gave me a coy look and winked “He’s great” I said honestly “He’s
become a good friend” she nodded to me “He says the same thing about you Ava”
she confessed “If I knew it wasn’t completely platonic you’d have a fight on
your hands but really…I’m glad you have become friends and Nate can’t sing your
praises enough at work…and to be honest I’m just glad Rachel has gone…I hated
that woman but I’m sure Nate fancied her” she winked at me “Hey…I am here!”
Nate interjected and Liv leant across and kissed his cheek “We know Nate, we’re
just bigging you up ready for your super stud role tonight” she giggled.

We sat at a small booth in a little Italian place Nate
and Liv loved and I could see why, it was fabulous. The food was to die for,
the entertained was muted but pleasant and the atmosphere was relaxed and warm

“Hey, I’m back at work Monday Ava, so you can relax a
little with the work load now” she divulged and I groaned in appreciation “Oh
thank god, I’ve got double to do this week now I messed up” I said shamefaced
and Liv reached across for my hand “I’m sorry Ava. What a dick!” she glowered
and I shrugged “I have come to realise where Masons concerned that I am never
prepared for his next move, I would have just liked to be informed of his
whereabouts, that’s all” I took another huge forkful of the delicious mushroom
lasagne “Have you still not heard from him?” Nate asked and I shook my head
“Nothing” I sighed “Perhaps he couldn’t get word to you if Rebecca’s been
checking his phone or something” Liv suggested but I shook my head again,
shovelling in some garlic bread “Nah, he has a private phone for us” I
explained and she frowned “Strange then” but I hunched my shoulders “Anyway,
what’s the plan for tonight?” Nate asked me, signalling to the waiter for the
bill “Well, you and Liv do whatever you want to. I’ll text you when I have
finished talking to William and then you can ring me when you’re ready to
arrange a meeting place.
That sound
okay?” I cocked my
head in query and he nodded “You don’t have to rush though when I text you, if
you’re doing or watching anything that’s taken your fancy I’ll wait at the bar”
I said openly and Liv blushed “Hey, don’t be embarrassed Liv, I can’t wait for
a look round, I’m really excited and curious” I grinned.