"When you
follow your thoughts
into dark places
always go with light"
~Harpreet M Dayal~
ONE MONTH have passed like a blur to Aurora. Like a routine in her old prison room, she will going to eat, stare at something most likely to the wall or ceiling — not really interesting beside their new color— sleep just to ease the cold burning pain in her body. Sometimes, thoughts of her leaving comes to her mind, teasing her to imagine what life awaits her but she never dare to entertain them. Why would she? She have nothing besides existing. Why would it matter if she will going to be send to another person —who seems much like his Father or maybe worst than him?
Earlier this morning three maid servants came in side the room she was occupying. She thought they have entered the wrong room for they are carrying clothes — beautiful and classy kinds of winter clothes — and they also have three bags of cosmetics.
But to her surprise, they just suddenly undress her. When they touch her skin, they gasp and suddenly retracted their hands as if they just burned from touching her. Aurora looked at them skeptically and touched her skin but felt nothing.
What was their problem?
Shrugging to herself, Aurora let the maids do whatever they have to do on her. It was probably ordered by her Farther. Today was the day she will going to be send off. She do not want to be a burden to these maids who were only making their given jobs.
Aurora wasn't aware of the hesitant touch and hold of the maids on her, not even on their wary glances they threw at her. But they never dare to comment on Aurora's unusual appearance and different body temperature. They did what they were ordered to do quickly and with in 1 hour of preparation to the young miss, the maids were done and left her without as much as a glance.
The feeling of being taken care of like her sisters was very unusual and uncomfortable to Aurora. No one had done that to her before. The feeling of light make up on her face is so itchy. How she would love to erase all the make ups on her face but afraid for her Father's anger. Why does girls even use it on their face if it only itches their skin? The thick paint on her lips made her feel like it was swelling. Oh dear, she hope not for it will only make her even more ugly. And her hair! They have arranged it in a bun adorning diamond hairpins on the right side of her head. She has diamond earings dangling on her ears. It was so heavy that Aurora felt like it might tear her ear. It was paired into a very beautiful diamond necklace that layed below her neck. She was wearing a fitted long sleeve black dress that reached her mid thigh. It had a low cut neckline that shows the milky white skin of her cleavage. Along with it, was a white fur coat that reached below her knee and was partnered with a low heeled knee-length black boots.
Wonderful!
Aurora wasn't adept at wearing such open clothes but who is she to protest? Even the boots on her feet were very awkward that if she suddenly trip or twist her ankle it would not be a surprise to her. And the diamonds! Such expensive things for her to wear but she only felt like a doll.
Dress in a beautiful way with more beautiful jewelries to make sure that she will impress the person —her father will going to send her off— enough to like her, keep her and maybe, just maybe save her from the depth of hell her father had drown her.
But will the person do?
What if the person saw her ugly appearance behind the disguise they put on her?
What if the person, saw only the physical scars her father had left to her?
Will the person accept her?
Or it will going to be worst than her nightmare of a father?
A sudden knock at the door startled Aurora from her deep thoughts. The door opened and her two previous escorts came into view.
"Miss Aurora, It is time for you to go. " said one of her escort. Aurora nodded her head and went to follow them out of the room. Her steps are slow and too careful but the men just walked ahead of her. Not even glancing at their back to see if she followed them or not. They passed several rooms before they come down the stairs. Aurora's steps became more slower for she was afraid that if she suddenly trip, she will going to roll down the long narrowed step of stairs.
Atlast, when they reach the recieving area of the house, there on the sofa was her Father facing her direction while he was talking to a man his back on her. When his father saw her, Antonio Murray stand up from his sitting position while announcing her presence to their visitor.
"Aurora, my sweet beautiful daughter." Her father had stunned her at his sweet loving voice. She almost stop from walking but was reminded that it was fake by his cold eyes looking at her.
Her father met her halfway before she could reach him. He put his arm around her side as if assisting her. But Aurora's expression become even more colder before she could realize that it was ever cold.
The man on the other hand was just silently watching them — specifically her. He was already judging her by the exchange happening to the father and his daughter.
"This is Mr. Gideon Napholem."
Antonio introduced to her with his hand. While the hand around her tighten to the point that it will leave a bruise but she never felt the pain. She only knew the efffects —not emotionaly but can see it physically.
Aurora managed a nod, afraid that if she speak she will ended up like a stuttering mess. She never raised her head to see the man. Only the fine clothes he wear.
"Now, I will not delay anymore for I know that you have more important things to do than to fetch my precious daughter. Am I correct Mr. Napholem?"
"Yes my Lord." came a baritone voice from the man she was facing.
Antonio turned Aurora to face him and he hugged her tightly. "Take care, my dear. Papa will going to miss you. Call for me, will you?" Her Father said, enough for the visitor to heard him. Aurora nodded for the tightening of her father's embrace —it almost prevent her from breathing. Then his face came closer and his mouth went to her ear. The side where the man couldn't see his father's mouth.
"Speak and you'll die."
After he said those words he kissed her tenderly in the forehead and pushed her to the man infront of them.
"Now go. I am sure,Lord Mondragon cannot wait to see you. "
And leave they did without even a backward glance.