Chapter 3: No More Doors to Knock On

Aurora Bennett was standing in the Scholarship and Financial Aid Office, holding a folder in her hands. Her transcripts, letters of recommendation, certificates and more were all there, and they made it clear that she deserved a second chance.

She took a big breath and then knocked.

"Come in."

Facing the computer, a middle aged woman beamed with a smile.

It couldn't be anyone other than Aurora Bennett.

"Yes, ma'am."

Please sit down.

Aurora sat down with her fingers nervously gripping her lap.

The woman started, "I have checked through your files.The woman started, “I have gone through your files.” Your grades are one of the highest in your year – you've been one of the most successful architecture students!

There was a glimmer of hope in Aurora's eyes.

"Really?"

The woman nodded.

“That's a great grade point average, especially given your work schedule.

Aurora leaned forward.

Then… Have you got any scholarship on emergency?”

A smile slowly faded from the woman's face.

"I'm sorry."

Aurora's heart sank.

Emergency money was given to all at the beginning of the term.

“So the question is, what is there?”

I wish there was "I wish there was

The lump went down Aurora's throat.

I would do anything, I can teach, I can make events at school, I can clean offices, anything.

The woman sighed.

But you're doing your utmost, Aurora, but there is no money, I said.

They fell silent.

Thank you for your time," Aurora whispered.

She stood and quietly walked out.

The hall was now extended far longer than previously.

There was another door that had closed.

The next place she went was the closest bank.

It took her almost an hour to tell the loan officer what had occurred.

He returned with her application along with the answer she dreaded to receive and as she was convinced, that is exactly what it was.

I'm sorry Miss Bennett.

"You don't qualify."

Aurora tried to smile but her smile looked as if it were forced.

"I understand."

“You don't have any guarantee and do not have a sufficient income.”

She, however, did express her gratitude for it.

When she went outside the bank she saw the time.

Almost noon.

Her time to eat was yet to come.

She purchased the lowest priced bottle of water possible and was sitting on a park bench by herself.

Her phone gallery sprang into action virtually on its own.

The first picture she had was of her father.

Daniel Bennett.

With his orange construction hat on.

Smiling exactly as she recalled.Smiling just as she remembered.

“Always, I have said you will be an architect some day,” she said softly.

A tear was rolling down her face.

I don't know if I can do it anymore.

The wind blew the corner of the picture up on her screen.

Soon, Aurora's tears had dried.

"No."

She shook her head.

I won't surrender.

It was already four o'clock when she began preparing to go to the café in her café uniform.

Whenever she smelled freshly ground coffee, she always felt better.

She was so tired, it was just a reminder today.

"You're late."

Her manager crossed his arms.

Excuse us Aurora: “Two minutes.”

I know you're busy," I said, "but 'Customers don't pay for sad faces.

"I'm sorry."

After he made a brief glance at her, he lowered his voice.

“You haven't given me anything to complain about.”

No, not now I will not do it.

"Good."

It was soon time to the evening rush.

Efficiently, Aurora went from table to table.

"One caramel latte."

"Two cappuccinos."

"Blueberry cheesecake."

Her feet ached.

Her shoulders burned.

Still...

She smiled.

Every tip mattered.

Each coin helped her to graduate and save her mom.

The bell above the door of the café rang.

The world turned upside down in the moment.

A number of nice sports cars were parked out front - three of them.

Students gathered around the window immediately got their cell phones.

"They're here."

"Oh my God..."

"It's Damien Kingsley."

Aurora frowned.

It was a name she had heard numerous times around campus.

The "golden boy" of the University.

To be the next in line to inherit Kingsley Holdings.

Rich.

Popular.

Untouchable.

He was unknown to her.

Until now.

The man was tall and wore a nice black jacket, underneath a white shirt, both of which were quite expensive.

He uttered not a single word, but filled the room with self-confidence.

As he passed by there were several giggling girls.

Others openly stared.

He was surrounded by a lot of friends who laughed hysterically behind him.

Damien hardly spoke to anybody.

He appeared to desire more attention than love.

"Aurora."

Her coach hit her.

"Table seven."

She picked up her pad of paper.

"Good evening. What would you like to have?

Damien's head did not come up from his cell phone.

"My usual."

One of his friends chuckled.

“He/she doesn't know me.”

After a while, Damien lifted his eyes.

For a mere fleeting moment!

They met hers.

His eyes could not be read.

"Black coffee."

"No sugar."

She wrote it down.

“Then what about all of us others?”

A short while later she returned with their drinks.

Damien put his bank card down on the table and didn't say a word.

No smile.

No thank you.

Nothing.

Just another customer.

Aurora walked away.

She doubted that he would remember her face.

The front cafe doors were opened up again.

This time...

Every conversation stopped.

When Vivian Sinclair came in she appeared in a beautiful, expensive cream coloured dress; it was far too expensive for a college student.

She was breathtaking.

So beautiful, that it caused all heads to turn.

Unable to see sensitively.

Damien immediately stood.

"Vivian."

Only she stopped, but she did not smile!

"What?"

"We need to talk."

"I don't."

"It isn't over."

It has been a couple of months since then.

His jaw tightened.

"I said I'm sorry."

I told her that I was moving on, he said.

She looked up at the window before lowering her voice.

"Stop embarrassing yourself."

She left silently, and without any words.

Damien remained standing.

His friends looked at one another at the thought of going so far.His friends looked at him and each other when he mentioned going so far.

One at length burst upon the stillness.

"Forget her."

Another laughed nervously.

There are hundreds of girls who'll date you.

Damien slowly sat back down.

Now his face was very hard and sinister.

"No."

He gazed out the window at the crowd waiting for Vivian as she walked away.

"She'll come back."

But what if she doesn't? said one of the friends.

Damien's lips twisted into a vicious smile.

If I do, then she'll have something to.

His eyes wandered around and found the café.

Past the customers.

Past the counter.

Until they stopped...

On Aurora.

As she counted the tips she had gotten for the night, she did not know someone was watching her.

Damien took a seat in his chair.

"I've found my answer."

What answer?” asked his friend.

Aurora wasn't unfaithful to Damien.

“A dream come true fake girlfriend.”

Suddenly, there was a strange chill on Aurora's spine.

She looked up.

But, Damien was already on his way.

She had no idea...

She was about to embark on a whole new path.