Chapter 4 Aurora's POV

AURORA

Something is dangling.

I was certain I put that goddamn alarm clock in the donation box. I don't feel like waking up before Layla comes to wake me, but this clock will wake us both up.

I reach my hand out to my bedside table but I can't reach it, irritated by its sound I groan and open my eyes.

They're extra heavy today, I rub them gently with a yawn. I open my eyes once again but this time, I sit up with a gasp.

I don't recognize this place, too spacious, all white carpet on the floor, open blinds and a pure white wall, where am I and who the fuck..?

My gaze running across the room taking in its appearance, I missed something.

Someone is sleeping next to me, this someone reeks of alcohol and oozes masculinity from miles away. When I peek at his face it all comes back to me, of course, how could I forget, Caelum was there last night and I drank enough for confrontations.

He need not confront me because I had no answers or valid alibi for my past actions but fuck me if I didn't play with Cassian to get a closer look at Caelum's devilishly gorgeous face.

Most parts of the night are blurred but I recall somethings, like his words, the numb kiss and asking me if I wanted to fuck his friend who wouldn't last ten minutes with me if I ever let him play.

That's the last thing I remember from last night, I don't know how I landed myself in bed with Caelum.

I quickly glance under the sheets, all clothes are on. "Thank fuck for that part." I whisper to myself, clutching the sheets to my chest. But wait, just because I'm dressed doesn't guarantee anything, he couldn't have assaulted me but me? Could I have given in to him? I mean, I did drink wine, too much wine and it makes me horny.

The buzzing sound is gone, now that I think of it, it was gone the second I woke up, was it in my head? Maybe but overlook that for now, I have to get out of here while my newly founded enemy sleeps.

I slip out of the bed carefully, my heels are on the floor on the side Caelum faces.

I tip toe to that side and put my heels on, careful not to wake him as I walk out.

Once I'm outside the door I let out a groan of frustration, stomping my heels as I walk out. I realise I'm in a hotel, as I encounter doors and people going in and out, all staring at me strangely. It takes me up until I'm staring at my reflection in the elevator doors to realise it's because of how I'm dressed.

Once outside, I managed to stop a cab to take me to Fantasy Elite. Luckily I found my phone and purse easily. I did run into one of the men I met last night as well as Emelia, she was early but of course she always is, she takes her job seriously.

My phone had way too many missed calls from Olivia, I presumed it was early but seeing the time on my phone, it was past ten and I was an irresponsible person. The same cab that brought me to Fantasy Elite took me to my apartment. I texted Olivia back as I played the voicemails she left, some of them from last night and the other others, from this morning.

Surging into my apartment to meet Olivia, my body nearly greets the ground.. My hand reaches to grasp my keys out of my bag and put them in the lock, swiftly opening the door. "Oh my God, Oli, I'm so sorry." Olivia comes into view holding Layla in her arms, she's coming from the kitchen.

Toys are scattered everywhere like they've been for the past three days and I haven't had the time to clean up just yet.

"It's fine. Here, take her. She's eaten, had a bath and she's very fussy today." I nod, taking Layla into my arms, careful not to wake her. I rock her in my arms. Oli is already behind me, I turn to look over my shoulder.

"You have thirteen new orders, the building manager dropped by and said you haven't paid three months' rent? Aurora, why didn't you ask for help? Do you want to be homeless with a two-year-old?"

Shaking my head I tsk. "No, I got it. I'll pay him Monday. I just forgot to deposit the check." lies, I didn't forget. I just haven't had money to pay him for six months.

Olivia rolls her eyes, her hand catching the door. "I paid him this month's rent and promised you'd call him and don't fucking pay me back. I did it for my Layla, our Layla and a tiny bit you." And just like that, she's gone, the door slamming shut behind her, but not loud enough to wake Layla.

I proceed to rock her in my arms as I walk to the bedroom. Layla is a light sleeper and she's probably fussy today because she didn't sleep well last night.

I'm halfway to her bedroom when I hear the doorbell and I have to think over whether to take Layla to her room or open the door first. My pondering comes to a halt when there's another knock on my door, this time it's urgent. I drag my feet back to the living room and kick a few Toys off my sofa before placing Layla down.

Bang!

Again, I roll my eyes. Whoever it is, they've pissed me off, my morning couldn't be more chaotic today. I twist the door, ready to throw the biggest insult I can-.

