Chapter2: Her Decision
1466 Words
Aurora's POV
The cool atmosphere suddenly felt thick with concern, each individual exchanging looks with one another, glancing, whispering, muttering.
I could see his eyes widening. His cheek red and eyebrows raised. He lifted his fist and stepped closer, inches away from the man — about to strike back when a security personnel stepped between him and the man.
The room went quiet. I could hear their eyes roving round the room. Everyone watched silently as the drama unfolded. Who was this man? And why was he so aggressive towards his wife? Lots of questions flooded the large hall.
Brian hesitated, seemingly with something on his mind. I could tell by the way he lifted his right eyebrow.
He looked at the woman beside him, and his gaze lingered. She was in red. I observed that after the tears in my eyes disappeared.
The woman seemed close to Rex, and she held onto his arm long enough to make me slightly envious.
Rex didn't seem to be interested in that woman, or so, I thought.
I saw the way he looked at me, almost like he felt something too, but I guess I was just being delusional. He looked at me with pity.
I hated that with every breath.
Brian grabbed my hand, dragging me away from him. Catching them off-guard.
"We're leaving, now," he said coldly, wiping the blood off the corner of his mouth.
I didn't even find Damon and now this obnoxious man who made mockery of me in public, dragged me like a cow to its slaughterhouse.
My brows furrowed. Before I could say a word, he started walking away, dragging me even more cruelly.
"Rosella! Wait, please, don't go with him," he pleaded. His eyes filled with pity.
Our eyes met, my face puffy and swollen, I let out a soft whimper. My expression was filled with worry. He stepped forward, dragging his forearm away from the woman who tried to step in.
But, I turned around and left with him. I wish I didn't. I didn't want to, but all the other choices left me
I turned my back on my knight in shining armor and fled the scene with my so-called husband.
He didn't understand.
. . .
Damon's POV
Lara stood in front of me, feigning care. She placed her palm on my cheek. I was tempted to throw her hand off but I didn't.
"Sir, we have to leave."
"No, please, not yet."
"Your dad called, he wants to leave. Now..." She lied, hoping I would listen.
Just then my assistant whispered in my ear. I took one last look at Rosella's back view, sighed and left.
* * *
Aurora's POV
I hurried down the stairs, ignoring the onlookers and their cameras. He opened the door and slammed it behind me.
I bawled my eyes out as he entered through the opposite door.
"Drive" he ordered.
In motion, I took a brief look at my reflection in the window. My mascara had washed up leaving streaks on my face and my lipstick was smeared on my right cheek. I hated my battered look and wondered how my father could betray her like that.
I overheard the conversation he had with Brian the morning of the event.
I heard him unhook his tie. My blood boiled, but I feared what would happen if I spoke. I stayed silent, slowly breathing through the pain in her face and heart.
Was this it? Was I really going to marry this abusive man? Did my dad really exchange me like some sort of item for his company? I sobbed.
My thoughts were interrupted.
"I'm sorry. You shouldn't have made me hit you. You know I hate the thought of you with another man. When I saw you in that secluded place with him, I lost it. You made me mad! I told you to stay put. You should've listened!," he raged.
The driver looked through the rearview mirror through the corner of his eyes, attempting to eavesdrop.
I was infuriated. Those words pierced deep in my heart. His manipulation wasn't new, but I had no idea he wouldn't take responsibility even when he knew it wasn't my fault.
"Stop the car, now!"
The limo came to a halt. The driver turned to look at me, astonished. He stared with his eyebrows raised and muttered something I couldn't quite hear. I unlocked the door but not before I eased my anger in a few words.
"I hate you Brian!. I hate everything about you. I will never marry you! I don't care if we lose the company, I will not be enslaved by you."
I didn't know if I meant those words, but I was too hurt to care. Was I going to give up that easily? All I knew was that this was an opportunity to leave before I became wrapped up in his twisted game.
My heart was racing and a new batch of tears threatened to make way.
I stepped out throwing the diamond pendant necklace he gave me on his thigh. I no longer belonged to him.
He alighted, walking towards me, but I was prepared to run.
"He won't marry you. He's the man responsible for your dad's bankruptcy. He took over the contract that belonged to your dad. He hates your family and he's desperate."
"Why should I believe you? You'd say anything to control my every move."
"Come with me. I promise not to hurt you again. I love you."
I slowly stepped away from the car holding my phone and purse under my arm. This time I was sure if I listened I'd never be free, but was that a risk I was willing to take?
"If you leave now, I won't take you back. You'll lose everything."
I had second thoughts and almost decided to go with him. Endure the abuse and save the company or leave everything behind?
Without thinking twice, I ran. Ran as far as my legs could take me, leaving him shocked. I ran faster when I heard him following me. Could I really outrun a 44-year-old man?
My golden heel struck the hemline of my dress. I tripped and stumbled, tearing the dress in the process.
It started raining heavily.
I was getting drenched. Realizing that I couldn't run in the rain with my heels, I stopped, unbuckled them and placed them under my other arm, ripping the long dress that was caught in it. I looked back and saw that he had driven off.
With my mini shredded dress that stayed partly just below the middle of my thigh and behind it, I wished I had so much as a coat.
Thunder struck.
Taking out my phone, I dialed my emergency contact — my sister.
* * *
"Why did you stop me?" "You had no business doing that. My life is none of your business! Don't interfere in anything!" I yelled.
I turned to look at Lara on the left side of the vehicle. She fiddled with her bracelet. I could see that she wanted to argue, but she hesitated. The heavy rain struck the window, accompanied by a deafening sound.
She screamed. I softened. I knew she was scared of the dreadful noise. I wanted to comfort her, nevertheless I didn't.
We sat in silence as their vehicle passed by the pedestrians.
"Hurry up, we have to get home quickly," I ordered.
With that, the driver zoomed off, splashing the water on someone on the right-hand side of the road.
. . .
Lara's POV
I gasped as I saw the lady in burgundy, the one who was humiliated earlier at the party.
Just when he wanted to look in that direction, I pulled him in and planted a tender kiss on his lips, distracting him, I could taste his mint gum...
...
Aurora's POV
I shivered as the muddy puddle splashed on my fair skin. Not only was I drenched, but the vehicle ahead had just splashed me and sped off. I wondered if the day could get any worse.
My phone lit, a message from my sister.
"Where are you?" I'll be there in five"
I replied, waiting in the cold.
About four minutes and some seconds later, a red BMW stopped right in front of me and wound down. I got in and buckled my seatbelt.
"Amor, what happened?" Liliana, my sister, asked.
I turned my cheek and revealed the bruise on it.
"Who did that to you? Was it Brian? Why did he hurt you?"
Liliana stretched her hand to receive my arm. It was red with finger marks.
She was bewildered and slightly trembled at her touch, filling her with worry and fury.
She gasped, "The deal is off."
- Writer
