A LITTLE ABOUT PAST

**AURORA'S POV**

I find a pajama set inside the closest which I think will fit me so I take it and get inside the washroom to change out of the outfit I am wearing. I first wipe my makeup with the wet wipes that I always keep in my purse. Then take off my clothes before putting on the pajama set. I splash cold water on my face and neck before wiping the excess water with a towel that I have found in the washroom.

Suddenly, I hear a loud sound of thunder that make me jolt because I am scared of thunderstorms. I quickly leave the room and walk downstairs to find Nicholas whom I find in the living room. Upon seeing me, he smiles at me but then a frown appears on his face.

"What's wrong, Aurora?" He asks worriedly.

"Nothing, I am okay." I lie because in reality I am not okay.

"Don't lie to me, now tell me what's bothering you?" I gulp but then decide to tell him the truth.

"I am afraid of Thunderstorms and I heard a loud sound of thunder when I was inside the washroom. So, I got scared and came rushing here." I explain thinking that he will laugh at me because I know it sounds stupid that a fully grown woman is scared of such a simple thing. However, he surprises me by taking my hand in his and rubbing soothing circles on it.

"Come on, let's enjoy a nice movie." He says and tug me on the couch. I sit down beside him looking out the huge window that is showing the full display of the heavy rainfall.

"What do you want to watch?" He asks.

"Anything will be fine." I reply still a little scared.

"Aurora choose a movie of your choice." He kind of orders me which makes my focus turn on the television set where he has already open the Netflix.

"Okay." I whisper and choose a random movie which turns out to be 'About Time'.

"So, you are a fan of romantic movies." He remarks making me glare at him.

"I am not, I have chosen without looking at the description." I reply with a huff.

"Fine, let me grab some popcorns." He stands up from the couch but I hold his hand not wanting him to leave me alone.

"Don't worry, it will take only a minute." He assures making me relax a little. I take a pillow from the side and hug it tightly just as another thunder breaks out. I let out a whimper in fear while closing my ears with my palms trying to block the noises.

Suddenly, I feel a hand around my shoulder pulling me into a hard chest and I don't need to see who it is because of the way the person is making me feel safe. I snuggle closer to the warmth while a kiss being dropped on the top of my head.

"I was sixteen when I broke a rule my father had made which was not to stay in any of my friend's house at night. I didn't want to break the rule but the roads were blocked due to heavy rainfall and that's why I couldn't come back home on time. My friend's mother informed my parents that I was going to stay at their house.  I was back home the next day and surprisingly neither father or mother scolded me for breaking the rule. I thought they understood that I didn't make the mistake intentionally. But after a few days, my misconception was cleared." I narrate while he wipes my tears which I have no idea when starts flowing.

"What happened?" He asks calmly.

"Two weeks later, again it rained heavily and there was a storm going on too. I went to the kitchen to have dinner but my father ordered me to go out of the house and fetch his car keys from the garage. I wasn't scared of rain or storm that time so without thinking anything I got out of the house and went to the garage but found it locked from outside. So, I went back to the house to inform father that the garage was locked. However, the door of the house was also locked from inside. I rang the bell, knock on the door but no one opened the door to let me in. I cried for my parents but they didn't help me." By the time I am done explaining, I am already sobbing loudly remembering from where my immense fear for storms and thunder has started.

"Please don't tell me they kept you outside the whole night?" He exclaims in a painful tone.

"Yes, I stayed outside in the heavy rain and was allowed to get inside the next day." I reply and suddenly there is a loud smashing sound in the background so I look up to see that he has thrown the popcorn bowl on the television set.

"HOW CAN THEY DO SOMETHING TO THEIR OWN FUCKING CHILD?" He yells out before flinging everything from the table in front of us.

"Nicholas, calm down please. You are scaring me." I tell him getting scared seeing his angry outburst. He looks at me and his eyes soften instantly before he rubs his face with his palms.

"I am sorry for the outburst but I can't imagine the parents I saw a few days ago in the hospital had done such horrible thing to their own daughter." He lets out in frustration. That's when I realize he is talking about Matthew's parents.

"The couple you saw in the hospital is not my biological parents and they can never hurt me. Do you remember Jacob?" I ask in which he nod his head in response.

"They are his parents and if I say so they are more of a parents to me than my biological parents." I explain.

"Where are your biological parents then?" He asks rather confused.

"They have disowned me for something I have no control over." I reply briefly because without realizing I have told him enough about my past experience.

