Aurora's Point Of View The studio smelled faintly of paint and lavender, a strange but oddly comforting mix. I stared at the blank canvas in front of me, holding the paintbrush like it might spring to life and attack me. The palette of colors on the table looked vibrant and promising, but they only made me more aware of of the fact that I had no idea what to start doing. “This isn’t exactly my thing,” I muttered under my breath. “Relax,” Ricardo’s voice came from beside me. He was already making broad, confident strokes on his canvas. “It’s not about being perfect. Just feel it out.” “Feel it out?” I raised an eyebrow, glancing at his painting. He's awfully confident for someone who just painted what looks like a lopsided Christmas tree.He noticed my look and smirked. “What? It’s abstract.” “Abstract is what people call it when they can’t explain what they were trying to do,” I teased, earning a chuckle from him. With a sigh, I dipped my brush into a bright shade of blue. The f
Aurora's Point Of ViewThe café was quieter than usual, the muted hum of soft jazz filling the background. I sat by the window, tracing patterns on the condensation that formed on my coffee cup. I’d been staring at Eduardo’s text for hours, my thumb hovering over my phone, unsure of whether I was ready for this conversation. "I’m sorry. I want to talk." His words were simple, but the weight they carried felt suffocating.After much thought and deliberation, I had agreed to meet him. But now, sitting in the quiet of the cafe, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face him... really face him. I glanced at my wristwatch - thirty minutes past five. He said to meet here at 5.30. The door opened with a soft jingle, and Eduardo stepped in. His eyes scanned the room before locking onto mine. There was a look of hesitation on his face, something I hadn’t seen in a long time. Maybe it was guilt, maybe it was regret... either way, it made my stomach twist.He approached slowly, like he wasn’t sure wh
Aurora's Point Of ViewRicardo turned sharply when I called out his name, his dark brows raising in surprise. “Yeah?” For a moment, I froze, the weight of my impulsive request catching up to me. My mouth opened, but no words came out. Instead, I stared at him, my mind running wild with the thought of what I had *wanted* to say. “Did you say something?” Ricardo asked, his voice pulling me out of my stupor. He snapped his fingers lightly, a teasing gesture meant to catch my attention. “I...” My voice faltered, and I quickly shook my head. “No, nothing.” He frowned, studying me for a moment as if he could see through my half-hearted denial. “You sure? You looked like you wanted to say something.” I felt my cheeks heat up under his gaze. *I thought I said it out loud,* I realized, my heart pounding at the sheer embarrassment of it all. “No, really,” I insisted, forcing a tight smile. “I was just... I thought I heard something, but it’s nothing. You should go.” Ricardo didn’t look c
The morning sunlight poured softly through the curtains, painting streaks of gold on the walls. I sat on the couch with my coffee, my notebook open on my lap. The pages were a chaotic mix of scribbled ideas, crossed-out plans, and even a few doodles from Eloise. Progress, I told myself, even if it felt painfully slow. The sound of small footsteps echoed down the hallway, pulling me from my thoughts. A second later, Dexter appeared in his pajamas, his hair sticking up like he’d been wrestling with his pillow all night. It was Saturday so I get to spend the whole day with my babies today. “Good morning, Mommy,” he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep as he climbed onto the couch beside me. “Good morning, love.” I kissed his messy curls and set my coffee down. “Where’s Eloise?” I asked, wrapping my arm around his small frame. “She’s still sleeping,” Dexter said, snuggling closer. I smiled, resting my chin lightly on his head. Moments like these felt like an anchor, grounding me in t
Aurora's Point Of View The sun filtered through my window as I sat at my desk, notebook open and pen in hand. The page stared back at me, blank as always. I sighed, resting my chin on my hand. I had been at this for weeks - trying to figure out what I liked, what I wanted, who I was outside of Eduardo and everything else. The buzz of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen to see Ricardo’s message: “Morning, explorer. Time for your next adventure. Dress comfy—I’m picking you up in an hour.”I smiled despite myself. Ricardo had a way of dragging me out of my head and into the world. “Where are we going this time?” I texted back. “You’ll see. Trust me.”***An hour later, Ricardo pulled up outside my house, his car as loud and attention-grabbing as his personality. I slid into the passenger seat, eyeing the mischievous grin on his face. “You’re going to love this one,” he said, shifting the car into drive. “Is it another cooking class?” I asked, trying to gu
Aurora's Point Of View It was Dexter’s idea, of course. My son had a way of bringing people together, even when the adults in his life were determined to stay in their separate corners. “You’ve been working too hard, Mom,” he’d said, his voice full of authority for a five-year-old. “We need a day for all of us. Me, Ellie, you, and Dad. And Uncle Ricardo can come too! My friend said her mama and daddy go out together all the time!"At first, I balked at the idea. Spending a whole day with Eduardo, Ricardo, and the kids in the same space? It sounded like a recipe for awkwardness. But Dexter was insistent, and when Eloise chimed in with a quiet, “It could be nice, Mom,” I caved. So, here we were, standing in the middle of the city park on a sunny Saturday, my nerves jangling as Eduardo unloaded a picnic basket from the back of his car. Ricardo stood a few feet away, holding a soccer ball and trying to coax Dexter into teaching him “the rules of football.” “Uncle Ricardo is being emba
