"Dad, I've really gotta go- ""Aurora, I'm coming down with Uncle Will next week. I- ""No! I mean-, sorry. No dad you can't.", I sigh.Three years ago, Uncle Will lost his job. He's been sitting lazy ever since. My dad has always had patience for him, being his brother apparently meant unconditional funding. I, being the main source of income in my family, am expected to help.Dad sighs also. There's a tense silence through the phone.My mother has a similar viewpoint to me. She's realistic. She understands my father's want to help his brother, but she also knows that Uncle Will is greedy and prone to entitled behaviour. Unfortunately, she's much softer, much kinder than me. She lacks the courage to stand up to my father and romanticizes his outwardly stubborn nature. So, I've been burdened by my mother's morality and my father's stubbornness."Aurora. One more chance, he won't blow it.", Dad sighs.I close my eyes. One more chance."Okay.", I whisper.[] [] []"No!", All of my frien
"Flores, you gotta' be kidding.", Mr. Campbell incredulously laughs, white gum sitting on his tongue. Though middle aged, he'd be handsome if he ever fully opened his eyes.Ms. Bailey said I was to handle Mr. Campbell the same way she does, and I'm trying but it's easier said than done. I sound like an entitled brat threatening him through someone else's name."Just- ", I sigh, "Will you have the information by this afternoon?"Mr. Campbell eyes me and I harden my eyes."You're not very good at threats kiddo,", he grits out, chuckling at me as he chews away, "Not scary enough."I deadpan him, "Well I can call down Ms. Bailey, maybe she'll be better."We glare at each other.He puffs out an annoyed breath before rolling his eyes, "Come see me at two."[] [] []"Aurora.", Ms. Bailey greets as I exit the elevator, "Let's talk in my office."Neither of us sit as she speaks, "Jack?", she questions."He'll be done by two.""Good,", she mutters, reaching for a folder on her desk, "Take this
I'm on plane to the Southern Coast today, Mr. Scott organised this plane for me. I'm worried the plane is going to fall out of the sky from the burden of my suitcase, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.It's Friday eight o'clock, which means it's nine at my destination. I'm scheduled to leave the plane in an hour, and when I get off, a driver will be waiting to take me to a hotel. When I arrive at the hotel, eleven o'clock Southern Coast time, I take a moment to gaze at the building. I've seen it so many times growing up, but I've never fully appreciated it. The Southern coast isn't a city, it's a large town that stretches along the beach, so the hotel isn't huge; it's old with beautifully crafted beams and decorated roofing lining the top of it, like my childhood home. I breathe in that familiar salty air before a man takes my bags and helps me to my room.My guess is that if the Southern Docks are anything like the Eastern Ones, Mr. Scott will be staying above the Dock in
I don't feel like going to the wine tasting event. After last night- whatever that was -I doubt I'll ever be able to look Mr. Scott in the eye again.My dreamy yellow dress stares at me from my bed and I sigh. A car is scheduled to pick me up in twenty minutes and I'm sitting here in a towel freshly showered and completely unprepared. Last night's ordeal is eating at me, more than I could've prepared myself for. Does this mean Mr. Scott has feelings for me? If so, why did he push me away?I smooth out my frown and sigh. Maybe wine won't be too bad.[] [] []I can't believe I only gave myself twenty minutes to get ready! My hair is mostly dried, I've got about a drop of makeup on, I'm putting my shoes on in the car and I'm late. I already know the building we're going to, it's the best winery nearby, which isn't saying much. My dad took me there when I turned of age for drinking. It's a little far out, thirty minutes or so directly north from the coast. When we arrive, I see that it ha
"Okay, okay.", I encourage, smiling wildly, "Okay shh- ", I giggle. Daisy and Eva muffling their own laughs,"Okay, so I don't wanna date Mr. Scott for two reasons."They sit up straight; Daisy looks more than focused... Almost offended.It's Friday, I haven't seen Mr. Scott since Monday, and after days of stressing I've decided to relax and let go of whatever little composure this week has left me with."Okay, one. I gotta keep things professional y'know? Like, I don't wanna have work complications."The girls hum their approval."Two, can you like, oh my goodness,", Wow, I hadn't even thought about this one, "Could you like... imagine if my dad found out about him? He would just leach and leach and leach."Eva gasps and Daisy holds a hand to her chest, nodding."Plus... he's so a playa'.", I simmer, and all the girls laugh."He's hot though.", Eva drawls.I groan, "He's so hot, you should- You should see his hands... Mm Mm Mm.", I shake my head,"Scrumptious." And we all laugh.[] [
"Okay, no offense Aurora, but I literally thought you'd never find anyone." "Same." "Same." I furrow my brows, "What? Why?" Daisy chuckles through the screen, "No, not in a bad way... I just mean- " "She means that you're super independent. You've never been into that kind of stuff, so we'd never expect you to...", Helly fades out, struggling with her words. "Ugh, he's so hot, can you find that photo of you guys dancing again?", Sam sighs, leaning on her palms. I glance at her boyfriend in the back, gaming and dead to the world. I've just mentioned to them that I've been invited to dinner by Mr. Scott and that I accepted, we're going shopping on Thursday for a dress. "I can't believe this.", Daisy giggles, "How exciting Ro!" I smile to my fingers; it is exciting. Now that we're doing something, I'm not as conflicted. I'll go to dinner, and I'll make my final judgement from there. Problem solved. [] [] [] It's hard to act natural around Ms. Bailey now, I feel like I'm in tro
