Aurora...

" Young master, you should eat your food so you can have your medications" the chief maid pleaded as she sat on the chair next to him but the seven year old lad would hear nothing of it.

He was angry and none of them could quench his anger, not after what his papa had done.

" I won't eat neither will I take my medications" he retorted and jumped down from the chair before making his way out of the room, leaving the maids sighing to themselves.

They knew if the master came back, they would definitely be scolded as to why Liam, for that was the boy's name, didn't eat.

He hadn't taken up to ten steps into the garden when he noticed his papa's car drive into the spacious garage and he saw him alight with his suit and briefcase in his hands.

As usual he wanted to run and go to his papa but once he remembered what he did, his eyes darkened and he turned his back on him before venturing deep into the garden.

" Welcome boss" the security at the door greeted as Malcolm walked past him and the latter just nodded before entering the house. Yes, that was Malcolm Hart. The number one business tycoon in the country and a billionaire at that and that seven year naughty boy was his son.

Both father and son were similar in so many ways as they were both ruthless when they needed to be but different in the sense that seven year old Liam can be cheerful when he was happy but thirty-five year old Malcolm Hart was always aloof from the world and only understood business languages.

Well that wasn't his fault, he was dumped exactly the day his son was born and since then he closed his heart to any external factors and only had space for his son and his business, every other thing was not necessary.

" Welcome sir" the chief maid greeted as the others collected his suit and briefcase but he didn't answer any of them as his eyes continued to search for a certain someone.

" He is in the garden sir, the young master is very annoyed and won't even take his medication no matter how hard we try" . Malcolm massaged the space between his brows as he listened to what she had to say and he knew for a fact that he was definitely wrong this time, how could he miss his son's birthday party?he was caught up with work and lost track of the time and now he knew Liam would not listen to his apology

" Just prepare his food and bring it to the garden" he ordered in his deep husky voice before turning around and walking towards the garden door. .

*****

Liam was playing with his two chow chow dogs when he noticed his papa walk up to him but he totally ignored the big guy, how dare he miss his party?.

" Won't you give papa a hug big guy?" Malcolm asked as he knelt beside him but he was totally ignored like he wasn't even there.

" Look son, papa Is really sorry for missing out on your party. I was really caught up in work and I lost track of time, I am sorry" he apologized sincerely but Liam was just like his father...ruthless.

After a while, he let the dogs go and stood in front of his father, hands akimbo,

" If I was in the hospital, you would have been by my side without even blinking an eye and when I needed you to be at my party so I could show you to my friends, you weren't there. Bad bad papa" he pouted before turning away from him.

At the mention of the hospital, Malcolm felt a lump in his throat and he was once again reminded of how he would soon lose his little bundle of joy.

When Liam was just four years old he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and sad to say it was in an area where the doctor's couldn't operate on no matter how professional they were and little Liam had been living on medications since that day and no one knew exactly the day he would leave this world forever.

Anytime he had to think of the fact that he would lose his son, he just didn't know how he should feel. Why was fate being cruel to such a sweet lad?

" I promise to make it up to you big guy and papa even brought you a present" he forced himself to smile as his son turned towards him at the mention of the gift.

" What did you get for me papa?" He asked jubilantly, forgetting the fact that he was mad at him.

" Are you not going to give papa a hug first?" He asked, raising his eyebrows and his son smiled before running into his embrace. No matter how mad he was at his father, he loved him the most in this world and nothing less.

" So what is the surprise papa?" He asked again, still holding onto his father and the latter smiled before grabbing him up in his strong muscled arms.

" First of all, what do you want to do with papa today?today Is for you and I won't do any work".

" Really?" His small eyes glistened with extreme happiness as he smiled happily, today was sure to be fun.

" Let's take a tour round Jacksonville papa" he answered enthusiastically.

" Okay champ, but let's eat and you can take your drugs before we go on our tour" he replied, making his way back into the house happily with his son high up on his shoulders.

*****

The GMAT 50s Niki Laud-a accelerated down the road with Malcolm behind the wheels and his son was securely strapped on the passenger's seat as he marveled in awe at the beauty of the city, this was the first time his father was taking him on a drive and a tour. He was always either in class or at home and he had just a few friends.

" I didn't know the city was this beautiful papa" he squealed excitedly as he jammed his hands together, Malcolm smiled at his son's enthusiasm before he turned his eyes to the road again.

