When His Wife Return

Chapter 11

{Aurora's POV}

Four hours passed, and I was nowhere near close to being done. I've taken half the books from the shelves, placed them on the floor like hundreds of hills in the mountains, and tried to arrange them as per Kael's instructions.

My hair that was cascading freely down my back earlier had to be tied into a messy bun, and since I was alone, I'd taken my blazer off, leaving me in my white tube top that showed my flat stomach, and also a bit of my cleavage was visible. My heels had been long disregarded on the carpet, and I was sweating furiously.

I was stacking another dozen books on the floor, my breathing labored from trying to work as fast as I could since he'd given me a deadline despite it being impossible. I really hope that he was only joking, but…

I grimaced.

That's impossible.

My phone suddenly rang. I usually leave it in silent mode, but since I was in a hurry earlier to tuck it inside my bag, I forgot.

I contemplated at first but decided to open my bag on the coffee table and took out my phone. I felt my blood run cold when I saw the name of the caller.

It was my mother.

I cleared my throat before I reluctantly answered. “Hel–”

“What took you so long to pick up your damn phone?!” she hissed.

I flinched. “I-I am at work, Mother.”

“Do you think I care? When I call you, you answer immediately. You got it?!”

I bit my lower lip and nodded, but when I remembered that she couldn't see me, I said, “Yes, Mother.”

She was silent for a few moments, but when she spoke again, her voice was much calmer, as if she'd forgotten why she was mad in the first place.

“Did you see Russo?”

My hands unconsciously tightened around my phone at the same time my lips curled to form a bitter smile. Of course. This is about him. About my mission, but after witnessing what happened earlier regarding Kael's ‘break time,’ I don't think it's still possible. Not that it had become possible in the first place.

“Yes.”

“What did he say?” The way she said it, it was as if she was expecting me to say that Kael had proposed to me or something.

“He…told me about my job.”

Silence

I shut my eyes tightly and grit my teeth, waiting for what's to come.

“Are you joking, Aurora?” Her voice rose again. “Didn't I tell you to give him the impression?! You are not there to work, obviously, since you know nothing about working for something so big. He hired you for something else outside of office work. Do it properly, Aurora!” I could imagine her sharp eyes, burning with anger, the veins in her neck popping as she screamed. Her face, red from madness. “I've trusted you to do this, but you really can't do anything right, can you?! Such a stup/d girl. Use your brain for once! I can't believe you came from my womb!”

I swallowed.

My chin wobbles, so I bite my lower lip hard until it hurts. My chest rises and falls quickly from the overflowing emotions hitting me as my throat tightens and I choke.

It's not just about her anger. It's the fact that whatever I do, she's always angry at me. I've tried to please her; I really do. I've longed for the day—no, even just for the moment that I would see my mother, smiling at me, not telling me that she's proud, no, but that it's okay.

Not an apology nor a praise. Just the words "it's okay" and a hug.

I've never hugged my mother. She's never hugged me before.

My nights consist of imagining what it would feel like to have her console me in my darkest days. To feel her wipe my tears and lie with me until I fall asleep.

I've seen her do it with Caelum.

Why couldn't she do it with me?

Before I knew it, I felt my cheeks getting warm. I tried to speak, but my throat felt so tight that I felt like I would just burst.

I quickly wiped my cheeks and breathed heavily, forcing myself to calm down.

Erase those thoughts from your mind, Aurora. Stop hoping. Accept that your mother will never accept you. It's easier that way.

I opened my eyes, and more tears escaped, so I sat down on the sofa and took a tissue from my bag.

My mother had hung up after her blow after blow of insults.

It was so easy for her to say how much she hated me—easy for her to hurt me with words I think will forever be engraved in my soul. But why was it so hard for me to be immune, to just be numb from everything she throws at me, especially since I've witnessed those things from a very young age?

I took a deep breath.

Calm. Composed. Classy.

It's only your first day, Aurora, and you're already crying.

Nothing new there.

Suddenly, the door burst open. My eyes widened when I saw Kael striding towards his table, but as if remembering that he wasn't the only person in the room, he stopped and turned towards me.

I panicked and quickly wiped my wet cheeks even though I was sure that my eyes were puffy and my cheeks were very red from trying to contain my emotions.

To hide my embarrassment, I stood up from the sofa and went back to what I was doing earlier. I already failed to finish this before he arrived, so I just hope that he won't scold me or worse, fire me and continue to press charges against Lucas.

“Stop.”

I paused but didn't dare turn my face towards him. I was still too caught up with my post-emotional breakdown, and he couldn't see me like this.

I heard his steps getting closer until they stopped behind me.

“Face me,” he commanded, using his gruff voice. I hesitated. “Aurora, turn around.”

I bit the inside of my cheeks and slowly turned around, my eyes focused on the ground. The way he calls my name reminds me of the past. So, he still knows me after all.

