CHAPTER FIVE

~AURORA

Vanessa got down from his arms and stood by his side.

“Hi Rachel and Aurora. What a coincidence.” She said, with a sinister smile on her face as she hooked her hand on his.

“Yeah, coincidence. Aurora, let's leave this backstabber.” Rachel said, and Vanessa blocked her.

“Wait, wait. Aren't all we friends here–”

Rachel gave her a resounding slap on her cheek as I rushed in and pulled her back.

“Leave me! Let me teach this bitch a lesson.”

“It's okay, Rachel. You didn't have to do that.” I said, still holding her back.

“How dare you?” Adrian's voice echoed. “Aurora you better put a leash on your friend.”

“Adrian, enough! You can say anything you want to about me but don't speak to my friend like that.” I said, my heart beating like crazy.

I still couldn't bring myself to hate him. I still believed that somewhere in there. I could still find my man, not the one brainwashed by Vanessa.

“You don't have the right to speak to me, woman. You are indeed shameless. Vanessa spent days trying to make me reconsider divorcing you, and this is how you treat her?”

He held her closer as she sobbed.

“You had the audacity to touch her while you are here. Tell me, what did you come here to do? Huh. F-fuck Leonard, more?!” I could hear the sadness in his voice.

“I have told you. I don't even know him. I didn't cheat you, Adrian. Why can't you believe me?” I said, tears gathering in my eyes again.

“Aurora let's go. We won't stand here exchanging words with this rascal.” Rachel said when my grip on her hand loosened.

“What is going on here?” A deep voice echoed, sending jolts to my brain as I immediately turned to the direction of the voice. We all turned.

“The first time I stepped foot into this establishment and I saw my wife on your boat. What a way to deny the allegations. It's been a full week yet.” Adrian said to the blonde man who I had seen at the bar earlier.

Huge frame, broad shoulders, piercing blue eyes that stared daggers right back at Adrian.

His brown silk shirt hugged his body beautifully and his white tailored trousers swayed in accord to his steps. So this was Leonard.

“What did you come here for, Adrian?” Leonard said, stepping closer into our fighting space.

“Grandpa said to ensure that you are present. He doesn't care if your office is on fire. Or if you're fucking my soon to be ex-wife.”

“Doesn't seem like a bad idea. She looks like an innocent sheep begging to be taken by me.” He said, nonchalantly.

“You!” Adrian growled in response.

“When you are done with your messenger duties, you can leave.” Leonard said, as his phone rang and he turned away from us to take the call.

I had never seen Adrian look so agitated at someone like that. Vanessa was holding close and rubbing his hand to soothe him. My blood boiled.

“Adrian!” I screamed in frustration. He immediately looked back at me.

“Adrian. Look me in the eyes and tell me that you believe that I have slept with this man. I don't know him, how could you believe her after all that we have been through.” I said, my voice breaking and the tears finally breaking free.

Adrian scoffed. He walked over to me, lifted my chin to meet his eye level.

“I believe it,” he said, his eyes burning with intensity. “And I will forever believe her over a whore like you.”

Me? A whore? My husband. The man I love more than anything in the world had just called me a whore.

“Let's go, baby. You need to get home on time, remember.” Vanessa said, her voice sounded distant as I was still taking in Adrian's words.

“Let go of her.” I heard Rachel say. “If you don't believe her, go be with your bitch.”

I looked at him as he gave us a scornful look and walked away with Vanessa. She looked back at me and smiled before turning back.

“These fools just had to ruin our day.” Rachel said, watching them leave as well.

“Excuse me, please leave the vicinity. You have caused enough trouble for me today.” Leonard said as he appeared right in front of us.

“You!” I stood straight, looking at him made me want to slap him.

“Who exactly were you calling a sheep? Begging for you? Are you crazy? I may be broken right now but don't you ever talk to or about like I'm an object.”

“Aurora, calm down.” Rachel said, gripping my hands tightly.

“Whatever. Just leave this place or I will force you out.” He said, turning his back on us as he walked away like we didn't exist.

“Such an arrogant being.” I said, releasing my hand from Rachel's.

“Rory, you know I'm glad you are getting your spark back. But you just unleashed it on the wrong guy. What the heck? Did you want to ban us from this beautiful abode?” Rachel asked with her voice usually loud.

We began walking out of the port, but my mind still lingered on Adrian's words that Rachel's complaints were tuned out.

These two brothers were so big that they looked down on me as I spoke. I helped build Adrian, with business ideas and support when he felt belittled.

Now he looked down on me. He called me a whore. Was he really that blind to see that we didn't know each other?

And the stupid brother, he didn't care that I opened my mouth to speak. A very useless man, calling me a sheep.

“Earth to Aurora? What are you thinking about?” Rachel asked as we got to the car.

“Nothing.”

“Don't lie to me. You were thinking about Adrian.” She opened the car doors and we got in. “Dont sweat it, even if he was doubtful. But now I'm sure he is happily convinced.”

I smiled at her words, she was right. I had to stop holding on to him. He choose to believe her and he was happy with his decision. I couldn't do anything about it.

“Well, my work life reignites tomorrow. Hope you would be okay?” She asked, fixing her seat belt.

“Yes, I will. I need to go to Adrian's house to grab my things. I can't keep buying or using yours.”

“Can't you wait for me to get back and follow you? I don't like the idea of you going there alone.” Rachel's said as she brought the engine to life.

“Don't worry about me. I will be just fine. Thank you a lot for today.” I said, smiling at her.

“Sure, anytime. But you're still taking your last dose of the ‘bitter-sore’ soup as you call it.” She said as we drove off.

“Yeah, whatever.” I said looking out the window. Adrian's words and Leonard’s egoist act resurfaced on my mind.

I have to get even. No. I had to grow. First step, is signing those divorce papers.

Second, going to that house. Not to beg them or reminisce. But to acknowledge that it was no longer mine.