" Where is the first place you want to make a stop, champ?".

" Amusement park". " Amusement park it is then" he replied and made a turn.

*****

She wasn't looking when she wanted to cross to the other side of the park, It was not until the car came to a screeching halt in front of her did she know she was about to be involved in an accident because of her negligence.

The man behind the wheels hissed silently before stepping out of the car in all his grace and poise and he had a menacing look on his face like he was about to devour the lady who stepped in front of his car.

" Weren't you looking where you were going?" He thundered and she couldn't help but gulp, she just met him and already feels so Intimidated by his aura.

" Sorry sir, I must have been absent minded" she replied sincerely as her eyes flew to the little boy who came out from the other side of the car and her scared face softened seeing how cute she looked.

" Are you hurt?" Was the first question he asked and she was surprised at his question. Unlike the big guy staring daggers at her, this little guy was worried about her.

" I am okay little one, hope you didn't get hurt?" She asked back, walking towards him completely ignoring the big guy.

" Don't be angry at my papa, I was talking so loudly and he got distracted for a moment". " Papa?"

She thought within herself as she quickly glanced at the man standing at the other side with an expressionless look on his face and she could Immediately notice the similarities between them, they were both handsome men and she couldn't deny that fact. But while the son was cheerful and lively, the father was aloof from the world and had an intimidating aura emanating from him.

" I am sorry too for coming in front of your car like that, pardon my behavior" she replied smiling at him.

" If you are done, can you step away from my car?" Malcolm asked from where he was standing and she jolted.

" Sorry sir" she replied and glanced at Liam again before walking away. The father-son duo entered the car and zoomed off again.

" I thought I asked you not to speak with strangers Liam?" His father asked in a calm yet authoritative voice but his little guy didn't flinch, he wasn't scared of his papa in the slightest.

" We were the ones who almost got her hospitalized dad and she is really cute" he replied as his mind drifted back to her eyes.

She had a unique type that he had not seen before. Malcolm could only sigh at his son and concentrated more on the road pushing the thoughts of what happened to the back of his head.

Nurse Aurora yawned lightly as she entered the dressing room and slumped on one of the vacant chairs. It has been one of a hectic day and she was glad it was already over so that means she could go home to her comfy bed and sleep.

Her mind wandered off to the little boy she met at the park earlier and she unknowingly smiled,he was too cute.

" What are you smiling about?" Danny, her co-nurse asked as she also sat on the chair opposite Aurora. They were both from the neurology department and work was as tedious as ever.

" Nothing Danny, just met a little boy at the park today" she answered with all smiles.

" You are smiling because you met a little boy?it's like this hospital has not given you enough work already"

Danny sighed as she walked up to her locker to get changed, " I actually think we might grow old and die in this hospital Aurora because we can't even live our lives how we want. I mean we are just twenty seven but we have seen things even my ancestors didn't see".

Aurora laughed at her friend's exaggeration before joining her to change her clothes. She hadn't even removed a button of her blouse when the door flung open and the head nurse rushed Inside and the two girls dreaded the next word.

" Emergency" "Ughhh, can this day get any worse" Danny retorted angrily as she banged her locker close and Aurora could only roll her eyes, it seems her cozy bed would have to wait for more hours. ......

The two nurses ran towards the emergency room and met a group of doctors trying to stabilize a little child who was lying on the bed and several other doctors were standing around and they all had different looks on their faces. " What happened to him" Aurora couldn't help but ask the head nurse, why would so many doctors come to attend to only one patient. " He is a brain patient" the head nurse whispered and Aurora's heart broke on hearing the news, he was just a child and yet he was already suffering so much. They were still standing around when she saw the door open and he walked out, her eyes almost bulging out of its socket when she saw who it was. It was the same man she met at the park earlier, what was he doing here?and why did he look so scared unlike his intimidating presence that morning?.

" Who is that?" Danny whispered to her but she shrugged because she also didn't know him.

" That is Malcolm Hart and the little boy inside that room Is his son" the head nurse replied again, " he is this hospital's VVIP but he never brings his son here, I don't know why he brought him over today, Liam is always treated at home" she added.

Aurora's mind was no longer on what the chief nurse was saying because she couldn't believe it was the cheerful boy she met at the park earlier that was fighting for his life right now on the hospital bed. He looked so happy that she wouldn't have believed under that cheerful face was a sad little boy.

