Chapter 11: In Which She was Blackmailed

Aurora groaned wearily.

Audrey must have sent that text. She was sure of it. Aurora let out a dry chuckle and ignored the text. She’s not going to entertain anymore of her juvenile tricks.

Her phone buzzed again as if it read her mind. Her irritation grew. Ignore it, Aurora, you know it's nonsense.

But she couldn't ignore it. The itch of curiosity was gnawing her insides. She opened the text with an annoyed sigh and a chill crept up her neck.

Unknown sender:
I know what you did.
I know your family’s shame.

Aurora looked around. She was alone; the guests had gone outdoors for the next part of the celebration. Anger flooded her chest. This has gone too far. That woman had actually snooped into her private matters. Aurora stomped towards the exit; she was going to find Audrey and settle this with her once and for all.

Her phone buzzed again. Aurora halted and glared down at the screen. It was another text from the same person. Aurora lost it.

“That’s it!” She roared. She’s going to find Audrey and have a one on one with her - Trish’s style. What is losing a few locks of hair compared to giving that princess a piece of her mind?

Tapping angrily, Aurora opened up the text, read it and stiffened.

Unknown sender:
10 thousand dollars for my silence.

It’s blackmail… Aurora’s eyes widened in disbelief. She turned away from the exit as a mix of dread and anger seeped in. Squeezing her eyes, she clutched her phone tightly, then gripped both hands together and pushed it against her forehead. She bowed and screamed a loud silent scream. It's f*cking blackmail!

Hot tears washed down her cheeks. She straightened and covered her face, sobbing hard. What more do you want from me? I have repented! Is it not enough? I did the best I could!

The tears can’t seem to stop. Aurora lifted her face and stared ahead, feeling useless and utterly exhausted with life. When will this nightmare end? Why can't it end?

“There you are!”

Aurora froze. Her mind went frantic. Theo must not see the texts.

“I thought you were right behind me, babe.” His footsteps got louder as he came closer. “Jeff has another question for you, but I think you should ignore him. Grab a bite first. He’s getting all cranky from the wine."

In one fluid motion, she sniffed back her tears of anguish as she turned off her phone screen and slipped it into her purse.

Theo heard her sniffle and stopped a few steps behind her. Then, he noted that her shoulders were heaving. Is she crying? He strode forward and turned her around.

Her face was raw and wet. She looked so hurt that he couldn’t think straight. His hands flew to the sides of her face and he cradled her cheeks and wiped the tears with his thumbs.

“Hey, hey, it’s alright.”

His voice was in a whisper so tender that Aurora found it strange. But she liked it nonetheless.

“What happened?” He lifted her face and studied it closely. She has been putting up an act all this while, you idiot, Theo scolded himself.

She sniffed. “I’m good.”

“You don’t look good.”

"I'm hungry. Let's go.” Aurora removed herself from his touch and headed for the exit.

"Wait." Theo stopped her and slowly pulled her into his embrace, and wrapped his arms around her. He was surprised that she didn't resist him this time and flashed a proud grin as he rested his chin on the top of her head.

“You’re doing a great job. They like you.”

"You suck at comforting people," she mumbled with a sniff. "I'm not a kid who got bullied during recess."

“But you got bullied.”

“I just had poor reflexes, that’s all. It won’t happen again,” Aurora stubbornly insisted.

“I’m sure,” Theo chuckled.

She flipped her head and rested her cheek on chest, and closed her eyes to savor the peace she felt inside. "You don't have to be this nice." She whispered.

“I want to.”

His lips brushed across her soft, orange-red hair and he inhaled lightly. “Why do you smell so nice?”

“I used shampoo.”

He sniggered first, then she chuckled back. Tension was leaving her. Enveloped in his warmth, she felt so safe and comfortable, she didn’t want to let go. She felt the urge to tell him about the strange texts. But can she trust him? She had trusted someone before and ended up in this continuous loop of misery.

Reality slammed into her like an incoming train. Aurora’s eyes flared open and frantically pushed Theo away.

His startled expression compelled her to explain. “I’m thirsty. Let’s join the others.”

He stopped her again. “You sure? We could leave if you want.” He tipped her chin and searched her eyes.

Aurora gave a relaxed smile. “Nah, I'm all good. My stomach’s growling actually.” A deal is a deal. She took his money, she must finish the job. Taking Theo’s arm, she followed him outdoors.

She'll settle the text later.


******


After Jeff, Aurora spoke to a few more people who were well-acquainted with Theo. They were fascinated with Aurora’s fortune-telling and asked for their palms to be read.

She couldn’t help but notice the women eyeing at Theo with interest. Some even went up to chat with him when Aurora was occupied, and he laughed along with them. The ease that they shared made her feel out of place. What do you expect, girl? She could hear Trish remind her that this wasn’t her world.

These women had wealth, status, power and connections, while Aurora had debts and an unknown person blackmailing her. The strange texts pounced onto her again. With a full stomach, she was much clearer-headed and realized that Audrey couldn't have sent those texts. That marshmallow candy wouldn’t ask for money; she already had loads of it.

Then, who could it be?

Her ex-boyfriend’s face flashed in her mind. Instantly, she shook her head and pushed it away. She hasn’t heard from him since that incident, it couldn’t have been him.

Instinctively, Aurora searched the crowd. Then, she dropped her gaze with a mocking chuckle. Are you serious, Aurora? You think they’d blackmail you?

“Were you looking for me, babe?”

Aurora turned to her side and Theo was giving her one of his mischievous grins.

“Since when am I your babe?”

He took her hand and drew her close. “Since you became my girlfriend.”

It seemed natural to run her fingers through his fringe and push it back to their rightful place. “Well, you seemed to be having a good time, ladies’ man.”

“I’m just one lady’s man.”

To him, she laughed nonchalantly, but on the inside, butterflies were fluttering. You’re on a job. You’re on a job. You’re on a job. Aurora tried to brainwash herself. But Theo wasn’t helping. He had slipped his fingers through hers and was leading her to the dance floor.

As they swayed to a love song playing in the background, her arms around his neck, his hands on her waist, they looked at each other’s faces like an artist going over every shape and contour of each other’s features.

“Is there something on my face?” Theo asked with a devilish grin.

She burst out in giggles at the memory of her question from earlier. “Yes.”

“What is it?” He widened his grin knowingly.

“Your eyes, nose and mouth.” She battered her lashes innocently.

“Aw, come on. That’s not the right answer.”

Aurora laughed. “I bet a lot of women have told you.”

“I want to hear it from you.”

“But I’ve already told you before we came here.”

“I want to hear it again.” His voice fell into an alluring whisper that made her shuddered with anticipation.

“What was it you wanted to tell me?” She seemed to recall something and shot him a puzzled glance.