The Orphan Who Owned The Billionaire

Chapter 5

Aurora's hands shook as she pushed open the glass door to Riley's Bar. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. The familiar smell of coffee and fresh pastries should have comforted her, but instead, it made her stomach twist into knots.

"Aurora!" Riley's voice boomed across the restaurant. His face lit up with relief as he rushed toward her, his arms open wide. "Thank God you're okay!"

He pulled her into a bear hug that made her eyes water. His cologne smelled like safety and home.

"I was so worried when you didn't show up yesterday," Riley whispered into her hair. His voice cracked with emotion. "After Emma called and said you had a family emergency... I kept thinking the worst."

Aurora's throat felt tight. She blinked back tears that threatened to spill.

"Riley, I'm so sorry," she choked out. Her voice sounded small and broken. "I didn't mean to worry you. Everything just... fell apart."

Riley pulled back and held her shoulders, studying her face with concerned eyes. His eyebrows knitted together with worry.

"Hey, look at me," he said gently. His thumbs rubbed circles on her arms. "Whatever happened, we're family here. You don't have to go through anything alone, okay? We've got your back no matter what."

Aurora's lips quivered. She nodded quickly, not trusting her voice.

"Now go get ready," Riley smiled warmly. "Take all the time you need."

In the small staff room, Aurora fumbled through her bag with trembling fingers. She turned it upside down, shaking everything out onto the bench. Her wallet, lipstick, keys, and gum scattered everywhere.

"Where is it?" she whispered frantically. Her hands moved faster, checking every pocket twice. Her work ID was nowhere to be found.

Her stomach dropped like a stone. Cold sweat broke out across her forehead.

"Oh God, where did I leave it?" She pressed her palms against her temples, trying to remember.

She took a breath and pulled on her work shirt. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons. She had to get through this shift. She had to pretend everything was normal.

"Aurora!" Ruth's voice called from the doorway. Her colleague peeked in with bright, curious eyes. "There's a customer out there asking for you specifically. She said she knows you!"

Aurora's blood turned to ice water. Her hands froze on the last button.

"Did... did she give a name?" Aurora's voice came out as barely a whisper.

"Sophie something," Ruth shrugged. "Really pretty blonde girl. Looks expensive."

The room started spinning. Aurora gripped the edge of the locker to keep from falling over. Her knees felt like jelly.

"No, no, no," she breathed. Her chest tightened until she could barely breathe.

"Aurora? You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," Ruth stepped closer, her face creased with worry.

Aurora forced a smile on her face. "I'm fine. Just... I'll be right out."

Her legs shook as she walked toward the dining area. Each step felt like walking toward her execution. Her palms were slick with sweat.

There she was. Sophie sat at a corner table like a queen on her throne. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled, her makeup flawless. She wore a white dress that probably cost more than Aurora made in three months.

Sophie's lips curved into a cruel smile when she spotted Aurora. Her eyes glittered with malice.

Aurora's heart pounded so hard she was sure everyone could hear it. She forced her feet to move, each step feeling like she was walking through quicksand.

"Good morning," Aurora managed, her voice barely steady. Her hands trembled as she pulled out her notepad. "What can I get you today?"

Sophie's laughter was like breaking glass. It made Aurora's skin crawl.

"Oh, this is perfect!" Sophie clapped her hands together, her rings catching the light. "Yes, this is exactly what suits you, a mere waitress."

Aurora's jaw clenched. Her fingernails dug into her palms.

Sophie leaned back in her chair, her smile turning vicious. "Oh wait, now that you have no fiancé, you can serve men both here and in bed, can't you?"

Aurora's face burned with shame and rage. Her whole body started shaking. She balled her hands into fists so tight her knuckles turned white.

"This is my workplace," Aurora said through gritted teeth. Her voice was low "Don't cause a scene. What would you like to drink?"

Sophie's eyes sparkled with cruel delight. "I'll have a cappuccino. Extra hot."

