Chapter 26: In Which She Becomes His Fiancee

As Theo’s mother sauntered down the stairs, Aurora could tell where Theo inherited his charm and poise.

The woman's upper body was rigid and upright as she lowered onto each step, moving as if someone was shifting the steps to accommodate her every landing. How did one move in those steep heels without looking down even once?

That's some sh*t confidence at work, Aurora thought in awe. She finally understood Liv's advice. If Aurora wasn’t dressed at the same level of confidence, she would be easily reduced to dust by the mere sight of this woman.

Though she didn’t acknowledge Aurora’s presence, her sharp gaze was fixed on the redhead beauty. Aurora found her staring snobbish and rude - just like Audrey’s. If this woman didn’t have Theo’s eyes and nose, Aurora would think that she was Audrey’s mother because they both enjoyed flaring their nostrils at her.

Theo kept his eyes fixed on his mother.

As she stepped off the stairs and strut towards him, the assertive clicking of her heels on the marble floor conjured up the frightening scene he had witnessed when he was ten. A familiar sense of fear rippled underneath his skin and he swallowed the sour taste in his mouth.

He inched closer to Aurora, feeling the need to protect her, and threaded his fingers through hers to hold her hand in a firm grasp. Maintaining a blank look, he announced in his solid voice, “Mother, this is Aurora, my girlfriend.”

“And soon to be fiancée,” Aurora added with an innocent smile. Then, she curtsied to make her point while complementing the atmosphere.

Theo looked away to suppress a chuckle. Aurora’s curtsy was unexpected but it was funny as hell - his mother’s pretentious airs was instantly ridiculed.

But Audrey was not impressed. The second Aurora updated her relationship status, Audrey’s serene face collapsed. She lunged forward like a mad dog. “Why you slut!”

Aurora had an open palm ready, hidden behind the pleats of her skirt. The second Audrey pounced on her, she would swing her right hand, uppercut style, and slapped her tight on the same cheek. It would remind that b*tch of the same warning, Aurora hardened her gaze.

But the woman seemed to have read Aurora’s thoughts. Maintaining a blank look, she hastily raised her hand like she was giving an oath which acted as a chain around the mad dog’s neck. Audrey’s menacing look instantly vanished; she obediently recoiled to her place behind Theo's mother.

Glaring like a vulture, the woman - to Aurora’s surprise - broke into an angelic smile and gracefully turned to Theo.

“Darling, did you tell this fine, young lady that you are engaged to Audrey?”

Aurora felt a squeeze in her hand as Theo responded in a dull tone, “I only proposed to Aurora, mother. Not Audrey.”

“No! You didn’t! She was just your girlfriend. Your fiancée is me. I’m your fiancée!” Audrey stomped her feet.

The woman closed her eyes briefly and inhaled deeply to maintain her calm demeanor. When she looked at them again, her gaze was steely. “The food’s getting cold. Let’s discuss this over dinner. I’m sure we can settle this nicely. Right, Ms Aurora?”

Aurora raised her chin at the woman then ignored her and beamed up at Theo instead. Mimicking Audrey's high-pitch, she remarked, “You were right, dearest! Your mother is so kind and understanding. How did she know that I'm famished?”

Recognizing the hint to their private joke, Theo threw his head back and laughed heartily.

The mother and childhood friend watched on with startled expressions as the young billionaire’s loud and carefree laughter echoed through the vacant corridors.

Then, to the annoyance of the two model-like women, Theo hugged Aurora’s shoulders and pecked on her cheek. “I’m famished too. Let’s go, baby.”


******


“Your home is really lovely,” Aurora whispered to Theo once they were out of earshot.

“My father designed it," Theo smiled proudly.

Aurora hugged Theo’s arm and rested her cheek on it. “I really like it.” She wanted to tell him that their future home could be as cozy as this place, but she stopped herself in time.

Now is not the time, Aurora, she reminded herself quietly.

They entered the dining room and a four-seater, rectangular table in the middle of the large space welcomed them.