" Isn't he going to be operated upon?" She asked again, searching through the crowd of doctors to get a glimpse of the little boy.

" Tricky spot" head nurse replied.

****

Malcolm raked his hand through his already disheveled hair as he sighed for the umpteenth, they were both having fun at the amusement park when Liam suddenly had a seizure and he had to rush him to the hospital and he couldn't bear the fact that today was one of the days when his son had to fight for his life.

He looked like he was about to cry seeing the way the doctors were trying to save his son, he felt suffocated inside and that was why he came to stand outside watching through the transparent glass.

" Isn't that the business tycoon Malcolm Hart?" Danny asked as it dawned on her,

"he has a son?" She added in disbelief, her eyes wide open and her mouth open in awe.

Aurora glanced at him for a split second before her eyes went back to the boy on the bed, she was very worried about him. Almost an hour passed before they finally heard the chief surgeon say,

" He is stable now". Both Malcolm and Aurora heaved a sigh realizing they both have been holding their breaths in their different worlds.

" Thank you so much doctor" Malcolm said sincerely as the group of doctors filled out.

" Let's have a talk in my office Mr Hart"he replied and turned towards nurse Aurora,

" come with too" he added before walking off and Malcolm followed immediately. " Didn't you hear the doctor?" Danny asked, cutting into her reverie and she jolted. All this time her eyes were fixated on the boy looking so peaceful as he slept.

" I will be back" she replied before walking off towards the doctor's office.

*****

Malcolm sat silently waiting for the doctor to finish what he was doing before talking to him. Doctor Adrian was just thirty-seven years old but he had already achieved a lot including being the best surgeon in the country and Liam's case was special to him because he was the first person he couldn't operate upon and thus wanted to make sure everything was okay with the boy.

" Sorry for the delay Mr Hart '' he said, sincerely lowering himself on his chair as he removed his glasses and pinched the space between his brows,

" I am afraid we have to admit Liam in the hospital for now. The tumor is already in its last stage and he can't move about like he wants neither can we be careless about him now, this seizure is just one of so many so we can't take any chances' '.

Malcolm sighed heavily, earlier that day his son was lively. He didn't know his son would have to sleep in the hospital tonight. He wanted to say something when the office door creaked and Aurora entered inside, her eyes lingering on Malcolm for a split second before turning towards doctor Adrian.

" You called for me sir" she said in her angelic voice. " Yes, this is Malcolm and he is Liam's father".

" I know sir". " Good" Adrian added, turning towards Malcolm,

" she will be specifically taking care of Liam during his stay here". At the mention of his son, Malcom turned towards the nurse and his eyes darkened on seeing her.

" No" came his short and swift reply and the two medical personnels were taken aback.

" What do you mean?".

" She is careless and I don't want to take any chances with my son, assign someone else" he replied with an air of finality.

It dawned on Aurora that this man still remembered what happened that morning and she couldn't blame him when she was the one who jumped in front of his car carelessly.

Sighing nervously, she cleared her throat before speaking up, " I understand you have a bad impression about me sir but I promise not to be negligent or careless towards Liam".

She didn't know why she wanted to take care of Liam personally and seeing how his father was outrightly refusing it, she felt bad. Malcolm didn't bother to answer her before turning towards Adrian,

" I believe you know how important my son is to me and I will not take any chances when it comes to him. I am entrusting him to you and I hope I won't be disappointed" he added before walking out of the office, not sparing Aurora any glance and she heaved when he was out of the office.

On three occasions she has met this man and he had a different aura all the time like he was a different man each time. " What happened?" Adrian asked, jolting her from her thoughts. She smiled awkwardly before scratching the back of her neck,

" I kind of jumped in front of his car this morning so it was my first impression".

Adrian sighed before picking up his fountain pen,

"do a good job with Liam Aurora, we can't afford to make any mistakes".

"Rest assured sir, I will do my best" she answered sincerely before walking out of the office.

** She walked towards the boy's private room and saw that he was already awake and his father was sitting beside him and the little boy seemed to be gisting his papa about something, he didn't look like he was in pain or anything. Rather, he looked like he was already used to this. She just couldn't believe how much he was suffering and still having a pretty smile on his face. Heaving a soft sigh, she turned around to go when she noticed him gesturing to her through the transparent window and he was smiling at her.

