(Aurora)
**Radio Station 1:**
The previous night, a fire erupted at Garcia's Duds, a famous fashion industry, as reported by City Gossipers. According to witnesses, the fire started at around 8:30 PM in the evening and took nearly 7 hours to extinguish completely. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but it caused significant damage that required six fire brigade engines to respond to the scene. The police station has initiated an investigation to determine the root cause of the fire outbreak in that area.
In addition, it was reported on the same day that Mr. Adrian Garcia and Ms. Aurora William were seen together for the third consecutive time this week, causing shock waves throughout New York City. Though the specifics of their reunion have not yet been confirmed, this news has generated significant interest among their followers and fans.
Overall, we provided detailed coverage of both of these significant events - the fashion industry fire and the rumored reunion of a celebrity couple.
**Radio Station 2:**
Welcome to our morning news update! Our top story for today is the Garcia family, who have been making headlines recently.
Reports suggest that the CEO, Mr. Garcia, has been seen with his supposed ex-wife, Ms. Aurora William, sparking rumors of a possible romantic relationship between the two.
The two were spotted hand-in-hand at the fire outbreak scene and few hours later at a hotel, fueling speculations about their relationship status. Our sources will keep you updated as we receive information.
**Radio Station 3:**
Greetings, listeners! Today's news bulletin focuses on the private lives of the Garcia family.
Despite rumors of a romantic relationship between the CEO, Mr. Garcia, and his ex-wife Aurora, sources close to the family claim that there is nothing romantic going on between them.
How true could this be?
…
I looked over at Adrian who was already fuming. His knuckles were visibly turning pale, and he had a tight grip on the steering wheel.
I reached out to put to the radio off, and he let out a sigh of frustration.
"I'd appreciate if people learn to keep their noses out of my personal life."
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it, now."
He gritted his teeth. "Those dickheads are paid to be a pain in one's ass."
A chuckle escaped my lips, but his death glare sealed them up right away.
"The deed has been done already," I shrugged.
He rolled his eyes and directed his focus to the road. The car remained silent until we arrived at the police station.
"Daddy!! Mummy!!!" Stacey squealed, running into Adrian's arms as soon as Mason let her feet to the ground.
"My girl, how are you?" he asked. Her eyes watered and she burst out in small sobs.
"I missed you guys so much, dada," she cried.
I took her in my arms and kissed her cheek. "Aww, we missed you more. Please, don't cry, daddy's little princess," I pleaded, wiping her tears.
"Ok, momma."
"Yeah, that's my girl! Come to dada," Adrian chirped in, smiling.
"Dada!" she echoed, giggling as she gave in to him.
I smiled at them, and turned around, pacing up my steps towards the rest of our family while they dragged their feet behind me.
"Hey, Mason, Aurelia, Anna…" I glanced at them one after the other with a smiley face, and I continued. "I'm kinda short of words cos I can't thank you guys enough for everything, looking out for Stacey… I know it was quite a difficult task–"
"Ow, don't mention, sissy. We are family, and that makes us one," Annabel cut in.
"Yep, Anna's right. We have each other's back," Aurelia backed up.
"That's correct. I feel like a part of the family already, so anytime," Mason commented and we laughed.
"Thank you so much, guys. I'm glad no one got hurt," Adrian said.
"I guess that will call for a big celebration, brother-in-law. What do y'all think?" Anna asked.
He shrugged. "It doesn't sound bad."
"Mhm." I nodded, and looked around for any objection. Mason and Aurelia were also in agreement.
"I don't want to party, mama. That scary aunt will come to get me again, won't she?"
My gaze met with a pair of dark blue eyes. They held worry, pain and regret. Those trembling eyes belonged to Adrian.
"Won't she, mama?" Stacey tugged the hem of my dress, shaking terribly.
I looked down at her with innocence and pity, and ruffled her hair. "No, baby. We are all here to protect you."
Adrian nodded. "Yes, and we wouldn't be hosting any party, okay?"
"Ok, dada."
His fingers balled into a fist and his jaws clenched as the next words left his mouth. "I won't let any harm come to you, not again. Have my words, baby."
Stacey hugged my leg, then I lifted her into my arms.
"I'm sorry guys. Let's go inside," I suggested.
"Sure." They agreed and followed my lead.
…
It was nearly an hour in the waiting room. Aurelia, Annabel and Mason had gone out earlier to grab breakfast, and were yet to return.
Stacey was reluctant to go with them, so she stayed behind with Adrian and me. She sat in silence, biting her fingers and I couldn't blame her.
"Uh… Mr. Garcia?" a male voice called out, distracting me from my thoughts. I looked up at the man who looked in his forties.
Adrian quickly got on his feet. "Yes, I'm the one."
"Good day. Please, come with me."
"Alright. Just a minute or two," he asked. The man gave a curt nod, and stepped aside, then Adrian fell back to his seat and turned to me. "I'm beginning to get scared."
"You'll be fine–" I tried to assure him.
He reached out for my hand, interrupting me. "Not without you, my love."
"I know, but I don't think I'm ready to meet your parents. It's a kinda huge step for me, so you might have to manage the situation on ground all by yourself."
"No, blondie. I need you now, more than ever. It's been fucking years, and I'm not even sure about their reaction. I'm scared. What if they are mad at me, and blame me for our miseries? I can't… I won't be able to stand it if they push me away. I've waited all these past years for this day, and here it is. If only I had listened to mother then, we won't have been in such mess. We'd have been somewhere better, blondie. It's all my fault. I failed my own family. Will they forgive me? Will you, Aurora? How about Stacey?"
My eyes averted to Stacey who was curled up in my arms. She stared back at me and said nothing. She didn't deserve to hear all of this.
I shifted my gaze to Adrian, and gave his hand a tight squeeze, hinting him that our daughter was in our midst but he ignored it.
"You did nothing wrong by following your heart–"
"Yes, that answers it. I'm selfish; I can't forget you defined me the first day we met at my office. I only care about myself, my happiness and nothing else matters to me in the world, not even my own family. I hurt people around me while trying to please myself, and it's too late. Everyone hates me now, isn't it? Such a shame. Shame on me, Aurora. I'm a huge failure! I am a mess–"
"Shut it, Adrian! Stop trying to create a scene." I pulled him outside the room to have a mature conversation. "I need you to calm down and put yourself in order, please."
His eyes brimmed with tears as he looked into my eyes. "Aurora–" he tried to speak, but I cut him off.
"Shh. Just breathe in, and… out," I said in a calm voice. He shut his eyes and obeyed without hesitation. "Now, you have to listen to me. I know you feel scared and tensed right now, but I promise everything is going to be alright."
"It isn't as easy as you think. What am I going to do or say to them? Everyone knows it's my fault–"
"And they all know you're sorry, but you have to prove it. Make them know you realized your mistake," I added.
"Are you sure they will be ready to forgive me?" he asked, biting his bottom lip.
I wasn't overly sure about that, but I just had to give him an assurance.
"They're your parents. It's going to be ok."
With knitted brows, he asked in a low tone, "Sure?"
I leaned closer and pecked his forehead. "Trust me."
He kept nodding as he pulled me into a tight hug. I could swear I wasn't breathing.
Maybe I was just exaggerating.
"Addy, you gotta go," I said, and he pulled out of the hug.
"Yes, yes. They must me waiting for me."
I shrugged. "I guess."
"See you around, later?"
"Of course. And yeah… I wish you all the best, amor." I gave a hopeful smile.
"Thank you." He smiled back at me before turning around to leave.
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TO BE CONTINUED...