Chapter 5 What are you doing here

Author's Pov

"Excuse me, Sir. Oh, sorry, Kelvin, I forgot," Aurora giggled softly as she didn't want her voice to be heard. Her fingers brushed the neckline of her dress as she adjusted it to cover her bra properly now that Ella was about to enter. Aurora stepped back from Kelvin as she noticed that Kelvin hadn't locked the door, moving towards it. But just as she reached for the handle, she realized it wasn't locked at all.

"What just happened?" she muttered, pretending to be confused while holding her breath.

"The door wasn't shut; you could've just walked in," Aurora said casually, but thought to herself, 'Thank goodness she didn't barge in without knocking. What would I have done if she saw her dad unhooking my bra?' She felt relieved as the door remained undisturbed.

When Ella entered and saw her dad, her expression changed, anger clouding her eyes. At first, Kelvin was looking outside through the window. As she was about to walk closer to her dad, he turned. They both locked eyes and without even saying it, Kelvin immediately knew his daughter was angry.

"What are you doing here after you and Mum tried to embarrass me in front of my friend?" she demanded, barely concealing her resentment.

Kelvin didn't flinch, but his response was not what Ella had expected.

"I thought you took Aurora to the other room. As for your mum, you need to talk to her," he said without much pressure.

"No, I need to talk to both of you," Ella retorted, striding over to the bed and sitting down, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

Kelvin gave Aurora a reassuring glance before leaving the room. As the door clicked shut, Aurora approached Ella cautiously and said a narrowed voice,

"I'm sorry for everything..."

"Don't be, Aurora. None of this is your fault." Ella sighed heavily, her anger now replaced by exhaustion. "My parents used to be so in love. At least, that's what I thought. Now, all they do is fight. My dad blames my mum, and my mum blames him. I'm stuck in the middle of all their problems."

She paused as the door opened again. Kelvin returned, this time holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. Before Ella could say anything, Kelvin spoke.

"Ella, I know you're upset with me, but you need to talk to your mum. She needs to stop signing those documents. Is she trying to take you away from me?"

"Dad, what documents? I didn't even look at them properly."

"You should go and take a look," Kelvin urged, setting the wine and glasses down on the table. "While I welcome your friend, Aurora."

Ella stood up, still fuming, and walked towards the door. Once she left, Kelvin turned his attention to Aurora, pouring wine into both glasses. "Please, take your wine," he said, smiling.

Aurora hesitated, unsure of what to do. "I thought you were joking about the wine earlier. Is this really for me?" She blushed, standing awkwardly by the bed.

"Of course," Kelvin replied smoothly, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her heart race. "Please, forgive my daughter for not welcoming you properly. And... don't tell her I said that," he added, with a playful grin.

Aurora felt her cheeks flush even more as she slowly took the glass from his outstretched hand. She had been lost in thought, daydreaming about him, and his sudden gesture snapped her back to reality.

"Why can't he just ask me to sit on his lap and feed me the wine? Why would his wife argue with such a good-looking man? Some women don't appreciate what they have." She thought as she bit her lower lip, feeling a little guilty for even thinking such things.

"Aurora?" Kelvin's voice brought her back. "What were you thinking?" he asked, his gaze never leaving her.

"Oh, um..." She quickly took the glass and sipped the wine, trying to hide her flustered state. "I was just thinking about... nothing important."

"Your boyfriend?" Kelvin asked suddenly, catching her off guard.

"Never! I've moved on from him." She laughed lightly. "I don't even know what I saw in him back then. Breaking up with Eric was the best thing that happened to me. I've learned the difference between loving someone and being in love."

Kelvin nodded thoughtfully, as if her words meant more to him than she realized.

"Hmm..."

Aurora, eager to change the subject, quickly added, "I was actually wondering if this wine has alcohol. I know how I get after a few drinks. If I get tipsy... who'll help me out?" She smiled at him, trying to lighten the mood.

Kelvin laughed, his deep voice filling the room. "I love the way you said that. If you get tipsy, who'll help you out?" He shook his head, still chuckling.

