Chapter 33: In Which He Hires Her Again

She was sore everywhere the next morning.

Aurora sat up with a wince. Theo was still there, sleeping soundly beside her.

What day is it? She squinted her eyes, trying to reconnect the recent events.

It's Monday! Sh*t! What time is it now? Frantic, she glanced around, caught a watch on Theo's wrist and, without giving it much thought, tugged at his arm to check the time.

Theo felt a strong pull on his arm and thought a bear caught it until Aurora's exclamation of surprise pierced through his dreams.

"F*ck, I'm late!"

Rudely awaken, he sat up with a groan, "D*mn it, Aurora." His girlfriend has the strength of an ox.

As the grogginess in his eyes cleared, he saw a redhead nymph rushing about, picking up things and throwing them back on the carpet.

With a growl, he dropped his head and grabbed his forehead.

"For God's sake, babe. Put some clothes on!"

Aurora looked down and gasped in shock. She was stark naked! With a few more curses, she finally grabbed her clothes, jumped into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.

Hell, Theo shook his head with a smile. He can't wait to hold her again.


******


Theo sipped his coffee and exhaled a smile of morning satisfaction.

Replacing the cup on the table, he picked up the fork and knife, sliced a sausage, popped it into his mouth and chewed leisurely. Then, he sighed.

"We'll get to the office by nine. I swear," Theo said to the woman sulking in front of him. Ignoring her glare, he added patiently, "But if you don't start eating, we'll definitely not make it."

Aurora had wanted to make a quick sandwich and eat on the go, but Theo wouldn't have it. He announced that they are going to have a good meal to start the day then strolled leisurely into his bathroom.

As Theo showered, Aurora tried to clear all the traces of their lovemaking, from the bedroom to the kitchen. By the time she got to her bra which was hanging on the kitchen tap, she was numbed all over from the vivid recollection.

When they finally moved to the car, it was already eight-fifteen and Aurora went into a frenzy. But her idiot boyfriend assured her that they still have time for a hearty breakfast.

And here she was, stuck at a posh cafe with a beautiful man, a plate of warm pancakes and a heart that was about to burst from a prolonged exposure to anxiety.

Without wiping the glare off her face, Aurora stabbed the pancake on her plate, cut out a large piece and stuffed it into her mouth. She couldn’t enjoy anything with the nerves, but as soon as the flavors hit her taste buds, she quickly took the next bite. "Mmm.. these are so buttery."

Theo took another sip of his coffee. "Told you, you won't regret it." His plan to give his girlfriend a peaceful morning finally worked.

The scowl was back in her face. "I still think we won't be able to make it by nine," she grumbled.

"Okay, you really have to learn to put your trust in someone, babe. Starting with your boyfriend, here."

"But it's already eight forty!" Aurora chewed angrily.

He decided to divert her attention. "You won't make the payment, right?"

Immediately, Aurora answered, knowing what he was referring to, "Of course, I will."

Theo leaned forward with a frown. "You gave the green light to investigate, why are you still paying them?"

"For precaution? The deadline is in six days! What if we can’t find anything? I can't afford the risk, Theo." She lowered her voice into a whisper, "I can't let my family suffer again."

Theo reached over and covered her small hand, "I can--."

"No," Aurora removed her hand from his grasp and fixed a serious stare at him. "I'm not taking your money, Theo. This is the last time I'm hearing it, if you still want me to stay."

Theo shrugged, "I was going to tell you about a high-paying job."

Those emerald eyes sparkled with excitement again. "A job? High pay? What is it?"

But Theo seemed to have lost his excitement. He turned away and sulked, "Well, I'm upset because you wouldn't let me finish."

Is he pouting? Aurora chuckled at the hulk acting like a baby. "Aw… I'm sorry," she reached out and took his hand. "How can I make you feel better?"

Theo faced her with a flat expression and tapped a finger to his lips.

Aurora backed away in surprise. "There are people around us!"

"I thought we're a couple now," Theo muttered with the face of a boy who couldn’t get the candy he was promised.

Aurora giggled. Then, she stood, bent over the narrow table, cupped Theo’s masculine cheeks and leaned down to kiss him on the mouth - a brief but sweet one. When she was done, she smiled into his eyes and returned to her seat. Grinning with flaming cheeks, she tilted her head in her adorable way, “Do you feel better now?”

“Yes,” Theo grinned.

“So what’s the job?”

Theo relaxed against his chair with a secretive smile. “My cleaning lady recently quit, so Rose was helping me to find one. But since, you’re in need of a job, I thought--.”

“Yes!” Aurora jolted forward in her chair. “I’ll take it!”

“Are you sure?” On the outside, he seemed unsure about his suggestion, but on the inside, he was nervous as hell.

“Of course! Beggars can’t be choosers. I’ll do anything, as long as it’s legal, of course.”

“A cleaning job is definitely legal,” Theo took on a lawyer’s tone. “But I can’t give you more than what I previously paid.”

“Of course not,” Aurora looked eager to start now. “How much was the last salary?”

Theo took a sip of his coffee. “Two thousand a day.”

Aurora was flabbergasted. “You mean two hundred.” No way a cleaning job gets two thousand dollars a day - it's ridiculous!

The billionaire shook his head and confirmed, “Two thousand. A day. She cleans once every two weeks, so I paid her at a daily rate.”

Theo watched Aurora closely. He wanted her to take the job so she wouldn’t end up in some rundown convenience store in the sleazy parts of the city.

You’re no better, you a*shole. A cleaning job for that kind of pay - it already sounds sleazy.

He groaned silently. He isn’t the possessive type, but somehow with Aurora, it’s different.

She is different.

Aurora stared at the soggy pancakes and narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Theo. “You sure you didn’t create this job for me?”

Theo shrugged, “Of course not. If you’re not comfortable cleaning my place, I’ll offer it to someone else. It’s a bad idea anyway.” He gave a purposeful glance at Aurora while she stared at her food. Then, he added, “You’re my girlfriend; it already sounds ridiculous.”

Aurora finally lifted her gaze. “I’ll take the job. But I can only start after I’m done at Madame Zoya’s, if it’s alright with you.”

“I have a better solution.”

Aurora sighed in relief, “Thank God. What is it?”

Theo leaned forward and suggested in his deep voice, “Move into my apartment.”

Aurora gave him the are-you-crazy look, so Theo quickly explained, “It’ll save you lots of travelling time and costs. You can clean the place anytime you’re there and I’ll pay for the work accordingly.”

She couldn’t say no.