I can't pick my mind up. All day, it swims in the deep with Mr. Scott, him swirling around my thoughts. It's distracting. I'm not sure if he's got my number or not, but he hasn't contacted me since Saturday night. It's Sunday night now and I'm still on a high. Judging by how happy he's left me, it would be reasonable to say my decision has been made, but something still eats at me. Ms. Bailey's words. She's a middle-aged woman, and by the snippets I've gathered of her personal life, I think she's married, so she wouldn't be scaring me off due to jealousy. If only I could know the extent of Ms. Bailey perspective. Until then, I'll wait for Mr. Scott's next move.I'm making dinner for the week, something about spaghetti is calling my name. I've got the blues on in the background and I'm doing the only dance moves I know as I stir. This spaghetti is going to rule. My fingers lightly rest on my lips as I remember Mr. Scott. I roll my eyes and smile. I wonder if he thinks of me.As I twirl
"Mr. Scott.", I greet, surprised to see him.I'm working very late this afternoon; I've been left with a stack of paperwork as tall as a small child and I'm supposed to finish it all by Friday. It wouldn't usually be a problem, but I can't get my brain to focus. My brain has been overcrowded by kisses.He smiles to me, before looking around the office, "Ms. Bailey?"I glance down to my sheet of paper, trying to read a paragraph for the third time, "She's gone home. She'll be here tomorrow at- ""Quarter to eight, I know.", Mr. Scott chimes, resting on my desk.I check my surroundings before chortling, "Get your fat ass off my desk.", waving him away.He chuckles, crossing his arms and staying put. His smile is so nice. I lower my eyes."Thank you." He retorts, shaking his head. At my lack of response, he looks down to my paper, "What are you working on?", He asks, holding his hand out.I lean back and hand him the paper, taking a moment to stretch, "I'm double-checking numbers for Ms.
It's the day before my wedding. It's been a month since I last spoke to my dad and though thinking of the situation brews conflicted thoughts, I'm enjoying what's around me and making sure to start each day with a bang."No Ms. Jones.", I huff, placing my hands on my hips, "You have to catch up. You're supposed to be the best of the best, there's three mistakes in this document."She stammers for an excuse, but I silently stare at her then the corrected papers on her desk."Y- No, Bailey said that those were minor adjustments,", She says, gathering her ground, "That it's not necessary to perfect those numbers."My face flattens as I deadpan her. Lazily, as she continues furthering her excuse, I drape my eyes up and down her figure. Her words falter and eventually I look back up. I sigh and gather my hands behind my back, "... Ms. Jones, tell me,", I hold her eye, "Do I look like Ms. Bailey?"[] [] []At lunch, I'm called to Kevin's office.I push my way through the big doors, our lunc
Today's the day. It's uncle Will's demise, and what I previously would have dreamed to happen, I'm now dreading. I glance to my phone. I'm bound to get a call today, either from Kevin to say that all went well, which it will, or a call from dad saying it all went wrong, which is also what's going to happen. I sigh and stare back at my fingers. The girls are due over in half an hour, at noon, and they're coming with food and movies and hopefully a hug or two.To be honest, I'm annoyed. I'm frustrated at my dad, at my mum, at the whole situation, and I'm angry because they're not calling! They're making me wait, and I hate waiting. I roll my eyes and cross my arms. "Stupid unnecessary anticipation.", I grumble to myself.When the girls arrive, I'm hounded in a group hug, my chin resting on Daisy's shoulder."Girl, honestly. When did you get the nerve to look so damn good?", Eva snaps, taking a step back.I frown, "... What- ""And seriously Aurora,", Helly interrupts, placing her hands
Today, I'm booked. Eight to nine, I'm making sure this work week gets off on a good foot.I clap twice as I visit the accounting office, "You guys are behind.", I call to the room, watching as some hide a little below their desks, "Get on with it please... And you, fix your posture.", I impatiently command.Nine to ten, I've got my first dress fitting.All the girls gasp at the sight of my dress. It's practically a piece of fabric held up by pins and string, but with the concept drawing beside it, it's potential is obvious and striking.Eva covers her mouth as she stares with stars in her eyes, Helly's eyes drape up and down it and she shakes her head with a big smile, Daisy, expectedly, bursts into tears and blubbers about how beautiful I'll look.Ten to eleven, I'm sitting in a meeting with Kevin. Eleven to twelve, I'm buzzing around the office, and twelve to one, I'm visiting a cake tasting event with Kevin and our wedding planner."Thankyou, Jeremy.", The woman says to a waiter as
