Aurora got out of bed, putting the 'dream' behind her. She stifled a yawn as her eyes found her phone sitting on the nightstand. She picked it up and read the text from Xander.
"Good morning Your Highness. I'm guessing you had a good night's rest. What's your take on my marriage proposal?"
'What a persistent fellow,' she thought as she quickly typed a response and sent it to him having weighed her options the previous day.
"When can we discuss the terms?"
Revenge was secondary to Aurora. She needed a man to protect her and keep her enemy at bay. Her father was unreliable, and Xander seemed like the perfect figure to fill that vacuum.
"Breakfast might be a little too early for you. I will be in a meeting from 10 AM to 1 PM today. Let's meet for lunch by 1:30 at…" Xander texted and then proceeded to drop the exact location on Google Maps.
Aurora: "You work on Sundays?"
Xander: "I work on some weekends."
Aurora: "I see…"
Xander: "My assistant, Liam, will be at the entrance to pick you up. See you by 1: 30 PM, Aurora."
Aurora also exchanged a few texts with Abigail between brushing her teeth and showering.
Aurora: "Do you have any plans this evening? Can I do a sleepover at your place today?"
Abigail: "Of course, Baby! Anytime! My Mum travelled yesterday night. Let's go see a movie this evening."
Aurora: "Perfect!"
Aurora's top priority was preserving her mental well-being, which meant distancing herself from any form of drama and toxicity.
Before heading downstairs for breakfast, Aurora contacted the house agent to request pictures of the available apartment and confirmed their meeting for 9 AM.
Aurora was the last to arrive at the dining table. And throughout the meal, Olivia and Stella didn't dare to breathe a word with Adam shifting a glare between them.
"Dad, I am spending the night at Abigail's place," Aurora announced.
"That's okay," Adam approved immediately, understanding she needed the space after everything that happened.
---
After a four-hour tour of three properties with the agent, Aurora ultimately chose the one that best met her priorities; robust security and unparalleled privacy.
The chosen apartment on the 12th floor of a high-rise building, offered stunning views, keycard-accessed elevators and most importantly – a distance from her current home.
With the payment and the paperwork finalized, Aurora received the keys to her new apartment and swiftly booked a moving company for 6:30 AM on Tuesday. After dropping off her current residence and new apartment location details, she headed to her scheduled meeting with Xander.
---
Liam, clad in a grey suit was waiting at the entrance when Aurora came up. However, she didn't recognise him when he approached her – curtsey of the effect of the hallucinogenic drug that night.
"Good day, Ms. Swift. I am Liam Robison, Mr. Scott's Personal Assistant."
Aurora shook his hand with a warm smile. "Good day, Mr. Robison."
"Liam, please," he corrected as he released her hand. "I shall escort you now."
Aurora nodded, her curiosity piqued.
Liam led her through the winding paths of a beautifully manicured garden, the sweet scent of blooming flowers enveloping them.
As they strolled, the garden's layout shifted, and they entered an intricate flower maze. Liam navigated the twists and turns with ease, Aurora following closely behind.
Soon, the maze opened up to a serene clearing, where a charming open shed stood. The thatched roof and lush greenery blended seamlessly into the surroundings.
"Mr. Scott awaits," Liam announced, gesturing toward the shed.
Aurora's eyes adjusted to the soft light within. Xander stood by an elegant wooden desk, his gaze locked onto hers. His expression was reserved, but a hint of warmth flickered in his eyes.
"Thank you, Liam," Xander said, his deep voice soothing.
"I'll leave you both to your meeting." Liam bowed subtly and discreetly withdrew.
"You look beautiful and you are right on time," Xander said, shaking Aurora's hand before pulling out a chair for her.
Aurora sat down and took off her sunshades. "Thank you. I like to keep to time," she replied as her gaze darted around them. "Is this a private property?"
"Yes." Xander sat down, his eyes softening. "How do you like the view?" He asked as the waiters stepped out one after the other with different dishes and a platter of fruits.
"I love the serenity. It's soothing," Aurora replied, her gaze lingering on his handsome facial features.
Aurora and Xander chatted about random stuff over lunch before taking a walk in the gardens to discuss their marriage terms.
"I want a secret wedding for now," Xander started. "I am working on an important mission that will be wrapped up in a few months. And when it's done, we can have a bigger wedding with our family and friends."
Aurora's face contoured in a frown. "How do you plan to protect me and get revenge on my behalf if our marriage is kept a secret?"
Aurora thought going public with their marriage would curb her stepmother's and half-sister's scheming, given Xander's formidable presence. But it seemed he had other plans.
"I can still do that from the sideline," Xander said and went further to explain his plans.
"When are we having the wedding?" Aurora inquired, leaving the major decisions to him.
"Friday."
Aurora's brows knitted. "Which of the Fridays?"
"This coming week," Xander answered, amused by her facial expressions. "We are having the wedding in Venice, Italy."
Aurora was left dumbstruck by Xander's sudden plans for their wedding. She wondered the reason for the rush.
---
Aurora met Abigail at the mall to see an action-thriller movie in their cinema. They got popcorn, coke and fried chicken wings because according to Abigail, it was the first cure for heartbreak.
As Abigail waited in line for their movie tickets, Aurora spotted a familiar figure from the corner of her eyes; Owen. He was openly flirting with an unfamiliar woman, his arm casually wrapped around her waist without care for public exposure.
Aurora was shocked by his audacity, yet she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing Olivia would soon face the consequences of her own actions.
After spending two hours plus at the cinema house, Aurora and Abigail had dinner at a restaurant before going to the latter's home; a simple duplex with a small open field to host outdoor events.
Aurora unpacked and showered in Abigail's minimalist-styled bedroom before settling down on the plush rug to watch the latter patting down a moisturizer on her face.
"I got an apartment today," she announced, breaking the silence.
Abigail's hands stilled, her gaze snapping to Aurora. "Really?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
Aurora confirmed with a smile. "Moving out Tuesday morning." She shared the details of her new place, and Abigail's face lit up with genuine joy.
"We are opening an expensive bottle of wine over this good news!" Abigail said and turned her gaze back to the mirror on her vanity table.
"I have one more announcement," Aurora said and dropped a bombshell news, her eyes locked on Abigail's reflection. "I'm getting married."
Abigail's gaze snapped back to hers, disbelieving. "You're kidding, right?"
Aurora shook her head. "I met him on Friday."
Abigail's gaze darkened. "And who the hell is this random stranger?"
"Xander Scott, Owen's uncle," Aurora replied.
Abigail's stunned expression froze, her mouth hanging open. The expensive bottle of Anti-Âge cream valued at $550 for just 50ml slipped from her grasp, landing softly on the plush grey fur rug.