Chapter 15: In Which She Enters His World

She’s going to meet Liv f*cking Accardi.

Aurora stared at the man relaxed in his driving and then at the illuminated road in front of her. Take a deep breath, Aurora. It’s just lunch with…

Liv f*cking Accardi! Oh my God! What is she going to wear? She doesn’t have anything impressive to wear. Then, she remembered that she had gotten red wine stains on Liv’s dress and color drained from her face.

“Okay, what’s wrong - you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Theo cast a puzzled glance at her.

“Everything’s great,” Aurora tried to calm herself. “It’s no big deal. It's just lunch with the most famous fashion designer of all time.” She took in a large, deep breath and smiled nervously ahead. “I’m good.”

Theo raised his right brow. “Why do I get a feeling that you want to strangle me?”

She thrust an angry glare at him. “Yes, I do! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“You were working, babe,” Theo retorted with an oblivious chuckle. “Besides, it’s just my aunt. We have lunch every Friday, so I thought you can join me, then we'll go to her place afterwards and get you more clothes for the retreat.”

Aurora flung off Theo’s hand and covered her face with both hands to muffle her squeals of excitement. She’s going to meet Liv Accardi! She’s going to see more of her designs!

“Now I get the feeling that you’re in love with zia,” Theo sighed. He’s actually jealous of his own aunt.


******


It was a regular cafe with modern decor that served sushi, just a few blocks from Liv’s flagship store. The designer was in the mood for some Japanese food, so her nephew gladly accommodated.

When Aurora and Theo arrived, Liv was already seated at a table in a private corner. The restaurant was filled with the lunch crowd and as Aurora moved with Theo, she felt their gazes on her and heard their fervent whispers.

They must be looking at her, Aurora thought, feeling self-conscious again. They could probably tell that her black blouse and skirt was second-hand. She had gotten them from a flea market after much nagging from Trish.

She felt a squeeze in her hand and looked up to find Theo staring down at her with concerned eyes. Aurora gave an assuring smile and looked ahead.

The designer was right in front of them.

Aurora’s eyes widened with shock as she drew in a sharp breath.

The older woman frowned. “Are yoo alright, Aurora?”

“Y- yes. Nice to meet you again, Liv-- I mean Miss Accardi.”

Liv gave a royal wave of her hand. “No. Just call me Leev.”

Theo bowed slightly and whispered into her ear, "Calm down." He went to the chair next to Liv and pulled it out for Aurora.

Aurora hesitated. Then, she glanced at the woman in a tall collared, black shirt, who gave her an encouraging nod, and slid into the chair.

“You look great, zia.” Theo exhaled as he sat opposite his aunt.

“Why ar-eh yoo sighing, piccolo?”

“Nothing, zietta. Just work.”

Liv leaned forward and grabbed her nephew’s hand tightly with a strange tension in her brows. “Yoo mast rest, piccolo. So yoo ca-an fight dat man, no?”

Aurora furrowed her brows as her gaze bounced between Theo’s tired smile and his aunt’s furious expression. Who’s the man they're talking about? She made a mental note to find out later.

“Yes, zia. I’ll try.” Theo exhaled again.

“Good!” The bobbed white hair shook slightly as the designer gave a loud clap and then opened up the menu. “Let’s eet! Aurora, what would yoo lik-eh too haa-veh?”

Aurora shot up straight in her seat when the attention suddenly shifted to her. “I-- I’ll take the egg sushi.”

“Just that?” Theo leaned forward with his mischievous gaze. “Aren’t you famished?”

Aurora shot a glare in his direction, then switched to a smile at the observing grande dame. “I’ll take the tuna and salmon sushi too.”

“You must try the sea urchin sushi, babe. It's their best dish,” Theo muttered as he turned the pages.

The aunt raised her brows in surprise, then reached for her glass and sipped the white wine with a knowing smile. She continued to observe the woman that her nephew had brought to see her. Theo never brings his dates for a family meal; he only mentions them when asked.


******


Aurora stared at her reflection in a tent-shaped, pale-turquoise sundress and sighed. She had, again, insisted on getting clothes from Liv’s old collections.

As the girlfriend of a business billionaire, she should be more outgoing and bold with her fashion choices. She knows exactly what to wear. But she’s hiding behind the excuse of not wanting to offend the bride. What is she afraid of? Aurora sighed. She has no answer.

She stepped out of the changing room and Liv gave her an overall glance with her stern gaze. Then, a pleased smile slowly crossed her thin lips.

“Dis dress looks pear-fake on yoo.”

“Thank you, Liv.”

“Let’s get anou-der one.”

Aurora rushed forward to stop Theo's enthusiastic aunt. “I’ll just get this, Liv. This will do.”

Liv turned around and waved her hand in dismissal, as if saying she would have none of Aurora's nonsense. “Yoo ar-reh going to a retreat. How is one dress enoff? Yoo need a full suitcase at least.” She laughed heartily.

Aurora giggled softly, feeling more relaxed around the older woman. “Really. I’m good with just one. I’ll wear my own clothes.”

The aunt grabbed Aurora's hands and looked into those emerald eyes. “Let my piccolo pamper you. It east der way of a Barone man. His father - my brother - taught him so. If you don't let him, dee old man will rise from his grave and scold his son. We don't want that, no?"

Aurora stared at the face of an old woman who now exuded strong motherly vibes, and her throat thickened with guilt. In a hoarse whisper, she conceded, “Alright.”

“Wonderful!” Liv held onto one of Aurora’s hands and led her out of the dressing room, back into the main hall.

Theo was on a couch. They stopped and looked at him. His legs were elegantly crossed, his hands were laced together, resting on his stomach, and his eyes were closed in a relaxed manner.

“He’s asleep?” Aurora whispered.

“Ssh... . Let him. We go here.” Liv led the orange-red haired beauty around the couch.

Once out of earshot, the older woman shook her head with a tender chuckle. “Dat boy. I told him he cannot sleep wid dee lights on. It's not good for him.”

“He sleeps with the lights on?” Aurora looked incredulous. “Is he afraid of the dark or something?”

“Yes. He east afraid of dee dark.” Liv said quietly with a somber expression. “Everr since his brother fell off the stairs and broke his leg. Theo doesn't like the dark."

"That's why he likes white," Aurora whispered in a surprising realization.

"You've been to his apartment?" Liv looked bewildered.

Aurora was equally astonished. How does she know!

Noting her puzzled look, the aunt explained, "Only his apartment is whit-eh. Everything else eez black."

Aurora searched her memory and was shocked - Theo was always in dark clothes except when he was at home.

"So he brought you home… " Liv muttered to herself.

Aurora nodded. "To--." She stopped herself. The deal is a secret between Theo and her; she can't tell anyone, especially Theo's aunt. That was a close call!

With a careful inhale, she said in a casual tone, "He wanted to make dinner for me. So I went over."

"He treats you very special, piccolo." Liv pat Aurora's right cheek like she was family.

Aurora smiled politely back at the older woman, feeling more guilty than before.