Empty Brooklyn Apartment
1627 Words
In a corner of Brooklyn, Aurora Blake sits on the couch of her simple yet cozy apartment. The lights in the kitchen are dimly lit, the light barely reaching the living room where she is pensive. In her hand, a long-cold glass of tea.
“I don't know what to do”. Aurora muttered listlessly.
Several days had passed since her meeting with the head doctor at the fertility clinic, but her mind still could not escape the reality that had just been revealed to her. The baby she was carrying was not Marcus'.
“Do I have to tell him?” Aurora held her cell phone to speak hoping Marcus could think of a solution.
She took a deep breath, holding back the tightness that couldn't be relieved by tears alone. She repeatedly opened the contacts on her cell phone, staring at the name-**Marcus**...
“Marcus...” Aurora let out a long breath, staring blankly at the small window of her apartment.
She picked up the phone, her finger hesitating on the screen. After a moment, she finally pressed the name she had called so many times over the years. Marcus answered after a few rings, his tone sounding casual, neither surprised nor enthusiastic to hear from her.
“Hello? Rora? What's wrong?” Marcus' voice was finally heard on the other side. It was cold. The flatness made Aurora want to cry harder, but she refrained.
Aurora took a breath before speaking. “I need to talk. It's important.”
“I'm listening,” Marcus replied briefly.
“Marcus...” Aurora opened the conversation with a hoarse voice. “I... I don't know what to say. But I need to talk to you.”
....
....
There was a pause on the other end before Marcus replied, “I'm busy right now. If this is about your pregnancy, I think we're clear. What else is there to discuss?”
“The clinic told me something,” Aurora began, her voice shaking slightly. “There was a mistake. The baby I'm carrying... is not yours.”
A long silence fell over their conversation. Aurora waited, hoping Marcus would say something-anything. However, when he finally spoke, his answer cut much deeper than she had anticipated.
“So what?” said Marcus in a cold tone. “You've achieved your goal, Rora. You wanted a child, and now you have one. Why add to the drama?”
Aurora felt her heart breaking. She tried to hold back the tears, but her voice trembled as she replied. “Marcus, it's not just about me. It's about the fact that everything's changed. About this child. About what happened to us.”
“Us?” Marcus chuckled, sounding more like a mockery. “Rora, we never really existed. This relationship is something you maintain on your own. I'm not even sure why I'm still here.”
Aurora fell silent. The words were like a slap that brought her back to reality. She wanted to retaliate, wanted to force Marcus to see what they had planned together, but it all felt futile.
“I don't want to waste my time anymore,” Marcus hung up without waiting for an answer.
“Aurora,” Marcus cut in, his voice firm yet cold, ”I don't want to discuss this anymore. I'm not asking for your trust, I'm not asking to be relied upon. I'm just a donor, period.”
Aurora fell silent. The cell phone in her hand felt heavier than ever, like the weight in her heart was getting harder to bear. Her tears began to flow, falling down her pale cheeks.
“I was stupid...” she muttered softly, barely audible amongst the sound of the rain. “I was a fool for hoping you would care. I was a fool for thinking this could be more than just a deal.”
On the other side, Marcus let out a long sigh. “I can't be the person you expect me to be, Rora. If you can't accept that, I suggest you seek help elsewhere.”
Click.
Aurora looked at the dark screen of her phone. In silence, tears finally flowed down her cheeks.
A few hours passed, and night began to creep in. Aurora remained seated in the same spot, staring blankly at the teacup on her desk. Her mind was full of questions with no answers. What should she do now? Should she accept this reality and move on, or was there something bigger waiting for her?
TOK!!!
TOK!!!
TOK!!!
A sudden knock on the door broke her reverie. Aurora raised her head, confused. No one ever came to her apartment unannounced, especially at this time of night.
TOK!!!
TOK!!!
TOK!!!
The knock sounded again, louder this time.