Kevin, in a not-so-subtle attempt to help me relax, has organized a dress fitting appointment for me. He's done well too, there's not a single price tag in the store, I'm guessing he knows I'll choose the cheapest. I chuckle and roll my eyes, before I sigh. This has all got an agenda. He's going to such great lengths because today is Friday. Today is the day that they deliver the first lot of bad news to Uncle Will and I'm peaking out as is.But for the sake of shallow encouragement, I stick my head in the sand and follow through with the days plan. I've never intricately imagined what my wedding would be like, but I most certainly didn't expect to have a dress be designed from scratch specifically for me."Okay, my girl!", The bubbly designer chants, clapping her hands, "Let's see what we're working with."The designer, upon seeing my shape, starts to rough out some designs she believes will work well with me. With the first glance, they show to be average wedding dresses. Every desi
Monday morning after an extremely stressful nights rest, I dazedly stroll to my office and spot a flat box about the size of an a6 envelope sitting square in the middle of my desk.My eyes well up.I slowly pick up the box and swallow, "Aw, Kevin.", I wistfully chuckle. For such an awful Sunday, who would've thought Monday would start so well.I smile and undo the ribbon, gently placing it down before lifting the lid.A girlish giddiness vibrates my chest as I run my fingers over the beautiful pearl necklace sitting atop a plush cushion. Kevin is out for the morning, he's scheduled with external meetings until an hour past noon. One of those meetings likely mentioning my uncle's demise.I close my eyes.I don't know what to do. Uncle Will deserves to be put away. Dysfunctional people need to be reproved until they're functional. Discipline is necessary, and in his case? Very well deserved. I rub my forehead. But my dad... I glance to my manicured fingertips.This would destroy him. Th
"The third venue is the best Ro.", Eva says over the call, her hands uncharacteristically direct to the picture on her screen."You're kidding. No. The second is the best. Look at the lighting! Imagine the pictures you could get!", Helly argues, Eva's words apparently offensive.Daisy's staring away from the call to her TV with a bucket of buttery popcorn in one hand, her third energy drink in the other. Her eyes are glued to some random cartoon, and I frown. How is she even alive?I sigh and glance back to the girls who are bickering, "And the first?", I ask.Eva slightly tilts her head as she flicks to the other venue I sent her, "I mean... It's okay... Do you like it?"I don't have much of an opinion on that one, I can't decide, so I shimmy my hand in response.Eva nods, like that was what she thought as well.Helly leans over her phone camera with a hand on her chin, "Which one is Mr. Scott's favourite?", She cheekily asks.Despite not wanting to, I blush and shake my head with a
"Okay... So, guess who my uncle is working for."Kevin snaps to attention, pausing his kiss on my palm. It's Friday morning and we're together in his office."Who?", he asks, his breath tickling my hand.Quickly, I yank to retrieve it, but he's latched on and shakes his head with a smirk. He runs a lazy finger over my palm to tickle it further.I struggle to close my hand as Kevin jams it open."Stop that!", I hiss, climbing off his lap to pull my hand away."You get back here.", He laughs, reaching for me."No.", I say, finally freeing my hand. I whip to him from a distance and hold a finger out, "You have to listen to me."He rolls his eyes and silences to listen."Okay, so. My uncle can't help himself, he's a questionable man... You know who else is questionable?", I ask, pausing for effect as I retrieve my laptop.At my pause, Kevin chuckles, "Who?""Mr. Menni.", I say with a big, dangerous smile creeping up my face. Kevin's face falls slightly, "Now, let me tell you. My uncle, wh
I've got my high heels on, I've got my favourite leather bag, and I'm clacking into Beetle Ports Co early Wednesday morning.I've got my pass in hand, and I'm hoping it still works on the elevators.I skip the public line and stride into Kevin's private elevator, catching some glances as I do. I stare back until they drop their gazes. When the card scanner turns green, I know I'm in and start to shoot straight up to the top floor. It's been three and a half weeks since Kevin and I have even looked at each other and whether he wants to or not, I'm restarting the cycle. I must tell him what I've found. When I arrive at the top story, I strut down the hall to his front door and straighten up before I knock.He calls out for me to come in, obviously thinking I'm someone else. My eyes shut momentarily at the sound of his voice and my resolve falters. I hold my heart. He's in there... What am I doing-Go.I open the door and walk in without a word, and he doesn't lift his eyes off his paper
Mr. Menni is going down.... After I get Kevin to listen.I'm shielded by the door, not listening to him as he beckons me over like a siren."No. Listen.", I chuckle, pointing a firm finger at him. This is a new Monday and I'm going to start it correctly.He laughs and leans back on his arms. He's flexing."It's not working, sorry.", I flatly say with a click of my tongue, and I turn to my laptop as he laughs, "Okay, so let's discuss- ""I'm not discussing anything until you come over here.", Kevin purrs.I glare at him. My plan was to slide in the information slowly, eventually rounding around to my involvement with the Menni case.But I guess that's not working."Let me help with Mr. Menni.", I deadpan.Kevin's easy-going smile dissipates, and he holds my eye."Finally.", I sigh, taking a step closer to him now that he's on edge. It needed to be done, "Look,", I start, placing my computer in front of him, "These are Mr. Menni's associates.", I gesture to a list, and his eyes flick o