CHAPTER FOUR

~AURORA

“I still don't get why you brought me here?” I said, sipping the champagne and watching Rachel scanned the restaurant.

“He was sitting at the corner, when we walked in,” she said, sounding disheartened. “Where did he go now?”

The man who had been standing at the bar had suddenly disappeared too. I wonder why he stared at me for that long.

“The waiter is here. Look, Aurora, forget it. He isn't the only reason I brought you here.” She said, as the waiter began setting the plates of mouth watering food.

“You have been married to Adrian for a long time but you haven't been to this restaurant. Or even gone on a boat trip. You need to experience this while you still have the Montgomery name.” She said.

“You can't blame me. You said, whoever owns this ports is not in good terms with Adrian. So, how would I have known?” I said, picking up my spoon.

“You know, sometimes I wonder what happened to you. You were an explorer back in college, away from your family. But after Adrian, you disappeared. I find it hard to believe you even have a degree in Cyber security.” I could hear the disappointment leaking from her voice.

She wasn't wrong. I had once been a vibrant girl, but when a girl bets her entire future on a man, this is what she gets.

“Anyways, I have rented us a boat. You need to clear your head. That's part of your recovery.”

“Yes doctor. But is this bitter sour soup necessary? Why do they even have this in a restaurant?” My face had obviously disfigured from the bitter taste.

“Hmm.. tell me, did you spend ten years of your life learning about humans and human health?” She said, looking up from her plate and staring straight into my eyes.

“No.”

“Good. Now, eat up and stop complaining.” She said, focusing on her food again.

I almost chuckled, she had been like this all week. Anytime I questioned her, she asked the same question to rattle me.

After eating, we paid for our meal and we were led to the deck.

What an incredible collection of ships and boats. From cargo boats to luxury boats, they also had canoes and speed boats. Whoever Leonard was, he knew what he was doing.

“I think our boat is over there. The Healer, it comes with a free spa service, not the full thing but a little to make you feel blessed.” Rachel explained, as she grabbed my hands and we walked over.

“How do you find all these places with your tight schedule at the hospital?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“I'm not a bore like you. And most times, it was thanks to Van.” She said as I rolled my eyes at the last name she called.

As we approached the boat, the worker standing in front smiled brightly at us.

“Miss Roose Rachel and Miss Aurora?”

“Yes, we are thy. Here is the confirmation email.” Rachel handed over her phone to him.

“Welcome to The Healer and have a wonderful time.” he said with another beautiful smile.

“We will, thank you.” Rachel and I answered simultaneously.

“What a handsome young man.” Rachel whispered at me as we got on the boat.

I chuckled. My chuckle turned into a series of gasps and little screams as I saw what was waiting for us inside the boat.

“Resh, what the hell?!” I said as a couple of able-bodied men stood beside our massage beds, dressed in male stripper outfits. One was lighter in complexion than the other, who was heftier.

“You like it, huh? Haha.” She said with a flirtatious voice. “Please take care of our gentle bodies. Especially her, she just suffered a series of heart breaks.”

Rachel sexily and slowly took off her clothes and laid on the bed as I stood frozen watching her.

“I paid for this action, so you better loosen up and enjoy the ride.” She said, as the lighter man walked out of the cabin. And shortly the boat began moving.

I began undressing as he walked back in. So this was why she forced me into a bikini before we left.

“Welcome to The Healer, ladies. We assure you that you are in very capable hands.” The bigger man said, as he bent to pick up a bucket of champagne.

While the other turned one the music, and a jazz song began playing. I sat on the bed as the man poured the wine into our glasses.

“Rory, lay your ass down and let this man ‘heal’ you.” Rachel said, as the bigger man started applying a beautifully scented oil on her body. She sighed in deep relief.

Such a dramatic human.

I looked up at the other guy. He looked back at me with a smile, as his hands motioned me to lie down.

I sighed. ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ I thought to myself. I lied down and he applied the same oil on me.

I breathed deeply as his hands touched my back. I almost lost consciousness. His touch was so good and relaxing.

I could really hear the song flow through my mind and skin. My mind shut off and I transcended into a world of memories.

“Aurora, we are not doing this!” Vanessa's voice sounded in my head.

She and Rachel looked at me like I was crazy, we were about to go zip lining and we were next in line.

“Oh, come on, guys. Don't do this now. We have gone over this.” I shouted back as the professional put the gear on me.

“What if we fall? I am the only daughter of my family. I can't do this.” Rachel retorted.

I chuckled.

“I won't miss this because of you guys. Hop on now and you won't regret it. I promise you, I got you.” I reassured them as I stretched out my hand to them.

They held me in response and put on the gear. Then they had the screams of their lives.

I smiled at the memory, but my eyes swelled in pain. I still couldn't believe Vanessa would do this to me.

“Ooh, yeah.” I tilted my head as I saw Rachel dancing with the said “masseur slash stripper”.

“What the heck is your problem, Resh?” I said, giggling at her moves against the stripper's body.

“Rory, let the Healer cleanse me. Hahaha. God, I love this song.” She said, dancing towards me now. “Come join me outside.”

She wasn't asking as she pulled me up. We walked out to the deck and she began dancing again.

“Show your moves, Rory.”

“I can't. I'm..not–”

“Shut up and move.” She began rocking her body on mine. “You're mine, baby girl. Be happy.”

I laughed the loudest as moved her waist up and down against mine.

Slowly, I started moving on the same rhythm as hers until I got into the full groove. We laughed and danced together.

Later, food was served and we had a whole lot of fun. The boat sailed back to the port as we sat and watched the sun set.

“Thank you, so much Resh. I am sure I would have died without you.” I said snuggling on her.

“Yes, you really would have. But I got you. I'm for Van but I promise to be here for you. Really. You have always been a big sister to me.”

“I love you.” I replied, hugging her.

“I love you more.” She said, returning the hug.

The ship docked and we walked out of the boat, but the sight I met almost made me forget what a lovely day I had.

“Oh my. You really are a snake, Aurora. You have left hotels for ports. Me for my cousin. I should have known.” Adrian said as he carried Vanessa in bridal style and a look of disgust on his face.