Apollo found himself struggling to articulate the conflicting emotions that churned within him. Yet, one truth was undeniable: he had let down both the Don and himself. The weight of self-disappointment settled heavily upon his heart, and the harsh words of the Don had only served to amplify the ache in his soul.
Apollo wandered aimlessly through the halls of the hospital, consumed by guilt and shame. He couldn't shake the image of the Don's disappointed gaze, the way his words had stung like a whip across his heart. He had never felt this way before — so lost, so utterly disappointed in himself.
As he walked, his mind replayed the events of the day over and over again, each time the Don's face growing more stern, his voice more scathing. It was a vicious cycle, one he felt powerless to break.
Aurora's sudden question caught Apollo off guard, her words cutting through the air. "What did the Don say?" she inquired, her voice barely above a whisper.
Apollo clenched his jaw, his anger flaring up at the unexpected intrusion. He remained silent, his eyes fixed on the ground, refusing to offer a response. Aurora sighed, frustration etched across her face.
"Apollo," Aurora began gently, her voice filled with a mixture of concern and understanding. "I know I'm interrupting your thoughts, but I believe in you."
She waited for a response, but when none came, she pressed on, her voice tinged with a hint of empathy. "The Don probably yelled at you, didn't he?"
Yet, Apollo offered no response, his silence more deafening than any words he could have spoken.
Aurora looked at Apollo, her eyes softening with understanding. "You probably have a long list of plans floating around in your head," she began, her voice steady and reassuring. "But you have to decide and choose the best course of action."
She took a deep breath, her gaze never leaving his face. "Don't let him underestimate you," she continued, her tone firm yet gentle. "You are greater than you think. But always remember, do what's right."
Apollo turned to her, his expression a mixture of emotions she couldn't read.
Despite his stubborn exterior, Apollo listened intently to Aurora's words. Though he would never admit it, her kind reassurance had found its way into the depths of his darkened mind, providing a glimmer of comfort and understanding that he had not expected.
As Apollo's gaze lingered on Aurora, he recalled the words that Stella had spoken earlier: "It's not easy to get stepmothers as kind and caring as Aurora."
There was a truth to her words, and as he considered them, a myriad of thoughts and emotions swirled within him. His face softened slightly as he looked at Aurora, her gentle and tender smile only adding to the mixture of feelings he couldn't quite make sense of.
"Apollo, I trust you"
As Aurora looked at him, her voice filled with unwavering trust, she reached out to touch him, but her hand hovered in the air, just barely shy of making contact.
He couldn't help but notice, and with a touch of softness in his voice, he asked, "Why are you always like this?"
Her eyes widened slightly, a mixture of surprise and uncertainty flickering across her face as she tried to decipher the meaning behind his unspoken words.
Aurora looked at him, her voice tinged with concern as she questioned, "Like what?"
In response, Apollo muttered, "Nevermind," and quickly turned away from her. His abrupt departure left her standing there, a mixture of confusion and worry evident on her face.
As he settled into the driver's seat of his car, Apollo's mind raced with thoughts and inner turmoil. The weight of Aurora's words echoed in his ears, stirring something within him.
Determined, he clenched the steering wheel tighter, his expression hardening. He knew he had to make the Don proud, and there was only one way to do it: by following his mission strictly. No distractions, no mistakes.