AURORA “Wait what?! You were hallucinating?!" Carina asked, her voice filled with both mockery and concern. I had just finished telling her the whole werid story about what had happened in the coffee shop that morning, from seeing Jacob and making out with the coffee attendant just to get him jealous. I have vivid images of him that still lingered in my mind. "I don't know what I was doing or what happened," I said, shaking my head in frustration. "Might have been the coffee," I added, trying to brush it off, but Carina wasn't buying it.She scoffed, "I don't think it was the coffee, honey," her tone showing her skepticism. "Are you mocking me?" I asked, getting a bit defensive as I got into the car, taking in the warmth and the comfort that."I'm not mocking you, but I'm going to say something that you don't want to hear," she said, her eyes locked on mine with an unwavering intensity. "Here we go," I rolled my eyes, bracing myself for what was to come."You are still in love wi
JACOBI stared at my system as I watched the press conference Aurora was giving to the world inside the building of Clinton's Empire.When I married her, I never knew she had an associate with Daniel Clinton but I'm guessing now that my father did.It makes a lot of sense now because he was practically forcing her down my throat and he was always thinking about the company, not my well being.I hated him for it. If he had been more forthcoming about his intentions, I don't know maybe I would have given Aurora a chance.“Hey babe, what time should I fix our reservation?” Katherine's voice filled my ears.“What reservation?” I pretended not to know what she was talking about.“Oh come on. Don't do this to me,” she pouted. I hate when she does that.“Do what? Just tell me what you want,” I said to her.“You promised me dinner for my upcoming birthday,” she said.I knew she was lying, I never promised her anything.“Really, I don't remember doing that,” I said.Ever since Aurora returned,
AURORAI was shocked and so was everyone around me when Jacob ran after the guy who stole my bag.Not that I need it anyway, I have a ton of it back at home.“What is he doing?” I asked, laughing.“One will say, trying to win you back,” Carina said.After some meetings in the office, I began craving some Chinese food. I always love the Chinese food here in New York. It is prepared perfectly.“Why did he go after your bag?” I heard Katherine's voice behind me.“I don't know, I should be asking you,” I said to her.She scoffed, showing off her extensive long nails, “what's that supposed to mean?”“He came with you, did he not?” Carina asked.“Hmmm,” I acknowledged Carina's question.“You might have had everyone in this city fooled but I know the real Aurora, she is nothing but a thief,” she spoke in anger.“Oh really, I guess you are the manipulative bitch then huh?” I spat at her.Her face was filled with anger, she raised her hands but seeing my bodyguards rushed at me made her stop m
AURORAWith my legs crossed and my hands on my chin, I listened as my board of directors bicker among each other.The interior design department has just been awarded a contract and it seems everyone is at odds about the payment, or whether we should take it.“Why should we take a Job from Crane industry? they have an interior design department,” one of the directors spoke with a loud voice.“But ours is far more superior with employees with a lot of experience,’’ Andre who took after his father said, “I'm sure, Mr. Crane only wants that and knows what best,”“Then we should ask for a better payment, they all think we are weak because we have a new CEO” the loud one said.I cleared my throat and the room became quiet immediately.I stared at him, “do you think this is my fault, Mr. Kent?”“I'm merely saying…”I stood up from my seat and walked towards him, “if my brother was on that seat, the payment would have been to your liking?That I shouldn't take what is mine and my rightful pla
AURORAI stared at the woman in front of me with my throat in my heart. She kept looking at me with smiles all over her face.I felt like punching the smile off her face. I felt like punching myself also. In fact I felt like I had been punched in the face.When I said Game on to Jacob, I didn't think he would act on my word against me. Thinking this will bring us back together is absurd, he is truly mistaken.“I'm sorry, this is a mistake. Whatever Jacob Crane has swayed you into doing. I can assure you it's not true and certainly not worth it,” I spoke with a lot certainly to her.She chuckled and smiled, “Jacob can't sway me into doing anything, despite him telling me you are his wife, I read the reviews of your company. It's outstanding,” she said.I rolled my eyes at the sound of his wife but yet somehow I haven't told her no.“Has, you've met my sister, Sophia,” Jacob walked behind her towards us.“Yes,” I scoffed, “and she thinks that we are married,” I said to him.Sophia look
AURORAIt's been a busy week trying to get the Job done in Sophia's mansion.I chuckled as I remembered her telling me to call her by her name and not her married name.I still can't believe her father made her marry someone as ruthless as the late Governor. I never knew him personally but everyone knows the story of how he killed his opponent just to be in power. It makes me sick just thinking about it.“Aurora,” I heard Carina call out my name and I turned.“Remember what you asked me to clarify last week?” She asks.“Of course, about the auction?” I blinked, expecting some good news from her.“Well, it's legit. There is an auction going in the city and it is big,” she said.“How many people are on it?” I asked.“Every female elite in the state and possibly around the country,” she said but didn't sound sure.“Put me on it,’’ I said to her and continued my work on my laptop.I didn't hear her leave so I looked at her, “what is wrong Carina?”“Are you sure, this is your first time do
