“Do it for your mother, do it for your mother” Leonardo repeated to himself as he looked at his reflection in the mirror, hoping that by saying those words repeatedly, it would somehow make things better for him but it did not.He had always heard that the mind was a powerful tool but now that he tried convincing himself, it felt as though his mind was not that powerful at all. Dressed in his designer suit, readying himself for a lifelong commitment with a total stranger, drained the last of the happiness inside of him. One that not even a designer suit could.His best friend, Ricardo had called him earlier to wish him the best of luck even though they both knew that there was nothing lucky about this union.The knocking on Leonardo’s door steered his attention away from his reflection in the mirror.“Come in” he answered, his mother peered her face into the room, smiling at him. Knowing that he could not display his unhappin

*flashback*“I am not a liar, I am not a liar” Aurora repeatedly told herself as she sat in Avena’s bed. The party was in full swing and for the first time, everyone was catering to her needs and not the other way around. Her new mother in-law, Carina Romano was a sweet woman, making conversations with her and introducing her to all of her friends. The rest of the employees were pleased with Signora Meta’s decision, so much that none of them had acted out of the ordinary. They even referred to Aurora as Avena and often she would forget that she had gained a new identity as of this day. As soon as she got the chance, Aurora sneaked away into Avena’s room. Upon arriving there, she shut the door behind her, as she needed to be alone. Crying had been her last resort; she buried her face in her hands and fell to the floor.The guilt was overwhelming, a white lie was s

The sound of the waves smashing against the rocks soothed Aurora; it was unlike her little room at the basement of the Russo mansion, which was often cold. The feeling she had in her beach house room was peaceful and warm.Her bed was extremely comfortable and there were no springs pinching through her mattress. She had always ran her fingers onto Avena’s mattress just to feel the soft cotton gracing her hand but now as she slept, Aurora could not help but to smile in her sleep.Aurora awoke from her peaceful sleep, as soon as she opened her eyes, rays of light streamed through her curtains as Aurora realized that it was already morning and she needed to get up. Being a house cleaner almost all her adult life had thought Aurora to wake up at dawn without fail.**Leonardo woke from his sleep, feeling more tired than he had ever felt before, he looked at the clock bedside her bedroom table and it was already eight in the morning, two hours later than

Trying to lighten the mood between the both of them had not worked, so much that even Aurora kept to herself. They were simply two married strangers, just sitting together and admiring everything around them except at each other.Leonardo uncomfortable drank his coconut drink and gulped it down in haste, trying to calm the nerves and uneasy feelings that he was feeling within himself.“You don’t have to make things awkward like this” Aurora spoke, breaking the lengthy silence between the both of them. Leonardo turned and faced Aurora, her face unreadable but he could tell that she was just as uncomfortable as he was.“I do not understand what you are trying to say, mi Signora” Leonardo responded, his response stopping Aurora in her track as she felt a small jilt of happiness. For the first time since Leonardo and she got married, he referred to her as ‘his lady’ as though he was finally acknowledging her.“I

Aurora had left Leonardo’s mother’s room, leaving son and mother to talk alone. She had seen a different side to Leonardo once more, the nurturing and caring side of him had come out. Her heart had softened just a bit as she had seen him care for his mother, just thinking of that moment made Aurora smile at herself.“Signora” someone called out to her and Aurora turned around to face the person. She smiled as she realized that it was one of the helpers at the Romano mansion.“Si” Aurora answered.“I was just wondering where are you going at this time? It is getting late” The helpers told her and pointed at the window, where the sun was beginning to go down which had come as a shock to her because she had not realized how long she was in her mother in-laws room.“I am sorry, I did not even know that it was that late— to be honest. I guess I was day-dreaming because I do not even know where I am he