The morning after

It was a bright morning and the sun was up, shining directly into Aurelia’s bedroom from the window.

She was wide awake, her legs on the bed with her hands wrapped around it while she stared at the news being displayed on the TV.

She’d been following up a fashion contest that would be held soon and the date for the application was promised to be announced soon enough. So every morning, she made sure to check.

“Just let us know if it’s not going to hold anymore.” She hissed and switched off the TV, tossing the remote to the other side of the bed.

The day had just begun and she had no idea what to do with it.

She was tempted to visit her fashion store, but it was barely a day after her wedding. She found it odd to resume work immediately.

She got out of the bed and sauntered towards the window, where she stood, watching outside.

The compound was extremely big. The garage was located directly opposite her window and she could see the cars parked there. They were luxurious and beautiful.

It was late last night, she didn’t get to see the beauty of the building. Maybe later, she would ask for a tour.

Speaking of last night. She recalled how she immediately replied Hardin’s text, not out of fear for him, but because of her father. She’d promised him she wouldn’t cause trouble and would be a good wife, it would be disastrous if he found out she was already getting herself into a mess just the night of her wedding.

The staff had brought the food to her room last night and even though she didn’t have an appetite, she had to force herself to eat.

If she wanted to please her dad, then she had to do what Hardin wanted her to.

******

The living room was big and well furnished but it lacked life.

There was no one present there. The TV was switched off, looking like it hadn’t been on for days.

Aurelia trailed her fingers on the couch as she walked past it.

She had nothing to do, so she decided to tour the house. The staff from last night was her tour guide.

The lady was acting too nice and Aurelia couldn’t tell if it was a pretense or it was her nature.

Her eyes caught the artwork on the wall and her brows dropped. It was a painting of two naked ladies lying sexily on the floor.

She hated how the nakedness of women were objectified.

“Why would anyone have this as an art?” She scoffed.

“Mr Hardin bought this artwork for a huge amount of money. He saw its potential, which might not be obvious to everyone, including you.” The staff replied, choosing her words carefully.

Aurelia grabbed the collar of the lady’s shirt and shoved her to the front, close to the artwork. “Tell me the potential you see?”

“I…”

“Short of words?” She chuckled dryly before releasing her grip on the collar. “You’re a lady…” She stopped, noticing she didn’t know the girl’s name.

“What is your name?”

“Linda.”

“Linda.” Aurelia repeated. “You have freedom of speech. You do not have to agree that the artwork has potential because your boss bought it.”

She spared Linda a stare before walking away from the artwork.

If she was free with Hardin, she would have the artwork removed. But they barely even knew each other, it would be disrespectful to go about removing the things in his house.

The air on her skin raised and she rubbed her hands on it.

Her eyes moved to the AC and she noticed it was not on the coldest, which made her brows furrowed.

“Welcome, sir.” She heard Linda’s voice from behind and before she could turn, a familiar scent fill her nostrils.

The moment the scent brushed over her, something low in her stomach tightened. Her body recognized him before her mind caught up.

Slowly, she turned, and there he was. Standing in the doorway, tall, composed, and wearing the same unreadable expression he’d worn yesterday at the altar when he watched his brother marry the woman he had already touched.

His eyes met hers. No warmth, no guilt, no nothing. Just deep brown eyes staring flatly at her.

“Sister-in-law.” He said blankly.

Aurelia didn’t know how to react or what to say. She knew the devil standing a few feet away from her wasn’t genuinely calling her his sister-in-law.

But she noticed something was off. He didn’t try to flirt with her, neither did he say anything concerning the past. He didn’t look like same person that sent her that text at the reception.

“Are you okay?” The words slipped out her tongue before she could stop herself.

“Where is your husband?” He asked instead, ignoring her question.

“I don’t know. He’s your brother, you should call him.” She rolled her eyes and decided to go out to continue her tour. But the moment she walked past him at the door wall, he grabbed her arm tightly.

Goosebumps prickled her skin as his warm hand touched her.

She had to remind herself to control her expression because Linda was present in the room and she was sure the lady’s gaze was burning into them.

“What happened between you and Hardin last night?” He whispered.

Her eyes darted in curiosity, he couldn’t see her but her silence hint that she was confused.

“Did he touch you?”

She felt a sick twist in her stomach. The idea alone made bile rise in her throat.

If Hardin had touched her last night, then it would be two brothers, within twenty-four hours.

She yanked her arm from his grip, wiping the spot like his touch contaminated her.

“Don’t ever ask me that.” She warned, but it didn’t sound like a warning, because her voice betrayed her, breaking at each word. “You do not have the right to.”

“Linda.” Oliver called, his gaze not leaving Aurelia for a bit.

“Yes, sir.”

“Leave us.”

“We aren’t done with our tour, Linda.” Aurelia reminded.

Linda’s presence was a big booster for her. If Linda wasn’t present, she was sure by now Oliver would have her trembling under his gaze and that was the last thing she wanted.

“We can continue our tour after your conversation with Sir Oliver.” Linda said. She was caught between a rock and a hard place and the wisest thing to do at that moment was to bargain.

“No.” Aurelia stood on her words. “We shall continue.”

Linda swallowed hard. She didn’t know who to obey. Her boss’s cold brother or her boss’s new wife.

Before she could make a choice, a deep voice rolled through the room, cutting through the tension like a blade.

“What’s going on here?”

All three heads snapped up.

Hardin was descending the staircase, one hand casually in his pocket, the other resting lightly on the railing.

He had his pajamas on and a flip flop, it was obvious that he just woke up.

Aurelia walked back, creating a huge distance between her and Oliver.

Oliver didn’t stop staring at her, but his eyes flickered, only once, at the sight of his brother.

“Sir…” Linda began, sounding relieved.

Hardin didn’t acknowledge her. His gaze was fixed on his brother and his newly wedded wife.

His expression didn’t change, but something sharp moved behind his eyes.

“What…” Hardin repeated, his voice low, “is happening here?”

“I was giving miss Aurelia a tour, and Sir Oliver showed up in the process.” Linda answered immediately.

Aurelia sighed quietly. She lowered her gaze to the floor, not having the courage to stare at any of the two brothers.

“Were you able to have a good night rest?” Upon hearing Hardin’s voice, she looked up.

“Yes.” She replied as polite as she could. She didn’t want to bring the text up.

“And who said I was asking you?” Hardin spoke up.

Aurelia froze. Hardin’s words echoed in her head, sharp and humiliating.

She wished she could disappear. Right there. Right now.

If the floor cracked open at her feet, she would gladly let it swallow her whole.