As the clouds parted, the morning dews poured down the window. The environment of Aurora was different. It was cozy, warm and comfortable, compared to where she had slept the previous night.
She wasn't dreaming, was she?
{Perhaps Adrian murdered me in my sleep and I was in heaven now. Who knows?
No wonder he was acting nice to me. How could he fool me? I didn't have the chance to say goodbye to anyone. Stacey or Aurelia. At least one of them.
And I didn't even confess my love to this stupid man. Does he hate me so much? Dislike, rather. Hate was a strong word. He could have thrown me out of his home. My life was so precious to me…}
Her eyes snapped open, forming series of questions.
Oh, she was still alive. Thank goodness!
But–
How did she end up there?
Did they share a bed?
She stretched herself out of the bed and wondered where Adrian would be. The bed was in a big mess, pillows scattered around, creased sheets. She didn't realize she had a pink teddy in her arms until she reached out for her phone. It was damn… cute.
Who could have gotten her the surprise?
Just then, Adrian walked out of the bathroom with a white towel wrapped around his waist. After he showered, his hair was still dripping wet with water. Her eyes flickered from his feet to his eyes in the blink of an eye, then traveled over his well-built masculine figure– broad shoulders, chiseled chest, rippling abs.
"It's rude to stare." Adrian smirked, running his fingers through his hair. She jerked and snapped back to her senses. She'd have stared all day if he hadn't said that. She stood up, lowering her gaze to the tiles.
"Sorry. Good morning," she greeted.
"How was your night?"
"Good, I guess. And yours?" she asked in return.
"Mine was perfect," he replied, damping his hair.
"Did I give you any trouble?"
"Elaborate on that."
"We shared a bed, didn't we?" she asked, walking over to his closet to select an outfit before approaching him.
"Yeah. You got me scared. I thought you'd freeze to death, that's why."
Her arms stole around his neck and she ran trembling fingers through the soft hair on the back of his head. "What if I did?" she asked.
"I don't know what explanation I was going to owe our daughter or even your family–"
"You and Stacey are my only family. My second family, my second home." Her eyes watered as she uttered those words.
She closed her eyelids and beads of tears rolled down her cheeks. There was no consoling word for someone who lost a loved one, but a comforting hug might help. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her, stroking her hair.
"Blondie, please don't cry." He wanted to cry too because it resembled the story of his life.
Though he hated to admit, but they were his only and second family too.
"Once upon a time, I had a lovely family. They gave me the world and happiness. Their sudden death inflicted pain in my heart. Then I couldn't cater for my little sister. Someone…" she paused to catch her breath.
"A lady took her away from me. I haven't laid my eyes on her since that day. The wounds will never heal, they're sore and reddish. I feel hurt in their absence. Everything changed when they left me in this cruel world–"
He wiped her tears and pressed his finger on her lips. "Shh, take a deep breath."
She did the breathing exercise, in and out. "I'm sorry I made you hear all that," she apologized.
"It's okay, I understand."
"Don't worry. I promise, I'm fine–"
"Crazy woman, you're not," he interrupted, making her giggle in-between her tears.
She felt a heavy burden lifted from her heart when she was pouring out her mind to him. At least, he understood. He listened to every word and didn't interrupt or make her feel stupid. One thing she was sure about, he was going to tease her later on for being a crybaby.
"Hey, what are you doing? Stop!" she cried, blocking her face from the camera light.
"Get your freaking hands off your face. It's payback time!" he chuckled, clicking more photos.
"Take as much as you want, but no posting," she said in a warning tone.
"Promise," he smiled.
"Aren't you going to work?"
"You want to get rid of me, huh?"
"Not really. I already picked an outfit for you and I will appreciate if you wear it."
"Let me have it now. I'm running late."
"Nah. I'm dressing you up for work."
"No, thank you. I just knew you were up to something," he said.
"I wasn't asking, sweetie." Her hands moved up to his rock-hard abs, paused to wander across the incredible, steel-toned muscles, and she pushed frantically at his body, moving upwards to grasp the inner vest that laid over his chest, then she pulled it down.
"I'm not a child, blondie! I can wear my clothes myself," he said, but she turned deaf ears on him. She took out a white shirt and helped him put it on, then a black suit trouser. She knotted a black tie and had a hard time fixing it around his neck.
Finally,she accepted defeat. "Squat."
"Why are you punishing me?" he asked.
"It's a simple order. And I can't reach your collar."
"Shawty," he chuckled, lifting her up in his arms. She locked her legs behind his back and adjusted it around his neck. It was perfect.
"Are you going to keep staring or you'll drop me down?" she crossed her arms.
"You wish to always be in my arms. Isn't it what you whispered in my ears last night?"
She flicked a nervous glance at him. "Oh no! I- I thought you had fallen asleep. Please, forget everything I said to you."
He put her down to the floor. "Don't panic, okay? Your secret is safe with me. I promise, I won't tell anyone."
"Thank you… I love the teddy," she said, trying to divert their discussion.
He had sent his driver to get it at a store earlier. Maybe she could cuddle it, instead of a pillow. "It's nothing. I'm glad you like it."
"Uh, thanks for letting me sleep in your bed too. It was nice of you to think about me."
"Don't get me wrong– I wasn't thinking about you. I was only being humane and considerate," he stated, walking over to the dressing mirror.
"Thank you, still," she said, regardless. "I hope you think of me as your wife one day," she added.
"I don't know how I'm going to make you understand. Our marriage means nothing to me, so it should be mutual. You're Anastatia's mother and I'm her father, not your life partner or whatever you classify us. You should suite yourself now. It's better you realize earlier," he said, grabbing his briefcase. Then he walked out of the room, leaving her dazzled.
"I bet you will grow to love me and I don't care how long it's going take. Even if it's forever… I will wait until the day comes," she said, running after him.
"Not even in my next life, blondie," he responded.
"Fine. Aren't you going to wait for breakfast?"
"I'm not hungry. I got some important work to attend to before noon."
"How are you going to stay up the whole day with an empty stomach when you have an ulcer?" she asked, her eyes glinted with concern.
He turned around, surprised. "And how do you know that?"
"It shouldn't matter. So?"
"I will manage. There are outdoor eateries and the meals are for consumption."
"Sorry for bothering you. Have a nice day and stay safe, okay?"
"Again, I'm not a child. I will."
"Bye," she said,walking back to their room. She wondered how she was going to deal with a double-faced man. Sometimes he was funny,playful and caring. Other times, arrogant, annoying and rude. She didn't know when he was upset or happy.
She prepared and left for work. Adrian had changed Anastatia to a private elementary school. Some maids were assigned to prepare her for school. The school bus arrived everyday and picked her up which was a big relief for Aurora. At least, she had time for herself.
Me: Adrian is a weirdo. Who the heck goes to work on their official first day of marriage?
Aurora: (shrugs) I don't have a say in it. I wonder how we're going to manage ourselves.
Adrian: Quit gossiping about me. I said I had work to do.
Me: (rolls my eyes) Whatever. Have a grumpy day. Now, get out.
A/N: Aurora is having a bad day. Vote to make her smile:)