“Who comes at this time of night”. Aurora clenched her fists feeling the annoyance of the trouble that was coming.
Aurora stood up, curiosity mixed with anxiety began to envelop her. Who would come at this hour?
Hesitantly, she walked towards the door. Her hand trembled as she reached for the doorknob. When she opened it...
“Hello good evening, Are you Ms. Aurora Blake?” A mysterious man came to greet her.
“Excuse me, who are you?” Aurora was surprised that someone was suddenly coming.
Who was behind the door? Was this someone who brought new news, or was this the beginning of a major conflict to come? Aurora didn't know, but she was prepared for whatever was behind the door.
Hesitantly, she walked towards the door. Her hand trembled as she reached for the doorknob. When she opened it... A young man wearing a black suit was in front of her.
“Good Evening Ms. Aurora Blake”. The young man greeted her kindly.
“Hello..........sorry, what's the matter tonight?” Rora replied nervously.
“Pleased to meet you ma'am, I am Sebastian the servant of Mr. Alexander Thornfield”. The servant replied with a smiling expression.
Hearing the name Alexander Thornfield made me understand that sooner or later the rich man would meet him.
“Is that so? Why are you here at night?” Rora held the door carefully as she prepared to close it.
“No need to be formal ma'am, just call me ‘Sebas’” the man replied calmly. Then he continued, “I was sent here to invite you to meet Mr. Thornfield.”
'That man wants me to see him' Rora thought that her life would be in trouble if she came to see him.
“I'm sorry I don't have time to see him” Rora spoke in a hurry and closed the door.
Brakkk
Rora pushed the door hoping that she would be able to reject him with a bit of roughness....
Suddenly the door was blocked by a black shoe and didn't close properly. The maid pushed the door back trying to open it.
GGhhhhhhh
Rora pushed the door with all her might and the maid held it with her hand, Rora couldn't close the door.
“I'm sorry I don't have time to see him, please find someone else” Rora replied in an annoyed tone.
The young maid pressed the door again and it finally opened until Rora almost fell down.
AHHH
The man grabbed her hand and held her from falling.
“Be careful Ms. Aurora, you’re carrying Mr. Thornfild’s baby. Don’t harm the baby.”
HAHHHH!!!
“You knew I was pregnant? And you also know that the baby I'm carrying is...”. Rora stiffened at this.
“I knew and Mr. Thornfield knew. That's why Mr. Thornfield invited you to come see him.” Sebas replied calmly.
Rora bit her teeth and tried to smile. She didn't know how to answer him. Then she tried to suppress her fear.
“Wh…What if I reject it and don't come? “Rora replied nervously.
Sebas again answered with a hint of intimidation.
“I advise Ms. Aurora not to refuse. I'm afraid that your safety is not guaranteed.”
“WHY? My life has been normal and fine” Rora shouted a little.
“Why do you say? Because you have conceived Mr. Thornfild's child. Therefore, your life has changed.” Sebas approached his face with intimidation.
Rora thought that if she accepted this offer, her life would change and that would be the end of her freedom. Her life as a free woman would end. The dizziness came over her and made her a little nauseous due to this and the signs of her pregnancy.
“I don't know what I'm doing, I'll think about that offer” she held her head guiltily. Then “I'm sorry I can't reply right now” while stroking her stomach.
“Think it through and I hope you as soon as possible to come see him.” With a big smile but Sebastian's gaze returned to her and looked at Aurora's belly “When you have conceived Lord Thornfild's baby, then life changes as well as everything about you so be careful and I hope you can take care of the baby.”
After their shocking conversation. Sebastian prepared to leave and headed back to his master.
“It was nice to meet you Ms. Aurora, I wish you good health and I look forward to serving you when you accept the offer”. Sebas said out loud and drove off towards the black car.
Rora pondered for a moment hoping it was just a dream but the reality was that it wasn't. Her life was now changed.
“What should I do about this?”. Rora stroked her stomach and then went back inside her house..
- Writer
