Michael POV:"You should change your clothes, unless you want to get fucked on your kitchen's counter" I replied with a tad on anger. She grinned and took a step closer. She leaned into me and placed her mouth close to my ears and whispered "Maybe I do" I didn't give her a chance to retract her words or her head, I held on to both. I stared at her eyes before locking my lips with her. She did more than just stop me, she kissed me back. Warmth blossomed in her chest, sparks igniting as I leaned in close, lips brushing together, tentatively, for the first time. The smell of her perfume, of the soft, peachy scent of her conditioner, was dizzying, butterflies dancing in my stomach. The warmth consumed me as she leaned into the kiss, her lips impossibly soft against her own.I ran my fingers through the silky flaxen I've always wanted to touch. My hands slipped down the smooth curve of her sides to rest on her hips as I drew her in, I allowed them to drift to her thick thighs and li
Michael POV:He pulled up in my driveway and watched me get out of the Car. "Thanks for today buddy""You are welcome" "I will have one of my drivers send your car over very early tomorrow morning""Hmmm" He looked behind me and stared at the big mansion that stood behind me."Why do you keep living in that big ass house alone" "No friend, no partner, not even a maid to help you maintain the house, just you and two cats" "Cal, we are not having that conversation tonight" This was the umpteenth time he had tried to talk me into selling my house and opting for a smaller one. And every time I turned him down, I loved the house and I wasn't interested in letting it go.He sighed heavily in disappointment."Goodnight Mike" "Goodnight" I watched him drive off before heading back into the house. I walked into the house, the living room was illuminated. I always left the living room lights on, I know sometimes I stay out late and I know how much my cats loathe the dark, so more often
Aurora POV: All night long, I barely slept a wink. My mind kept drifting back to what transpired between Mr. Angelo and I. Every time I closed my eyes I found myself kissing him again and it scared me I enjoyed it and wanted more of it. I was even more hurt, he said it was an accident and we should forget about it, I said the same but I didn't mean it, it meant a lot to me. It was my first kiss and it would always be my first kiss, there was no way It would mean nothing to me. I was bound to think about it over and over again.I was more worried he would start thinking less of me again, I incited the kiss by teasing him on purpose. It was more or less throwing myself at his feet. I was afraid to fall in love with him again. And like that never happened, I shamelessly requested to come to his house and watch his cats. Who goes to people's houses to take a look at their pets? I do, I do just want to have a look at his cats but he thinks I'm throwing myself at his feet again. I tighten
Michael POV:I woke up when the sun had risen past its highest point of the day. I knew I had slept late yesterday night but I hadn't expected to sleep till this late in the day. No work today then, I guess I will skip two days consecutively from work for the first time in forever. I walked into the living room to meet a big mess. I saw Yow and Mee sleeping at the opposite ends of the Sofa. Shit! I hadn't woken up early to feed them, I knew they would make their way into where their food was, but I might have worsened our fight. There was only one plausible solution, a guaranteed solution that settled every rift with your pets. Their special treats I set aside for special occasions such as this. I have kept it at the very top of the kitchen shelves. I walked into the kitchen and was shocked to meet a bigger mess in the kitchen. I groaned in pain. The whole place was disrupted, coupled with a couple of broken plates, the floor was littered and smeared with their food. I saw the mi
Michael POV:I left the house to the care of Mrs. Changretta and got started with my plan for the day. I headed to the Precinct. it was the one I had spent close to 24 hours the day before, it felt awkward going back there but some things had to be done. I pulled up in front of the police station and walked in. As expected they paused what they were all doing and stared at me briefly, all of them bemused to see me and wondered what I could want. I saw Officer Mark, I felt a surge of rage, but did my best to put it in check. I needed to be as level-headed as I possibly could. I walked towards him, and they all stopped and watched what I was going to do. I dramatically approached him. "What do you want" He said confidently and Arogantly"I need your help," I said He stared at me blankly, trying to read my expression to see if I was trying to mess with him or not. "Why on earth would I want to help you""Because it's your job" He doesn't seem to be buying that.I sighed heavily"
Aurora POV:I packed my gear and headed home. On my way home, it was still running a course in my mind, I hoped I wasn't hard on him. Well, it is very awkward, being crushed on by someone you have thought about in that light, there was no manual to letting them down slowly without hurting their feelings, but doing so only makes their fingers lingers on, which makes it harder on them and more akward for you. The only way to help them get over it is to reject them ruthlessly, it's like stepping on a worm firmly so it doesn't squirm. That's what I will do crush his heart so the feelings die painlessly.I caught myself thinking, I wasn't any different from Mr. Angelo afterall, bold of me to assume I was any better than him. Perhaps that was what he thought, when he ruthlessly reject me too. No! I'm different from him, I was trying to help someone get over me, he is nothing short of a vile human being. "Aurora, what's wrong with you, you look pale" My mom said the minute I walked."I'm f
