Granting One Last Wish novel Chapter 1

(*)Flashback

ABBY

I have to flex my neck a couple of times after hours of review for my finals tomorrow, and I feel drained. I study hard to get good grades and to make my parents proud.

I don't have to go to college to get a job to pay my bills. I don't have to work at all. My parents are loaded, and I can have everything I ask for. I can buy whatever I want, travel around the world, dine in the most expensive restaurant, spend summer in a yacht, drink the most expensive wine, and have the most luxurious penthouse in Manhattan or have the fastest car in the world, and date the world sexiest man.

My parents own the biggest hotel chains in the world, King Hotel chains, and Restaurants, and I'm the only heiress. My dad is Michael Aaron King, the best dad every girl can dream of, and Catherine Elizabeth King is the most beautiful woman and the world's number one mom.

I don't need an annoying private tutor because I excel academically. Yeah, I'm on my third year in college at Boston State University, two hundred and sixty-six miles away from home, away from my parents, and away from friends.

My life sucks! Just kidding.

I am with my roommate/best friend in an apartment that's not world-class, but not that bad either. I don't have a friend. I know it sounds pathetic, but whatever.

I met Andrew three years ago during my therapy. He's also seeing a doctor who was just another floor down my shrink's office. We met at the reception, and we clicked right away. I guess we have something in common.

*

"Hi, um, you're seeing a doctor here?" he asks me shyly.

"Yeah. For a couple of weeks, you?" I answer and ask back with a little smile. Not all people are good at sharing that they are seeing a therapist, but why should I be ashamed of I if I need one.

"Dr. Peters." He smiles.

"You?"

"Dr. Wallerman," I tell in a low voice.

"Hmm. Rich people." He scrutinizes me from head to toe. Dr. Wallerman is famous for her practice, and I don't look like I can afford to pay a doctor like her.

"Excuse me?" I ask him when he raises an eyebrow.

"She's like a celebrity doctor. I'm Andrew, by the way." He offers his hand for a handshake. I hesitate, but he keeps his hand and waits for me to shake it.

"I'm Ma-- I'm Abbygail. Please, call me Abby." I shake his hand, and then we walk me out of the building.

"Sure, Abby. It suits you. Beautiful name." He winks at me, which makes me blush. I don't talk to strangers, and I don't mingle too when someone gets close to me. The bodyguard Dad's assigned will automatically shoo them away.

"Thanks."

"I'll walk you to your car," Andrew offers.

I pause and face him. "Actually, I'm walking to a coffee shop." 

His eyes widen as if he has an idea. "Would you mind if I tag along?

"I don't mind at all." 

"Good. Just only been here for a couple of weeks. I'm an ex-military, and you know this PTSD kind of shit. Oh sorry, I swear a lot. Used to in the military. How about you?" he says easily without a single flinch. 

"If I swear a lot? Not much," I answer.

He laughs at me.

"Just came here a month ago, and I'm still in college," I cut it short. I'm still not comfortable sharing that horrific night even to my Doctor. It takes a while, but I feel better that there's someone who somehow listens to what I experienced.

"It's okay. You don't have to tell me if you're not ready. I completely understand. It took a while for me, too." He sounds apologetic.

I shrug. "Soon, hopefully. Thanks."

We talk as we walk to the nearest coffee shop where I always dropped by after my session. Andrew mentions that he crashes the couch of one of his friends, and he's still looking for a decent apartment with a decent price and that he needs a roommate.

I offered without even telling dad who was so pissed at me after that.

"Are you insane, Mackenzie? I thought we already talked about not talking to strangers, and you're not just breaking my rules, you let a stranger live with you, and a man for God's sake. I'll talk to Howard later. How he didn't report this to me?" He sounds so furious over the phone.

I bite my lip. Howard is going to lose his job.

"Jeez, Dad. Just calm down. And it's Abby's dad. You can meet him if you want to and do a background check. He's a good person, trust me." I roll my eyes because he's overreacting again. He thinks all the people around me are dangerous.

"You want me to calm down? You are hundreds of miles away from me and your mom, and you want me to calm down? You're living with a stranger who could be a psychopath. You're not an adult yet Mackenzie. Does he even know?" he continues yelling to my ear.

"Dad, please, try to meet him and just give him a chance." 

He sighs. "Fine I would like to meet him, and if I don't like him, he'll be out of your apartment and end of discussions." 

My smile widens. "Great. I'll let him know. Thanks, Dad. I love you!" I grin and jump.

"Don't celebrate yet, and don't thank me yet, young woman, and don't tell him that I'm coming over."

I stop. My brows furrow. "And why not?"

"That's for you to find out."  He snaps.

*

I jolt in my seat when someone pats my shoulder. And speaking of the devil.

"You've been glancing at the clock for a few minutes already. You didn't even notice me coming in. What's with zoning out?" His brows creased, but he looks happy.

"Oh, I was just thinking about my exams tomorrow." I lie.

"Hmm. You don't have to worry about it. I'm sure you'll ace your exams." He gives me an enigmatic smile.

I rise from my chair. "What do we have for dinner? Or would you cook for us tonight?" I follow him, passing by our small living room to the kitchen.

"I got you your favorite pizza. I'll cook next time, but not tonight." Yeah, my best friend can cook. He could make something from scratch, and good thing, I have fast metabolisms otherwise, he's turning me into a hippo because of his cooking skills.