Caelum, he's here at my door. Certainly showered since he's in a different Armani suit than he was wearing when I left him this morning and smells better too. My body seems to go limp when I behold him, did he follow me here? No, he couldn't have followed me here because I didn't come here directly. I went to the club to pick up my things before I came home.

Licking my lips, I exhale. "What do you want?"

He doesn't answer me, instead, he walks in and I don't think to stop him. He turns around, his eyes trailing all over my body, I stiffen and he darts his gaze to my eyes. "Running away from me again Aurora?" His voice is raspy.

I gulp. "No. Why would I be running from you? You're not chasing me, are you?"

A grin plasters on his face, "Mmm, no. I don't feel like chasing you. Fate brought you back to me but if you run again, I'll definitely catch you." If I run? Why would I run from him, there's nothing between us, we're not teenagers any-

I hear him tsk, "You're wrong, there's everything between us. You fiddled with me, lied to me, had me commit a crime, made me feel things I hadn't felt before and you ran. You broke my heart Aurora.." he licks his bottom lip, stepping forward. I take a few steps back till my body slams the door shut. I flinch the instant it does, making him grin wider. He slams both of his hands against the door, confining me in between. "-And now, I'm going to break you. I'm going to make you bleed and this time, it won't be on my cock."

I push against his chest, glaring at him. I've played more games than I'd like to admit and Caelum isn't about to play with me for disappearing on him, I'm not going to be an unwilling pawn in two games, I am already one man's puppet, I can not be another's. "There's that vixen vanity."

He chuckles at my pathetic endeavour, still caging me. I'm angry at him, angry at myself, angry at the man that lurks in the darkness but mostly angry with myself. I'm trying to conceal every bit of emotion I'm feeling right now and I'm sure my efforts are in vain but still. I can't let him see that I give a damn about this, about us.

I snarl at him pushing his chest, this time harder and it's somewhat effective, his left arm drops the side of his body. Ignoring the sweet scent of his perfume, I roll my eyes. "Look Caelum.." I breathe, his name rolling off my tongue like sacred prayer.

"...I don't have time to help you work through your childhood or young-adult traumas. I'm a grown woman, I have responsibilities and a-"

I pause when I think I hear Layla. Getting on my tiptoes I peek over his shoulder to where Layla is sleeping, I let out a sigh of relief when I see her still sleeping. He follows my gaze, flickering his gaze between the sofa Layla is sleeping on and me. Like he doesn't believe his eyes, pushing him away, successfully this time, I carry my feet towards Layla and take her into my arms. "Leave!" I whisper yell, taking her to her room as I rock her in my arms. He watches me in awe as I vanish into her room.

When I return from her bedroom, he's still in the living room. I put a hand over my hip and scowl at him, "Do I need to call the police?"

Nice move Aurora, as if the police can do jack shit about him. With all the money he has, they are presumably eating out the palm of his hand.

He arches his eyebrow at me, a hand resting on my sofa, the very one I just picked Layla from. "Whose child is that?"

I roll my eyes, swallowing the laugh that tickles the back of my throat. "Don't worry Einstein, she's not yours."

"I can see that but whose daughter is Aurora?" His tone suggests he won't ask me again and I don't really find having him here suitable. I have a messy house to clean, a business to run, and rent to pay.

Slowly massaging my temples I sigh, "She's my daughter, you shouldn't be here, so leave."

He nods, his arm withdrawing from the sofa. "Okay, but I'll see you again, and this time, you'll fucking regret it."

Chewing on my bottom lip I snicker, "Well can't say this encounter was pleasant but yea, whatever floats your boat dawg."

I watch as he walks out the door, running to it. I grab the keys from the outside and lock it. My heart is racing, I don't need Caelum in my life again, not like this.

Everything is just so chaotic and I don't know what I'll do about my rent cause the club doesn't pay me that much considering they think they own me. I sigh, sliding my back down the door until I land but first on the white tiles.

Movie effect Aurora, you're a star.

I giggle to myself when the thought ticks my mind. Getting off the floor I sigh, I don't care what Caelum does but I need to clean up.

Start preparing shipments for my clients and see how much I've made this month. I keep taking money out to buy antidepressants or alcohol, if not baby essentials. I love spoiling Layla, I buy everything cute in her size.

She's my therapy and always will be kept safe and happy, away from the evil that lurks in the darkness, waiting for me, waiting to attack me when I let my guard down. And now I can add Caelum to the list of problems I have. Major ones at least.