Aurora POV:I must admit, It was great to be back at work. It was an underrated bliss to work at a job, you find so much peace of mind with. The atmosphere around the work today was a bit strange, not ill strange just strange. Probably because of the new faces I kept seeing or the series of new activities. How could I have missed so much in two days?I was staring at my computer as I went through my daily routines. I took a glance at the clothes arranged on top of each other on the desk beside the computer and the box of pieces of jewelry right on top of it. It was every single one of the clothes Mr. Jordan had bought for me, including the ones I had worn from the hospital. It was never a debate nor did it for once cross my mind if I should keep it. I did love them, they looked beautiful and befitting but they weren't mine to keep. I cease to exist the day I ever shamelessly hoard someone else's clothes. I had been waiting for Mr. Jordan, but I have reasons to believe he has been av
Aurora POV:I was so confused, that I couldn't place a finger on why the sudden change was, was it guilt? Nothing else, it had to be guilt. He had nothing to hide, what could be so hideous about his marriage breaking apart, he had to be so cold about it. Unless, of course, he did have something to hide, he did assault his wife. Perhaps, what Mr. Angelo said was true. He acts all nice because has something to hide, he is nice because deep down he is a bad man. Now, I have a decision to make, either I quit the job or ignore the fact he was a woman beater. It would be hypocritical of me to continue working for him. I will have to quit, there's no going back. I will have to quit!I didn't particularly have a straight moral compass nor act upon one, but I can never look at him the same way knowing what he did, beating the woman who had a child for him. I can't look at him the same way. I would see every nice gesture from him as pretense and him as a faker, it would only grow worse with tim
Epilogue Aurora POV:The warm sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft golden glow on the bedroom walls. I lay in bed, feeling the gentle rhythm of my husband's breathing beside me. It had been a long and arduous journey for us, but today was a day of happiness—a day to cherish the love and resilience that had brought us together.I watched him for a long time, I enjoyed watching him sleep. there was something particularly soothing about watching him sleep.As I stretched my arms above my head, my eyes fell upon the photograph on the nightstand. It captured a moment frozen in time, our wedding day. We got married on a beach in Oregon. It was the most beautiful day of my life. Michael's eyes were filled with unwavering devotion, and I couldn't help but smile at the memory. The vows we exchanged that day held the promise of a lifetime of shared dreams and unbreakable bonds.We had toured the world like he had promised leaving with beautiful memories everywhere we we
Michael POV:As I stood before the graves of my parents and Beatrice, a mix of emotions washed over me. It was the first time I had brought anyone to this sacred place. I watched as she knelt down, her face solemn and filled with respect, paying her respects to the departed souls who had unwilling been absent to shape my life."Who are they?" She askedI was yet to tell her whom they are and name on the graves gave no clues to whom they were. "The first two are my parents and the third is my elder sister" She looked taken aback"I thought you never knew them""I was lucky to find out, with some help of some friends. I wanted you to meet them too"She nodded, her eyes filled with awe. Aurora's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her words carrying a weight of sincerity and determination. "I promise you, dear parents and sister, that I will take care of Michael. I will be there for him, just as you were. I will cherish him, support him, and love him with all my heart. You have left
Michael POV: The town recieve the news about Calhoun with mixed feelings. The next few days was spent uprooting every corrupt official on Calhoun payroll and his drug warehouse was ruthlessly shut down. It was finally Mark's funeral, I had dreaded this day because of the effects I knew it would have on me.I stood there, my heart heavy with sorrow, as I gazed upon the somber scene before me. The room was filled with mournful whispers and tear-streaked faces, each one reflecting the immense loss we all felt. "Today, we gathered to bid farewell to a dear friend, a courageous soul who had given his life in the line of duty. He was a cop, a protector of the innocent, and his untimely death"The eulogies began, each one a testament to his character and the impact he had made on countless lives. His family, friends, and fellow officers all shared their stories, their voices trembling with a mix of grief and admiration. They spoke of his courage, his selflessness, and his unwavering deter