Aurora nodded stiffly and walked away on unsteady legs. In the kitchen, she gripped the counter and took deep breaths. Her chest felt like it was being squeezed in a vise.

She prepared the cappuccino with shaking hands. The cup rattled against the saucer as she carried it back.

As Aurora set the drink down, Sophie suddenly jerked her elbow up. The hot coffee splashed across Sophie's white dress, staining it brown.

"AHHHHH!" Sophie screamed, jumping up from her chair. "YOU b***h!"

Her hand flew across Aurora's cheek with a sharp c***k that echoed through the restaurant. Aurora's head snapped to the side, her cheek burning.

"How dare you!" Sophie shrieked, her face twisted with fake rage. "Is this because Kaiden chose me over you? How dare you be so unprofessional and spill hot cofee on me!"

Aurora pressed her hand to her stinging cheek, her eyes wide with shock. The whole restaurant had gone silent. Everyone was staring.

Riley came running over, his face pale with concern. Several other staff members gathered around.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Riley asked, his eyes darting between them.

Aurora's voice shook as she spoke. "The coffee just spilled, I…"

"That's a lie!" Sophie cut her off, her voice getting louder. Tears appeared in her eyes like magic. "She did it on purpose! Just because her wedding was called off when her fiancé realized what kind of person she really is and chose me instead!"

Aurora stared at Riley with desperate eyes. "You know I'm not an emotional wreck. I wouldn't do something like that."

But Sophie was already pulling out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen.

"I'm going live," Sophie announced, holding up her phone. The camera lens pointed at the crowd like a weapon.

"Everyone, can you see this?" Sophie's voice was sweet as poison. "This is Riley's Bar, and they have completely incompetent staff who won't even apologize for their mistakes!"

Aurora's blood turned to ice. Her whole body went numb.

"Can you imagine?" Sophie continued, her voice rising with fake emotion. "Just because she was caught being a gold digger by her ex, and he chose someone worthy of his status, which happens to be me, this... this woman was so furious that she attacked me!"

Sophie turned the camera on herself, her eyes wide with fake fear.

"She insulted me! I'm so scared for my life! I'm scared for her colleagues too, but what can I do when her boss will keep working with her?"

Aurora tried to step forward. "That's not…"

"Look everyone!" Sophie spun the camera toward Aurora. "Recognize this face! Do not employ someone like her!"

Aurora's vision went red. Without thinking, she knocked the phone out of Sophie's hands. It clattered across the floor.

"Aren't you satisfied?" Aurora's voice cracked with emotion. Tears streamed down her face. "You stole my man, and now this? Do you want me dead?"

Sophie gasped dramatically, pointing at Aurora with a shaking finger.

"Stop lying! Now everyone has seen your true colors! You lie, you steal, you manipulate!" Sophie's voice became shrill. "Why can't you just apologize? You hurt me, and now my phone is ruined because of you!"

Aurora turned to Riley with pleading eyes. But his face had gone hard and cold. His jaw was set in a way she'd never seen before.

"Aurora," Riley's voice was quiet but firm. "please apologize and get this over with."

Aurora's heart shattered into a million pieces. She looked at Sophie, then back at Riley, then at the crowd of people staring at her with disgust.

"She's hesitating," someone in the crowd muttered. "Why did you employ such a rude girl? It'll damage your business reputation."

Sophie smiled triumphantly at me. Her eyes glittered with victory.

"Thousands of my followers watched that video," Sophie said suddenly changing her facial expression, facing Riley. "And I don't want your apologies."

She paused dramatically, staring at the crowd with a hurt look.

"Instead, Riley," Sophie's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, "why don't you listen to their request?"

Riley's face went pale. "I'm sorry, but maybe we should settle this privately…"

"It seems you don't know who I am," Sophie interrupted, her expression turning ice-cold. "But let me remind you..."

She stepped closer to Riley, her voice becoming deadly quiet.

"If you do not fire this woman right now... kiss your business goodbye."