AURORA“This is fun!’ I said loudly, just enough for Katherine to hear me.Everyone could see how uncomfortable she has become because she hasn't won a single thing.I decided to let the other ladies have some fun as well. Only when she was the only one contending did I get in her way.The auctioneer brought out a particular piece of art, no one seems to want it but Katherine does.“This art belongs to a prestigious family who once ruled in our great city many years ago. It will be an honor to have,” he said, giving us his selling point.“Well, the honor shall be mine,” I said softly.Sophia scoffs, “what do you want with an old painting?” She asks.“I don't want it, but Katherine does,” I said to her.She blinks at me confused, “what do you mean?” She asks.“I see that your brother hasn't told you anything has he?” I asked her.She rolled her eyes and focused, “like he would,” she murmured and.“Going for one million dollars,” the auctioneer said and Katherine raised up her card.“On
AURORAI stared at Jacob in confusion l, wondering how he was here. Sophia would have informed me if he was going to make an entry today.I slapped his hands away from mouth and walked away from him, feeling a shiver run down my spine at the touch.“What are you doing here?” I asked, wondering what his answer would be and whether I could believe him.“I come here anytime I need the peace and quiet,” he said in a whisper, his voice low and soothing, but I was buying any of it.“No, you don't,” I said, thinking I had caught him in a lie, my eyes narrowed his, trying to read his expression.“My people would have told me if you were here,” I said to him with my tone firm.He shrugged his shoulders, “well I gave a little incentive for them not too,” he smirks with a mischievous grin.“How dare you!” I yelled, my voice echoed through the walls. He held his hands out with a calm expression.“Not so loud,” he said softly. “There is a thief in the building,” he voice was low and serious.“A th
AURORAI have been in a moving vehicle for the better part of ten hours. Wherever my captors are taking me, they don't seem to have an idea what they are doing.This can't be LeVert, he won't make such a mistake by hiring amateurs, even if he is doing it by himself. He has enough experience to do it right.Suddenly the vehicle stopped moving, the back of the vehicle opened and I was brought out. One of them was about to speak when the other one shut him up without speaking.I kept my mouth shut, I need to be brave, for myself and for my family. My wedding is in a few hours along with Carina's and there is no way I'm missing it.They tied the blindfold around my eyes even tighter, causing the darkness to engulf me.The rough fabric of the blindfold pressed harder against my eyes, sending a jolt of sharp pain across my temples. Darkness was absolute now, not just the absence of sight but the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. I tried to focus on my breathing, forcing myself to s
JACOB“I can't believe you are getting married!” Braden slammed into me. Trying to ruffle me up a little.“Says the married man,” Andre said to him. It's funny how we are all friends now and we have Aurora to thank for that. She brought all of us together. That's my future wife.“What are you smiling about?” Grey asked me.“You better not be thinking about my sister in some certain way in front of me,” Martin said and we all laughed.I have asked all of them to be mine and Andre best men including Michael, Ryan and Clay. Liam insisted on being the DJ for the service. Right now we are having our bachelor party and having loads of fun. “Thank you for allowing Aurora to do this with Carina,” I said to Andre holding his shoulder.“Are you kidding, Carina will have my head if I don't agree, plus we get to give the world the wedding of the year,” he said and I smiled.“Good man,” I shook his hands and walked towards Grey. “Hey bro,” he turned around and placed his phone in his pocket.“Th
AURORAONE YEAR LATER“What about this?” I walked out of my closet in a black gown filled with diamonds and a white off shoulder handle.“Perfect,” Carina squeaked. I rolled my eyes and walked deeper into the room.“People see me on this, they might think tonight is my rehearsal dinner,” I said to the soon to be bride.“Oh come on, you are the chief bridesmaid, you are meant to dress as elegant as the bride,” Aubrey said, adding her own wisdom to the situation.“Well, apart from that, I will think you guys are just playing dress up with me for me to impress Jacob,” I said to them and they both laughed.“Why are you laughing?” I asked them.“Nothing, just remembering how you blunted out I love you to him,” Carina said, still laughing. I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my blushing face.“Aubrey smirked, “Oh Aurora, you were so abstract about it. It feels like you have been bottling that emotion.”“Maybe I was. I guess my body moved before my mind,” I said to her.“And your timing couldn'
