Chapter 30: In Which She Gets A Blank Check

“He’s an *ss and I don’t want to talk about him,” Aurora shouted into the phone.

“Okay, girl. Cool it. I’m not him. It’s always the same with men - they can cheat on us but they can’t stand us cheating on them,” Trish blared in her ear.

They laughed together.

“Thank you, Trish,” Aurora muttered appreciatively.

“Well, that’s the only thing you let me do to help,” Trish sighed.

“What do you mean? I always let you help. I tell you everything.” Well, almost, Aurora added silently.

“Don’t get me started. I tried to lend you the money, but you wouldn’t take it.”

“But--.”

“Don’t interrupt me. Yes, Rory. You let me help and you tell me everything - but they are just the superficial stuff, you know what I’m saying? The real things that matter, you don’t let me in. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have secrets that I don’t know about.”

Guilt seeped into Aurora. Trish was right - she did keep things from her best friend. There was a brief silence on both ends.

Just when Aurora was about to tell Trish about her deal with Theo, Trish spoke again in an unusually serious tone. “But, Rory...”

Aurora lifted her gaze at the black curtain and listened intently.

Trish continued, “I may not mind but Theo’s different. As much as I agree that he’s being childish for throwing his temper at you, I do get why he’s mad.”

As Aurora reflected silently, Trish added, “You let a man touch you again, so he’s gotta mean something. He’s more than a friend now, right?”

“Yes, he is,” Aurora admitted shyly.

“Then show him, girl. Let him know. From what I’ve heard, he might be an ass, but he sounded much better than that d*ckhead you dated.”

“I’ve forgotten about him,” Aurora gritted her teeth.

“Good.”

Aurora heard footsteps nearing the curtain and quickly ended the call. Putting the phone away, she made a mental note to call Theo after work, when a familiar strong figure stepped in.

“Hello, Ms. Aurora,” the silky voice greeted crisply.

It was Theo’s mother.

“Mrs. Barone, what a surprise. Are you here for a reading?” Aurora mustered a smile.

She remembered the sting in her right cheek and realized that the swelling was still obvious. D*mn, she cursed silently. She should’ve worn a veil over it. She was sure the woman would be gloating inside.

The woman gloated at her face.

“That looks like a nice reminder,” she muttered coldly.

Aurora gripped the edge of the table to stop herself from punching that smug look on the flawless face.

“Thank you for it,” Aurora smiled sweetly. I’ll find a way to return the favor, you b*tch, she silently added.

The woman lifted her nose as her austere eyes surveyed the reading hall. Wriggling her nose in disgust, she looked down at Aurora and smirked, “I heard you’re very good at what you do.”

“I try my best.”

“You can’t just try, Ms. Aurora. Your words count a lot. One single mistake and someone’s world will come tumbling down.”

Aurora swallowed. The woman’s trying to disarm her confidence. Raising her chin, her low voice came out in a steady tone, “I can tell that fortune-telling is not your cup of tea. You haven’t done much of it, so you wouldn’t know how it works.”

Mrs. Barone was wearing a bright red suit this time, without a cape, and she looked like a devil in disguise.

Aurora pressed her lips to suppress a giggle.

With a wave of her red sleeves, Theo’s mother said curtly, “I believe that one’s future lies entirely in her own hands.”

“Great advice,” Aurora responded flatly.

Her elitist nose shot up as she said in a commanding tone, “I have a proposition for you.”

Oh God, not again, Aurora groaned inwardly. They’re definitely related, she thought as she recalled her earlier conversations with Theo. What’s up with the Barone family and business deals?

Without waiting for Aurora to respond, she threw a check onto the desk, next to the crystal ball.

The redhead psychic glanced at the blank check and instantly knew what she was trying to do. Glaring at the snobbish woman, she asked, “What’s the meaning of this?”

Mrs. Barone chuckled. “Well, I’m sure you know what it is, Ms. Aurora. But if you want me to be explicit, then I’ll tell you.”