Glancing at the man seated beside him, she said a silent prayer before pushing the door open.

" Miss unique eyes" Liam squealed excitedly as she entered the office and she was taken aback for a moment.

``Unique eyes?Was that what he had decided to call her?. " Unique eyes?" She asked, smiling at him as she walked to the side of his bed.

" Yes I didn't ask for your name earlier so I decided to call you that and moreover you have beautiful eyes".

She smiled at his sincerity, he was not the first person to tell her about her eyes but it felt really sincere coming from this little boy.

" By the way do you work here miss unique eyes?" Liam asked happily again as he clasped his hand over hers and she got surprised for a moment, they just met today and he was already very free with her. " Yes champ and I will be taking care of you personally". " Really?".

" Yes big guy" she answered and he smiled happily before turning to his papa who had an expressionless look on his face as always watching the two of them.

" You can go home now papa, she will take care of me". Malcolm was short of words, how come his son was already attached to this nurse which he hardly knew.

" I am sorry for the first impression thing sir but you can leave your son to me" Aurora said, turning to him, hoping to get a kind of reaction from him but as always he ignored her.

" I will just go take a bath and be back soon" he added before kissing his son on his forehead.

" Take your time papa" Liam beamed before turning to Aurora,

" she will be here until you return right?" His eyes searched hers for an answer and she nodded, smiling at him. Malcolm rolled his eyes at her before walking out the room.

It was already past nine when Malcolm came back to the hospital, he had to stop by the mall to get a few things for Liam and ended up getting late.

He was already apprehensive that no one was with him but when he got near the door, he could hear little giggles and he saw the nurse was still there and Liam was smiling sweetly at her. Standing there for close to three minutes, he finally pushed the door open and entered.

"Papa!!" Liam beamed excitedly at him as his lips curved up into a much bigger smile.

" How are you feeling now champ? He asked ruffling his son's hair lovingly.

" Miss Aurora has been really good to me, you should tell her thank you".

" No need Liam" Aurora quickly chipped in, " since your papa is here now I will get going now". The little boy's face turned gloomy as soon as she said she wanted to leave.

" Must you go?I thought you would spend the night with me". She smiled at how cute he sounded but she couldn't possibly spend the night here when his dad keeps glaring daggers at her.

" Don't worry champ, I will be here first thing in the morning okay?". After a lot of persuasion, Liam finally agreed to let her go after getting a promise to call him as soon as she got home.

" Take care of yourself" she added and ruffled his hair lightly before walking out of the room but she didn't go far when she heard someone call out to her and she turned to see it was Malcolm standing by the door.

" Yes sir" she answered walking back to him, as usual he had a grim look on his face like he didn't even want to talk to her.

" I understand my son has grown an attachment to you in just a few hours but I won't spare you if you make any mistakes with my son. You should be extra careful when it comes to him"

She wanted to answer but to her amazement, the big guy had already opened the door and entered back inside with bothering to hear her reply.

****

The whole room illuminated with light as she stepped inside before hanging her bag on the hanger. " What a hectic day" she muttered to herself walking towards the fridge glancing around her one room apartment. She couldn't afford a luxurious life like the rest of the girls her age because she was also taking care of her family back in Seattle. Moreover, her pay was not too extravagant to spend on a luxurious life. Hardly had she opened the can of soda when her phone began to ring.

" Won't you all let me live in peace?" She hissed angrily before picking it up, not bothering to look at the name.

" Hello"

" Unique eyes, did you forget about me after you got home?" Liam asked excitedly from the other end. A huge smile appeared on her face, " Liam?How did you get my number?I just called it for you once and you already memorized it?" She asked excitedly, she has fallen deeply in love with that pure soul.

" I am a smart kid you see" he answered," what are you doing now, unique eyes?".

She smiled walking towards her balcony, " I just got home and I am trying to refill my tummy". She could hear noises in the background and it seemed like his dad was reprimanding someone.

" Did you have dinner already Liam?" She inquired after a while, the huge smile not leaving her face.

" Yes, papa fed me dinner. You shouldn't take only that can of soda and eat something too" he squealed excitedly from the other end.

" Yes my precious I will" she replied, " I will call you before I go to bed okay?".

" Will you read me a story over the phone when you call?". " Of course I will, so take some rest now so you can have a lot of energy when I call you okay?".

