Aurora, a familiar face in the house, was on her usual nighttime errand, fetching the don's pills from the kitchen. As she finished her task and headed towards the don's room, a sense of curiosity and unease crept over her. She knocked as usual, three times, but there was no response from within.
Confused and worried, she knocked again, her heart rate increasing. She couldn't shake the feeling that something might be amiss.
Aurora gasped in shock as she entered the room, the tray slipping from her trembling hands and rattling loudly on the floor. Her heart pounded like a drum, the sight before her seared into her mind. There, on the ground, lay Lucus Dunn, the don - motionless, unresponsive.
Her body shook with fear as she slowly kneeled down beside him, her hands extending to touch his shoulder. "Lucus... Lucus, please wake up," she pleaded, her voice quivering with desperation.
Aurora's voice was filled with an urgency that cut through the air like a knife. "Octavia!" she called out, her eyes wide with concern. "Call an ambulance... Hurry!"
Octavia, the cook, was immediately concerned, her face etched with worry. Without hesitation, she nodded and quickly rushed out to make the call. The sound of her hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway as she hastened to summon medical help.
Aurora desperately tried to rouse Lucus, her heart racing like a drumbeat. "Lucus!" she called out, her voice cracking with panic. She shook his lifeless body, but there was no response.
"Please, don't do this," Aurora pleaded, her voice trembling. "Please, wake up!"
**********
"Of course I can dance," Stella Cruze declared confidently, a playful smirk on her face. "Don't you trust me?"
Apollo chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Nope, I don't, actually," he retorted, feigning skepticism.
Stella sighed dramatically as she rolled her eyes. "Apollo, you saw me dance in this very club. You can't tell me you don't remember a single thing."
Apollo simply smirked, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Oh, yes, I remember alright. But what you did can hardly be called dancing." His tone was laced with a touch of playfulness.
Stella couldn't help but roll her eyes again. "Oh, really? What exactly would you call it then?"
"I don't know but if you call it dancing,you dance pretty well "sarcasm dripped and in his tone.
Apollo's thoughts strayed back to the memory of her dancing. The way her hips had swayed, her bronde hair swirling around her, and that seductive, intoxicating look she gave off, even if unintended. Despite himself, he felt a flush of heat rise in his cheeks, it was barely noticeable.
"Aww, thanks."
Stella's sarcastic thanks broke through the lingering tension, and she couldn't help but break out in a fit of giggling. It struck her that she couldn't remember feeling so lighthearted and carefree with anyone apart from her sister Margaret. There was something about being in his presence that made her heart feel strangely warm and light. She had no idea what this feeling was, but deep down, she knew she longed to be by his side. It was truly surprising, though, how something as simple as his presence could draw out the most genuine smiles from her.
"What's on your mind?"Apollo asked.
Stella's mind was swirling with thoughts, but the sound of his voice snapped her back to the present. "Nothing," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of hesitation.
Suddenly he heard his phone ring roundly.
Apollo's expression turned to one of annoyance as he saw the caller ID on his phone. It was Aurora, and he let out a frustrated sigh. Disinclined to answer, he begrudgingly picked up the phone. "What is it, Aurora?"
Aurora's voice trembled on the other end of the phone, concern and sadness evident as she spoke. "Apollo, you need to come to the hospital right now," she said softly.
"Why?"He said as he sensed that something was wrong.
"The Don is here."Aurora said softly.
"What?" Apollo questioned, his voice laced with confusion. "The Don is in the hospital? How did he end up there?"
"I came in and found him unconscious on the ground," Aurora explained, her tone filled with worry.
"Unconscious?" Apollo repeated, his concern growing. "Is he alright? Has he woken up since then?"
"No."Aurora said after a short pause,her voice trembling.
"I'll be there in a jiffy."Apollo said.
Stella's concern deepened as she heard Apollo's words. She couldn't help but stare, her thoughts racing.
As Apollo hurried to end the call, Stella took a deep breath, trying to keep her growing anxiety at bay.
"What's going on?"she asked,concern written on her face.
"Nothing," Apollo said, trying to downplay the situation. "It's just the Don. His illness is flaring up."
Stella's worry lines deepened. "So, he's in the hospital?" she pressed, her concern etched on her face. "What exactly happened?"
"Aurora discovered the Don unconscious."Apollo announced . "I'm heading to the hospital "Apollo added.
"I'll accompany you," Stella said gently.
"No," Apollo replied firmly, "You should stay here."
Stella was determined. "I insist." She declared, her tone soft yet resolute. Surprisingly, she herself was unaware of the unfamiliar emotions stirring within her. But despite these feelings, she followed Apollos' lead, exiting the club meekly, her thoughts focused solely on the Don's well-being.