Aurora POV: It's been days since my search and rescue. I never imagined that freedom could feel so overwhelming. After enduring the horrors of being kidnapped and held captive, the sweet taste of liberation should have been pure bliss. Yet, as I cautiously navigate this newfound freedom, it feels as though the world around me is still holding its breath, afraid to disturb the fragile existence I've fought so hard to regain.The news of my rescue spread like wildfire, and people showered me with words of relief and gratitude. They embraced me with tender hugs, their eyes brimming with tears of joy. But beneath their smiles, I sensed a subtle unease, an unspoken fear of shattering my fragile state of recovery. It's as if they see me as a porcelain doll, easily broken with a single misplaced step.Every interaction now feels calculated, as if everyone around me is walking on tiptoes, afraid to say or do anything that might trigger painful memories or send me spiraling back into the dark
Aurora POV:I stepped into the familiar warmth of Michael's house. He came back to pick me up the next morning after spending considerable time with my mother. He had insisted on staying with him for the time being and my mother was only happy to agree. It is a mix of relief and apprehension flooding my senses. The events of the past few days had been a nightmare, one that had finally released its grip on me. I glanced around, taking in the comforting sights of our living room, but the shadows of the ordeal still lingered in every corner.Michael stood beside me, his eyes filled with a mix of worry, love, and a determination to keep me safe. I understood his concerns; after all, I had been taken away from him against my will. But as much as I craved his protective presence, I also longed for a sense of normalcy and the freedom to heal at my own pace.Michael furry companions who seems to have been waiting anxiously for my return, approached cautiously, sniffing the air with curiosity
Michael POV:As I walked Mr. Eyre and Jane to the airport, the weight of sadness enveloped us, casting a somber atmosphere over our conversation. The news of Calhoun, being responsible for his daughter's death had left us both of them speechless and devastated.Jane walked in front while Mr. Eyre and I walked behind her."I can't believe it, Michael," Mr. Eyre whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief and pain. "How could someone commit such a heinous act? I can't wrap my mind around it."His words echoed the thoughts that swirled in my own mind. I struggled to find an answer, my voice choked with emotions. "I don't know, Mr. Eyre," I managed to say, my voice laced with sorrow. "We continued walking through the airport, the surroundings a blur as our conversation grew heavier with regret and guilt."I blame myself, Mr. Eyre " I confessed, "I can't help but wonder if there were signs I missed, if I could have protected her somehow. And to think I have wined and dined with her kill
Aurora POV:I stood there, watching the flames dance and devour the remnants of the cloth I had worn during my unimaginable ordeal. The crackling fire illuminated the night, casting a warm glow upon my face as i gathered around its flickering embrace. The crackling of the flames seemed to echo the tumultuous journey I had endured, a journey that had tested my spirit to its very limits."Aurora" My mother called, I turned to see her creeping on me. I saw glint of sadness in her eyes, when she saw what I was burning. What was suppose to represent a joyous day, now represents a traumatizing experience, it's existence needed to be erased."Libby and Mabel are here to see you. Should they wait for you in the Living room""Let them join me in the backyard" I replied softly "Ok dear" I heard their footsteps few seconds later, before Libby reached out and gently touched my shoulder. "We came as soon as your mother called you are back" Her voice trembled with emotion as she spoke, "We miss
Michael POV:"Are you okay, Aurora? I'm here now, everything is fine now" I held her tightly like someone would try to steal her from my hand againHer tear glands finally gave in to the waterworks. "I was so scared" she said choking on her own words. "I thought I was not going to see you again""Then I had Mark died in my arms, I watched him died, life sucking out of him slowly. Then I had to stare at his dead body for hours""You are fine now"I patted and rocked her body like one would a baby. It felt soothing to have her in my arms again. My heart races in my chest, adrenaline still coursing through my veins as I hold her tightly in my arms. We've just escaped from the clutches of danger, and the relief surges through me like a tidal wave. I can feel her trembling against me, her breath coming in short gasps, and I know she's just as shaken as I am. As I look into her eyes, gratitude and love swirl in the depths of my being. The thought of losing her, of never seeing that radian
Aurora POV: I sat resting on the wall while staring into the oblivion. I sit here, trapped in this cold, desolate room, my spirit drained and my body weary. The flickering overhead light casts eerie shadows on the peeling walls, reflecting the dismal state of my existence. My mind is numb, and my once fiery gaze has dulled into a vacant stare.Hope, once a flickering flame within me, has been extinguished. Not the long for my mother's smile and Michael touch could rekindle the hope. It has been replaced by a resignation, a surrender to the cruel fate that has befallen me. The days and nights blend together, a blur of monotony and fear. I have lost track of time, as each passing moment feels like an eternity.Calhoun intentions are unclear, his motives shrouded in darkness. If he wanted to kill me he should have already. All I know is that he holds complete control over my life, and I am at his mercy. The uncertainty gnaws at me, devouring any remnants of strength I have left. I wonde