She came in front of the crystal ball and stared down at her with bulging eyes. “You write the amount on that check, you’ll get instant cash.”

“And what do you get in return for such generosity?”

The woman laughed in a soprano voice. “You sure are clever as Audrey said. I’m sure you know what I want.”

Aurora mimicked the woman and lifted her nose. “I won’t leave Theo.”

That perfect, angelic face switched to a gargoyle’s face as pure rage seized those beautiful features.

“You wench!”

Aurora slammed her hand on the table and stood angrily, “Madam! You’re in a fortune-telling shop, not a charity organization.” She pressed her hand to her chest and mimicked Mrs Barone’s dramatic tone from last night. “I’m making an honest living here! You’re hurting my feelings.”

Mrs. Barone raised a brow raised in fury at the young woman’s display of sarcasm. She took a threatening step forward and glowered at her.

“You think you’re so smart, Ms. Aurora,” she straightened with a scheming smile. “I’m sure I’ll find a way to outsmart you. You have a family, no?”

Aurora’s face fell. “Don’t you dare touch them,” she whispered as a dreaded coldness crept up her spine.

The woman backed away with a satisfied smile. “I like that fear in your eyes, Ms. Aurora. We’ll meet again.”

She turned around and was about to leave when Aurora stopped her. “Please take your check back, Mrs. Barone. I wouldn’t want you to accuse me of stealing.”

Aurora heard a chuckle and then Theo’s mother turned back to her. She snatched the check, and while fixing a heavy stare at Aurora, she tore the check into pieces and threw it in the air like confetti. Then, she stalked out of the shop.

Once her strong footsteps faded, Aurora relaxed and groaned at the white pieces on the floor. “Why can’t she use the f*cking bin? D*mn it!” Now she had to sweep them all up. Crazy b*tch.


******


Theo still didn’t feel good.

But he missed Aurora badly. His hands were aching to touch and feel her again.

He parked outside the fortune-telling shop and sighed. It’s almost ten. Aurora should be done soon. He threw the door open and stepped out, just as Calix came through the black curtain and strode off in quick steps.

Theo chuckled softly at the man. Always rushing for his routines. No wonder he keeps getting dumped.

You’re going to get dumped soon, if you keep throwing your temper around like a spoiled, rich brat, his mind scolded.

Theo groaned. Hell, he thought, he’ll do anything; just don’t let her leave like that.

As if on cue, Aurora came through the black curtain, looking exhausted from a day’s work. She looked miserable, Theo thought and his throat immediately thickened with guilt.

Aurora switched off the lights and headed for the exit.

A lovers’ quarrel during the honeymoon period is the worst, she thought woefully. You get angry at the person, yet you can’t stop thinking of him.

“D*mn you, Theo,” she muttered in the dark.

With an exasperated exhale, she stepped through the black curtain and a black sports car came into her view.

She froze as her eyes met the apologetic gaze of her boyfriend. Instantly, her rosy lips bowed into a pout.

Holding her gaze, Theo moved towards her, slowly at first and then picking up slightly until he stood before his ravishing goddess.

Without a word, she slid her arms around his waist and crashed into him.

Theo kissed the top of her head and finally relaxed with a smile of relief.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered.

“Me too,” her voice was muffled but he heard it.


******


“I’m going back to Trish’s place, Theo,” Aurora gave a half-serious frown at Theo’s hand tightly clasped with hers.

“Hell, no,” Theo stared ahead.

“Okay, then, bring me back to get some clothes.”

He glanced at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Your mother came today,” she blurted.

“What!”

The car swerved off track slightly, but Theo swiftly regained his control on the wheel.

Aurora winced at his booming voice, “She offered me a blank check.”

Theo chuckled, “Why didn’t you take it?”

“How did you know that I didn’t?”

Theo glared at her, then he broke into a knowing grin at her teasing eyes.

“If you need money, tell me. I’ll give you.”

Aurora turned from him and stared out of the window. “I’m not after your money, Theo. Stop it.”