Moving closer to the table, they noticed that it was set up for three people.

Theo’s jaw tightened.

Aurora groaned wearily. What the hell is this? This trick is kindergarten! A sixteen-year-old Trish had more intelligent schemes.

"What happened?" the silky voice burst from behind them. Despite the rush in her voice, Theo's mother leisurely stepped in and stared at Aurora with a mean glint in her eyes.

"Oh dear, Fred! Did you forget to set a place for Ms. Aurora?” She flashed an apologetic smile at the red-haired beauty. “My sincerest apologies, dear. You see, there’s usually the three of us, so Fred might have forgotten."

As the mention of his name, Fred appeared beside her, bowing like a wilted flower, and immediately, the woman berated the poor man with her icy tone.

"Fred, people get wiser with age, but you seem to be getting worse. How dare you make such a silly mistake! Do you expect Ms Aurora to fetch her own chair and cutleries? It's preposterous for you to think so!"

Aurora stared at that d*mn woman in disbelief. Did she think that I’m stupid, Aurora thought. It’s obvious that this has all been staged! At the thought, a scowl appeared on her face. Coincidentally, she caught Audrey observing Aurora with a creepy hyena’s grin.

Yup, it’s definitely a trap, Aurora concluded.

Theo frowned with disapproval. His mother was at it again. Putting people down and showing them where they clearly belonged has always been her favorite playbook. This time, Fred was the pawn and Aurora was her target.

He saw her ready to jump at Fred’s defence and stretched out his hand to stop her.

But Aurora squeezed his hand and whispered, “I can handle this.”

The woman tilted her head with an impatient frown and sighed, “I can’t imagine having such a person in my household, Fred.”

Fred’s face shot up with an unspoken misery, but he quickly resumed his bowing.

“I guess you want me to set up my own table,” Aurora spoke out firmly.

The pair of blue eyes shot at her and those shapely pink lips broke into a tiny smile that seemed to say gotcha. But a hand flew to her chest and the woman responded dramatically, “Why Ms. Aurora, I can’t possibly--.”

“No worries at all. Theo will come with me,” Aurora interrupted. She hugged Theo’s bicep and pouted her lips at his knowing grin. “Won’t you, dearest? You know I can’t possibly carry the chair on my own with this dress.”

Theo pinched her cheek. “Of course, my baby. Let’s go.”

Appalled, the mother quickly stopped her son with an awkward smile. “Hold on, Theo. I’m sure Fred can go with Ms. Aurora. They are, I would say, more understanding of each other’s needs?”

Theo scoffed at the idea. “What are you saying, mother?” He put an arm around Aurora’s shoulder. “She’s my fiancée and hence my responsibility.”

Then, his gaze turned grim. “Father had taught me so, did you forget?” Without waiting for his mother’s response, he took Aurora’s hand and pulled her out of the room.

Aurora followed Theo quietly through a dimly lit corridor, past a courtyard and into a middle-sized room with a fireplace. Then, Theo spun around and pulled Aurora in for a deep hug.


******


When they returned to the dining room, Audrey had left.

“I’ve never seen her like this before, Theo. She looked crestfallen. You have to go see her,” advised the mother. She now wore an apologetic expression as she told Theo how heartbroken she felt when her future daughter-in-law had left with such distress.

“I’m not marrying Audrey,” Theo insisted with a hard gaze. “It’s already final.”

The beautiful widow stood angrily from her seat and thrust a finger at Aurora. “She’s nothing but a debt-ridden girl! Look at her! How naive can you be? Putting expensive clothes on her wouldn’t change anything. She’s after your money, can’t you see? Open your eyes!”

Then, the mask was off and in place of it was the smirk of a greedy, power-lusting woman. In a mocking whisper, she added, “Have some sense, piccolo.”

Theo gritted his teeth. “Says the woman who married my father for his money,” he muttered angrily.

SLAP.

Aurora blinked a few times at the marble floor. Heat began to radiate from the sting in her right cheek.

She just got slapped.