Aurora's Point Of ViewThe afternoon stretched lazily into early evening as Ricardo and I worked at his dining table, the space cluttered with sticky notes, sketches of designs, and beads scattered across every available surface. My eyes burned from staring at my notes, and my fingers ached from stringing beads into different patterns. I leaned back in my chair with a groan, stretching my arms above my head. “I’m exhausted,” I admitted, dropping my hands to my lap. “If I see one more bead, I might scream.” Ricardo glanced at me, smirking as he shut his laptop. “You’re calling it quits already? We’re just getting started.” “Ricardo, I’ve been staring at beads for hours,” I shot back, rolling my eyes. “I need a break.” He laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Fine, fine. How about we unwind a little? I’ve got some tequila in the kitchen.” I arched an eyebrow. “Tequila? You’re trying to kill me now?” “Only a little,” he teased, standing up. “I’ll grab the glasses. Stay put.” I got
Aurora's Point Of View I shut the front door behind me, pressing my back against the cool wood as I tried to steady my breathing. My lips tingled, and my heart raced, but not from exertion. Ricardo’s kiss lingered in my mind, and no matter how much I tried to shake it off, the memory wouldn’t leave.“What are you doing, Aurora?” I whispered to myself, running a hand through my hair.The house was eerily quiet without Eloise and Dexter, who were already asleep. I’d hoped for a peaceful evening to focus on my work, but peace was the last thing I felt. I walked into the living room, my gaze landing on the vision board propped against the wall.It was filled with fragments of the life I wanted to build - pictures of smiling families, career aspirations, quotes about strength and independence. All of it was meant to guide me, to remind me of who I was becoming.But now, I felt adrift.***The days blurred into weeks.Between the kids, work on my new venture, and occasional check-ins with
Aurora’s Point of ViewNana's birthday party was a success to say the least. She was so touched and she wouldn't stop saying thank you. Two days passed and things were back to usual. Eduardo called me in the morning to invite me to a coffee shop. He said we needed to talk. I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me what he wanted to talk about. I knew instinctively. The coffee shop was warm and cozy, with the soft hum of chatter and the comforting smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. I sat across from Eduardo, stirring my latte absentmindedly, wondering why I felt so restless. We spoke about the usual things—work, the kids, even Nana’s party. The conversation flowed naturally, but I could sense an underlying tension. Eduardo’s expression shifted as he leaned forward, his hands clasped together on the table. “What’s next for us, Aurora?” he asked quietly, his eyes searching mine. I froze, unsure how to respond. “What do you mean?” I asked, stalling for time. He sighed, h
Aurora’s Point of ViewThree months had passed, and life had finally settled into a rhythm. My business wasn’t booming like some overnight success story, but it was steady. Profitable. Enough to keep me busy and give me a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in years.One of the unused rooms in the house had transformed into my work sanctuary. Shelves lined the walls, stocked with packaging supplies, raw materials, and finished products ready for shipment. My desk was cluttered but organized—a system that made sense to me, if no one else.It was fulfilling, but hard. Nana helped as much as she could, but she had her own responsibilities. Julie was swamped with work, and even Eduardo only came by occasionally. As for Ricardo, he’d been gone for a month on a project abroad.I told myself I didn’t think about him much. It was easier that way.But deep down, I missed him. The way he made me laugh when I was too tired to care about anything, how he believed in me even when I doubted myself. The
Aurora's Point Of View I shut the front door behind me, pressing my back against the cool wood as I tried to steady my breathing. My lips tingled, and my heart raced, but not from exertion. Ricardo’s kiss lingered in my mind, and no matter how much I tried to shake it off, the memory wouldn’t leave.“What are you doing, Aurora?” I whispered to myself, running a hand through my hair.The house was eerily quiet without Eloise and Dexter, who were already asleep. I’d hoped for a peaceful evening to focus on my work, but peace was the last thing I felt. I walked into the living room, my gaze landing on the vision board propped against the wall.It was filled with fragments of the life I wanted to build - pictures of smiling families, career aspirations, quotes about strength and independence. All of it was meant to guide me, to remind me of who I was becoming.But now, I felt adrift.***The days blurred into weeks.Between the kids, work on my new venture, and occasional check-ins with