" Yes unique eyes" he replied and disconnected the call but Aurora was left smiling at her phone. It was surprising how someone she met just a few hours ago was already imprinted on her mind and he was such an adorable little one.

Her thoughts began to linger on the conversation they had earlier when his dad wasn't around, how he couldn't remember the last time he had to go a day without drugs and how it was really tough on him but he decided to be happy so his papa wouldn't be sad but the latter already thinks she can not take care of his son.

"Just you wait sir, I am not as careless as you think" she muttered to herself smiling

" What a brave little boy" she unknowingly muttered to herself again as she gulped the can of drink in her hand and plodded into the bathroom. She didn't want to keep her precious waiting.

***

Malcolm kept pacing up and down the room as he made business calls upon calls but his little guy on the bed was busy talking to his new friend and didn't bother his papa much which was a first. " Papa" he called after he was done talking to Aurora over the phone.

" Yes champ, tell me".

" I like Miss Aurora a lot, " Liam answered, his eyes glistening with pure happiness.

For a moment Malcolm didn't say anything as he kept staring at his son, this was the first time he was getting attached to someone like this. He never even asked of his mother even once so how could he get attached to a total stranger just like that?.

" Why do you like her?" He asked after a while, " she is careless, you saw how she jumped in front of our car this morning" He struggled to sit up straight and Malcolm helped him.

" Remember I was showing you something papa and you also was not looking at the road ahead of you so you are also at fault" Malcolm sighed, his son had always been an intelligent little boy and he was proud of him.

" I like her because she has pretty eyes," he answered after a while.

" Just her eyes?"

" No papa" he replied but his voice sounded distant as her face appeared in his memories, " I just think that she is the best person I have seen aside from you father. She doesn't pretend to smile and I think she has the prettiest smile in the world, it has just been a few hours papa but I feel like I have known her all my life. I feel like she was the mother I never had the opportunity to meet".

Malcolm stiffened, this was the first time in his whole life that he heard Liam talk about his mother. Even when Malcolm tried to bring up the topic,his son always avoided it and now he was actually talking about her.

" Son?" He called almost in a whisper, " why? you just met her a few hours ago".

Liam smiled before grabbing his father's hand in his,

" Because she feels like home".

" Rest up now champ, it's already very late" he said after a while, he was getting emotional just looking at his matured seven year old son.

" Miss unique eyes still has to call me papa and I am waiting for that" he replied with an air of finality before grabbing his phone and checking the time.

" I will go grab something, I will be back soon so in the meantime you can play some games until she calls".

" Okay papa" he replied and Malcolm walked outside after kissing his forehead.

****

Once outside the calm aura around him was replaced with something else as he sat on the chair outside his son's room,on one hand he was happy that liam found someone he liked but on the other he didn't like the fact that he was close to that woman whom he just met some hours back and they were already well acquainted. He could clearly remember the day his son was born and that was one of the worst days of his life despite the fact that his bundle of joy was brought into the world.

He had entered the ward to check on his wife and his baby when he met an empty bed and a piece of paper lying on it while his son was sleeping peacefully in his cradle, grabbing the piece of paper he quickly read through it and his whole world broke.

She left because she wanted to pursue her career as an actress in Hollywood without thinking about her family and a few days after that she sent the divorce papers and since then, they had not seen and neither did she ask for their baby. Since then Malcolm closed his heart to everyone and anyone and only his son knew his vulnerable side. He had seen his wife in a few movies and shows and he was reminded of what happened seven years ago every time he saw her and it looked like she was extremely happy, he couldn't even understand why she left when he had everything she would ever want in life but she left anyway.

" Hmmmm" he hummed as he pinched the space between his brows, he shouldn't be thinking about her now when his son was on a hospital bed and she really didn't matter to him anymore, even if she appeared in front of him now she meant nothing to him. He only cared about his son and no one else.

He didn't know for how long he sat there before he finally came out of his reverie of thought, ruffling his hair he made his way inside the room and found out he was already asleep and her voice could be heard from the other end of the phone as she was still reading the story unawares of the fact that he was already sleeping.

After tucking him under the blanket, he picked up the phone and placed it on his ears.

" He is already asleep, you can end the call now" he spoke into the phone interrupting her.

" Oh, I see," she answered, biting her lips, an old habit of hers. " Yes" he answered and without waiting for an answer he