I Hope You Will Never Regret

Avery smiled and asked, “Didn’t you tell me that you are not interested in dating?” However, she took her friend’s hand and walked towards Siyabonga and said, “Big brother, let me introduce the most important person in my life.

This is my best friend, Gabriella Stone. Gabriella, this is my elder brother Siyabonga Cele.”

Siyabonga kissed Gabriella on both cheeks and said, “Nice to meet you, Miss Stone. I heard a lot about you from my sister.”

Gabriella smiled shyly at Siyabonga and replied, “Pleasure is mine, handsome Mr Cele.” Gabriella was smitten. Avery looked at her friend and shook her head.

The atmosphere was lively. The DJ was playing soft music. The Shelton brothers were sitting beside him with a glass of Mango juice in their hands.

Aunt Caroline hugged Avery and said, “Happy birthday, Sweetheart. When I saw you on the television during the Grade 12 awards, my heart swelled with pride. Can I just steal you from the Martins family?” She loved Avery a lot.

Avery giggled and replied, “Thank you, Aunt Caroline, for everything. Your hotel is stunning.” The Grace Hotel was luxurious and very expensive.

On the 10th Floor, Mrs Martins had invited fifty people to attend Lily’s birthday banquet but only Tiffany Spencer and her parents came. Lily was sobbing in Tiffany’s arms. She blamed Avery for stealing her guests.

Mrs Martins’ friends decided to follow their husbands to the 50th Floor. The situation was embarrassing. Mrs Martins felt humiliated. The Prince family and Black family didn’t even come.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

At Avery’s banquet, she was dancing with her father. Her father was everything to her. She smiled brightly and said, “Daddy, I love you so much. Thank you for everything you have done for me. May the Lord bless you, Daddy.”

Her father gave her a set of keys; it was an apartment five minutes from the Taylor Private Hospital. Avery looked at her father and said, “Thank you so much, Daddy.”

After the live broadcast of Grade 12 results, Dr Lambert approached Avery and availed himself to be her mentor. Dr Lambert was a Professor at KZN University in the Health Faculty.

Her father looked at her and said, “Please don’t be upset, Sweetheart. Aiden told me that your mother is hosting your cousin’s birthday banquet on the 10th floor.”

Avery was shocked to hear that and replied, “Daddy, is Aunt Elizabeth my mother? I believed her when she told me that she swapped me at the hospital.”

Her father nodded his head and replied, “She is your biological mother, but she doesn’t love children.” Avery shook her head and said, “Daddy, it’s not true that Aunt Elizabeth doesn’t love children because he loves Aiden and Lily.”

Her father shook his head and replied, “She doesn’t love them, but she is using them to fight her battles.” Avery nodded her head and said, “Daddy, I want to do a DNA test with Aunt Elizabeth on Monday.”

Her father wasn’t surprised when he heard his daughter’s request. He would have done the same if he had been in his daughter’s shoes. He promised that he would take his wife and his daughter to the hospital on Monday.

Avery had invited the Australian Photographer Sydney to her birthday. He approached her smiling and said, “You are stunning, young lady. I didn’t know what to buy for you; I enlarged the photo taken during your photoshoot.”

Avery smiled brightly at him and replied, “Thank you, Mr Sydney. I love my gift a lot.” Then Sydney asked to have a dance with her. After their dance, Siyabonga danced with her as well.

Siyabonga walked to Gabriella smiling and asked to have a dance with her. Gabriella nearly fainted with joy. She was grinning from ear to ear. She didn’t want the song to end.

She walked to Avery with a flushed face and red ears and said, “I found the love of my life. I was in heaven in his arms.” Avery smiled and replied, “I approve, my dearest sister. I cannot wait for you to be my sister-in-law.”

Gabriella giggled and hugged Avery tightly. She looked shyly at her future mother-in-law. Avery told Gabriella that her mother was hosting a birthday banquet for Lily on the 10th Floor.

Gabriella was shocked and asked, “Avery; are you sure that Aunt Elizabeth is your biological mother? I think your father is hiding something from you.”

Avery smiled and replied, “Dad promised to take Aunt Elizabeth and me to the hospital for a DNA test on Monday.

I would be so sad if the results showed that she is my biological mother. Deep in my heart, I wish Aunt Bridge was my mother. She has been there for me since I was born. I love her wholeheartedly.” Gabriella hugged her tightly, comforting her.

At that moment, Gabriella screamed because the DJ was playing her favourite song and said, “My future sister-in-law, the dance floor is calling my name.”

Then she walked to Ethan and said, “My handsome brother, may I have this dance.” Ethan smiled, then he took her hand, and they walked to the dance floor.

Gabriella looked at Ethan and said, “Ethan, I heard that Aunt Elizabeth is hosting a birthday banquet for Lily on the 10th Floor. Please accompany me to take a look.”

As soon as the song ended, Gabriella led Ethan to the lifts. When they reached the 10th Floor, they saw an arrow pointing to Lily’s birthday banquet. When they reached the private room, it was quiet, as if there was no one.

They looked at each other puzzled. Gabriella opened the door. She was surprised to see only six people inside. She recognized Tiffany Spencer, and she guessed that the couple was her parents. She laughed out loud, and she closed the door.

Ethan was looking at her with questioning eyes; Gabriella told him that there were only six people inside. Ethan laughed out loud. He walked to the door before he opened it. Someone opened the door from inside.

Lily looked at Ethan coldly and asked, “What are you doing here? Did Avery send you to spy on us?”

Ethan’s face darkened and replied, “I heard that your aunt was hosting your party, so I came to take a look. My sister doesn’t even know that I am here.”

Lily was fuming with anger and said, “Please tell Avery that I will never forgive her for stealing my guests.” Then she slammed the door in Ethan’s face. Gabriel took Ethan’s hand, then they went back to the 50th Floor.

Gabriella walked to Avery smiling brightly and said, “Lily’s party is doomed to fail. Only three people attended the party; Tiffany Spencer and her parents.

Do you remember Tiffany Spencer? She is Lily’s best friend. Lily sent us a message. She said she would never forgive you for stealing her guests.”

Avery was dumbfounded because she didn’t even know that Aunt Elizabeth had hosted Lily’s birthday banquet.

Also, everyone who attended her banquet showed their invitation card before they were allowed to enter. It was clear to her that they invited the same people.

Avery received lots of gifts, land, properties, cash, and luxury cars. Then she went to the stage to give a vote of thanks.

She smiled and thanked everyone for their generous gifts. She thanked her family and relatives for showering her with unconditional love.

Then she walked to the piano which was sitting quietly in the corner. She smiled at her father and said, “Daddy, you are my safe harbour.” Then she started playing. The music was beautiful, it penetrated their souls.

The guests gave her a standing ovation and a thunderous applause broke out. Avery bowed and walked to her seat. Her father hugged her with tears in his eyes. John hugged his best friend and said, “Wow, Avery is so talented.”

At 10 pm, people started leaving. She bade goodbye to the Cele couple, the Taylor couple, and her friend Sydney. Then she followed Aunt Bridgette and her Godmother to the parking lot.