AURORA“Okay, alright. Be safe,” I said and hanged up the call.“Is everything alright?” Carina asked me. I looked at her with my puffy eyes. I can't believe I asked her to move her wedding date all because of LeVert. I feel so sad and heartbroken.“No, don't do that,” she said, hugging me. “Everything will work out. We just need to protect Anna and Mary and we all will be safe.”“But your wedding…”“Can wait,” Andre said, standing beside her. “We all need to be together right now.” He took my hands and I nodded.“Okay,” I exhaled, wiping my face with my other hand. “Let's do this then.”“The girls are pulling up,” Aubrey said to me. We raced towards the car to stop the paparazzi from taking pictures of them.“How come there are so many paparazzi?” Madeline asked as we moved through the crowd.“LeVert probably called them here to witness whatever he had planned,” I said to her.We finally got to the car and help Linda protect the girls from the cameras.“Aunt Aurora,” Anna and Mary hu
JACOB“What does Christina has to do with any of these?” I asked her.“I'm sure you heard from your stepbrother, Grey?” She asked.“Lara, what are you doing?” Aurora asked her. “Grey is not to be trusted.”“I was the one who told Grey to meet with you,” she said looking at me. “He is trying to make amends. You should let him.” I looked at Aurora, who just shrugged her shoulders.“So what about Christina?” Amy asked, standing in front of her. “You can't just drop a bombshell like that and not say anything to it.”“I was getting to it,” she handed her USB drive to Liam, “here, input it to the system,” Liam looks at me hesitant to do it. “Do it Liam,” I nodded.”A lot of files displayed on the bug screen. “These are all of the operations I could find that can be linked to LeVert, including serial killing of high profile women.” “Which one involves my step mom?” I asked, and a more detailed document displayed on the screen.“Wait,” Aurora scoffed. “You have this much evidence and LeVert
JACOBI kept pacing around, it's been almost two hours since Aurora left and she isn't back yet.“Martin is with her,” Madeline said to me, “he won't let anything happen to her.”“But if he can't,” I said and she looked confused. “Whatever is going on is beyond his power,” she sighed and shook her head.“Hey, you have to think good thoughts bro,” Amy said, holding my shoulder. “Aurora didn't come this far to give up or jeopardize everything.”“She is right, J,” Braden whispered, standing beside me. “You have to be able to trust Aurora, trust that she knows what she is doing,” he said and scoffed, “because she has been doing this long before she returned back to her life.”“I just want to protect her, want to keep her safe,” I said to him.“I know bro, but she got this and you know it.”I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down, even though every fiber of my being screamed to go after her. Braden was right, though. Aurora had proven time and again that she could handle herself.
AURORA“Thought I would recognize you?” I asked her.“Hoped,” she said, jerking her hands from Martin who was still looking shocked.“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked her with gritted teeth.“I don't know, hiding from my brother,” she said and I scoffed.“You are not that bumped into me,” I said to her. “You were at the precinct.”“No, you only saw me at the precinct when I came out, not before,” she said and I looked at Martin.“I will prove it to you,” she said and I turned to her.“How?” I asked, folding my hands. She tried to move but Martin stopped her. “Let her go, Martin. She knows she needs us,” Captain Marlow scoffed and walked deeper into the room.“Here,” she placed a material over her head and I could see the face of the woman we saw in the CCTV camera video.“Unbelievable,” I whispered. “Have you seen something like this before?” I asked Martin.“Heard of it but haven't seen one this real,” he said as Captain Marlow took it off.“Spent almost all the money I co
AURORA“You know he is just scared for you,” Martin turned around in the car and said to me.“If you are referring to Jacob then don't. I don't need a lecture right now,” I said and he sighed.“He just wants to protect,” I glared at him and he raised his hands in defense. “That's all I'm going to say,” he turned around facing the traffic.“I have been on my own for a while, I can handle myself,” I said out loud.“I thought you guys have moved past that?” Martin asked me.“Move past what?” I asked, feeling confused.“Move past what he did almost ten years ago?” He asked and I sighed.“We have but he has to know that I didn't have him or you protecting me then and I was still able to survive Copper and being kidnapped,” I said to him.“I get that but he is here now and from the look of things he wants to protect you at all cost.”“Why do you think I brought Michael with us?” I asked and Micheal smiled. “At least Michael can report to him if anything happens.”“We are here, Miss Aurora,”
AURORA“Hey,” I kissed Jacob on the lips as I took off my jacket.“I miss you,” he said, kissing my neck. I bit my lips smiling.“I know but we have work to do,” I pushed him slightly and walked over to the workstation he had set up in his penthouse.“Are you sure this place is secure?” Martin asked him as he walked in.“Yes, nobody knows about this place, not even Christina,” he said and I sighed.“Does Grey know about this place?” I asked him, for a while he has been having a blind spot when it comes to his step brother.“Jacob?” I called his name when I noticed he was hesitant to answer the question.“Yes he does,” he said and I dropped my hands loudly against my laps.“Why would you do such a thing? Grey is not to be trusted,” I said to him.“Look, Grey might have done a lot of things in the past but he helped us back in my airport.”“Or he brought you there to set you up along with Martin,” Braden said.“I agree with Braden,” Amy said and Jacob glared at her.“Don't do that, they