Leah was actually such a breath of fresh air. She eased me into a fluid and fun conversation. Even when I went quiet, she found a way to bring me back in.We talked until breakfast. I headed back to my room afterwards. But before lunch she was back at my door and we were talking again. I showed her my sketchbook without even realizing it."Your sketches are so pretty. Why haven't you started working on them?" She looked so amazed, you'd think Picasso showed her one of his masterpieces."I don't know..." I shrugged.How was I supposed to tell her that I was not sure if I was allowed to work? It had never been mentioned. No one seemed to be concerned about it and I did not know how to ask."You have a degree in fashion?" She asked me when she saw the photos on my social media page."Yes I do." I nod, picking at the hems of my shirt, wishing for my sewing kit that was all the way upstairs so I could fix it up."So you're free to practice..." It sounded more like a conclusion than a quest
"Dad, you asked for me?" I asked him the moment I got into his office. I was in the middle of an online meeting when he called for me to come up to his home office. "Yes son. I have an event to attend tonight and I'd like for you to represent me." He said. "Sure dad." I shrugged. I did this all the time for him so it was not unusual for him to ask me for such but what he said next threw me off. "You're taking Aurora with you," "What?" I wasn't sure I heard right. "She's always cooped up in the house, she needs to get out a little." "Dad, no." I shook my head. "I wasn't asking." He looked me straight in the eye when he said that. "But-" The words hung in my throat. The plain indignant expression he had on proved to me there was no room for further discussion. I stormed out of his office, banging the door behind me. I walked back to my bedroom. "We have a function to attend." I said when I saw her, straight to the point, clenching my jaw in anger because my father had compelle
I almost thought that the night would never end. Seeing my parents at the event was surprising yet not unexpected. They were social butterflies. I wished I did not attend. I felt so odd and awkward to be standing next to someone like Leo. I wondered if people knew I was his wife and if they did, I wondered what they thought about someone that looked like him marrying someone that looked like me. Speaking to his friend wasn't so bad. At least someone acted like I existed. Rick was funny and bubbly, very unlike his friend who was as cold as ice. It was always a miracle to see Leo crack a smile. He did not even smile at my parents. Oh God, it was so obvious. Why couldn't he just keep up the act like he did before we got married? When he said it was time to leave, I subtly let out a sigh of relief, glad that it was over and I did not have to continue to hide how awkward it felt to be out with him for the first time since our marriage. I found out later that this was his father's idea. In
Headache. I had a searing headache after falling asleep in the most uncomfortable position and since my husband did not come up after the party, there was no one to wake me up to get into a good sleeping position.I managed to get up and clean up the mess I had made, thankful that Leo had not walked in on it. When I got out of the bathroom, I felt refreshed and ready to spend another day cooped indoors having almost nothing to do.I unknowingly dragged my feet around the room, feeling like I had a hungover. "Can you stop that?!"I flinched as I sighted him in the room looking disheveled. "I'm sorry I didn't know when you came in." I said in an apologetic whisper."Of course you didn't." He muttered, looking annoyed."Leo, are you okay?" I asked out of genuine concern. No offense but he looked like he had been hit by a truck."I'm fine." He grunted out, forcing off his jacket."You seem upset.""I said I'm fine!" He yelled."Alright," I backed off, not wanting to argue with him any
I was smiling. Really smiling this time. It was not forced. I even caught myself singing a couple of times as I hurried off to my new favorite place."Hey Axel." I waved at him with child-like excitement as I skidded to a halt.He gave me a slow smile, "Seems like you're in a good mood today," "I guess so." I shrugged, giggling slightly. He could tell there was something on the tip of my tongue."What's the good news, would you like to share?""My friend is coming over today! Leo says she can." I squealed and did a little happy dance.I was so excited to see River. I had not seen her since the wedding because she had traveled out of town for school and now that she was done with college she was going to be in Washington until she got her dream job. I was so happy for her."That's great." Axel said. "Is this friend as beautiful as you?"I sighed dreamily, "River is so beautiful, you can't possibly compare me to her."He frowned, "Why would you say that?" "Well because it's the truth?
"What happened?" I listened with rapt attention as my mother relayed what had transpired in my absence while I was away that afternoon. "She brought someone here to insult me," I shook my head in disbelief, "Aurora wouldn't do that." I was fully aware that there was a lot that I did not know about her but I was sure she would not do something like that. She was way too calm and collected. "What do you mean? You're saying your mother is lying?" "Of course not mom, I'd never say that." I wanted to add that she was most probably exaggerating but I did not want to infuriate her further. "Wherever you are, you need to get home right now!" She ordered. "Mom..." I groaned. I had work to do and she was just going to make me leave it for something so trivial? "Right now Leonardo." she reiterated in her no nonsense tone and I knew I did not have a choice. "I'll be there soon." I sighed. "Good." She hung up. I almost hit my head against a wall, regretting why I picked up the call. I
"What are you doing here?"I held myself from flinching at the shock of him being right there towering over Axel and I as we sat on the grass. I slowly got on my feet."I asked you a question Aurora." He said again and I could immediately tell that he was vexed. Twice in a row. Good one, Aurora."I'm just here with a friend." I managed to say."So I say that your friend shouldn't come here any longer and you quickly find a replacement?" His eyes are blazing as he glances at Axel and back at me."No," I shook my head. "Axel has been my friend for a while." "I don't care about any of that. Get into the house right now." Leo ordered sternly.Obeying his orders, I turned to say goodbye to Axel but he stopped me with his arm separating me from him. It was then I realized the proximity between Axel and I was unusual and this was most probably because I was vulnerable and crying on his shoulder before Leo walked in."Move Aurora," Leo reiterated and I left, promising Axel with my eyes that
Lira fumed, pacing the floor of her bedroom, contemplating if she was going to tell this to her aunt or sister. She did not want them to know about her feelings for Axel but at the same time, she did not want Aurora near him.Her sister walked in just as she took her seat, still fuming. "What's wrong? You've been angry all day." Leah asked, looking genuinely concerned."I'm not angry." She responded clippedly."Sure?""Yes!" She snapped, reaching for her purse to grab a cigarette.Leah's hands flew forward, gesturing for her to calm down, "Whoa, easy tigress. You're not going to smoke that are you?""I am." She needed to calm her nerves and this was the only ways she could help herself. "You know Aunt Lauren is going to get mad about it. There's a no smoking policy in this house." Leah reminded her."I really don't care right now." Was her nonchalant response.Lira somewhat prided herself in being the rebellious one amongst the twins and if she said she was going to do something, s