(Aurora's POV)
"Girl, where have you been? We missed you," Aurelia said as she pulled out the seat across me and sat down.
I shrugged and gave a weak smile. "I've been trying to survive."
"Everyone is."
"Mine is a different case. I feel like I'm suffocating."
"I understand."
"You do?" I asked.
"Not really. I don't know what's on your mind, but you'll be fine."
"Oh, thanks. Hopefully," I sighed, gulping down a glass of water.
"So, how is Adrian?"
I nearly choked on her question.
I covered my mouth, preventing the water from spilling out. I wasn't prepared to embarrass myself.
I stabbed my empty plate with a fork, looking away.
"I don't know. I haven't seen him all day."
"You're joking, right?"
My eyes were fixed on her, now. "No. What do you mean?"
"He said you both were together in the morning and were going to–Nevermind, I just figured out something. He lied."
I pouted in a sad face, tears brimming my eyes. "You should eat," I pointed out to her untouched food.
When I got tired of waiting for her to turn up, I started eating mine. That's why my plate was empty.
"Right, thanks babe. So, did you guys have a fight, again?" she asked, picking up her cutleries.
I shook my head before responding. "Will that be enough reason for me to leave the house?"
"Then what?"
"We, we got a divorce," I broke out and she burst out in nonstop annoying laughter.
"This is not meant to be funny, but I don't know why I'm laughing so hard," she said.
She was still laughing, but stopped when all eyes were on us.
"I can't blame you. If it were to be someone else I knew, I'd be laughing, too," I stated.
She pushed her plate aside, focusing on me. "I'm sorry. First, I heard it on the news and you just affirmed it, now. I was hoping you guys will tell the world it was a rumor–What went wrong, babe?"
"I don't know. I'm still in shock. I doubt if I'll ever recover from it."
She reached out for my hands on the table. "Don't worry. I'm always here for you,"
"It means a lot. Thank you, but promise me you won't tell Annabel and Stacey."
"Annabel was the actual one who watched the news and narrated it to me. She swore she'd never believe it. I guess we will leave her in the dark."
"Yeah," I nodded and she continued eating. I watched her in silence before I decided to say something.
"I'm sorry, Relia."
"Hey. What's wrong?" she asked.
"I feel guilty for trying to create a riff between us. The misunderstanding we had few days ago was my fault. You know things happened so fast and I couldn't–"
"Shh. You're going to make me cry. I should be the one apologizing, not you. I let you go through this all by yourself, thinking you both were having a good time. I promise to never leave your side, again."
A tear escaped my eyes, then a hundred more. "I can't thank you enough."
She walked over to me and pulled me in a hug, patting my hair. "You don't need to cry alone because I'm here with you."
I noticed there were tears in her eyes, too.
"I love you, Relia," I said, wiping her own tears and she did vice versa.
"Awwn. I love you more," she confessed.
"We know that's a lie," I said and we both laughed. I missed having her in my life.
"I'll be right back. I want to use the restroom," she said, excusing herself.
"Alright," I replied.
She picked up her purse and left. Just then, a large group of people pushed their way into the restaurant–it was the media team.
I got tensed when one of them pointed to my table and they began stroding towards my direction.
I tried to run away, but they surrounded me, with no escape route.
"Good evening, lovelies. My team and I are going live with Ms. Aurora William, the ex-wife of the multi billionaire; Mr. Adrian Garcia," a female reporter began.
"Miss William, can you tell the press the main reason behind your sudden divorce?" one of them asked.
"We heard you got married to Mr. Adrian for his fame and money. Can you defend this statement in public?"
"Is it true that Mr. Garcia dumped you for his ex girlfriend; Ms. Kendall Campbell?"
"How do you feel about their upcoming wedding party?"
I was going to ask if it was a joke, but I'd look like a fool. So, I stayed quiet as they threw more questions at me.
"What advice do you have to give to single and married ladies out there based on your expe–?"
"Get away from her, now!" A familiar voice shouted. The last person I was expecting to show up–Adrian.
Did he think he was going to act as my saviour in disguise?
"No, no. I'm ready to answer all your questions–"
He pulled me out of their midst. "You won't do that," he objected, hiding me behind his back like I was a child.
Then he turned around to face the team, yelling. "Why are y'all still standing here? Get out before I lose my temper."
He had lost it already.
They turned around and exited the place.
He shot a death glare at the people still capturing the scene. "Everyone, pay rapt attention. Put your cameras down and leave, right now!"
What audacity?
The customers took to their heels without glancing back at us. There were leftover foods on every table.
"What the heck did you just do? Why are you even here?" I asked, getting mad.
He smirked. "Actually, I'm the new boss–I own this bar. Tell me why I shouldn't be here."
"So, you feel you can treat people with disregard? Do you know how hard they work to afford meals in places like this? God. Why am I still talking to you? I should take my leave," I picked up my bag.
"You have to come with me, first. I want to talk to you."
"What do you want from her?" Aurelia interfered, stepping in my front.
"Can you just let me speak to her? I promise, I won't take much of her time," Adrian spoke again. His eyes held sincerity.
"She doesn't want you around her–"
I stood out, cutting her off. "No, Aurelia. I'll handle it."
She looked at me, then she pulled me to a corner. "Is this what you want?" she asked, making me think twice.
I shrugged. "I don't have a choice."
"If you say so, but get a grip of yourself. Don't let out your emotions, okay?"
"Though I can't promise you that, I'll try."
"Uh, one more thing. I'll be bored while you're away and it's getting late–"
I knew what she was going to say, so I helped her complete her statement. "And you want to go home?" I asked.
She nodded, pouting. "Please, don't get mad at me."
"That's not a problem. I'll take care of it. Thanks for making out time for me."
"My pleasure. Thanks in advance for paying the bills," she said, laughing afterwards.
"You're wel–" I stopped halfway, realizing why she had been laughing.
Neither of us had cleared the bill and she was leaving. Well, I was still going to pay, even if she wanted to take the responsibility.
"You're welcome. Bills on you next time," I blew her a kiss.
She caught it while subsiding her laughter. "You caught me already."
"Yep! So, don't forget to text me when you're home," I reminded her.
"Okay, but I'm passing the night in Mason's house."
"Oh, that's why you're in a hurry to leave me. Say hi to him on my behalf. Use protection," I winked.
"Stop teasing me. We just met–"
"Eight months ago. You call that just?" I asked.
"Mhm. Look, he's calling," she said, waving her phone in the air.
"You should answer it. Bye."
She picked the call and placed it on her ear before lip-syncing 'bye.' Then she walked away, leaving behind me and Adrian.