Temptation of the Past [Mature Content]

9. [I love you]

The next morning, Amara was the first one up and in the kitchen making breakfast. As she was about to put the biscuits in the oven her mom entered the kitchen surprising her. "Oh, sweetie you didn't have to do that, after the night I'm guessing you had, I'm sure you wanted to stay in late." Her mom walked around the counter and put on the coffee maker so the coffee would start brewing.

Amara closed the oven door and smiled at her mom. "I know mom but after being up at 5am every day for work, I can't seem to stay in bed pass 6am when I'm not working." Her mom nodded in understanding.

Even as a little girl growing up, Amara always had trouble sleeping late unlike her sister, who would sleep for hours, wake up and claim to still be tired.

"So, what are you planning on doing today then since it's officially your first day back home?"

"Well I was thinking about doing some shopping, it's been a while since I actually went out and did some meaningful shopping. Besides I still need to get something for Rora."

Amara and her mom both sat at the island counter and catch up on things that had happened over the years while she was away. They even talked about the development of the airport and new schools. Living in Merristwood was always happy times for Amara and being back home with her family and friends felt like she had never left.

The timer on the oven went off and her mom went and removed the biscuits from the oven. "I can finish up breakfast if you'd like to freshen up for breakfast." In the Castillo family, cooking was always done by Amara and her mom while her sister would be the son her father never had. She would spend hours in the kitchen with her mom after school baking cookies and also cupcakes for school fairs. Amara loved the kitchen and sharing that little moment with her mom, made her feel like a little girl all over again.

"Sure mom, I'll just go check and see if Rora is awake. Maybe she would like to go shopping with me today, if she can hold up long enough. Ha-ha."

Amara left the kitchen and headed in the direction of the bedrooms to check to see if her sister was awake. Walking along the corridors of the house, pictures of when she was a little girl running around and playing with her sister and cousins were hanging on the walls. She came to a stop of a photo of her and Aurora while they were dressed for prom. It was a wonderful night. Thinking back at that night made her smile and also made her heart heavy with regret.

Flashback...

"C'mon girls, time to go."

In her bedroom putting on the final touches of her makeup, Amara can hear her mom shouting for them to hurry up so they can leave for the prom. For months Amara had been preparing and making sure everything was ready for the prom until the previous day made her think of other things than just a high school dance.

Recently she had applied for a scholarship to study in one of the top universities and she had recently received a letter of her acceptance for a full ride. Receiving her acceptance letter had put a lot of questions to the forefront that she had been ignoring ever since she applied. Questions like; how would she tell Liam and how will he take it? Should she ask him to go with her or would he rather they end their relationship? They were questions she didn't want answered.

Finally, she was finished with her makeup and made one final twirl in the mirror. In walked her sister with her hands to her mouth. "What?" She asked as she looked over her gown.

"Darm sis, you look gorge."

"Really it's not too much?"

"Mara you look beautiful, you are going to blow Liam's mind tonight."

Amara giggled, hearing Liam's name. He always had a way of making her smile even when he isn't around and more than ever she needed it.

"Look at you... you look amazing Rora. See always told you baby blue is your color and I'm sure James will agree."

They both laughed as they looked at themselves and each other in the mirror.

Amara was dressed in a red floor length gown with silver beading at the neckline. Thin straps and a x design at the back. Thrown over her shoulder was a red and silver floral shawl, with silver matching earrings and necklace. On her feet which was hidden due to the length of the dress was a pair of silver heels with red bottoms and a strip of while along the sides. She was dressed so elegant and the dress fitted like a glove.

On the other hand, her sister was wearing a baby blue knee length dress, strapless with a bow tied at the back. She was wearing a pair of long drop gold earrings with a blue stone and matching necklace with a gold bracelet on her right wrist. Her shoes coordinated with her dress and jewelry.

Amara grabbed her silver clutch and walked out her bedroom with her sister behind. As they both descended the stairs, both their parents were waiting. Their father extended both arms and they each took an arm as they took the final step.

"You girls look radiant. I can't believe how much you two have grown up in such a short time." Their mother said as she wiped a tear from her cheek. It was a special night for both sisters as they celebrate their last night as a senior and they move onto a future without expectations.

" Oh mom, you're going to make me cry and ruin my makeup."

It was a night filled with memories and lots of dancing.

End of Flashback...

Passing her hand over the photo, she smiled with joy. "It was a fun night wasn't it." Her sister stated startling her. Amara turned away from the photos now facing her droopy eyed sister.

"Yes, indeed it was. I can still remember how sore my feet was after all that dancing."

"Tell me about it, James had me going all night like I was an energizer bunny, he-he."

"Sometimes I wish that night didn't end but without the sore feet and blisters though."

For a brief moment they shared a laugh and went back and forth remembering their prom night and all the fun they had. Growing as kids Amara and Aurora were always close. They would always do everything together. Well except sharing the same guy. They fought over things siblings would usually fight over. Instead they had each other's back right down to a T. So, if Amara got into a fight, Aurora would step in, even though she was the younger one. Their love was so unique their parents hated it when Amara left for college. Nevertheless, they supported her in every decision she made, whether as a child or an adult.

"Oh, I was just coming to see if your awake. Mom is downstairs finishing up breakfast."

"Yeah, sure. Let me just take a quick shower and I'll be down in a minute."

"See you down there, just gonna check my emails a bit."

They headed in separate directions, as Aurora headed to the bathroom and Amara headed for her bedroom.

It was now little after 10 and breakfast was finished.

Taking her phone from her pocket, Amara decided it was time to return Cole's missed calls. She dialed his number and he answered on the second ring. "Hey babe, was called since you got in night before but was getting an answer."

She decided for a while about what to tell but figured the truth would be best. She had never lied to him and she wasn't about to start now, no matter how bad things were between them. "Sorry for missing your calls. I was preparing for Aurora's Bachelorette party and got carried away with it and then last night I was so tired I decided to crash early. I can't stay long; I'm going into town so I'll give you a call when I return."

"Ok no problem. Say hi to Aurora for me and Amara--."

"Yeah Cole."

" I love you."

"I love you too. Gotta go, bye."

Amara hang up the phone and placed it on the counter face down. For a short time, she remembered how happy things once were with her and Cole then she smiled.