Chapter 13.

AURELIA'S P.O.V

Panting heavily with my hands resting on my knees, I huff and puff trying to catch my breathe. It was the weekend which meant I didn't have to go to work so I decided to go out for an early morning jog to let out some steam as it'd been quite a while since I last jogged, i needed to clear my head. As I regained my breath, clarity returned to me, I felt considerably better after my exercise... I felt lighter. Trotting into the kitchen, I fetch myself a glass of water which i readily gulped while I mentally prepared for the day ahead. While I held nothing against my soon to be mother-in-law, in fact I found her quite pleasing, color me surprised when I received a call from her yesterday requesting to meet up for lunch. In her words, 'it was necessary for us to have some mother-daughter bonding time'. Firstly, I was surprised as to how she had my number to which she clarified that Cooper gave it to her...right.

Anyhoo, I wasn't left with much of a choice seeing as I was to be married to her son soon and I wanted to maintain a cordial relationship with her, I agreed.

Much later in the afternoon, Caroline and I were seated in a high-class restaurant, eating while making small talk.

"My dear, I do not mean to offend you but I don't recall you mentioning your parents during our last dinner." Caroline's words catch me off-guard causing me to halt in my movements before resuming about a moment later. I had been expecting this question, I had known sooner or later that I'd have to talk about them, a sour topic which often left a bitter taste in my mouth but I wasn't ready. However, putting on a fake smile which I hoped was believable, I respond.

"Well, that's because they're uh-dead." Unable to meet her stare, I let my eyes droop to my plate, hearing her let out a soft gasp and then reaching forward to take my my hand in hers as an act of comfort. I look up at her, a bit surprised at her actions.

"Oh my dear child, I'm so sorry for your loss. If I may ask, when did it happen?"

"A few days after I had turned eighteen. And it's fine, it's in the past." I shrug.

"I understand but still, no child ever truly gets over the loss of their parents." I nod in agreement, up till this very moment there were moments were I just wanted to be with my parents, when I wanted to be held by my dad and hear him tell me he's proud of me once more, or to be with my mom, be in her arms and hear her say that she loved me more than life itself, hear her say I was her joy and pride. Just one more time.

Blinking away the building tears, I try to shake off the sad memory.

"Anyways, how's the engagement preparation going? It's to be held next weekend yes?" Ah yes, after constant pleadings from Cooper I had agreed to make our engagement official and public. Honestly I had no idea how loaded and influential the Mikaelson's were until after dinner with his parents. Apparently they were a big deal in the society, hence the need for the public announcement.

"Yes it is and It's going perfectly, Cooper and I are very excited to make our engagement public. I'll admit at first I wasn't too enthusiastic about it but I'd do anything for Cooper." That wasn't a lie, I'd do just about anything for Cooper. He was my friend before he became my boyfriend and then fiancé and i'd do anything for my friends.

Smiling softly, she spoke "I'm really glad Cooper has you Aurelia. I'll admit when I found out he wanted to propose I was a bit skeptical. I wanted him to be sure of what he wanted so as not to make any mistakes. I didn't want him having any regrets." I could see her smile falter, her eyes a bit glazed as if thinking about something...perhaps a memory.

"But I see now that my Cooper made the right choice, his dad and I are glad." At the mention of Thorne, my heart rate quickened slightly as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Believe me it was awkward as fuck sitting opposite the wife of the man I fucked and have a child with even though she didn't know that.

Casting her a glance, I smile softly, "How's he? Mr Mikaelson I mean."

"Oh he's very fine you know. He and I have been," Scooting closer, she placed a hand at the side of her mouth imitating the notion that we were gossiping before speaking, "busy, if you get my drift." She winked. I blinked, once then twice and then chuckled. By this time we were long done with our meals and were just sipping on our wine.

Oh I definitely got her drift, good to know that at least one of us enjoyed a good fuck. Now I wasn't saying that Cooper wasn't good in the sacks because he was good, the many times we had sex in the past it was damn well pleasing. And even though sex with Thorne was an absolute mistake I couldn't help but admit that it was the best sex I had experienced, even for that short hazy period of time. It was stuck in my head, playing on repeat like a broken record. On a low-key, I envied Caroline. She and Thorne looked absolutely enamored by each other, I wanted same for Cooper and I.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur and soon enough I was back home in bed with Lucy. Flipping through the pages of the book I was reading while running my fingers through Lucy's fur, I heard a sudden ding on my phone.

Opening it, I was unprepared as hell for the words glaring at me on the screen. It was just five words, five words which caused my breath to cease, five words which ignited a burning hunger within me.

'We need to talk. Thorne'- Unknown.