Chapter 36: Her Feelings For Him

Avery can feel her heart race as she continued the conversation. She knew making deals with a bunch of people would not do her any good but there were just some things she couldn’t control on her own. If she eliminated Ji, everything would go as planned.

She and Carson would be happy. She suddenly paused by her own thought.

“Okay. I want you to end up with Carson. That’s all I ask.”

She frowned by the request. “Alex, you know I don’t---“

“I am risking a lot of things with your request too. My company could go down because of what you wanted.”
Avery gulped. “Are you sure this is what you wanted?” Alexander laughed from the other line, “Seeing you happy is what I want. I’ll give an update within the month.”

Before she could say anything else, the line was cut off. She took a deep breath and turned to Carson. How could she settle?

That afternoon, Avery was almost done with her work when Carson walked up to her. “You mentioned that charity that would let me paint, remember?”

Avery looked at him with confusion. He held his neck as he thought of a good excuse to ask her out without actually asking her for a date. “Why?

Her tone was different from usual and Carson immediately noticed this. On the other hand, her heart was beating fast and she just wanted to leave the room.

“Well, we needed to show interaction with people. For the company”

Her heart became calm when she heard his explanation. She lightly smiled, “oh for the press. I think that’s a good idea. The orphanage would love that.”

His head tilted, “orphanage?”

Avery smiled as she watched Carson looked surprised about their location. Maybe he hadn’t been to any orphanage before. The visit was a surprise as well so Avery didn’t expect that the caretakers would prepare anything.

But Carson was right as there was press almost immediately. One of the caretakers saw the commotion and decided to take a closer look.

“Avery and oh Carson! I didn’t know you two know each other.”

Avery turned to Carson who laughed. “I didn’t know you were talking about this orphanage. I went here once.” Her eyes widened and recalled the last time she went here when the kids mentioned a certain Carson.
The caretaker smiled, “The kids would be excited to see both of you.”

As expected, Carson placed his hand on her waist as they walked inside. His touch was gentle and it made Avery at peace despite the overcrowding of people. He moved her closer to him and she could smell his perfume.

When they reached the entrance, the kids were all looking at them as if they were royalties. Avery waved at the kids. When they were inside, the kids rushed to their side.

“I told you they were a match!” One of the kids said to her friend while the other just nodded. Carson looked at them with confusion. Avery then took the floor to ignore the kids’ comments.

“We are actually here to do a special activity for you!”

The kids’ eyes widen as they were amazed at what was in store for them. The caretaker then led Carson and Avery to the activity room where the kids followed.

“What are your plans?” The caretaker asked the couple. Avery turned to Carson then back to the caretaker. “We’re going to paint.”

In just a few minutes, the kids witnessed how the caretaker fixed the activity room with the help of Carson and Avery. The press continued to take photos from the window but the couple wasn’t actually thinking about the media right now.

Each kid had his or her own canvas and some paint. Carson had the biggest and he was in the middle of the room. Avery carried one of the girls to her lap and offered her help. Carson looked around and smiled as if he was a professor and he was meeting his little students.

“Hi, everyone! So today, we will paint something that can make you happy. Think of one item or person that brought you happiness whenever you were sad.” He then looked at Avery who was smiling at him.

The kids then started getting their brushes and doing their work. Carson, on the other hand, placed his canvas in front of Avery. She didn’t mind him as she was busy with the girl she was helping. He then got his brush and started working on his masterpiece.

Avery would steal glances to check up on him and she knew she had to admit whatever it was Alexander and Jane were saying. She looked at him and smiled while he painted. His gaze at the canvas was different as compared when he was working at the office.

His sleeves were tucked in to widen his movements and to refrain the paint from getting into his clothes. He was gentle as he used the brush and he looked exactly like a prince. Avery smiled at the sight of Carson.

“You like him” The little girl said as she colored the flower on the canvas with red. Avery stopped looking at Carson then turned back to her.

“No”

The little girl chuckled, “Yes. My mom looks at my dad the same way as you look at him. I think he likes you too.”
Avery laughed at the sudden statement. “He does. He’s drawing you. You’re the one who brings him happiness.”

She tilted her head after hearing the comment of the little girl. Carson then cleared his throat, getting the attention of everyone in the room.

“I’m done. Can I show you mine now?”

The kids clapped in excitement as Carson unveiled his masterpiece. It was a photo of Avery smiling as she helped the little girl.

“My happiness” he said in a gentle tone.

At that moment, Avery was sure. She was in-love with her new target.