He must have seen something in my face because he doesn't ask any more questions. Instead, he walks near me before engulfing me in a comforting hug which I really appreciate. I sigh liking the way his touch soothes my worries so easily. But then again, I have never met a person like him who can see through my emotions and without questioning can make me feel better than ever.

--------

The first thing I hear after waking up is the chirping sounds of birds. I look out of the window to see that there is no more dark cloud in the sky indicating that the rain has completely gone. I sigh in relief but then my eyes catch the sight of Nicholas who is sleeping on the small couch across from the bed.

After last night's events, he was the one who asked me to sleep on the bed while he slept on the couch. I refused this idea at first because this is his place and he shouldn't go through so much trouble for an outsider like me. But in the end, he won the argument saying that this is his house and I have to do what he wants.

The more I am getting to know him the more I am questioning if I am doing correct by letting him in my life or not. Because he is clearly not the same person I have met at Evelyn's engagement party. He is much more better than the arrogant and ruthless businessman whom I met that day.

I don't know what come over me to tell him something so crucial about my life. For others, it may look like a simple thing but for me it is one of the horrible experiences I have to face growing up with my parents.

I get up from the bed and walk inside the washroom to do my morning business. After that, I go downstairs and look at the mess in the living room. Although Nicholas has assured me that someone will come and clean everything but still I am feeling guilty. I decide to make breakfast for the two of us and also because I want to thank him for helping me last night. I find the necessary ingredients in the kitchen for a full English breakfast which consists of sausages, back bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, fried bread, and beans.

First I open the can of beans and pour it in a small warm pot over low heat and start stirring it occasionally. While the beans are cooked I start preparing the sausage and bacon together in a different large pan which will save my time. After these three are done, I put them on a plate before adding a little bit of oil to the pan and cook the small size tomatoes for two minutes or they will get clammy. Then come the time to cook the mushrooms in butter which only takes three to four minutes. When the mushrooms are done, I fried two pieces of bread in the same pan because I don't think Nicholas will like much oily food. Finally at the end I make two sunny side up eggs to complete the breakfast.

"Umm, it smells so good in here." Nicholas says coming into the kitchen. His hair is looking damp so he must have taken a shower or bath.

"Sorry, I am using your kitchen without your permission but I want to thank you for last night by making breakfast." I reply showing him the things I have made.

"You don't have to thank me but if I am honest, I am eager to eat everything." He answers making me chuckle.

"Let me make your coffee and juice for me. Then we can eat." I tell him.

"Your cooking is amazing." He comments midway through the breakfast.

"Thank you. You are also a good cook because yesterday's dinner was extremely delicious." I tell him before putting a mushroom in my mouth.

"Thanks for the compliment." He makes a bowing pose which makes me laugh loudly.

"Who knows that the big bad rude billionaire can joke like a common man." I remark.

"Before becoming a billionaire I used to be a common man but over time, that common man in me started to fade away. I thought I would never see him again but I think someone is helping me to bring him out." I stop eating hearing his words. I take a deep breath and look at him.

"I am not perfect, Nicholas. You should find someone who will be able to give you everything you deserve while I don't think I am capable of that." I let out feeling my throat getting dry just thinking of someone else with him.

"Aurora, no one is perfect and if anyone thinks that they are perfect then they are highly wrong. So, stop thinking about unnecessary things because I am not letting you go." He replies looking determined.

Neither of us talk anymore and finish the breakfast. He goes to his room saying that he will drop me in my apartment so I also go to the guestroom and change into the last night's clothes. Upon arriving downstairs I find him waiting for me.

On the way to my apartment building, we talk about simple things and I am happy that he doesn't bring the previous topic. When the car stops in front of the building both of us get out before he walks towards me.

"So, I hope you have enjoyed the date." He says looking hopeful.

"Yes, I did very much. Thanks again for yesterday." I reply with a genuine smile.

"You are welcome but I do have a demand." He remarks playfully.

"And what is that?" I ask amused by his change of mood.

"You will be going on another date with me." My eyes widen before I start shaking my head in denial.

"Nope, not gonna happen." I reply.

"Yes, you will go and that's final because I am not taking no for an answer." He retorts making me huff.

"That's not how you ask a girl out." I complain.

"I think you're forgetting that I am Nicholas Moretti and I make my own rule. So, be ready for our second date which will be soon." He remarks before getting inside his car and driving away from my site.

"Stupid, egotistical, rude billionaire." I mumble under my breath before walking inside the apartment building.