Chapter 57
1285words
The taxi driver hooted, reeving off before she had the chance to respond. Aurora sighed tiredly, her shoes crunching against the gravel as she walked. She'd left her father's office a while back when she realized that he hadn't brought her in for any purpose.
He'd just asked her to either stay in the office or look around and then discreetly told the primpy secretary to keep an eye on her, she noticed anyway, and at first it was fun to walk around the building, spying on different departments and marveling at how efficient everything was but then she got bored.
So, she video called her friends and they chatted about random things. Coincidentally, Mason was also on a sick leave so Natasha was left by herself, she ranted about how we betrayed her, allowing Eva and her clique to bully her throughout the day.
After they were done talking, she asked the secretary if she could go to the cafeteria to get something to eat but the woman had looked her in the eye and said,
"Oh, honey, the cafeteria doesn't feed the stomach of people who don't work here."
Aurora was tempted to shove her sugarcoated words and fake smile down her throat but she'd decided that she had had enough and stormed out. Ignoring the cries of the blonde asking her to come back.
"Never again," She swore as she closed the door, waking into the stillness of the house.
Rosa popped out, a large sweeping brush in hand, "You're back already."
She bobbed her head, "And I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat?"
Rosa's lips curled in amusement and she gave her an apologetic look, "No, love but I can whip up something quick."
"Thank you-" She made to leave when Rosa cleared her throat, "What is it?"
The older woman shifted on her feet, an uncomfortable expression flashing on her face, "The thing is you have a visitor, he has been here for quite sometime now."
That made her frown. She wasn't expecting to see her today and the only male who could possibly come to her house was sick. Or could it be...
Her eyes widened and she turned in the direction of the living room, hurrying towards there. She spotted a tall figure bent over the table that hosted a variety of her childhood pictures.
Was it really him?
Her heart skipped a beat the nearer she drew, she couldn't see his head since he was bent so low but his figure matched. A smile rose on her lips and she stopped exactly a foot from him.
He must've noticed that someone had come in because he stiffened and very slowly, straightened up.
Her smile fell when she saw that his hair color was brown. It was a deep chocolaty brown and not the jet black that she was expecting to see.
"Hey, Rory," Matt greeted with a wide grin but she couldn't find it in herself to smile back.
Aurora took two steps backwards, eyeing him with a cross expression, "What are you doing here?"
"I got you roses but Rosa's taken them already."
"That wasn't what I asked."
He blew out a breath, raking his fingers through his hair, "You don't have to be so hostile to me, you know?"
She didn't respond, her arms still crossed against her chest. Matt sighed again, dropping his hand to the side,
"Our engagement ceremony is tomorrow and your mom thought it would be nice if we at least showed up in the public eye together."
She cocked her head, "Haven't we been doing that?"
He shook his head, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip, "I mean, an outside date where we're purposely in the public eye."
Honestly, sometimes she wished her mother didn't do things like this but then it was like asking for the stars to drop down from the sky. Both of them were not possible.
She threw him another glance. Matt appeared even more thinner than the other time they'd seen, his eyes looked gloomy and the way he kept wringing his thumb against his fingers showed his anxiety.
He was right, she didn't have to be hostile. Matt was just like her, bound by his parents decisions...or rather her mother's.
She turned on her heels, adjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder, "Let's go."
Aurora took her seat on the iron bench and Matt took the one across from her. It wasn't long before a waiter came in, taking both their order and leaving with a bright smile. Well, she'd have to give her mother a hand,
Her plan had worked exceedingly well, the moment they walked into the busy park, people were already captivated by them. Some of the youngsters had brought out their phones, taking pictures and recording with excitement evident on their faces.
She was sure that before the end of today, their faces would be everywhere. It was news like these that Instagram bloggers and the likes lived for.
"I'm know how weird this must be for you," Her attention flickered to Matt who had a pained grimace etched on his face, "But we have to make our union believable."
Aurora sighed, interlocking her fingers on the table, "What's the need for all the fuss? Everyone knows that our family has been friends for centuries, our engagement shouldn't surprise anyone."
He nodded, "I know but we should still try. Don't you think?"
She gave him a look, her shoulders deflating in victory, "What do you suggest?"
He didn't say a word but stood, leaning against the table. She stiffened when she felt his lips pressed against hers, her eyes flying open.
His fingers crawled to the back of her head and he tilted his head, his mouth moving provocatively against hers. Her hands unconsciously bunched into a fist and she tried hard not to push him away.
When he finally pulled back with a wet smacking sound, his drowsy eyes met hers.
"You could've a least given me a warning," Her voice cracked as she said this but he smiled nonetheless.
"I'm sorry," He said, plopping back on his seat, "It was hard for me too," The resignation in his tone clawed at her heart and she swallowed tightly.
Was this how their lives was going to be?
Filled with awkward moments and forced affections. She thought of her parents and shuddered, their marriage revolted her and she'd always prayed that she wouldn't end up like them.
But now....
Her eyes went up to meet him. He was a nice guy and she doubted he would have the mindset to cheat on her or treat her badly. However, she didn't wish for Matt to do things that were 'hard' for him.
"Matt," She placed her hand on top his and he flinched slightly, "We're going to get through this," She vowed sincerely and the corners of his mouth tugged a bit.
Something prickled at the side of her face, a warm sensation that she only got when someone was staring at her from a far distance. She turned in tha direction, searching the crowd until her eyes fell on him.
He stood there, a lone figure, with his hands buried inside his pocket and his stance straight. Her heart skipped a beat when their eyes collided, she couldn't vividly see his expression but she knew well enough to know that he wasn't happy.
"Aurora, are you okay?"
Her eyes flickered to Matt and she gave him a reassuring smile before looking back at the crowed again but he was gone.
As her heart thrummed gently, Aurora wondered if he had seen everything.