“Look at me.” I didn't. “Don't let me tell you this for the third time. Look at me, Aurora.”

I did.

And I was surprised to see the conflict in his eyes. It was mixed with something soft yet hot. I could see desire in his eyes and also a bit of softness as he looked from my face down to my chest.

“You don't have to finish it if you can't,” he finally said. “Don't force it.”

“It's…fine. It's my job anyways," I mumbled, afraid that he'd hear the slight tremble in my voice.

He sighed. “Did you have lunch?”

“You told me to finish this before you return, remember?” I don't get how my voice could remain calm even when I felt the urge to punch him in the gut.

He didn't reply right away. Instead, he loosened his necktie and rolled up his sleeves to his elbows.

When he looked at me, there was this look that reminded me of the first time I met him on the terrace of the hotel three years ago. “Let's eat, then.”

“What?” My eyes widened. “N-no. I'm fine.” I shook my head.

He tilted his head and looked at me with furrowed eyebrows as if I were an abstract painting he couldn't decipher.

“Aurora–”

A knock outside interrupted what he was about to say.

“Sir, Mr. Parker is here for your lunch meeting.”

An irritated look took over Kael's face as he mumbled something.

“Let him–” He stopped when his eyes found my body again as if realizing something, but it was too late. The door opened, but before I could even see Violet or this Mr. Parker, I was slightly pulled by my elbow as Kael's mutter of curses reached my ears. “Fvck.”

A coat covered my front in a blink of an eye. I realized then that I forgot to put on my blazer. A horrified gasp escaped my lips as I looked up at Kael with slightly parted lips.

He…he didn't tell me!

He smirked as if reading my mind. “We don't want other men seeing that skin, do we?” And then he turned around to greet the guy who looked the same age as him with Violet. Kael addressed his secretary first. “Accompany Ms. Summers to the cafeteria. Make sure she eats her lunch.”

And Violet complied without questions asked. “Yes, sir.”

She looked at me and gestured for me to follow her. I glanced at Kael first only to see him waiting for me to move, his brows raised in challenge as if waiting for me to decline. Sighing, I fixed his coat on my body before going after Violet.

~~~~~~~

“What was that?”

I glanced up from my food to Violet, who was seated across from me. We were at the lobby of the top floor since she couldn't really be away from Kael's office that long considering that she handles his schedule.

“What was what?” I blinked innocently at her.

Jessica, who sat on my left side but was supposed to be at the counter since lunch break was over, looked at both Violet and me.

“Yeah, what was what?” She tilted her head at Violet, waiting for the gossip.

The girl in question stared at me flatly, then pointed at the coat I was wearing.

“You think I didn't see that?”

“See what?”

Violet ignored Jessica. “He wrapped it around you so fast earlier you might as well be naked.”

I looked away, feeling my cheeks go warm. I didn't know the answer to that either.

“Who's he? What did he wrap?” Jessica looked like a lost kid asking an adult a question that’s still too early for her to understand.

“Yeah, Aurora, what did he wrap? Tell us.”

I don't think it's possible, but I feel my cheeks burn more with embarrassment. My stomach suddenly couldn't take any more food.

“I don't–”

The door of Kael's office opened, making the three of us jump. Jessica rushed to her post, and Violet walked towards Kael, putting on her monotonous, robotic face that couldn't be penetrated by any bullet.

While me? I stood frozen, not knowing where to go or what to do. And his eyes happened to be focused on me as if I were the only person he could see.

“Mr. Parker, let me lead you to the elevator…” Violet's voice faded in the background while I stood like a fool, fidgeting with the sleeve of his coat.

It took six long strides for him to get to where I was standing, but I was quick to move.

“I will tend to my job–” I rushed the words and attempted to walk past him, but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back in front of his face.

He looked me up and down as if assessing my features. There was a twinkle in his eyes, and despite his straight lips, I knew that he was amused.

“My coat looks good on you.”

My brows furrowed, and I don't know why, but I suddenly felt irritated.

I pulled my hands away; it was too aggressive for me to do that even he, looked surprised.

“I have work,” I said. “I have no time for this.”

He was acting unprofessionally. Saying and doing things that are not even part of our work relationship, but I know that there was another reason for the way I was feeling.

“I already told you, you don't have to finish it.”

“It's my job.”

“Then, I can give you a new job.”

I raised a brow despite my pounding heart. “And that is?”

He shrugged. “I’ll have to think about that first.”

I sighed and looked him straight in the eyes.

“Mr. Russo, I came here to work on behalf of my husband because you threatened to sue him for whatever reason between the two of you. So, as much as possible, I want this–” I pointed to us. “–to be strictly professional only. I am not and will never be like the girls you brought here whenever you are on break time just to please you, so please, let me work and let me be.”

I said and walked towards his office, leaving him speechless.