Chapter 40
1175words
She took a sip of the costly champagne, enjoying the fizz as it slid down her throat. Aurora had chosen a midnight blue ensemble, it was a two piece outfit. A strapless corset-like top that glued to her like second skin and a tight-fitting long skirt with a slit that ran from the side of her thigh down to her ankle, exposing her alabaster smooth legs. Her long hair was styled into a tight ponytail for once and she enjoyed the way it swished whenever she moved.
A guy at the front, played soft jazz on the piano and she found herself tapping a foot along to the beat. The sound of approaching footsteps told her that Matt was back.
And sure enough, seconds later, the disheveled male slid into the chair across from her,
"I'm so sorry, I just had to take that call," He apologized profusely, dragging the front of his nearly knotted tie.
Aurora shrugged, biting back a sarcastic remark, "It's fine, I'm sure it was important."
He nodded, absentmindedly, "Ever since I took the position of managing director, my nights has never been smooth."
"And I'm sure your days are worse."
"You can only imagine."
Both of them shared a small understanding laugh and Aurora found herself relaxing softly.
"So," He started, clearing his throat slightly, "What have you decided to order?"
Aurora blew out a breath and leaned forward conspiratorially, "Would it be embarrassing if I told you that I'm still stuck between having the parmesan cheese and the cavier and egg?"
He chuckled, aiding her antics by leaning forward and whispering, "What if I told you that we could start off with an amuse bouche first?"
"Really?"
He nodded, smiling brightly, "We could use the time to contemplate if we want the fish or cheese by then."
"That's an interesting way of putting my choices," She gave him an unimpressed look and he guffawed, leaning back.
She did so too and they stared quietly at each other, identical grins etched on their faces.
Matt suddenly sighed, placing his palm atop hers and she stiffened, "I've missed this, Rory. It reminds me of when we were younger and how close we were."
She tried to say something, anything but at the moment, it felt like her lips were glued shit.
"But now, it feels like you've drifted away," He muttered with a resigned sight, drawing his hand away from hers.
Aurora nervously swallowed. She was at a loss for words and had no idea how to comfort him but she knew she had to ask.
"Matt?" She quietly called and he arched a brow in response, "What was the real reason you called me for this dinner?"
He opened his mouth to say something but she raised a finger, "And don't give me the same bullshit, saying you've missed my company and all. I know you better than that, Matt."
He swallowed, avoiding her gaze.
Aurora pressed forward, "Is it because of Louisa? Is she the reason you're this? Perhaps to make her jealous?"
If there was a word for how pale he'd gone, she would've described it. His jaw hung slack and his eyes were almost bulging out of their sockets.
He nervously licked his lips but she had time, she could wait, "H-How...How did you know?"
"I told you, I know you better than that," She ended with a small shrug, not wanting to go into the details of how she'd caught them shagging in the locker room.
He blew out a heavy exhale, "Wow, I guess there's really nothing I can hide from you, is there, Rory?"
Her lips twitched, "It depends. Sometimes, they just fall right into my lap." Or rather, in this case, she walked right into it.
"So tell me," She urged, a stern look in her eyes this time, "Am I right?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, puffing out a breath, "Well, you're not so far off but-"
She raised a finger, interrupting him, "Then that's all I need to know." She placed a hand atop his then, smiling ruefully, "If she's the one you truly want to be with then I don't think it's right that you're torturing yourself by being with me."
"No, you've got it wrong. I love-"
She shook her head at him, "Neither is it fair towards me, Matty. You know how I feel about you, why would you blindly lead me on by getting me roses and asking me out in front of so many people?"
He didn't respond and she tried to hide the hurt in her expression. Aurora swallowed tightly, her throat bobbing with the motion,
"I-I think I should go," She pushed up from the chair and he rose with her, trying to grab her and failing.
Aurora hastily snatched her purse, clutching it tightly between her fingers. "Good night, Matt. I do hope you come to a conclusion between the fish and cheese."
She threw him one last wry smile before walking away, not turning to spare him a glance until she had dissapeared into the road.
Only when she was sure that she was at a safe distance from the restaurant and hidden by the shadows of the night did she allow herself to break down. Her bottom lip quivered and she placed a hand on her aching chest.
It felt like her heart was being squeezed and wrenched by an invisible force. She couldn't breathe, Aurora realized with terror and the purse in her hold clattered to the ground with a thud.
An ugly sound ripped out from her throat and she dropped down to the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. She didn't really know why she was crying;
Was it because of Matt's rejection or the fact that the truth was slapped so hard in her face or was it the terror that Evan had successfully installed in her?
Aurora didn't know the answer but her heart hurt so much and she couldn't stop sobbing, not even caring that she was in the middle of the road and anyone could spot her.
"You sound very frightful when you cry," Her head slowly lifted, brows knitted at the shadow in front of her, "I almost thought there was a cow giving birth in the middle of the streets."
Her vision cleared and she saw him. He was leaning against his bike, his luscious lips curled into a small smirk.
The pang in her chest increased and her lips wobbled again,
"Ryan?"
He stepped forward, bending a little and stretching a hand to her,
"Come on, flower." He cooed gently, somehow his dark eyes seemed to shine brighter then and her anxiety melted, "Let's get you home."