Aurora's Point Of ViewThe afternoon stretched lazily into early evening as Ricardo and I worked at his dining table, the space cluttered with sticky notes, sketches of designs, and beads scattered across every available surface. My eyes burned from staring at my notes, and my fingers ached from stringing beads into different patterns. I leaned back in my chair with a groan, stretching my arms above my head. “I’m exhausted,” I admitted, dropping my hands to my lap. “If I see one more bead, I might scream.” Ricardo glanced at me, smirking as he shut his laptop. “You’re calling it quits already? We’re just getting started.” “Ricardo, I’ve been staring at beads for hours,” I shot back, rolling my eyes. “I need a break.” He laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Fine, fine. How about we unwind a little? I’ve got some tequila in the kitchen.” I arched an eyebrow. “Tequila? You’re trying to kill me now?” “Only a little,” he teased, standing up. “I’ll grab the glasses. Stay put.” I got
Aurora's Point Of View It was Dexter’s idea, of course. My son had a way of bringing people together, even when the adults in his life were determined to stay in their separate corners. “You’ve been working too hard, Mom,” he’d said, his voice full of authority for a five-year-old. “We need a day for all of us. Me, Ellie, you, and Dad. And Uncle Ricardo can come too! My friend said her mama and daddy go out together all the time!"At first, I balked at the idea. Spending a whole day with Eduardo, Ricardo, and the kids in the same space? It sounded like a recipe for awkwardness. But Dexter was insistent, and when Eloise chimed in with a quiet, “It could be nice, Mom,” I caved. So, here we were, standing in the middle of the city park on a sunny Saturday, my nerves jangling as Eduardo unloaded a picnic basket from the back of his car. Ricardo stood a few feet away, holding a soccer ball and trying to coax Dexter into teaching him “the rules of football.” “Uncle Ricardo is being emba
Aurora's Point Of View The sun filtered through my window as I sat at my desk, notebook open and pen in hand. The page stared back at me, blank as always. I sighed, resting my chin on my hand. I had been at this for weeks - trying to figure out what I liked, what I wanted, who I was outside of Eduardo and everything else. The buzz of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen to see Ricardo’s message: “Morning, explorer. Time for your next adventure. Dress comfy—I’m picking you up in an hour.”I smiled despite myself. Ricardo had a way of dragging me out of my head and into the world. “Where are we going this time?” I texted back. “You’ll see. Trust me.”***An hour later, Ricardo pulled up outside my house, his car as loud and attention-grabbing as his personality. I slid into the passenger seat, eyeing the mischievous grin on his face. “You’re going to love this one,” he said, shifting the car into drive. “Is it another cooking class?” I asked, trying to gu
The morning sunlight poured softly through the curtains, painting streaks of gold on the walls. I sat on the couch with my coffee, my notebook open on my lap. The pages were a chaotic mix of scribbled ideas, crossed-out plans, and even a few doodles from Eloise. Progress, I told myself, even if it felt painfully slow. The sound of small footsteps echoed down the hallway, pulling me from my thoughts. A second later, Dexter appeared in his pajamas, his hair sticking up like he’d been wrestling with his pillow all night. It was Saturday so I get to spend the whole day with my babies today. “Good morning, Mommy,” he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep as he climbed onto the couch beside me. “Good morning, love.” I kissed his messy curls and set my coffee down. “Where’s Eloise?” I asked, wrapping my arm around his small frame. “She’s still sleeping,” Dexter said, snuggling closer. I smiled, resting my chin lightly on his head. Moments like these felt like an anchor, grounding me in t
Aurora's Point Of ViewRicardo turned sharply when I called out his name, his dark brows raising in surprise. “Yeah?” For a moment, I froze, the weight of my impulsive request catching up to me. My mouth opened, but no words came out. Instead, I stared at him, my mind running wild with the thought of what I had *wanted* to say. “Did you say something?” Ricardo asked, his voice pulling me out of my stupor. He snapped his fingers lightly, a teasing gesture meant to catch my attention. “I...” My voice faltered, and I quickly shook my head. “No, nothing.” He frowned, studying me for a moment as if he could see through my half-hearted denial. “You sure? You looked like you wanted to say something.” I felt my cheeks heat up under his gaze. *I thought I said it out loud,* I realized, my heart pounding at the sheer embarrassment of it all. “No, really,” I insisted, forcing a tight smile. “I was just... I thought I heard something, but it’s nothing. You should go.” Ricardo didn’t look c
Aurora's Point Of ViewThe café was quieter than usual, the muted hum of soft jazz filling the background. I sat by the window, tracing patterns on the condensation that formed on my coffee cup. I’d been staring at Eduardo’s text for hours, my thumb hovering over my phone, unsure of whether I was ready for this conversation. "I’m sorry. I want to talk." His words were simple, but the weight they carried felt suffocating.After much thought and deliberation, I had agreed to meet him. But now, sitting in the quiet of the cafe, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face him... really face him. I glanced at my wristwatch - thirty minutes past five. He said to meet here at 5.30. The door opened with a soft jingle, and Eduardo stepped in. His eyes scanned the room before locking onto mine. There was a look of hesitation on his face, something I hadn’t seen in a long time. Maybe it was guilt, maybe it was regret... either way, it made my stomach twist.He approached slowly, like he wasn’t sure wh