Chapter 40: In Which His Ex Threatens Her

Aurora stared at the gorgeous, sexy man sipping on his morning coffee.

“The Diamond Summit and Gala?”

Theo replaced his cup on the table and nodded, “It’s an annual gathering of the great minds around the world to discuss the ways to improve human lifestyle.” He smiled and added, “Then, of course, we end with a huge dinner party.”

“Sounds like another grand excuse to get together and party,” Aurora frowned. This must be an exclusive event, she thought, because she hadn't heard of it anywhere in the public sphere.

“That's a nice way to put it," Theo remarked sarcastically with a laugh. "I won't deny that I'll be there to network. I’m sure it’ll be good for you too.”

But she was still anxious. Because of the blackmail, she couldn't save up for her monthly payment to the debtors and she was due to pay in two weeks.

Theo chewed as he studied her expression and chuckled, "Okay, what's on your mind, babe. You look like you want to strangle me again."

Aurora took another bite of her sandwich with furrowed brows, "I need to work, Theo. I can't just take two days off."

Now, better aware of her situation, Theo didn't argue with her this time and simply shrugged, "We'll figure something out. There's still three days before we need to leave."

Then he added with a twinkle in his eyes, "Who knows? Maybe a miracle will happen."


******


Theo looked blankly at the woman in a tight, fluorescent pink mini dress, sitting cross-legged from across him.

"Why are we meeting here, Theo?" Audrey chirped with her sweet smile, then looked around uncomfortably. The cafe was packed with the lunch crowd.

"I don't trust being alone with you in private," Theo replied coolly.

The princess glare was back firmly in her eyes, "What?" Then, she gave a snobbish smirk, "Is it because of that slut?"

"I don't know who you're referring to unless you say her name."

"Argh! Stop it, Theo! Just stop," she shouted, then felt the stares of other patrons and lowered her voice in a hiss, "You chose a place that I'm not familiar with so I won't throw a fit, you a*shole."

Theo sipped his tea with a grin.

Continuing as soft as she could, Audrey muttered angrily, "What the hell, Theo! What has that witch done to you? You used to be so nice and sweet."

"You mean obedient. Like your pet," Theo’s features fell into a bleak expression.

Audrey widened her gaze and whispered in a shock, "W- what do you mean? I never treated you like a pet."

"Whatever," Theo waved his hand in dismissal. "Did you take this photo?" He placed his phone on the table and pushed it across to her.

Audrey leaned in to peek at the screen and quickly hid her surprise. She straightened and sipped on her juice, "I didn't take that."

Theo retrieved his phone, "I think you did." Fixing an infuriated gaze on the pretty face that used to shine with innocence, he added harshly, "You sent it to Aurora to blackmail her."

Audrey gaped with bulging eyes, "I didn't black- I didn't do it! Why would I do that?"

"Who knows what you've learnt from my mother?"

Audrey reached out to grab Theo's hand, "I really didn't do it, Theo. It wasn't me."

"Then who is it?" He asked quietly. "Who's behind the blackmail, Audrey? Tell me."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I really don't know anything about this black-, this threat," Audrey insisted with pleading eyes.

"You can't fool me, Audrey. Tell me what I want to know or we're done," Theo refused to give in this time.

"You can't do this to me! You promised to take care of me forever, you f*cking a*shole," she growled.

Theo leaned in and glowered back, "Not in marriage but as a brother. I've made it very clear to you."

Audrey folded her arms, "You brought that slut in to make me give up, didn't you?"

Theo kept a steady glare on her sneer, "I will not know who you're talking about until you say her name."

Audrey continued stubbornly, "Do you think she's an angel? She's not, Theo. Do you know what she has done to her family? She--."

"I know what she's done. She told me," Theo smiled.

"She did?" Audrey whispered with a sudden dip in confidence.

Theo sighed, "I will pretend that the blank check incident never happened." Then, he leaned in and whispered just loud and clear enough for his childhood friend to hear.

"Tell my mother if she makes another move behind my back, I will proceed with what I promised."

With that final warning, he stood, straightened his suit and turned on his heel to leave.

Audrey chuckled in a mocking note.

"I'm sure that b*tch didn't tell you why she did it - or who she did it for," Audrey smiled tauntingly at the broad back. "Because if she did, knowing you, you would've already left her."

Theo looked over his shoulder, "Goodbye, Audrey."


******


A miracle did happen.

Aurora received a text from Madame Zoya while waiting for the last customer.

Madame Zoya: Ms Aurora. Business has been good. But my headache is not. I want to close the shop this Thursday and Friday to give us a break. I will rearrange the appointments. I will still give you the bonus for those 2 days.

Aurora was shocked beyond words. Madame Zoya couldn't have heard her conversation with Theo, could she? A wave of goosebumps washed over her.

As she replied to her boss, she felt that a flamingo had entered the shop. Hastily, she put away her phone and greeted the customer.

"What reading would you--. Oh, it's you," Aurora frowned. "I don't think you've made an appointment, Ms Audrey."

Audrey flared her nostrils at the flaming haired fortune-teller, "I'm giving you one last warning - leave Theo."

Aurora blinked and wrinkled her brows in confusion, "I'm sorry. What?"

This woman is daft, Aurora shook her head silently. She's in serious need of help. Why do people like her think that they can just waltz into places, throw their demands and warnings around and expect people to follow them?

Audrey crossed her arms, "You heard me."

"I didn't hear you, really. I heard a fly swish by and got distracted. Sorry," Aurora smiled apologetically.

"You!" Audrey stomped her feet, her hands balled into fists.

Aurora stood and snarled at the pretty heiress, "I'm giving you one last warning - stop forcing Theo to marry you. Unless you're here for a reading or the gifts, or I will have to ask you to leave."

Audrey scoffed, "What a pretty little liar you are."

"Excuse me?" Aurora folded her arms across her chest.

"You didn't tell Theo about your ex-boyfriend, did you?" Audrey grinned with a mean glint in her eyes.

Aurora tried not to be fazed but the scheming b*tch immediately saw through her.

"I'll see you at the Gala, slut," Audrey laughed as she turned from the perturbed look on the lovely fortune-teller's face.

An uneasy feeling rose in Aurora as she watched those long legs disappear behind the black curtain.