Chapter 36: In Which Her Mother Questions Their Sex Life

As they breezed through a corridor into the dining area, Theo finally saw Aurora's mother.

The resemblance was startling. He felt like he was looking at an older Aurora, except his girlfriend had a more approachable outlook. Aurora's mother was also taller with broader shoulders and hard, hazelnut eyes that seemed to have fallen in the habit of staring at others.

Like her son, she was in an expensive fluorescent green sheath dress that looked as posh as the interior of the house.

“Welcome to our humble home, Mr. Barone,” she stated quietly.

What the hell, Theo thought, her voice is exactly as it was blaring out of the phone. Theo almost laughed, but cleared his throat and greeted the mistress of the house, “Good afternoon, madam--.”

The woman curtly interjected, “Call me Carol. This is my husband, Tim.” She rested her hand on the shoulder of another man, who was already seated at one end of the rectangle table, across the room from him.

It was the middle-aged man Theo saw earlier.

“Pleasure to meet you, Sir,” Theo hastily said. He realized that he couldn’t remember Aurora’s last name. He had seen it when he checked on Aurora’s financial records, but for some reason, he couldn’t recall what it was.

Aurora’s father said nothing. Instead, he gave a meaningful glance to his wife, who then smiled cordially at the young billionaire, “My apologies, Mr. Barone.”

“Theo, please. I insist.”

“Theo,” she paused briefly then said in a mechanical voice. “My husband would like you to just call him Tim.”

Before Theo could respond, the older brother interrupted like a hungry four-year-old, “Come on, let’s eat! I’m starving, mummy.”

Theo looked to his right and Aurora was standing quietly beside him. They exchanged a brief smile and Aurora pointed to the chair next to her father’s. Theo nodded and he sat in it as the mother and son took their seats across him, while Aurora took the one beside him.

“So, Theo, what are you up to lately?” Adrien took an insane amount of food and slapped it on his plate. “I mean besides luxurious parties and vacations,” he chortled like a donkey at his own joke.

Theo smiled, “I don’t travel that much, except for business.” He placed a helping of spaghetti onto his plate and passed the bowl to Aurora, who received it silently.

Adrien raised his brows in surprise and then exploded into a loud bray, “Come on! You expect me to believe that? With all that money, you must be enjoying all the pleasures in the world, man. All the yachts, big hotels, fancy restaurants --- and women.” He winked and took a large bite of a chicken drumstick.

Theo tried not to take it the wrong way, but his annoyance was triggered. Still, for Aurora’s sake, he maintained his composure, “With all that money, it’ll be worth investing and let it roll, don’t you think?” He grinned.

Adrien was completely absorbed in his food, chewing noisily and sucking his teeth as he answered, “I’m just a simple guy, Theo.” He munched and continued, “I just need enough money to enjoy the rest of my life and I’ll be the happiest man in the world.”

Lazy f*cker, Theo growled in his mind. Was that why Aurora was working her *ss off? To cover his share of the family debt?

Carol cleared her throat and turned to Aurora, “Aurora dear, you haven’t said a word since you came through that door. Did you do something wrong again?” She smiled sweetly at Theo and explained, “Whenever Aurora makes a mistake, she becomes as mute as a dumb ass. It’s always been like that.”

Theo felt his anger rising, but returned a courteous smile, “Aurora has been the kindest and the most hardworking girl I’ve met, madam. So don’t worry about her.”

The mistress sipped on her wine and smacked her lips gleefully, “Oh I’m not worried at all. She’s the least of my worries. Her future is as bright as the present. I’d be honest with you - as her mother - if she can’t satisfy you in bed, Theo, just dump her. Don’t waste your time.”

What the f*ck? Theo widened his gaze, aghast by what he just heard. Did she just tell him to dump her own daughter if she couldn’t satisfy his sexual needs? What the hell is wrong with this woman?

He turned to his left and the master of the household was clearly in his own version of reality, staring at the table top, chewing quietly as if he were eating alone.

Is no one going to say anything? Theo gritted his teeth at the thought. He glared at the older woman. In-law or not, she had crossed the line and Theo wouldn’t take it lying down.

He was about to open his mind when Aurora placed her hand over his. She smiled at him and gently shook her head. It’s not worth it, she seemed to be telling her, it’ll be over soon, just bear with it.

He exhaled carefully and took a bite of the plain pasta.

“Adrien, on the other hand, has an immeasurable future ahead of him,” Aurora’s mother beamed proudly at her son.

Theo followed her gaze and found himself staring at the piggy brother sitting across him, gorging deliciously on the food, completely in his own world. Yeah, right, he thought, munchy here is definitely settled for greatness.

When the mother was done with admiring her son, she returned to Theo with a purposeful smile. “Theo, would you have anything to recommend for Adrien? He’s a very capable man. I’m sure he’ll be an asset to your company.”

Adrien was chomping halfway with his mouth full, when he paused and scolded, “Mummy! How many times do I have to tell you! I’m not working in some company. No offense, Theo. My mum’s stupid. She has no brains for the bigger concepts - if you know what I mean.”

“No, I don’t know what you mean,” Theo replied almost crudely.

But Adrien obviously was too ‘smart’ to notice and patiently explained his master plans of starting his own business.

“Clever people like us don’t work for bosses. We are the bosses, am I right, bro?” The pancake face chuckled.

Clearly aware of how much her son was oblivious to the reality of things, Carol smiled awkwardly at Theo then sheepishly at her son, “Of course, darling. Anything you say makes the best sense. Oh God, my dear boy is such a genius!”

Theo groaned inwardly. Aurora is much better without them.


******


Aurora was pulled into the study when the men were chatting over coffee in the living room.

She stood near the door as her mother towered in front of her with an angry face.

“How dare you embarrass your brother in front of his potential business partner!” Her mother hissed.

Aurora’s face shot up with anger, “I didn’t embarrass him, mum. He did it all by himself!”

“Shut up, you stupid girl!”

“Why can’t you knock some sense into him? Tell him to stop dreaming and start working,” Aurora fisted both her hands and was almost shouting back.

SLAP.

Aurora felt a familiar sting on her left cheek. With a heavy sigh, she straightened and looked directly into her mother’s eyes as the woman reminded her for the millionth time of that mistake she made five years ago.

“How dare you talk about him like you’re a saint,” she chuckled coldly. “If you hadn’t made that mistake, Rory, he wouldn’t need to work at all,” those hazelnut eyes glowered at her.

It was then Aurora noticed a check in her hand. She recognized it instantly.

Her confidence fell to the deepest point, “You've spoken to Mrs. Barone?”

“Ha! You’re actually using your brain for once.”

“Did you speak to Mrs. Barone?” Aurora shouted, her face was flushed with rage.

“Oh! You scared me, you stupid girl! How dare you shout at your mother. It was a very pretty, young woman.”

Audrey.

But the signature was clearly Mrs. Barone’s.

Her mother saw her painful expression and gloated even more.

Aurora never knew why her mother hated her so much. She has been trying to find the reason. But today, seeing her holding the check, Aurora realized that she didn’t need the reason anymore.

She’s done with this woman and her crazy obsession with her son.

“I want you to leave Theo,” her mother ordered.

“What?” Aurora looked ready to pull her mother's hair.

“Leave him so that we can get as much money as we need."

So that’s what she meant when she said that her brother’s future depends on ‘this’, Aurora widened her gaze in realization. That’s why she made that ugly remark about Aurora in front of Theo.

It was all for this blank check.

In a swift motion, Aurora stepped forward and snatched the piece of paper, and, ignoring her mother’s cries of horror, ripped it into a million pieces.