"Why doesn't he understand that I'm serious?" she thought, though she couldn't help but laugh along with him. She sipped the wine again, feeling its warmth spread through her. But before their conversation could continue, Ella reentered the room, her eyes immediately finding her father, who was now seated at a comfortable distance from Aurora.

"Looks like you two are having a good time," Ella said with a much lighter tone compared to the first time when she entered the room. Her tone wasn't accusatory, but there was something in her voice that made Aurora uneasy.

Aurora quickly sat up straighter, her flirtatious behavior now gone. But Ella's casual smile put her at ease again. Ella sat beside her on the bed and said,

"Aurora, forgive me for leaving you with my Dad. I've been so caught up in everything..."

"I actually felt bad when you told me about your friend and her breakup," Kelvin interjected, glancing at Aurora.

"That's in the past," Ella cut in, waving a hand dismissively. "I didn't invite Aurora over to talk about old relationships. We've got plans, and we need to focus on those."

"What plans?" Kelvin asked curiously, looking between the two girls. Ella laughed softly. "Dad, it's nothing you need to worry about. It's just girl stuff."

Kelvin smirked, clearly intrigued. "Alright, alright. I'll leave you ladies to it." He stood up and moved toward the door. "Ella, why don't you prepare something for your friend to eat? I'm sure she's hungry."

"Aurora, what would you like?" Ella asked, standing up as well.

"You know what I like," Aurora replied with a small smile. "Anything you make will be fine as long as you are willing to prepare it now because I'm actually hungry."

Does it mean that Aurora has started enjoying the conversation of her best friend's dad? Her gesture showed she was really hungry.

As Ella moved her first step, she wanted to hold Aurora's hand and go to the kitchen with her. Kelvin watched her go, his thoughts lingering on Aurora. "Why is Ella taking her away? I was enjoying her company."

"Are you taking Aurora with you?" he asked, there was disappointment in his voice. "Doesn't she need some rest?" He added.

Ella rolled her eyes playfully. "Dad, she's my friend. We're going to the kitchen together."

The three of them laughed, and Aurora hesitantly followed Ella out of the room, but not before glancing back at Kelvin, who gave her a knowing smile.

Once they were in the kitchen, Ella leaned in close to Aurora, whispering, "My mum is furious with Dad. I'm starting to wonder if she'll even go on the picnic with us tomorrow."

Aurora frowned, her curiosity piqued.

"What's going on between them?"

Ella sighed, moving around the kitchen as if she needed to keep her hands busy.

"I don't know. They've been keeping things from me."

"But your dad mentioned something about documents?" Aurora reminded her.

"Yeah, but that's not the root of their issues. Before Dad and I left for the airport, they had a fight about something stupid. I don't even know how to explain it."

Aurora lowered her voice, her eyes wide.

"Is it infidelity?"

"No, no, I don't think it's that," Ella quickly dismissed the idea. "If it was, they wouldn't still be together. I mean, if Dad cheated, I'd be on Mum's side. And if Mum cheated, I'd be with Dad. It's just... complicated. They were best friends once, but now they fight over the smallest things."

Their conversation was interrupted by a voice calling outside the kitchen. "Ella!"

"Coming, Mum!" Ella called back. She turned to Aurora and smiled apologetically.

"I'll be right back."

Aurora nodded and watched Ella leave. She leaned against the counter, her thoughts going round her head. 'Why can't they just be happy?'

After a minute, Ella rushed back into the kitchen, her face was happy.

"What happened?" Aurora asked with so much concern, as this wasn't how she left.

"My mum... she sent me on an important errand," Ella explained, her voice low. "It's confidential. She doesn't want Dad or anyone else to know about it."

Aurora tilted her head, confused. "What do you mean?"

"She said it has to do with those documents Dad was talking about. I have to go meet one of her managers." Ella bit her lip, clearly torn.

"Can I come with you?" Aurora offered.

Ella shook her head. "No, Mum would flip if she saw me with someone. She might think it was Dad's idea to send me. But..." She hesitated.

"But what?" Aurora pressed.

Ella sighed. "I'll call Dad to keep you company while I'm gone. You seem to get along well."

Aurora felt her heart race at the thought.

"Kelvin... alone with me?"